2024 Festival Schedule
Explore events all over Austin!
All events for the 7th Annual Roots & Wings Festival will take place from Saturday, October 19 through Sunday, November 3. The calendar will be updated with events as they are added to the Festival. Click here for a mapped search tool to find events.
Looking for specific themes, age ranges, or more? Use the filter below to find events matching your needs.
2024 Roots & Wings Festival Events
Click here to search for events near you!
Please note: Some events require pre-registration and some are reserved for students. Click on an event name to learn more.
Roots and Wings Festival at Oak Hill Library!
Join us at the Hampton Branch at Oak Hill Library for a family-friendly Roots & Wings Festival celebration of nature! Learn about pollinators by making seed balls with wildflower seeds, enjoy a special nature-themed story time, and enjoy crafts and activities for the whole family!
Central Gallery Presents: Artist Suzy González, "Plantcestors"
Plants sustained our ancestors and they continue to sustain us-- through food, medicine, clothing and housing to providing the very oxygen we breathe. Every plant is sacred and we could not survive without them. "Plantcestors" depicts the portraits of artists, activists, and culture workers based in Yanaguana / San Antonio, TX that bring inspiration to the community through their art, leadership, and social justice work.
Within each painted portrait are natural plant materials that the person is connected to. The plants hold meaning based on ancestral connections, childhood memories, cultural roots or the lessons that they bring. Some enjoy the plants in their gardens, herbal practices, spirituality, as food, or for their beauty alone. As we connect with our relative that is the land, we remember, we appreciate, and we reciprocate the gifts that she gives us.
The process of creating these works includes photography, discussion, gardening, foraging, pressing, dehydrating, gluing, resining layers, and painting. The figures sit on the surface, in the present. Their Plantcestors are behind them but remain a part of them.
"Plantcestors" opening night is Thursday, Oct. 17th from 5:30-7:30pm and the exhibition will be open for enjoyment throughout the Roots & Wings Festival!
Gallery Hours:
Sunday: 12:00 pm-5:00 pm
Monday: 9:00 am-8:00 pm
Tuesday: 9:00 am-8:00 pm
Wednesday: 9:00 am-8:00 pm
Thursday: 9:00 am-8:00 pm
Friday: 9:00 am-5:00 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am-5:00 pm
The Poet Tree at Carver Library!
Join Master Gardener and Love Poet Harve Franks as she tells the story of a woman's sacred journey to finding herself in the forest, the sacred relationship with trees and why she loves them, and how they help to inspire a lifelong love of poetry and trees. During this event, participants will learn the importance of trees and plants in our lives.
Participants will also have the opportunity to recite original poems around nature!
Urban Forest Explorers: Nature Play at APL!
Discover the magic of nature with Urban Forest Explorers: Nature Play at APL!
Children can explore roots, mushrooms, rocks, fossils, and bugs through interactive, hands-on stations that inspire curiosity and learning.
This event is perfect for young nature enthusiasts to engage with the natural world in a playful and educational setting!
'The Crafty Adult' presents Bird Seed Balls!
Are you a crafter? Do you wish you were a crafter? How does crafting while helping out the ecosystem in your community sound? Join Spicewood Springs Branch and other Crafty Adults as we create Bird Seed Balls at our monthly crafting program! We'll learn the basics, the ins and outs, and then we'll let loose!
Participants will not only learn about what bird seed and impact for the environment, we'll get a chance to take some home and share with the community. Learn with us!
Teen Social Hour: Roots and Wings Edition!
Calling all Tweens and Teens! Join us at the Carver Branch to celebrate and learn more about our local ecosystems by experimenting with the intersection of art and nature with various activities!
By using natural resources like native flowers and plants, we will expand our creativity and reconnect with our natural surroundings!
ArtSmart: Dia de los Muertos-Butterflies and Skulls!
ArtSmart is a series that looks at different forms of art and storytelling to deepen audiences' connection to their artistic creations. Join the Milwood Branch for a look at how butterflies influence many designs and artforms you see throughout Hispanic and Latino cultures, especially during the Dia de los Muertos time of the year! Come ready to create and appreciate the beauty that butterflies bring to art!
