Austin International Drag Festival
Thursday 5 – Sunday 8, Midtown Austin Holiday Inn
I’m not your mom – although, LOL, imagine if I was and you were my gay child. I’d probably raise you to respect drag performers because any child of mine would need to be appreciative of the arts. We’d probably attend the Austin International Drag Festival together – when you were old enough, of course, to express interest in such matters. After enjoying performances from such luminaries as Dustin Schlong, Good Lucifer, Kurt Cumstain, etc. I’d bring you to one of the fest’s many panels. There, we’d learn side-by-side about empowering trans-masc performers, cosplay and drag’s intersections, and moving drag beyond just gay bars. Yes, yes: This might happen if I were your mom – but I’m not! So you’ll just have to make the choice to attend AIDF all on your silly little own. – James Scott
Winter Wanderland
Thursday 5 – Sunday 22, Austin Motel
Iconic Austin Motel always does it up colorfully for the holidays, modifying their motto to “Snow Close, Yet Snow Far Out” and decking the halls with all the hues. This year they’re setting up festivities at the new Rocky’s Bar, named in honor of late motel cat Rocky, and serving festive drinks like shotskis and Mexican frozen chocolate by the fire. Extra festive events happen Thursdays through Sundays, kicking off with the tree lighting and KUTX Old-School Dance Party Dec. 5 from 6 to 9pm, and followed by sing-alongs, pop-up markets, toy drives, visits from Hunky Santa, holiday films, and more. – Kat McNevins
Batman Returns
Friday 6, Monday 9 & Tuesday 10, Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar, Slaughter Lane, Lakeline, Mueller
Forget Die Hard: Batman Returns is my ultimate Christmas movie. Yes, John McClane in the air ducts is great, but does he beat a gloriously grotesque Danny DeVito in the Gotham sewers? I don’t think so. Besides, in this season of charitable giving, Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman is truly GIVING. She’s everything. We don’t deserve her, but for two hours and six minutes you can pretend we do. There’s also Christopher Walken! Paul Reubens for a hot second! Michael Keaton’s Batman, developed like a full-bodied wine but deferring to scene-chewing co-stars! Treat yourself to this gift of a film that’s both darker and more heartwarming than you remember. – Cat McCarrey
Ballet Austin’s The Nutcracker
Through December 23, The Long Center
Every year, Ballet Austin puts on a world-class version of this Christmas classic, proving that Austin’s dancers punch above their weight on par with any other big-city ballet. There is simply no better way to get in the spirit than to take in the delicious costumes and sets flowing perfectly from “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” and “Waltz of the Snowflakes.” Dancing rats, Russian nesting dolls with giant skirts, intrepid wooden toys, and anthropomorphic flora and fauna galore swirling around in a sparkling winter wonderland is the perfect seasonal escapism from Austin’s traditionally steamy holidays. – Lina Fisher
The Cathedral of New Emotions
Friday 6 – Saturday 7, AFS Cinema
RIYL: Fantastic Planet and Belladonna of Sadness. This psychedelic 2D animated sci-fi has much of what those films offer – colorful, imaginative sets, erotic musings, sick soundtrack – but is much more character-driven, following a wacky Berlin commune of mostly androgynous stoners. Begun in 1974, finished in 2006, but never released in the U.S. until now, this new restoration follows our heroes as they’re flung out to space in a giant hand, smashing into random animals and cartoon characters, and looking for the enigmatic guy who convinced them to travel in the first place, Matthew Madson. Plus, it sits at a cool hour runtime, so you can get your surreal fix for the day and get out. – Lina Fisher
Shelley Duvall Tribute: Thieves Like Us, 3 Women, and History of Television: Faerie Tale Theatre
Friday 6 – Sunday 8, AFS Cinema
Misconceptions about Shelley Duvall’s mental illness and retirement from acting have threatened to paint her as a tragic figure. Thankfully, with unseen images and information from the actor herself, Austinite Sarah Lukowski’s popular social media fan page Shelley Duvall Archive has reminded folks in recent years that the Texan performer, who died in July, was indeed a talented, self-determined artist. This all-weekend tribute to Duvall further underscores her legacy: Friday and Saturday, AFS screens two of her Robert Altman best (Thieves Like Us, then 3 Women); Sunday, the cinema presents Faerie Tale Theatre, the show she created, produced, and sometimes starred in. – Carys Anderson
Twas the Night Before: An Austin Gay Men’s Chorus Holiday Concert
Friday 6 – Sunday 8, First Church of Austin
While being in any church gives me flashbacks to my first holy communion – they do not shell out for good wine at Catholic churches! – the Austin Gay Men’s Chorus will always class up the joint. This year, they’re revamping seasonal favorites with their signature choral flair and inviting you to “a night of musical storytelling that will guide you through the heart of winter while honoring the stories and experiences that make our community so vibrant.” Friday and Saturday feature a pre-show mixer with festive cock/mocktails & food, and Sunday promises the same but at a matinee hour. – James Scott
