It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas around here, Austin! There’s a ton of holly, jolly fun for you to enjoy this week. Check it out!
– Trail of Lights
Daily at 7 p.m.
The 50th year of this Austin holiday tradition in Zilker Park includes amazing light displays and so much more. With new features such as a Candy Land room with treat-making demos, Santa’s Workshop with kids crafts and photo booths, and a super fun ferris wheel, this is an event that Austinites won’t want to miss. The Trail is open Monday – Thursday for free and Friday-Sunday nights for $3 per person ages 12 and up. Check out our Insider Tips for more info.
– Zilker Holiday Tree
Daily from 6 p.m. – 12 midnight
Munch on warm kettle corn, enjoy music and get dizzy under those fabulous lights. The Zilker Holiday Tree is an Austin favorite. Free, but bring cash if you wish to purchase treats from food vendors on site.
– Mozarts Coffee Roasters Christmas Light Show
Now through Sunday, January 4, 2015
Shows start at 6:00 p.m. and are every hour on the hour until midnight. The choreographed show pairs lights and popular music and lasts fifteen minutes. Free!
— Blue Genie Art Bazaar
Daily from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Check out this bazaar at Marchesa Hall & Theatre for handmade items by more than 130 local and regional artists. The bazaar is a fun and family-friendly event. FREE admission & parking!
– Ebenezer’s Journey: A Dickens’ Christmas Story
Friday, Dec. 12 & Saturday, Dec. 13, 7-10 p.m.
Watch Pioneer Farms come to life with carolers and colorful characters that step out of history. Then experience the classic Dickens tale like never before, as actors take you into the story with an interactive theatrical presentation staged in the historic old buildings at Pioneer Farms. Tickets are $12 per person.
– Ballet Austin’s The Nutcracker
Friday, Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 13 at 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 14 at 2 p.m.
An army of mischievous mice, a bevy of bon-bons, a sprinkle of sparkling snowflakes, and one jovial Mother Ginger … plus the Austin Symphony Orchestra! Enjoy Ballet Austin’s The Nutcracker at the Long Center. Tickets start at $15.
– Holiday Heroes
Saturday, December 13 at 10 a.m.
Now in its 15th at ZACH Theatre, this fun holiday sing-along will get you into the holiday spirit with Ernie and Rufus. Celebrate the season with singing, laughter and holiday cheer for all. Tickets start at $20.
— Christmas Cartoon Cereal Party
Saturday, Dec. 13
– 12:10 p.m. at Alamo Drafthouse Slaughter Lane
– 12:30 p.m. at Alamo Drafthouse Lakeline
Take the kids to “tune in and toon out to sugary-fueled cartoon goodness” Head over in your jammies and dig into bowls of cereal while watching awesome holiday cartoons from the ’80s and ’90s. Tickets are $10 per person and include cereal.
– Christmas Dreams & Snowy Things in Round Rock
Saturday, Dec. 13 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Head to the CHASCO Family YMCA (Boles Family Sports Complex) for real snow, sponsored by the Nyle Maxwell Family of Dealerships. Enjoy activities in the snow, giant slides, paintball, tango tower, zip line, horse-drawn wagon rides, train rides, interactive holiday booths, inflatables and rides, concessions, live music, and appearances by Santa and world famous clydesdales. Free!
— Cherrywood Art Fair
Saturday, Dec. 13 & Sunday, Dec. 14, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Head to Maplewood Elementary School to find unique, handmade holiday gifts, and so much more — live music, food trucks, kids art area and aerial performances, too. Free admission and open to the public!
– 14th Annual Austin Children’s Nutcracker
Friday, Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 13 at 2:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 14 at 2:30 p.m.
Enjoy the Nutcracker performed by children at Dougherty Arts Center. First-timers and seasoned fans alike will be delighted by the magic of our 13th annual production of this timeless classic. Tickets are $15 for children 3–11 years old; $25 for ages 12 and up.
— Santa’s Workshop
Saturday, Dec. 13 & Sunday, Dec. 14, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Take the kids to Millie & Mox Children’s Boutique kids to chat with Santa in a delightful Christmas setting and take a photo. Plus, each child will get a special gift from Santa to take home. $10 per photo.
Saturday, Dec. 13 & Sunday, Dec. 14, 12-6 p.m.
Enjoy live music all day Saturday, with a special musical storytime at 4:30 p.m. at Recycled Reads. The open house celebrates diverse holiday traditions including programs with string quartets, ballet folklorico, mariachis, Dreidel-making, Kwanzaa, elves and more. FREE!
– Luminations at the Wildflower Center
Saturday, Dec. 13 & Sunday, Dec. 14, 6–9 p.m.
Thousands of luminaries and twinkling lights turn the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center into a holiday wonderland during Luminations, an Austin holiday tradition. Admission is FREE with two canned food items for the Capital Area Food Bank. (Find their most requested items here.) Activities include live music, children’s activities, visit with Frosty the Snowman and more!
— Abel’s North Pole
Sunday, Dec. 14, 12:30 – 4 p.m.
Take the kids to a fun holiday party at Abel’s North that will include photos with Santa, train rides, bouncy castles, cookie decorating, beer tasting, snow & more! Admission to this holiday party is free with one unwrapped toy for the toy drive.
– Snow Days at Hill Country Galleria
Saturday, Dec. 14, 12 – 4 p.m.
It snows every weekend in December before Christmas at the Hill Country Galleria! Toss a snowball, build a snow man, make a snow angel, and take fun family photos! Enjoy live holiday music, holiday carolers, and more from noon-4 p.m. Rain or shine. FREE!
— Want more? Be sure to check out our full list of Christmas Lights in Austin.
