Highland Austin, Things To Do, ACC Highland Events, Family Activities

Highland Austin Things to Do: ACC Highland Events, Redeveloped Mall Vibes, and Family-Friendly Fun

Just north of downtown, Highland Austin has quietly transformed from a fading shopping mall district into one of the city’s most interesting hubs for arts, culture, and everyday fun. Anchored by the innovative ACC Highland campus and surrounded by a redeveloped mall area, this neighborhood now offers a rich mix of events, Austin attractions, and family activities for individuals looking to explore something new without straying far from home.

Why Highland Austin Belongs on Your Things To Do List

For decades, “Highland” meant Highland Mall. Today, Highland Austin means something very different: a walkable, transit-connected neighborhood where a former shopping center has been reborn as ACC Highland, green spaces, housing, and local businesses. Instead of big-box stores, you’ll find student art galleries, black box theaters, cozy cafés, and pocket parks. It’s one of those Austin attractions that feels local and lived-in rather than touristy, making it ideal for individuals, couples, and families who want authentic experiences at a comfortable pace and price point.

Whether you’re planning an evening out, a low-key afternoon, or a full weekend of exploring, Highland Austin offers a surprising variety of things to do. You can catch a student dance performance, stroll through a juried art exhibition, grab dinner at a nearby restaurant, and still have time to let the kids run around at a neighborhood park—all within a compact, easy-to-navigate area along the MetroRail line and major bus routes.

ACC Highland Events: Arts, Film, and Culture in a Former Mall

The heart of Highland Austin’s cultural life is the ACC Highland campus, a flagship site for Austin Community College built inside and around the former mall. What used to be department stores and food courts now houses innovative learning spaces, theaters, and galleries—and the college actively invites the public in through a steady calendar of ACC Highland events. Many are affordable, and some are completely free, making them especially appealing to individuals and families looking for budget-friendly Austin attractions.

Spring 2026 Choreographers’ Showcase: Dance in the Blackbox Theatre

On May 8 and 9, 2026, the Dance Department at ACC Highland hosts the Spring 2026 Choreographers’ Showcase in the campus Blackbox Theatre (artdm.austincc.edu). Each evening at 7:30 p.m., student choreographers present original works, supported by faculty and production students who handle lighting, sound, and backstage magic. Tickets are just $5 for students and seniors and $10 for general admission, which is a fraction of what you’d pay for most professional dance performances in Austin.

For individuals exploring things to do in Highland Austin, this showcase is an excellent way to experience contemporary dance in an intimate setting. For families with teens interested in movement or theater, it’s also a chance to show what college-level creative work looks like up close, without the pressure or cost of a big downtown venue. Arrive a bit early to find parking, grab a snack nearby, and settle into the black box space as the lights go down and the energy ramps up.

Student Art at Gallery 2000: The 50th Annual ACC Student Art Exhibition

Visual art lovers will find one of the most rewarding ACC Highland events in Gallery 2000, which hosts the 50th Annual ACC Student Art Exhibition. The show runs from April 28 through June 25, 2026, with a special awards ceremony and reception on May 9 starting at 3:00 p.m., followed by remarks at 4:00 p.m. (artdm.austincc.edu). The exhibition is free and open to the public, showcasing work from studio art, jewelry, and even welding technology classes.

As Austin attractions go, this one is unusually accessible. You can wander in during open hours, move at your own pace, and see how students interpret everything from traditional media to experimental forms. For individuals, it’s a reflective, inspiring way to spend an hour before dinner. For families, it’s a low-pressure introduction to art for kids—no hushed museum rules, just bright work by people who might live down the street. Ask children which pieces they like best and why; you might be surprised by their answers.

