Free Fun things to do in Austin this weekend!

1. Holiday Fun at the Domain - Friday, November 30 and Saturday, December 1. The Domain is once again offering FREE horse-drawn carriage rides on Fridays and Saturdays through December 22, 2012, from 5:30 - 9:30 p.m. There are two pick-up points: one outside of the north entrance of Macy's, near the large Christmas tree, and one next to Santa's Workshop, across from Dillard's, next to Maggiano's. The rides are FREE, but tips are appreciated. Also, on Saturday at 6 p.m., The Domain invites families to watch National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation on the plaza in Domain II, Near The Range Golf Club & Sports Bar. (Please note that there is also a free Breakfast with Santa scheduled but The Domain is no longer accepting RSVPs). The Domain, 11410 Century Oaks Terrace, Austin.
2. Home Depot Kids Workshop - Saturday, December 1, from 9 a.m. - noon. Kids can make a FREE picture frame at this hands-on workshop designed for children ages 5 – 12 .Workshops teach children do-it-yourself skills, tool safety and instill a sense of pride and accomplishment. All kids get to keep their craft and receive a FREE Kids Workshop Apron, commemorative pin and certificate of achievement. All participating Home Depot locations. (Lowe's is also offering a free workshop on Saturday, where kids can build a plane, but their clinics require pre-registration.)
3. Violet Crown Arts Festival - Saturday, December 1 and Sunday, December 2, from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Bring the family, pack a blanket and some lawn chairs, and plan to spend the day. Enjoy great quality art from unique local artists, and live entertainment from all around Austin. Violet Crown Community Theater will perform the original children's play Little Miss Princess at 10 a.m. on Saturday. For the rest of the festival entertainment schedule, click here. Admission is FREE. The Triangle Commons, 722 W. 46th Street, Austin.
4. Chuy's Children Giving to Children Parade - Saturday, December 1 at 11 a.m. The parade will feature giant inflatable holiday floats, live music and dancing, marching bands, classic cars, and more. Bring you own seating, stake out a spot along Congress Avenue, and watch the show as it passes you by. Be sure to arrive early to snag a good seat. Bring along a toy to donate to Operation Blue Santa, to brighten the holidays for an Austin area child. At one point during the parade, the floats will stop and attendants will gather up the gifts from spectators. It is a sight to see the piles of the presents being donated. The parade will start at the Capitol at 11th and Congress, travel south on Congress to Cesar Chavez, and end just north of the bridge. It will last about an hour. FREE.
5. Girlstart's DeSTEMber Fest Extravaganza - Saturday, December 1, from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Join Girlstart for a FREE, frosty DeSTEMber Fest Extravaganza! Explore snowflake chemistry, igloo engineering, gingerbread architecture and more hands- on fun. The whole family will discover the mysteries behind this magical time of year! DeSTEMber is FREE from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. and then head to the Museum from 2-6 p.m. for FREE admission to the exhibits as part of First Saturday. Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 N. Congress Avenue, Austin.
6. Bookpeople’s Practically Pos-i-tute-ly Phenomenal Puppet Show - Saturday, December 1 at 11:30 a.m. BookPeople's delightfully mad and hilarious puppeteers will be performing for you once again and hope that you’re ready to laugh. This time the performance will feature a story all about the loveliest of the magical guardians, The Tooth Fairy. Make sure to arrive a little bit early as space in the amphitheater fills up quickly! BookPeople, 603 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin.
7. Christmas at the Capitol - Saturday, December 1 at noon. Come see Austin Harmony perform with A Cappella Texas in the Capitol rotunda, where the acoustics are sure to be amazing. FREE. Texas State Capitol, 11th Street and Congress Avenue, Austin.
8. Holiday Sing-Along and Downtown Stroll - Saturday, December 1, from 6 - 9 p.m. The evening starts at 6 p.m. when crowds gather on the south steps of the Capitol to sing the songs of the season during John Aielli’s Holiday Sing-Along. At 7 p.m., the countdown to the lighting of the Capitol tree begins – this year featuring a new 40 foot tree with lights programmed to local Holiday music. From 7 to 9 p.m., stroll down Congress Avenue for holiday fun during the Downtown Stroll. Click here for the evening's entertainment and activities schedule. All events are FREE and open to the public, but donations of non-perishable food or cash contributions to support the Capital Area Food Bank are appreciated. Texas Capitol, 11th Street and Congress Avenue, Austin.
9. Merry Movie Night Under the Stars - Saturday, December 1, at 6:30 p.m. Soleil and ConnectPR will host FREE screenings of A Charlie Brown Christmas (6:30 p.m.) and A Christmas Story (7:30 p.m.). Admission is FREE, but attendees are invited to bring along a toy to donate to Toys for Tots. Seating begins at 6 p.m. Bring your own blanket to sit under the stars. Soleil (outdoor patio), 6550 Comanche Trail, Austin.
10. Zilker Tree Lighting - Sunday, December 2 at 6 p.m. Featuring local entertainment, food, novelties and live music. Austin Civic Wind Ensemble will perform and additional event music will be performed by the Barton Hills Choir. From December 3-31, 6 p.m. - midnight, the tree will be on display nightly. You can see the test run of turning on the Zilker Tree here. FREE. Zilker Park (map), Austin.