Female Trouble
Friday 6 & Sunday 8, Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar
Lucky me got to catch this in early 2024 when John Waters rolled through town to celebrate the Paramount Theatre’s 50th Summer Classic Film Series. His commentary on the piece was funny, but the actual movie cuts a comedy gash so deep I bled laughs all over my nosebleed balcony seat. Divine plays the beastly and beautiful Dawn Davenport – the heroine we deserve, whose melted-face fierceness will make you want to die for art. Yet the paprika in this ham sandwich is Mink Stole as Dawn’s childish daughter Taffy, who shrieks and stabs her way into your heart. Crime truly is beauty! – James Scott
Bloodbath Studio Presents: METANOIA Fashion Show and Film
Friday 6 – Saturday 7, Central Presbyterian Church
Love fashion, but struggle to see yourself represented among the vaulted leagues of haute couture? Enter Bloodbath Studios, a local upstart dedicated to industry inclusivity. In METANOIA, a phrase that itself means “profound transformation,” LGBTQ+ designers showcase crafty clothing from the most unlikely substances. There’s fabric, metal, and let’s say, more “organic” material in these fearless frocks. Grab your own slice of Fashion Week with a night of pure creative spectacle. – Cat McCarrey
Hyde Park Printers Market
Saturday 7, The Press Room
There’s nothing quite like the smell of printer’s ink: warm and oily. That industrial perfume fills the air of the basement of the old Baker Center in Hyde Park as home to the Press Room – part print shop, part history lesson, and now host to a one-day event at which the community can see how old-fashioned posters and movie ads were made. Then, with complimentary beverages from Austin Beerworks and Rambler Sparkling Water, pick up some Christmas gifts from any of the vendors in the specially curated market. – Richard Whittaker
Austin Puppet Incident
Saturday 7, Dougherty Arts Center
A pile of fur and fabric. Wire armatures. Fake eyes. A puppet is nothing but old scraps and parts until willing hands imbue it with life – and then, oh, what life it has. Glass Half Full Theatre and Trouble Puppet Theater Company come together for their annual celebration of marionettes, rod puppets, glove puppets, and more. This year, their miniature adventures come with a special twist: Every little creation is caught on film in this special evening of shorts drawn from the archives of Handmade Puppet Dreams, a wonderful institution given life of its own by second-generation puppeteering legend Heather Henson. – Richard Whittaker
Horror for the Holidays
Saturday 7 – Sunday 8, Palmer Events Center
Add some art to your Christmas – or, should we say, Art? Yes, David Howard Thornton, better known as Terrifer’s Art the Clown, will be at Austin’s annual craft fair for the scarily inclined, alongside fellow horror icons Linnea Quigley and her Return of the Living Dead co-star Allan Trautman, the puppeteering legend behind Tarman. Stick around for the Krampus Parade, elf racing, evil storytime, and of course perfect gifts for the lovers of the macabre in your life. – Richard Whittaker
Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia
Saturday 7, Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar
Few American filmmakers have embraced amoral nihilism like Sam Peckinpah. After giving audiences a star-studded romp version of his kind of darkness in Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid, he turned around and went straight to hell with the bleakest, highest-body-count revenge drama he could summon up from his curdled soul. Warren Oates sweats mescal and violence as Bennie, a broken-down ex-soldier trying to buy his way to a better future with a $1 million bounty on a severed head. Morality ain’t here, my friend, and a conscience will get you killed in this classic neo-noir. – Richard Whittaker
Holiday Sing-Along, Tree Lighting, and Downtown Stroll
Saturday 7, Congress Avenue
One could argue the holiday season started when department stores unboxed Christmas merch last month. But we all know it won’t officially kick off until they light the tree at the heart of Congress Avenue and 11th Street. Hosted by KUT and the Downtown Austin Alliance, this annual event brings a bout of spirit-sparking festivities spanning artisan markets, Santa photos, art installations, local eats, a canine costume contest, and live music by the Tiarras. Free to the public, participants are invited to join in the carol song-along (started by late local radio host John Aielli) before counting down to ignite the 45-foot faux fir with 137,000 LED lights set to glow for the entire season. You can’t get more official than that. – Amber Williams
Holiday Book Fair
Saturday 7, Byrne-Reed House
