It’s Christmastime in Austin, y’all! Are you feeling that holiday spirit all around the city? There are plenty of fun, family events to help us celebrate the joy of the season. Check out what’s going on this week as you countdown to the big day on Friday.

This round-up of Holiday Events This Week is presented with support from IT’S TIME TEXAS. Be sure to download their free Choose Healthier mobile app for great ideas for getting out and staying active with the kids.

On-Going Events:

• Everything to Know About the Trail of Lights
• Christmas Lights in Austin
• Where to See Santa
• Where to Ice Skate

Special Events this Week:

— Trail of Lights @ Zilker Park
Through Tuesday, Dec. 22, 7-10 p.m.
Come out to Zilker Park to marvel at this Austin holiday tradition! General admission will be FREE through Dec. 15, and a $3 admission will be charged for ages 12 & up on Dec. 16-22. Click here for all the details about parking, shuttles, ZiP Fast Passes and more info 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 for the family.

 

— Armadillo Christmas Bazaar @ Palmer Events Center
Through Thursday, Dec. 24, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. daily
The is such a fun shopping experience with a very Austin vibe. 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. You can click here to purchase your tickets. Click here to learn more about the lineup of artists and entertainment.

 

— Blue Genie Art Bazaar @ Marchesa Hall & Theatre
Through Thursday, Dec. 24, 10 a.m.-10 p..m daily
(closes 6 p.m. Dec. 24)
Check out this bazaar for handmade items by more than 130 local and regional artists that are selected through a rigorous jury process. You can expect to find: paintings, photography, prints, sculptures, jewelry, clothing, accessories, glassworks, ceramics, and more you can’t find anywhere else. The bazaar is a fun and family-friendly event where strollers are welcome, but the aisles may be crowded during high traffic times. Drinks and snacks are available at the bar, cash and credit accepted. To celebrate the 15th year of this art bazaar, they will be hosting special events and musical performances, too. For more info about events, visit their Facebook page. FREE admission & parking!

 

—  Zilker Holiday Tree @ Zilker Park
Through Dec. 31, 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.

 

— A Christmas Carol @ ZACH Theatre
Through Sunday, Dec. 27, weeknight shows at 7:30 p.m. & weekend matinees at 2:30 p.m.
In this upbeat version of Charles Dickens classic, you can enjoy the traditional Victorian costumes and setting combined with modern music, re-imagined carols and the vocal talents of very soulful ghosts of Christmas past, present and future. Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased online here or by calling the Box Office at 512-476-0541 x1. Read our review.

 

— The Nutcracker @ The Long Center
Through Wednesday, Dec. 23, shows at 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
From the scrumptious sets and costumes to all of the colorful characters you love, Ballet Austin’s The Nutcracker is the longest-running production of the seasonal classic in Texas. Stephen Mills’ take on this timeless tale features a cast of hundreds of dancers. Celebrate the magic of the holidays by experiencing this sweet treat with your family and friends. Tickets start at $15 which you can purchase online here.

 

— Nacimientos: Traditional Nativity Scenes from Mexico @ Mexic-Arte Museum
Through January 3, click here for hours
Check out this exhibition that features a rich tradition of handmade Nacimientos from the Museum’s permanent collection and loans from Edwin R. Jordan; many of the nativity scenes depict a reflection of Mexico’s landscape, such as cacti, turkeys, and market scenes. Museum admission is free during the month of December.

 

— Tuba Christmas @ The Texas State Capitol
Monday, Dec. 20, 12 -1 p.m.
Hear Christmas music like you’ve never heard it before! Join about 200 tubists and euphonium players from around Central Texas to kick off the season. Performance starts at noon at the south steps of the capitol building. Free.

 

—  Meet Queen Elsa at the Christmas Light Show  @ Mozart’s Coffee Roasters
Tuesday, Dec. 22 & Wednesday, Dec. 23, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
The light show at Mozart’s is pretty amazing on it’s own, but things are about to get even more magical for your little fans of Disney’s Frozen. Queen Elsa will be on hand to meet and greet children and pose for photos this week. The light show starts at 6 p.m. each evening, and replaying at the top of every hour until closing. The 12-minute show happens every night through January 10, expect for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Free.

 

— Austin Symphony’s Christmas in the Community: Strings @ Texas State Capitol
Tuesday, Dec. 22, 12 p.m.
Christmas in the Community is a series of ten concerts held throughout the city of Austin featuring different ensembles of the orchestra playing familiar holiday music. Free.

— Holiday Model Train Show @ ArtSpace in Round Rock
Wednesdays – Sundays through January 2, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
You can watch trains travel through city scenes, snow villages, oil fields, a farm scene, and an animated carnival. Last year, more than 7,000 people came to the gallery in downtown Round Rock to see the model train show and the exhibition of local artwork. Admission is free, but donations are welcome.

 

— The Austin Symphony’s Christmas in the Community Finale @ Symphony Square
Wednesday, Dec. 23,  6 p.m. 
The big finale will feature 2.5 hours of music by the Stardust Orchestra, performing jazz style Christmas music. Also, the Austin Symphony String Quartet will perform in the Mercantile Room during intermission to keep the music going. Brick Oven will have food and beverage on site for purchase. Free.

 

— The Mutt-Cracker (Sweet!) @ The Vortex
Through Jan. 3, Thurs. – Sat. shows at 6 p.m. & 8 p.m., Sunday shows at 4 p.m. & 6p.m.
This unique show stars 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” This holiday show will captivate the whole family! (Done in 55 minutes to enthrall even a toddler.) Tickets are $15 for children and $25 for adults. You can order tickets online here or by calling 512-478-5282.

–> Fore more holiday events, please check out our listings of Holiday Family Fun on our calendar.