Preschool Imagination Station: Roots & Wings!
Join us at the Hampton Branch for a morning of imaginative play! Designed for young learners, Imagination Station encourages learning through play. Discover the arts, practice your motor skills, and start your STEM exploration.
This month, learn about a variety of native pollinators, build a mushroom-based world-wide web, learn how trees carry water, learn to be a tree ID hero, and more!
Session 1: 10:00 - 10:45 am
Session 2: 11:00 - 11:45 am
Teen Social Hour: Roots and Wings Edition!
Calling all Tweens and Teens! Join us at the Carver Branch to celebrate and learn more about our local ecosystems by experimenting with the intersection of art and nature with various activities!
By using natural resources like native flowers and plants, we will expand our creativity and reconnect with our natural surroundings!
Butterfly Festival with Author Tracy Dockray!
Join us at the Southeast Branch to celebrate our urban forest ecosystem, with a special focus on butterflies! We will welcome author and illustrator Tracy Dockray to read her exciting new picture book, "Butterfly Island and the Invincible Crew", all about pollinator protectors! We will also have butterfly crafts, snacks, and activities! Participants can also take home a tree sapling to plant in their yard. Children and families of all ages welcome!
Un-BEE-Lievable Pollinators Festival!
Join the Windsor Park Branch Library community at its Un-Bee-lievable Pollinators Festival!
This festival event will be a celebration of bees as nature's energetic little pollinators. Bee Keeper Konrad Bouffard, of Round Rock Honey will lead us in learning how bees make honey, how to identify pollens and nectars in honey by taste, and discovering meaningful ways to save bees.
Many other activities include Bee-themed art activities, felt insect masks, wildflower plantings, honey flavor pairings, face painting, seed bombs, Cheetos pollinating activity, fort building, seed/plant swap, bird houses, DIY bee windchime and an opportunity to receive a sapling from the Texas Forest Service, plus more!
Urban Forest Explorers: Nature Play at Un-BEE-Lievable Pollinators Festival!
Celebrate nature at our Windsor Park Branch during the Roots and Wings Festival with Urban Forest Explorers! There will be a booth at their Un-BEE-Lievable Pollinators Festival featuring interactive nature play where kids can discover the wonders of roots, mushrooms, rocks, fossils, and bugs. It’s a fun, hands-on experience that invites young adventurers to learn about the hidden treasures of the forest ecosystem!
Over the Garden Wall!
Celebrate Over the Garden Wall at the Carver Library! We'll be doing crafts and activities centered around all the wonderful plants and critters in the show. Free mushroom blocks and seeds will be available while supplies last.
Preschool Imagination Station: Roots & Wings!
Join us at Yarborough Branch for a morning of imaginative play! Designed for young learners, Imagination Station encourages learning through play. Discover the arts, practice your motor skills, and start your STEM exploration.
This month, learn about a variety of native pollinators, build a mushroom-based world-wide web, learn how trees carry water, learn to be a tree ID hero, and more!
ArtSmart: Dia de los Muertos-Butterflies and Skulls!
ArtSmart is a series that looks at different forms of art and storytelling to deepen audiences' connection to their artistic creations. Join the Yarborough Branch for two sessions that look at how butterflies influence many designs and artforms you see throughout Hispanic and Latino cultures, especially during the Dia de los Muertos time of the year! Come ready to create and appreciate the beauty that butterflies bring to art!
Session 1: 9:30 am - 10:30 am
Session 2: 10:30 am - 11:30 am
Dig It! Gardening in Texas - The Home Food Forest
Join us for an enriching and hands-on gardening workshop with local expert Austin Davenport! This adult-only event will guide you through the essentials of selecting, planting, and nurturing fruit trees, shrubs, and vines specifically suited for Texas. Discover a wide range of fruiting varieties adapted to our local climate and learn the best practices for ensuring healthy growth and long-term success.
