This weekend you can soak up some holiday cheer a plenty! Enjoy the twinkly glow at Trail of Lights, go ice skating with Santa, play in the snow, sing along tom some holiday tunes, shop local at the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar, watch dogs perform the a silly rendition of the Nutcracker, train to be a Jedi, see your favorite Disney princesses live on stage — and much much more!

 

Other stuff:

• Holiday Events This Week
• Everything to Know About the Trail of Lights
• Christmas Lights in Austin
• Where to See Santa
• Where to Play in the Snow
• Where to Ice Skate
• Easy Gifts Your Kids Can Make

Here are our Top Austin Family Events…

— Join the Austin Public Library at the Howson Branch at 4 p.m. for free crafts and activities as they celebrate the epic saga of Star Wars! Jedi Training Camp is recommended for ages 5 and up. No registration required. Just go, young masters, and learn the ways of the of the Jedi.

— Head out to Zilker Park to marvel at the Trail of Lights! The trail is open from 7-10 p.m. Admission is $3 for ages 12 and up. Click here for all the details about parking, shuttles, ZiP Fast Passes and more before you go. You can also check out this handy My Trail, My Way printable that includes suggested photo ops and a checklist of fun stops to make along the Trail with the family. Click here to view our photo gallery and to enter to win 4 ZiP Passes, presented by HomeAway.

— Your family can enjoy a free night of live music and seasonal fun at the Groundwork Music Project’s Holiday Concert at Central Market North Lamar. From 6:30-9 p.m., students from local Austin preschools and elementary schools will get a chance to perform on stage with the Groundwork Music Orchestra. Head over to cheer on these young musicians and sing along to some holiday tunes.

— Share magical wintry moments with the family at the grand opening of the 6th Annual Holiday Lights & Ice at the Omni Barton Creek Resort and Spa, benefiting Make-A-Wish Central & South Texas. Holiday Lights & Ice features a 4,000 square foot indoor ice rink overlooking scenic hill country views. Tonight you can watch a special “Winter Wonderland on Ice” kick-off production at 6:30 p.m. starring international dancers and show skaters, followed by the first public skating session with Santa Claus at 7 p.m. Skating tickets are $25 Adult, $20 Children (ages 12 and under). Click here for a full list of skating times.

 

 

—  Head to the CHASCO Family YMCA in Round Rock to play in real snow from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Christmas Dreams & Snowy Things event. Enjoy activities in the snow, giant slides, paintball, tango tower, zip line, horse-drawn wagon rides, train rides, inflatables, concessions, live music, and world famous clydesdale horses. You can also visit with Santa Claus from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Free.

— Have some fun at ZACH Theatre’s holiday show for children. Holiday Heroes is great for kids ages 3 & up and is full of good cheer, singing and laughter. Families can check it out today at 11 a.m. Tickets are $15 for kids and $20 for adults and can be purchased online in advance here or by calling the box office at 512-476-0541 x1.

— Head on over to Chaparral Ice today from 12-4 to Skate with Santa! You can take photos, enjoy a hot cocoa bar provided by the Austin Figure Skating Club, and skate to your favorite Christmas tunes. Regular admission fees apply: $6 admission and $4 skate rental for children and adults.

— Your little ones can have a magical at Disney Live! Three Classic Fairy Tales, presented by Stonyfield YoKids Organic Yogurt at the Frank Erwin Center at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Families can check out this enchanting show featuring more than 25 Disney characters including Snow White, Belle and Cinderella. Tickets start at $20 and can be purchased online here or by calling (512) 477-6060.

 

 

—  For a very unique holiday experience, check out the The Mutt-Cracker (Sweet!) — a show starring six rescued circus dogs, a performing parrot, juggling, unicycling, balancing acts, puppets, accordion music and a live jazz piano rendition of Tchaikovsy’s “The Nutcracker Suite”. (Done in 55 minutes.) You can see this show today at The Vortex at 4 p.m. & 6 p.m. Tickets are $15 for children and $25 for adults. You can order tickets online here or by calling 512-478-5282.

— Whether you still have holiday shopping to do or just want to enjoy some music and Austin vibes, the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar at the Palmer Events Center is such a fun time. You’ll find a beautiful assortment of fine art and crafts, a great music lineup, delicious food, and cold beer, too. Plus kids 12 and under are free! Admission is $8, and it’s open from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. You can click here to purchase your tickets.

 

These are just some of the fun events happening in Austin this weekend. For much more, browse our daily calendar of events!

Have a great weekend!