We can feel the holiday spirit all around Austin these days! And there are tons and tons of fun, family events happening all month long to help you celebrate the joy of the season. Check out what’s going on this week.

On-Going Events:

• 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
• A Christmas Carol at ZACH Theatre – Review

Special Events this Week:

— Trail of Lights @ Zilker Park
Tuesday, Dec. 8 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 Dec. 8-15, 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.

Friday, Dec. 11 is UT Night at the Trail! Come on out and stop by the Do512 Family tent located near the globe light display. Kids can stop by for FREE glow sticks and card-making crafts.

 

— Holiday Photos in the #FiberSnowGlobe @ Google Fiber Space & The Domain
Through Saturday, Dec. 12 at Google Fiber office, then Dec. 11 & 12 at The Domain
Snap your holiday photo inside a life-sized snow globe! Free. You can take a photo at the Google Fiber Space location downtown Monday – Wednesday from 10 a.m. -6 p.m. and Thursday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. You can also check this out at The Domain on Friday & Saturday from 4 -10 p.m. For more info and to RSVP, click here.

 

— Ebenezer’s Journey: A Dickens’ Christmas Story @ Pioneer Farms
Friday & Saturday, Dec. 11 & 12, 7-10 p.m.
Bring the family to Pioneer Farms this holiday season for a most unusual event, “Ebenezer’s Journey.” This is a special interactive program based on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol where various scenes of Dickens’ classic 1843 tale will be recreated. Watch the village come to life with carolers and colorful characters that step out of history. Actors will take you into the story with an interactive theatrical presentation staged in the historic old buildings at Pioneer Farms. Tickets are $12 for ages 3 & up, which can be purchased online here.

 

— Breakfast with Santa @ Barton Creek Square Mall
Saturday, Dec. 12, 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Children are invited for a fun morning of food, fun and goodies with Santa. Free.

— Breakfast with Santa @ Lakeline Mall
Saturday, Dec. 12, 8:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Children are invited for a fun morning of food, fun and goodies with Santa at Dillard’s Women’s Court. Free.

— Breakfast with Santa @ Lakeline Mall
Saturday, Dec. 12, 8:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Children are invited for a fun morning of food, fun and goodies with Santa at Dillard’s Women’s Court. Free.

— Breakfast with Santa @ The Arboretum at Great Hills
Saturday, Dec. 12, 9 a.m. – noon.
Join Santa for a light breakfast and enjoy Holiday music, games and other festive activities including a special visit by the Peppermint Princess! The event is free & open to the public.

 

— Christmas Dreams & Snowy Things in Round Rock @ CHASCO Family YMCA
Saturday, Dec. 12, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
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 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. as well as world famous clydesdales. Free!

 

— Holiday Heroes @ ZACH Theatre
Saturday Dec. 12 at 11 a.m.
Kids will love this silly holiday sing-along show full of good cheer, singing and laughter. (Great for kids ages 3 & up.) 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. Click here to enter to win tickets!

 

— The Who’s Feast with The Grinch @ East Space
Saturday, Dec. 12, 1 – 3:30 p.m.
Door No. 4 presents an immersive, pop-up dining experience inspired by Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Guests will feast on a delectable lunch prepared by The Real McCoy Catering while also enjoying interactive theater, live music, and elaborate set design. Leave behind the Austin doldrums and step into our Who-ville winter wonderland complete with bingle-balls and fuzzle-fuz, with who-foo-fluff and wuzzle-wuz. The Grinch will be your esteemed host; he will regale you with stories, lead you in Who-games, and if you are lucky, he might even carve the Roast Beast! The lunch seating is for Whos-of-all-ages and will feature a kid friendly menu, and non-alcoholic beverages. Tickets are $30 which can be purchased online here.

 

— The Big Big Bash @ Hat Creek Burger Company Georgetown
Saturday, Dec. 12, 4-7 p.m.
Join us for a petting zoo, bouncy house, face painting, balloon twisting and special visit from Santa — as well as a chance to support a great cause. Hat Creek will be donating twenty-five percent of the entire day’s sales to Brookwood in Georgetown (BiG), a community where adults with intellectual challenges are celebrated and empowered by engaging their talents in meaningful work. Parents can also enjoy $1 beer specials.

 

 

— Luminations @ Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Saturday, Dec. 12 & Sunday, Dec. 13, 6-9 p.m.
Everyone’s invited to this Austin holiday tradition that includes 2,300 luminarias, live music, children’s crafts, a visit from Frosty the Snowman, and reduced admission fees. $5 for adults, $3 for ages 5-17, free for children 4 & under. Click here for the full schedule of events.

 

— 14th Annual Cherrywood Art Fair @  Maplewood Elementary School
Saturday, Dec. 12 & Sunday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
This is a great place to find unique, handmade holiday gifts. And this art fair offers so much more, including live music, food trucks, and a kids art area, too. Free admission and open to the public.

 

— Snow Day @ Hill Country Galleria
Sunday, Dec. 13, 12-4 p.m.
Located outside of the Bee Cave Library, you’ll find real snow being delivered to the Hill Country Galleria. Toss a snowball, build a snowman, make a snow angel, and take family photos. Enjoy live holiday music, holiday carolers, and more. Free!

 

 — Light the Night Chanukkah Celebration @ The Hebrew Preparatory School
Sunday, Dec. 13, 4:30-7:30 p.m.
The whole family is invited to this free glow in the dark Chanukkah Celebration! Check out  a giant ice menorah to be carved on site, fire jugglers, glow in the dark activities, food and more.

 

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