Austin will share invaluable tips on planting, watering, pruning, and protecting your plants from harsh weather, as well as managing pests and diseases to keep your food forest thriving. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced gardener, this workshop will equip you with the knowledge, skills, tools and trees to create your own backyard bounty!
Don't miss this opportunity to learn from one of the best and take the first step toward a fruitful future! The first 50 attendees will have the opportunity to choose a fruit tree or blackberry bramble to start their own backyard orchard. Pruning tools and a limited number of grow bags will also be available for attendees who cannot plant their seedlings in the ground.
Terrariums at Terrazas!
Come to the Terrazas Branch and make your very own ecosystem in a jar!
Learn about plant and environmental stewardship by making a beginner terrarium. A terranium is a glass container containing soil and plants that can be opened for maintenance to access the plants inside. You'll get to make your own terrarium to take home with provided supplies and plants.
*This is event is limited to 15 Adults (1 terrarium per household) and is first come, first serve.
Tracy Dockray: All About Butterflies!
Join us at the University Hills Branch to celebrate our urban forest ecosystem, with a special focus on butterflies! We will welcome author and illustrator Tracy Dockray to read her exciting new picture book, "Butterfly Island and the Invincible Crew", all about pollinator protectors! We will also have butterfly crafts, snacks, and activities! Participants can also take home a tree sapling to plant in their yard. Children and families of all ages welcome!
ArtSmart: Dia de los Muertos-Butterflies and Skulls!
ArtSmart is a series that looks at different forms of art and storytelling to deepen audiences' connection to their artistic creations. Join the University Hills Branch for a look at how butterflies influence many designs and artforms you see throughout Hispanic and Latino cultures, especially during the Dia de los Muertos time of the year! Come ready to create and appreciate the beauty that butterflies bring to art!
ArtSmart: Dia de los Muertos-Butterflies and Skulls!
ArtSmart is a series that looks at different forms of art and storytelling to deepen audiences' connection to their artistic creations. Join the Central Branch for two sessions that look at how butterflies influence many designs and artforms you see throughout Hispanic and Latino cultures, especially during the Dia de los Muertos time of the year! Come ready to create and appreciate the beauty that butterflies bring to art!
Garden Club Team Up Plant Show and Beekeeper/Honey Program!
Join North Village Branch for the Garden Club Team Up Plant Show to see and learn about the unique plants of the Austin Bonsai Society and the Austin Cactus & Succulent Society! Plus, come learn about beekeeping and honey production from beekeeper Konrad Bouffard of Round Rock Honey!
'The Crafty Adult' presents Bird Seed Balls!
Are you a crafter? Do you wish you were a crafter? How does crafting while helping out the ecosystem in your community sound? Join Spicewood Springs Branch and other Crafty Adults as we create Bird Seed Balls at our monthly crafting program! We'll learn the basics, the ins and outs, and then we'll let loose!
Participants will not only learn about what bird seed and impact for the environment, we'll get a chance to take some home and share with the community. Learn with us!
Roots & Wings Festival at Dottie Jordan Park!
Join the Neighbors of Dottie Jordan Park & Garden for the 3rd Annual Roots & Wings Festival celebrating pollinators and trees! Tour the community garden, find out where the birds live, and so much more:
Tree Giveaway!
Austin Public Library Bookmobile - Sign up for a library card and check out books!
Austin Public Library Storytime w/ Mr. Gabriel & Ms. Aubrey
Live music with Evertt Wren
Tour the community garden Talk to local birders & find out what birds live in the park and where!
Urban Forest Explorers: Nature Play at Dottie Jordan Park Roots and Wings Festival!
Celebrate nature at Dottie Jordan Park during the Roots and Wings Festival with Urban Forest Explorers! This event offers interactive nature play stations where kids can discover the wonders of roots, mushrooms, rocks, fossils, and bugs. It’s a fun, hands-on experience that invites young adventurers to learn about the hidden treasures of the forest ecosystem!