Austin is known as the Live Music Capital of the World, so you know you’ve got some options if you want to catch a band playing. And there are plenty of options throughout the year to see live music with your family — some that are all-ages and some that are specifically geared toward kids.
If you want to catch some live music with your kids in the Austin area, check out these shows — a lot of them are free!
And honestly, there are just so many performances, at coffee shops and breweries, or at festivals, it’s hard to capture them all here. Check the calendar of events to see if any big shows are coming up!
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Family-Friendly Live Music
Grassy Thursdays at St. Elmo Brewing
440 E St Elmo Rd G-2, Austin, TX 78745
8110 Springdale Rd, Austin, TX 78724
Every Thursday evening, you can catch a bluegrass show at both St. Elmo locations! It’s free, and both spots have fort playgrounds.
Central Market North Lamar
4001 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78756
This is one of my favorite spots for easy live music that everyone enjoys. Most Thursdays through Sundays (though I think they take breaks during bad-weather seasons), Central Market on North Lamar hosts local musicians on the patio. You can grab food inside at the cafe, kids can play on the playground and everyone can dance by the band.
See the schedule at the link.
Austin Kiddie Limits
Obviously the most well-known music festival in town is Austin City Limits, which happens for two weekends each October. Kids can enjoy the fest too by checking out Austin Kiddie Limits while you’re there. There are free activities, kid-centered music and bathrooms.
Children 8 and under can attend the festival free with a ticketed adult (up to 2 children per adult). Platinum ticket holders must purchase kids platinum tickets for ages 3-8.
KUTX Rock the Park
Mueller Lake Park, 4550 Mueller Blvd, Austin, TX 78723
Enjoy this free, family-friendly concert series in the spring and fall seasons! KUTX hosts concerts at Mueller Lake Park on select Fridays — you can bring a picnic and a blanket or buy dinner at the surrounding restaurants. The first act usually starts at 6:45.
Longhorn City Limits
2139 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78712
This football season concert series gets some big names, and it’s totally free! Before UT home football games, fans can catch huge concerts on the LBJ Lawn by the stadium. You don’t have to be going to the game! In 2024, some of the acts included Spoon, Rick Springfield, Pat Green, Josh Abbott Band, Midland, and Tanya Tucker.
Music on the Trail
Rainey Street Trailhead, Cummings St, Austin, TX 78701
You can experience live music weekly on the Hike and Bike Trail downtown during the fall and spring concert series put on by the Trail Conservancy! Every Wednesday during the series, you can catch local musicians putting on a show at the Rainey Street Trailhead. Bring a blanket and a picnic!
Zilker Botanical Garden Bands in Bloom
2220 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78746
Enjoy live music with a backdrop of beautiful gardens during this summer music series at Zilker Botanical Garden. From 6-8 pm on select Fridays. You can enjoy this event for free, but an RSVP is required.
Live at Lakeline
1510 Alexis Dr, Cedar Park, TX 78613
Head to Lakeline Park for this live music series in the spring featuring local bands. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair, play some lawn games, and grab some food while you enjoy some tunes.
Round Rock Music on Main
221 E Main St, Round Rock, TX 78664
Catch live music at the Prete Main Street Plaza in Round Rock on Wednesdays in the spring and summer. Grab a drink or dinner from a nearby businesses and bring it to the show. There are also holiday concerts and parklet lunchtime shows thorughout the year.
Blues on the Green
This summertime concert series showcases Austin-based bands right in the heart of Austin. Dates TBD for 2025.
The Drop-In at Long Center
Celebrate those long summer nights with this free music series, every Thursday night during the summer at the Long Center.
Strawbitty Yops
Strawbitty Yops are a popular kids band that play all over town, so they’re a good band to follow to find out kid-friendly music events.
Check out their Instagram to find out where they’re playing next!
In addition to these concert series, tons of the festivals in Austin have a stage for live music too!
Kid-Friendly Places That Regularly Host Live Music
1305 W Oltorf St, Austin, TX 78704
Fieldhouse at the Crossover
1717 Scottsdale Dr Suite 160, Leander, TX 78641
Slackers Brewing
12233 Ranch Rd 620 N #204, Austin, TX 78750
Radio Coffee and Beer
Radio East and Radio South
Local Suburb Festivals
Slice of Pflugerville
April 26, 2025
Sunset Valley Artfest
April 26, 2025
Kyle Fair
May 16-18, 2025
Buda’s Birthday Music Festival
April 5, 2025
Looking for more free fun in Austin? Check out this list or find out where kids eat free.