The best trip within about five hours of San Antonio 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 San Antonio. 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 San Antonio
A free Nature Festival & Spooktacular on Saturday.
A free fall nature festival on Austin Public Library’s calendar.
Sat Oct 24 · 3–6pmNorth Austin Community Garden
Free
0 min
Nothing within a few hours beats what's already on in San Antonio this weekend.
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 Zoo
Included with Zoo admission1h 30m
about 1 hr 30 min from San Antonio
Santa arrives at Barton Creek Square on Saturday, Nov 7.
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 30mabout 1 hr 30 min from San Antonio
Santa photos at Barton Creek Square all weekend.
Santa photos daily from Nov 7; reservations available.
Fri Nov 13, Sat Nov 14, Sun Nov 15 · Daily; walk-ups welcome until closingBarton Creek SquareSee photo packages online
0 min
Nothing within a few hours beats what's already on in San Antonio this 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 admission0 min
Nothing within a few hours beats what's already on in San Antonio this weekend.
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 San Antonio are Austin. Each one is chosen for what's on that weekend, with the dates, times and prices checked on the official pages.
Austin (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.