Bonus "Get out of town" Events:

1. Georgetown Christmas Stroll - Friday, November 30, from 6 - 9 p.m. and Saturday, December 1, from 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. Fun for everyone including a Snowzilla (FREE snow hill for tubing), live music, Bethlehem Village, food, and more! Visit 200 craft vendors, a parade at noon on Saturday and free entertainment on two stages featuring wonderful local acts adding holiday spirit to the day. Take the family to the The Williamson Museum from 6 - 8 p.m. on Saturday to have Cocoa and Cookies with Cowboys during the Stroll. Check out the Georgetown Holiday Events Line-Up to see the many holiday events planned. Historic Square, Downtown Georgetown.
2. Elgin Lighted Parade and Holiday by the Tracks - Friday, November 30 at 6 p.m., the parade will take place on Main Street. On Saturday, December 1 at 10 a.m., head to Veterans Memorial Park for Holiday by the Tracks which will feature: Pictures with Santa ($5), Arts and Crafts, food, River Valley Farmer's Market, and a Live Nativity. The kick off for FestiviTrees will also happen at Holiday by the Tracks. Decorate a tree with recycled materials or create a tree from recycled materials! FREE. Veterans Memorial Park, Elgin.
3. Dripping Springs' Christmas on Mercer Street - Saturday, December 1 at 10 a.m. The charming, historic downtown Dripping Springs will close to traffic and transform into a hometown holiday event featuring the jolly man in red, carolers, children’s activities, holiday shopping, arts and crafts booths, FREE music and live performances, and even a classic car show. Festivities will kick off at 10 a.m. on Saturday, with family activities including trackless train and pony rides, photos with Santa, and an old fashioned Christmas craft booth. The highlight of the evening will be the annual Lighting of the Tree, which will be held at the Triangle at 6:30 p.m. Downtown Dripping Springs.
4. Brushy Creek Holiday in the Park and Craft Fair - Saturday, December 1, from 2 - 5 p.m. Come enjoy a FREE fun-filled Family Holiday Festival and Craft Fair. There will be tons of fun and activities for all ages, including a visit from Santa and Rudolph (bring your camera!) and a snow machine. FREE hot chocolate, cookies and cotton candy. Cat Hollow Park, 8320 O'Connor Drive, Round Rock.
5. Budafest 2012 - Saturday, December 1 and Sunday, December 2, from 10 a.m. - dusk. Parade at 10 a.m. on Saturday, full carnival, over 125 craft vendors, local food vendors, live music, antiques, and of course Santa and Mrs. Claus. Admission is FREE, but parking at the park is a small fee benefiting Project Graduation. Buda City Park, 204 San Antonio St, Buda.
6. Leander Christmas Tree Lighting and Parade - Saturday, December 1 at 5 p.m. Choral performances, hay rides, vendors, photos with Santa, and more! Parade begins at 5 p.m. FREE. Old town Leander.
7. Holidays in Gruene - Saturday, December 1. 11th Annual Gruene Pony Express Ride at 10 a.m. Old Gruene Market Days from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Gruene Town Lighting, where Cowboy Kringle rides into town on horseback and lights Gruene for the Holidays, from 5 - 6:30 p.m. FREE. Downtown Gruene.