Film and Theater Nights: Establishing Shots and Curtain Call 2026

If your idea of things to do in Highland Austin leans toward movies and plays, ACC Highland has you covered there too. On May 13, 2026, the Radio‑Television‑Film Department presents its Establishing Shots Student Showcase at the Galaxy Theater from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. (artdm.austincc.edu). It’s a curated evening of student films and projects, from short narratives to experimental pieces. Expect a festival-style atmosphere—lots of creative energy, proud friends and family, and the occasional unexpected gem that stays with you long after the credits roll.

The very next night, May 14 at 7:30 p.m., ACC Drama hosts Curtain Call 2026, a spring celebration of theatrical work by drama students (artdm.austincc.edu). For individuals, these back‑to‑back ACC Highland events make it easy to plan a midweek “arts mini‑festival” without leaving the neighborhood. For families with older kids, they’re a great way to introduce young people to behind‑the‑scenes careers in film and theater—lighting, sound, design, and more—while cheering on emerging local talent.

💡 Pro Tip: Check ACC’s official events calendar before you go. In addition to these major May 2026 happenings, the campus often hosts heritage month celebrations, lectures, and occasional children’s theater performances that are free and very family‑friendly.

From Mall to Mixed‑Use: Redeveloped Mall Happenings in Highland Austin

To understand why Highland Austin feels so unique, it helps to remember what came before. Highland Mall opened in 1971 as Austin’s first enclosed suburban mall and officially closed as a retail center on April 30, 2015 (en.wikipedia.org). Instead of letting the site languish, Austin Community College purchased the property and, with development partners, began one of the city’s most ambitious adaptive‑reuse projects. Phase I of ACC Highland opened in 2014, followed by Phase II in 2021, adding a Creative Digital Media Center, a Health Sciences and STEM Simulation Center, a Culinary Arts & Hospitality Center, and more (sites.austincc.edu).

Around the academic core, private partners have gradually built out a mixed‑use neighborhood with apartments, offices, retail, and hotel space. The result is that “Highland” is no longer just a campus; it’s a small city within the city, complete with sidewalks, tree‑lined streets, and an emerging food and drink scene. Retail parcels are now managed by major property groups like Brookfield and JLL, while ACC maintains its educational facilities (en.wikipedia.org). For everyday visitors, that means more options: coffee shops to work from, casual restaurants to meet friends in, and storefronts that host pop‑up markets or community events.

The former mall now blends ACC classrooms, local businesses, and walkable streets into one district.

Highland Greenway Park and Pocket Parks: Everyday Austin Attractions

One of the best redeveloped mall happenings isn’t an event at all—it’s the green space that’s been woven into the district. At the southern end of the redevelopment, Highland Greenway Park opened in 2018 as a two‑acre park with native landscaping, trails, and garden areas (austin.culturemap.com). It’s designed as both a neighborhood amenity and a regional connector, linking to nearby streets and transit stops. On any given afternoon you’ll see dog walkers, kids on scooters, and students with laptops enjoying the shade.

For individuals looking for simple things to do in Highland Austin, the park is perfect for a short walk between errands or a quiet reading spot. Families can turn it into a mini‑adventure: pick up coffee or hot chocolate from a nearby café, then wander the paths, play simple games on the lawn, or let kids burn off energy before dinner. Because the park is integrated into the redevelopment, it feels like a natural extension of the surrounding streets rather than a separate destination.

Cafés, Dining, and Informal Gatherings Around the Redeveloped Mall

The redeveloped mall area is also becoming known for its food and drink options. Within a short radius of ACC Highland, you’ll find local favorites like Bennu Coffee, Easy Tiger, Peached Social House, Home Slice Pizza, and Antonelli’s Cheese Shop (highlandatx.com). These spots aren’t technically inside the old mall footprint, but they’re part of the broader Highland Austin experience—places where students, professionals, and families all mix throughout the day.

Many of these businesses host their own happenings: trivia nights, happy hours, tasting events, and seasonal specials that turn a simple meal into an outing. If you’re attending ACC Highland events in the evening, you can easily pair a performance or film showcase with a pre‑show drink or post‑show dessert. For families, casual counter‑service spots and patios make it easy to bring kids along without worrying about white tablecloths or long waits.

