The 2026 Roots and Wings Festival kicks off on Oct. 17 with more than 100 events happening across the city through Nov. 1. The festival brings community members of all ages together for environmental education and celebration.
“It's really important to inspire people to want to know more or to get involved in preserving Austin's urban forest,” Amanii Luper, Roots and Wings Festival coordinator said.
The history
The Roots and Wings Festival began in 2018 to combine the city’s Arbor Day and Monarch Appreciation Day celebrations. In 2018 and 2019 the festival organizers held combined events to celebrate pollinators, nature and Austin’s tree landscape.
“We are unique in the fact that we… we are on the Monarch pathway… during their journey South, and so we do have this extra celebration to be had,” Luper said.
After a break in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival hosts programming across Austin in partnership with schools, libraries, nonprofits and neighborhood associations. According to the festival website, since 2018 there has been:
716 total festival events
Over 67,850 attendees
More than 7,250 trees planted, tended to or gifted through festival events
More details
The festival features family-friendly events, as well as some adult-only events celebrating nature. Recurring events include:
Austin EcoFest, Oct. 17: Features hands-on family-friendly activities, free tree giveaways, free mulch, crafts, tree climbing and live music
Nature Festival and Spooktacular!, Oct. 24: Face painting, live butterfly release, garden tours, crafts and interactive drumming
Fluorescent Forest!, Oct. 29: Glow-in-the-dark bingo, mushroom block giveaway, snacks and nocturnal ecosystem exploration
Dottie Jordan Nature Festival, Nov. 1: Free tree giveaway, library storytime, live music and community garden tours
Residents can visit the Roots and Wings Festival website for an interactive map of events.
What to expect
Nearly all of the festival’s events are free, Luper explained. Individuals attending events at Zilker Botanical Garden will be required to pay the garden’s admission fee. Admission is free for members and children two and under. Resident and nonresident rates range from $3-$8.
Austinites who receive food assistance from programs like SNAP can enter the garden with free or reduced admission through the Museums for All program. Individuals can also request a free 24-hour bus pass to attend events.
This year, the festival combined efforts with the Austin Climate Action and Resilience Office, Luper explained. The partnership has allowed festival coordinators to expand their vision and improve the event’s website.
“The Roots and Wings Festival is one of a kind,” Luper said. “I have yet to find anywhere in the nation that does something similar to what Austin does.”
