The best trip within about five hours of Austin for each of the next 6 weekends, chosen for kids under 6. Every event links to the official page we checked it on.
6 weekends
2 cities
Closest: 1h 30mLast checked against official pages. How we choose
Each ring is one hour of driving from Austin. Under two hours is an easy day trip; past three, pack the pajamas.
Orange dots are picks on this page. Drive times are normal driving times without traffic.
1h 30m
about 1 hr 30 min from Austin
Zoo Boo! with free trick-or-treating every afternoon.
Daily trick-or-treating, the new Fiesta de los Muertos and live entertainment.
Fri Oct 23, Sat Oct 24, Sun Oct 25 · Free trick-or-treating 4–5pm daily; open until 9pm on Oct 31San Antonio Zoo
Included with Zoo admission1h 30mabout 1 hr 30 min from Austin
Halloween at the Zoo, open until 9pm on Saturday.
Daily trick-or-treating, the new Fiesta de los Muertos and live entertainment.
Fri Oct 30, Sat Oct 31, Sun Nov 1 · Free trick-or-treating 4–5pm daily; open until 9pm on Oct 31San Antonio ZooIncluded with Zoo admission
0 min
Nothing within a few hours beats what's already on in Austin this weekend.
Santa photos daily from Nov 7; reservations available.
Sat Nov 7, Sun Nov 8 · Daily; walk-ups welcome until closingBarton Creek SquareSee photo packages online1h 30m
about 1 hr 30 min from Austin
Zoo Lights! opens Saturday, Nov 14.
Miles of lights, glowing tunnels and Santa photos on select dates; 2026 ticket details still to come.
Sat Nov 14, Sun Nov 15 · Check the Zoo for 2026 timesSan Antonio ZooIncluded with Zoo admission
1h 30m
about 1 hr 30 min from Austin
Zoo Lights! all weekend.
Miles of lights, glowing tunnels and Santa photos on select dates; 2026 ticket details still to come.
Fri Nov 20, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22 · Check the Zoo for 2026 timesSan Antonio ZooIncluded with Zoo admission1h 30m
about 1 hr 30 min from Austin
The Holiday River Parade lights the River Walk on Friday.
Miles of lights, glowing tunnels and Santa photos on select dates; 2026 ticket details still to come.
Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29 · Check the Zoo for 2026 timesSan Antonio ZooIncluded with Zoo admissionLit floats and the River Walk lighting the day after Thanksgiving. Strollers aren’t allowed on the River Walk for the parade.
Fri Nov 27 · 6pmSan Antonio River WalkTickets for seating; free viewing area (bring a chair)
Car snacksMore than you think. Then a few more.
StrollerZoo paths and light trails are long for little legs.
Time the napLeave right before nap so the drive does double duty.
Overnight bagPast three hours, pajamas beat a 9pm drive home.
Parking cashFree admission days often still charge for parking.
Rain planPick one indoor backup, like a museum, before you leave.Over the next 6 weekends our picks from Austin are San Antonio. Each one is chosen for what's on that weekend, with the dates, times and prices checked on the official pages.
San Antonio (about 1 hr 30 min). Times are normal driving times without traffic.
Sometimes one city really does have the most going on two weekends in a row, like a holiday lights opening followed by a show. We don't rotate cities just for variety.
They're what each official page showed on Oct 18, 2026. Tap through to the official page before you go.