A Neighborhood in Motion: Housing, Transit, and Community Life

Beyond the visible shops and parks, the Highland district is still evolving. An 80‑unit affordable housing project, Highland DMA Housing, is in the works near E. Highland Mall Dr. and Middle Fiskville Rd., within half a mile of the Highland MetroRail station (austintexas.gov). The redevelopment has earned design awards from organizations like the Texas Society of Architects and ULI Austin for its thoughtful mix of educational, residential, and public spaces (aia.org). Local residents on community forums increasingly talk about Highland as a walkable, transit‑friendly neighborhood with good food, rather than just “that old mall” (reddit.com).

For visitors, this means that the list of things to do in Highland Austin will only grow. New storefronts, community events, and pop‑ups are likely to appear as more people live and work in the area. When you plan a visit now, you’re catching the neighborhood in an exciting phase—established enough to feel comfortable, but still changing enough that each trip can reveal something new.

Family Activities in Highland Austin: Kid‑Friendly Fun for Everyday Life

One of Highland Austin’s biggest strengths is how naturally it supports family activities while still feeling adult‑friendly. You don’t have to choose between kid‑centric attractions and spaces designed for grown‑ups. Instead, you’ll find parks, gardens, cafés, and ACC Highland events that work just as well for a solo afternoon as they do for a weekend with kids in tow. Here are some of the best family activities and how individuals can enjoy them too.

Highland Neighborhood Park and Reilly Gardens: Easy Outdoor Escapes

Just beyond the redeveloped mall core, Highland Neighborhood Park offers open lawns, trees, and space for casual sports or picnics (austintexas.gov). It’s not a flashy destination park, but that’s exactly its appeal: it feels like a backyard for the neighborhood. Families spread out blankets, toss frisbees, or play simple games; individuals come to walk laps, stretch, or listen to podcasts in the shade. Because it’s so close to ACC Highland and nearby housing, it often becomes the “in‑between” stop—somewhere to unwind after an event or before heading home.

A short distance away, Reilly Gardens offers a more curated outdoor experience, with pollinator gardens, art installations, and winding paths (highlandneighborhood.org). Open late into the evening on weekdays and from early morning on weekends, it’s designed as a gathering space for all ages. Monthly volunteer “garden days” on the first Saturday invite families and individuals to help tend beds, learn about native plants, and meet neighbors. For kids, it’s hands‑on science and nature. For adults, it’s a calming retreat and a chance to contribute to something beautiful in the community.

Tinkergarten and Outdoor Learning for Young Kids

For families with young children, one of the most engaging family activities in Highland Austin is Tinkergarten, a national program that offers outdoor, play‑based classes in local green spaces. In the Highland area, Tinkergarten sessions invite kids ages 1–8 to explore nature through guided play, building creativity, problem‑solving skills, and empathy (tinkergarten.com). Sessions might involve building simple forts from sticks, observing insects, or making art from found materials.

While the focus is on children, these classes can be rewarding for caregivers and individuals too. Adults get a reason to spend time outside, connect with other local families, and see familiar parks through kids’ eyes. If you’re new to Highland Austin or considering moving nearby, Tinkergarten is also a subtle way to plug into the neighborhood’s social fabric and learn about other things to do from people who live locally.

Kid‑Friendly Cafés and Social Spots Near ACC Highland

When you’re out exploring ACC Highland events or the redeveloped mall area, you’ll want places to refuel. The good news is that Highland Austin offers several cafés and eateries that welcome kids without sacrificing good coffee or atmosphere. One standout is Kyoko, a café near ACC Highland that features a small play area (including elements from the popular Fortlandia installation) and hosts children’s storytime sessions (reddit.com). Parents can sip lattes while little ones stack blocks or flip through picture books—a win for everyone.

