How to get to the ABC Kite Fest, presented by Pavemint

There are many ways to get to the festival.  Onsite parking is available through Pavemint, ABC Kite Fest’s official parking partner. Attendees are encouraged to reserve a parking spot in advance or use the city’s hike and bike trail, public transportation routes or rideshare services to reach the event. There will be no parking in the surrounding neighborhoods.

Parking and more

Barton Springs Road will be closed from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm during the Kite Festival.

Northbound visitors: From the Loop 360 exit, proceed along the frontage road. Proceed in the far left lane queue into the park.

Southbound visitors: Use the Loop 360 exit, take the dedicated turn around and proceed along the northbound frontage. Proceed in the far left lane queue into the park.

DO NOT EXIT BARTON SKYWAY OR ROLLINGWOOD/2244. There are significant delays/closures at those exits.

Onsite Parking

Parking is available in the lots surrounding Zilker Park.  To ensure you reserve a spot, please purchase parking in advance before spaces sell out. After purchase, you will receive your pass with access instructions.

Purchase Parking Pass Here

NOTE: Those parking on the Mopac median will be ticketed and towed. The surrounding neighborhoods will receive patrols for illegally parked vehicles. The Austin Police Department will be patrolling these areas, issuing tickets and TOWING. The Rollingwood Police Department will likewise be patrolling Bee Caves Road and streets on the west side of Mopac for illegal parking.

ADA Parking

ADA parking is available in the park and is free. Be sure you have the ADA hanging placard (or other ADA parking designation) and ask the police at the road closure to the park to let you in for ADA Parking. The Mopac side of the park is the entrance to use. The ADA parking lot is on the south side of Barton Springs Road just across from the Kite Festival. Drive in like you are going to the pool and continue onward to the lots just beyond the playground.

Bicycle Parking

Bicycle parking is available. There are bicycle racks next to the Special Needs parking on the south side of Barton Springs Road across from the Great Lawn. We hope many of you can bike in to enjoy the Kite Festival.

Alternative Transportation

Ride Cap Metro FREE to the ABC Kite Fest at Zilker Park!

Festival goers can sign up HERE for a digital Day Pass, sign up by March 30th to take advantage of this offer. Children ages 18 and younger ride free every day.

Plan your trip at capmetro.org and go! Zilker Park is served by Routes 3 & 803.

  • MetroRapid 803: Running every 15 minutes during the event, this route takes riders to Barton Springs Station on South Lamar Boulevard. 803 Current Schedule
  • MetroBus 3: Running every 30 minutes, seven days a week, this route takes riders to Barton Springs Station on South Lamar Boulevard. 003 Schedule

The Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail

Don’t forget! The Butler Hike and Bike Trail is right next to the park and spans a full 10 miles around the lake. Enjoy a scenic tour of Lady Bird Lake and end it at the ABC Kite Fest. You can find more information and view the interactive the Trail map here.  See map below for parking options for Hike-and-Bike Trail Access.

Shuttle Busses

Take advantage of the Festival Shuttles to Zilker Park. Board at Toney Burger Center at 3200 Jones Road, Austin, TX 78745. You’ll be dropped off outside Zilker Park near Barton Springs Rd on Andrew Zilker Rd. When you’re finished kite flying and gazing, hop back on for a return trip to Toney Burger Center.  Shuttles will run from Toney Burger Center starting at 9:45 AM on Saturday, April 1 and will run on a continuous loop with the last shuttle bus departing Zilker Park from the same location at 5:00 PM. Shuttle bus tickets are available for purchase onsite for $5 (lap children ride FREE.) Cash and credit cards will be accepted.

Additional Parking Garages

  • One Texas Center: 505 Barton Springs Road
  • Rollingwood @ Bee Caves: 3500 Bee Cave Road
  • Republic Square Park: 422 Guadalupe
  • Westgate Transit Center: 2027 W. Ben White (between Manchaca & Pack Saddle)
  • City Hall Garage: 163 Lavaca Street
  • Austin Convention Center: 201 E. Second Street