Hot on the heels of last month’s Texas Book Festival, another fantastic literary opportunity arises with Humanities Texas’ 14th annual book fair. From 10am to 1pm, bibliophiles can enjoy coffee and a bake sale along with the chance to meet about 20 authors and pick up signed copies of discounted books. Visiting authors include bestselling novelist and photojournalist Sarah Bird (Juneteenth Rodeo), award-winning poet and editor Naomi Shihab Nye (Grace Notes), esteemed San Antonio Express-News columnist Cary Clack (More Finish Lines to Cross), and lots more. Plus, proceeds go to Texas libraries, meaning holiday gifts for a good cause. – Kat McNevins
Slam Portal’s Far Out Holiday Special
Saturday 7, the Far Out Lounge
Immerse yourself in boughs of bloodlust as intergalactic wrestling promotion Slam Portal brings the jingle-bell beatdown. Italian star slammer Luigi Primo serves up a pizza pie performance, while Space Tiger Jr. defends his recently won title of Mega-Wolf-Mode Champion against interlopers. And don’t even get me started on those wickedly whiskered tag team champ defenders the Mustache Mafia – led by devious Dallas developer Big Daddy Bolero. “WINTER TAKES ALL,” says the Instagram post copy, “as the PORTAL harnesses energy for a very special holiday show that will totally SLEIGH. OH DEER, TALK ABOUT THE ROYAL TREE-TMENT!” – James Scott
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Saturday 7, Southwest Theaters Lake Creek 7
The fantastic O’Brien’s Orchestra shadowcast keeps us doing the Time Warp well beyond just October. Just because it’s the season for holly jolly doesn’t mean you’ve got to pack up the black garters, you know. Style your Frank-N-Furter fit with a little Santa hat, or give Janet a menorah to yeet at the screen. ’Tis the freakin’ season for having a little gosh-darn fun around here! – James Scott
Up All Night: Espresso Martini Week
Through December 14, multiple locations
Upon a recent trip to Chili’s, my dear friend remarked, “Does it always come with three beans?” about the restaurant’s trendy caffeinated cocktail offering. To be honest, the beans make the beverage – so trust in these local drink domains to sling a “you espresso” to impresso. Big name bars the Flower Shop, Holiday on 7th, Kinda Tropical, Cavalier, Daydreamer, Kitty Cohen’s, Nickel City, Teddy’s Bar, the Treasury, Volstead, and Murray’s Tavern will offer special-edition espresso martinis all week – each purchase entering you in a chance to win an exclusive T-shirt. Nab one at Holiday’s kickoff event this Saturday, Dec. 7, where a vendor market complements cookies and Queer Vinyl Collective. – James Scott
Holiday Movie Night: A Charlie Brown Christmas & You’ve Got Mail
Saturday 7, First Light Books
Okay, so the two movies screening at this Hyde Park hideaway are pretty much cultural icons. I don’t need to give you the “plot” of Charlie Brown Christmas, nor do I need to explain the unique melancholy of Nora Ephron’s homage to small businesses. Instead, let me delve into the special feature brought to First Light by those cinematic sweethearts at Texas Archive of the Moving Image. Just in time for your own holiday homesickness, TAMI brings archival footage of real Christmas mornings from Austin, Texas. Warm up with a coffee or hot chocolate from First Light, crunch on popcorn, and enjoy the seasonal sensations. – James Scott
LGBTQ2IA+ Health and Resource Fair
Saturday 7, Fiesta Gardens
Stock up on the usual condoms – both internal and external – as well as important health care handouts from local health and wellness orgs tabling. You can’t fight the powers that be if you’re not keeping yourself taken care of! STI testing, swag, and immunizations are yours for the taking this Saturday, so show up and stay safe. – James Scott
The Witch
Sunday 8, Alamo Drafthouse Village
Not pronounced as “vuh vitch” by anyone but me, the first of Robert Eggers’ A24-produced slow horrors remains a chilling-ass tale. Turns out, colonial America really sucked and no one liked it except witches who got extra access to juicy little babies – although, let’s be real: I don’t think the witches were all that into pre-industrial life either. We love having indoor plumbing! Catch Eggers’ first film ahead of his bloodsucking Christmas release, Nosferatu, to really get in that dour spirit. Dost thou want to live deliciously? – James Scott
The Sugarland Express
Sunday 8, Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar
Steven Spielberg was such an undeniable genius at such a young age that his made-for-TV feature, Duel, got a theatrical release in Europe and is often called his debut feature. But the reality is that the first film he made for the picture house is probably his most overlooked movie. He headed to Texas with Goldie Hawn and William Atherton as the Poplins, a married couple on the wrong side of the law and desperate to retain custody of their son. An elegiac mix of road movie and family drama, it’s Spielberg’s first time to show how flawlessly he could mix the sentimental and the action-packed. And, speaking of themes, it’s his first time working with composing legend John Williams. – Richard Whittaker
Want to see all of our listings broken down by day? Go to austinchronicle.com/calendar and see what’s happening now or in the coming week.
This article appears in December 6 • 2024.