Other nearby spots like Bennu Coffee, Easy Tiger, and Home Slice Pizza are also naturally family‑friendly, with relaxed seating, patio options, and menus that appeal to both kids and adults (highlandatx.com). For individuals, these same venues double as remote‑work bases, meet‑up spots, or quiet corners for reading between errands. The key is flexibility: you can drop in for a quick snack before an ACC Highland film showcase or linger on a Saturday morning after a stroll through Highland Greenway Park.

Group Bike Rides and Everyday Movement

For active families and individuals, Highland Austin also serves as a launch point for Austin Family Rides, group bike outings that often start at Highland Neighborhood Park and follow routes along nearby streets like Airport Boulevard (reddit.com). These rides are designed to be accessible, social, and fun, helping kids learn road awareness and group riding skills in a supportive environment. Adults get gentle exercise and conversation; kids get the thrill of moving through the city under their own power.

Even outside organized rides, the district’s growing network of sidewalks, crosswalks, and transit connections makes it easy to treat walking or biking as part of your list of things to do. Take the train to Highland Station, stroll to ACC Highland for an event, then wander through the redeveloped mall area to find dinner. With each trip, you’ll get a better feel for how the neighborhood fits together.

Planning Your Highland Austin Visit: Sample Itineraries for Individuals and Families

With so many overlapping options—from ACC Highland events to redeveloped mall happenings and family activities—it can help to think in terms of simple, flexible itineraries. Here are a few ways to structure your time in Highland Austin, whether you’re heading out solo or with kids in tow.

Arts‑Forward Evening for Individuals

• Arrive at Highland Station by MetroRail or park near ACC Highland in the early evening.

• Stroll through Gallery 2000 to catch the ACC Student Art Exhibition before closing.

• Grab a quick bite or coffee at a nearby café in the redeveloped mall district.

• Head to the Blackbox Theatre, Galaxy Theater, or a drama performance for an ACC Highland event like the Choreographers’ Showcase or Establishing Shots.

Weekend Family Adventure in Highland Austin

• Start the morning at Kyoko or another kid‑friendly café near ACC Highland for coffee, snacks, and playtime.

• Walk or drive to Highland Neighborhood Park for open play, or join a scheduled Tinkergarten class if you’re enrolled.

• Visit Reilly Gardens to explore pollinator plants and outdoor art, or participate in a volunteer garden day.

• End the day with a casual dinner at a local eatery, or, if the timing lines up, catch a family‑friendly ACC Highland performance or film screening.

Looking Beyond the Neighborhood: Day Trips and Future Attractions

While Highland Austin offers plenty of things to do on its own, it also works well as a home base for exploring other Austin attractions. In 2026, families may want to keep an eye on COTALAND, the amusement park under development at Circuit of the Americas, which will feature a mix of kid‑friendly rides like log flumes and carousels alongside bigger thrill rides (en.wikipedia.org). It’s not in Highland, but it pairs nicely with the neighborhood’s slower‑paced parks and cultural offerings: think of Highland for your everyday arts and outdoor time, and COTALAND as a special‑occasion day trip.

Highland Austin: A Neighborhood That Invites You In

The story of Highland Austin is, at its core, a story about what happens when a city chooses to reimagine instead of demolish. Where a traditional mall once stood, you now have ACC Highland’s classrooms, theaters, and galleries; where parking lots once baked in the sun, you now have greenways, housing, and local businesses. For visitors, that transformation translates into an unusually rich mix of ACC Highland events, redeveloped mall happenings, and family activities—all within a compact, transit‑friendly district.

If you’re building your own list of Austin attractions, consider adding Highland Austin alongside better‑known neighborhoods like South Congress or the Domain. Come for a student dance showcase or film night; stay for a stroll through Gallery 2000, a coffee on a shaded patio, or a quiet hour in Highland Greenway Park. Bring kids to Tinkergarten or Reilly Gardens, or explore on your own with a notebook, camera, or bike. However you choose to experience it, Highland rewards curiosity—and invites you to see what’s possible when a community turns a familiar landmark into something entirely new.