Local Life

Austin Parks Foundation Expands ‘In the Park’ Series with New Fall Programming

Learn more about their free events featuring fitness, movies, playdates and art activities across Austin’s parks

By Cassie Butterfield
August 09, 2024

Austin Parks Foundation presents MOVIES IN THE PARK: THE GOONIES at Dick Nichols Park on June 23, 2022 in Austin, Texas. / Photo by HLK Fotos.

The beloved “In the Park” series by the Austin Parks Foundation (APF) is expanding this fall with new dates and programming for 2024. This free series, designed to bring the community together through inclusive events in parks across the city, now features a variety of offerings, including Fitness in the Park, Playdates in the Park, Movies in the Park, and the newest addition, Art in the Park. These events, running through December, offer Austinites of all ages opportunities to experience the city’s green spaces in unique and engaging ways.

Fitness in the Park

Kick off your week with a refreshing start through the “Monday Movement” wellness program, in partnership with Habitat Retreats. Begin your day with a serene sunrise yoga session at Zilker Park, followed by an invigorating cold plunge in Barton Springs. These energizing sessions, held every Monday morning from 7 to 8 a.m. between August 12 and September 2, offer the perfect way to begin the week feeling rejuvenated and refreshed.

Playdates in the Park

APF will host an exciting lineup of events for families with young children, created in collaboration with Creative Action and supported by Goldfish Swim School. These engaging mornings will feature live story-time sessions, hands-on arts and crafts, and lively music activities, with contributions from local favorites like the Texas Book Festival and BookSpring. Each event kicks off at 10 a.m. and wraps up by noon.

The Austin Parks Foundation’s “Playdates in the Park” series will take place at the following locations:

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Mary Moore Searight Metro Park (Wednesday, Sept. 4) – The Texas Book Festival will host a story-time session.
Dove Springs District Park (Saturday, Sept. 21) – Painting Pandas will guide an art activity in both English and Spanish.
Walnut Creek Metro Park (Wednesday, Oct. 16) – BookSpring will host a story-time and distribute books, and Painting Pandas will guide an art activity.
Ponciana Neighborhood Park (Wednesday, Nov. 6) – Painting Pandas will guide an art activity in both English and Spanish.
Metz Neighborhood Park (Saturday, Nov. 23) – BookSpring will conduct a bilingual story-time, along with a book distribution and book-making activity.

Movies in the Park

The “Movies in the Park” series, a longstanding tradition in Austin, will continue with free movie screenings in neighborhood parks. In collaboration with Rocket Cinema, the upcoming screenings include Barbie (2023) at Mueller Lake Park on Friday, Sept. 13 at 6 p.m. and The Grinch (2018) at Balcones District Park on Thursday, Dec. 5 at 5 p.m. Attendees are welcome to bring dogs, lawn chairs and picnics.

Austin Parks Foundation’s Playdates in the Park at Martin Park on June 25, 2022 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by HLK Fotos)

Art in the Park

A fresh addition to the lineup, this free event series invites children to tap into their creative side and explore their artistic talents. Guided by Painting Pandas, these sessions offer young artists the chance to craft nature-inspired projects in some of Austin’s beautiful parks. The fun kicks off at Patterson Neighborhood Park on Sept. 11, followed by sessions at Earl J Pomerleau Pocket Park on Oct. 26 and Wooten Neighborhood Park on Nov. 16. It’s a perfect opportunity for kids to get creative while enjoying the great outdoors.

For more information on the “In the Park” series, visit austinparks.org.