Free Family-Friendly Events at Waterloo Park Include Healthy Living, Arts & Culture and Educational Activities
Waterloo Greenway announces its weekly series of family-friendly community programs at the newly reopened Waterloo Park this spring, in collaboration with other Austin-based organizations, artists and performers.
Located in the heart of downtown Austin along a restored Waller Creek, Waterloo Park is a central hub of activity featuring more than 1.5 miles of scenic trails, thousands of native plants, imaginative playscapes and the 5,000-capacity Moody Amphitheater. The 11-acre greenspace is a public park, restored in partnership with the City of Austin, and is open daily from 5am-10pm for everyone to explore and enjoy.
Fitness & Educational Weekly Programming
Weekly Workouts at Waterloo presented by Ascension Seton
Ready…set…get fit! Weekly Workouts at Waterloo presented by Ascension Seton features five free and open to the public movement sessions each week. People of all ages and abilities are encouraged to participate.
YOGA & SOUND – Mondays
March 28 – June 6 | 6:00 PM
Presented in partnership with Castle Hill Fitness
Set some feel-good vibes for the week with mindful movement accompanied by sound therapy, featuring a different style of yoga and live music each week.
TURN-UP TUESDAYS – Tuesdays
March 29 – June 7 | 6:00 PM
Presented in partnership with Castle Hill Fitness
Turn the energy UP with a workout that’ll bring on the sweat! Keep crushing your day in Turn-Up Tuesdays’ variety of fitness-based, dance, or Pilates workouts.
LATIN DANCE LESSONS – Tuesdays
April 5 – April 26 | 7:30 PM
Come learn the structure, etiquette and culture of a unique variety of Latin dance classes such as Tango, Samba and Salsa Aerobics, led by Esquina Tango. Classes are open to beginners, as well as experienced dancers, no partner needed.
STAY STRONG – Wednesdays
March 30 – June 8 | 10:00 AM
This 50+ workout led by Aging is Cool improves your cardio health, gains flexibility, and builds strength all while getting to know others in your community.
SELF-CARE SUNDAYS – Sundays
April 24 – June 5 | 9:00 AM
Presented in partnership with Castle Hill Fitness
Join us for an eclectic mix of mindful movement – from Qi Gong, Yoga & Meditation and Sound Healing, Self-Care Sunday is all about starting the day grounded and with intention.
Morning Glories
Weekly early childhood education series that provides hands-on activities and programs to promote literacy, bilingual storytelling, music, dance, cultural learnings and nature play. Each week features a different style of play from our partners at the Texas Book Festival, Armstrong Community Music School and Dance Waterloo. For full class details, please visit waterloogreenway.org.
READ TOGETHER – Tuesdays
April 12 & May 3 | 10:00 AM
Gather around for an outdoor storytime with the Texas Book Festival that features inspiring local authors and hands-on learning activities. Participating families will receive a free book, while supplies last.
WOMEN OF JAZZ – Tuesdays
April 19 & May 10 | 10:00 AM
Join Armstrong Community Music School for an exciting new program that combines music and movement while introducing families to jazz greats like Ella Fitzgerald and Nina Simone. Take a deep dive into what makes jazz special and learn about how these women changed the world with their music.
DANCE WITH DANCE WATERLOO – Tuesdays
April 26 & May 17 | 10:00 AM
High-energy follow-along dances to a variety of beats with guided improvisation jam. Taught by a Dance Waterloo artist, this class is aligned with the National Core Arts Standards in Dance.
Community Partner Hosted Events
OUTSIDE VOICES AT SYMPHONY SQUARE
Featuring Nikki Birdsong & Nicole Taylor
Sunday, April 10 | 2:00 PM
Join LOLA (Local Opera for Local Artists) for an afternoon of classical vocal music featuring Soprano, Dr. Nicole Taylor and Pianist, Nikki Birdsong.
This concert features a program of music by Black composers and is FREE and open to the public, appropriate for all ages! Complimentary beverages will be available including craft beer from LOLA’s sponsor, 4th Tap Brewery. Registration encouraged.
Part of the LOLA mission is to meet people where they are and introduce them to opera. LOLA welcomes longtime opera aficionados and individuals seeking to have their first experience with the art form. Waterloo Greenway is a proud supporter of LOLA’s missions and programs. This event is produced by LOLA (Local Opera Local Artist).
Learn more about Nikki Birdsong & Nicole Taylor here.
Urban parks have always been an important setting for community-focused events and cultural presentations. First opened in 1975, Waterloo Park has been home to some of Austin’s most beloved festivals and concerts. Waterloo Greenway is excited to honor these traditions and welcome an ongoing series of special events that enliven our community and celebrate Austin’s artistic diversity and rich culture.
Signature Community Festivals at Waterloo Park
MXTX: A CROSS BORDER EXCHANGE
Presented by PNC Bank
Saturday, April 16 | 4:00 PM
Presented in partnership with Golden Hornet, Fusebox and Frida Friday ATX
Gather with us as we honor and celebrate the tapestry of people, traditions and historical ties woven between Texas and Mexico with an intersectional BIPOC, Queer, Latinx and local creatives centered mercado y más, hands-on families and children’s activities,and the world premiere of MXTX. MXTX is a live concert performance featuring a mixed chamber ensemble and DJ performing twelve unique pieces of music created through collaborative exchange of forty DJ-producers and composers from both sides of the Rio Grande.
WATERLOO GREEN DAY
Presented by PNC Bank
Sunday, April 24 | 12:00 PM
Earth Month celebration presented in partnership with Planet Texas 2050
Waterloo Greenway’s Earth Month Celebration is designed to educate, inspire, and encourage sustainability, innovation, and environmental justice.
This free event will feature interactive exhibits, live music, a birds of prey flight showcase, hands-on workshops for families and children, and a panel with City of Austin leaders. Community partners will be onsite educating the public on topics including climate change, alternative energy, water sustainability, overpopulation, Central Texas biodiversity, and the pollution and restoration of waterways.
RAINBOW ON THE CREEK
Presented by PNC Bank
Saturday, June 11 | 12:00 PM
Join Waterloo Greenway and our community partners as we celebrate Pride Month with a free family-friendly Pride Festival & Celebration with live music, dance and drag performances from local artists and performers, and interactive exhibits from Austin’s LGBTQIA+ nonprofits, small businesses, and gender affirming/sexual health service providers. The celebration culminates with an evening of electrifying entertainment including a performance from RuPaul’s Drag Race and HBO’s We Are Here, Eureka O’Hara.
Waterloo Greenway programming is presented by Capitol Wright Distributing, PNC Bank, and Tito’s Handmade Vodka, with support from Four Hands Furniture, Powell Foundation, Rambler, Richard’s Rainwater, and Tapestry Foundation. For more information on sponsorship opportunities and other ways to support, contact Brendan Bujold at bbujold@waterloogreenway.org.
“If you haven’t been to Waterloo Park yet, make sure it’s on your list to check out this spring! It’s such a fun, inviting and beautiful space for the Austin community to come together, and Tito’s Handmade Vodka is proud to be part of it,” said Lisa Nuccio, TX/OK Field Sales Manager at Tito’s Handmade Vodka. “Whether you’re biking through the trail, enjoying a beverage with friends on the Love, Tito’s Lawn or watching a live show — Waterloo Park is full of all the authentic Austin experiences we know and love.”
As Waterloo Park and Moody Amphitheater begin hosting spring special events, Waterloo Greenway and programming partners will follow all current state and local COVID-19 health and safety guidelines.
