We’re starting to get those summer feelings in Austin in May! It’s warming up, splash pads and pools start to open, and school is almost out. Whether you’re visiting or live here, I’ve rounded up ideas for what to do and local events in May.
In This Post
May Events
Pecan Street Festival: May 4-5, 2024
Each May and September, Pecan Street Festival takes over part of downtown for a fun art festival, with hundreds of craft artisans and live music. It’s free to attend and even has a kids area.
City of Kyle Movies in the Park: May 3, 2024
Kyle’s May Movie in the Park will be Toy Story 4. The movie will start at sundown (around 7 p.m.) at Gregg-Clarke Park.
Leander Kite Festival: May 4, 2024
Bring your own kite or watch others fly theirs at this free annual fest. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Devine Lake Park.
Saengerfest, New Braunfels: May 4, 2024
Go south to Downtown New Braunfels for this free festival, featuring live music, family activities and lots of shopping and food.
Disney on Ice Magic in the Stars: May 9-12, 2024
Kids can see their favorite Disney characters, from Lightning McQueen to Buzz Lightyear to Anna and Elsa (and many many more), perform tricks and dances on the ice at the HEB Center in Cedar Park.
For the Love of Parks: May 11, 2024
From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., celebrate the Travis County Parks System at Richard Moya Park. Mr. Will will be performing (as well as Los Texmaniacs), and there will be activities for the kids and food trucks.
Greater Austin Book Fest: May 11, 2024
Austin Public Library is hosting the Greater Austin Book Fest from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Central Library. Authors and illustrators will be there to sign books and shop, and there are lots of kids story times.
Meanwhile Story Times: May 14, May 28
The Austin Public Library is hosting springtime story times at 10 am every other Tuesday at Meanwhile Brewing.
Kyle Fair A Tex-Travaganza: May 17-19
Head to Lake Kyle Park for 3 nights of free live music (on two stages!). You can see Kevin Fowler, Kody West, The Spazmatics and more. There are also carnival rides, a fun run, a drone show and a whole bunch of people named Kyle as they attempt to break the world record.
Rock the Park: May 17, 2024
Rock the Park is a series of free, family-friendly concerts in Mueller Lake Park amphitheater, with 2024 dates in March through June.
May 17 will feature Promqueen and DJ Jester TFF. Music starts at 6:45.
Woodland Faerie Trail at Zilker Botanical Garden: Starting May 18
The 2024 Woodland Faerie Trail at Zilker Botanical opens on May 18 (with a grand celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and goes through July. There will be 75 faerie homes on display, all built by the community. Included with general admission.
Splash Pads Open
Some splash pads in the suburbs opened in April, but most of the rest of the area opens their splash pads in May. Which is perfect timing as the weather starts to get hot!
The splash pads operated by the city of Austin open May 1 (and stay open until Halloween)! Some of my favorites are Ricky Guerrero, Rosewood and Clarksville.
Kyle’s Gregg Clarke and Steeplechase splash pads open May 4.
Georgetown and Round Rock splash pads area already open (since April 1). Pflugerville splash pads open May 25.
Things To Do In May
See the Congress Avenue bats! The country’s largest urban bat population come out around sunset from under the Congress Avenue Bridge, from late March through September.
Barton Springs is so fun when it’s hot out — you can cool off in the cold water and then warm up in the sun! May is a nice time of year to check it out.
Head to Lady Bird Lake or Lake Travis to kayak! Check out the Rowing Dock, Texas Rowing Center, Epic SUP, Austin Paddle Shack, and Austin Paddleboard and Kayak.
The weather in May can be sunny or stormy! If you need indoor ideas, check out these indoor play places.
Many water parks and pools open in May! Check them out here.