Join BookSpring for an enchanting celebration of reading at BookSpring Fest: A Read Aloud Celebration! Enjoy inspiring stories read aloud from pillars of the community, carnival games, a petting zoo, face painters, balloon makers, books, and refreshments (ALL FREE).
The Acro-Cats tour supports Rock Cats Rescue, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Rock Cats Rescue is focused on saving cats "One Click at a Time" through cat welfare, rescue, and adoption. The Acro-Cats show promotes the importance of bonding and training cats with positive reinforcement, while also finding homes for rescued cats.
Find out which local musicians will receive the coveted Black Fret grants with $500K being awarded to date. Nominees include Akina Adderley, Black Pistol Fire, Croy & the Boys, Los Coast, Whiskey Shivers, and many more. Expect performances from many of the nominees. Open to members only, so hop on that website and become one!
Creative weekend fun for everyone? We reckon so, what with more than 88 artists and artisans, live music, dance performances, a photo booth, food vendors, and an area dedicated to interactive family activities.
Iron Bear's (and Austin's) beloved bartender Garold Bates is battling prostate cancer and the Bear and Co. are throwing one helluva party to raise money for his treatment. Rebecca Havemeyer hosts guests from L.A. and New Orleans, plus Nakia sings and Mouthfeel DJs and Louisianna drags. Come out and raise some Benjamins for Bates.
After a long and well-loved run, LezzDance is saying goodbye and good night to Austin's queer women's scene. Join them for one last epic dance. They will be missed.
Come watch the choo-choos in this holiday display and inspire the next generation to keep this historic hobby alive and well. You might even be allowed to sit behind the controls if you're kind enough to the tip jar.
Wed.-Sun., through Dec. 31 (except holidays), noon-5pm. Donations appreciated.
You'll come for the amazing light displays (2 million lights along the 2.1 mile stroll through Zilker Park), but stay for the food trucks, live entertainment, and interactive activities. A tradition since 1965.
A new Austin holiday tradition. Millions of lights will illuminate the Circuit of the Americas track with a little bit of something for everyone: a skating rink, petting zoo, human snow globe, movies on the lawn, a tunnel of lights in addition to the Circuit of Lights track walk, a vendor village, and more.
Every day through Dec. 30, 6-10pm (Fridays and Saturdays, 6-11pm). $16 (children 5 and under free).
The T.C. Lindsey & Co. General Store celebrates its 170th birthday with a special greeting to everyone: who wants to do some nostalgic shopping while browsing through the museum store that Lady Bird Johnson visited as a young girl.
More than 200,000 lights choreographed to holiday music will dazzle spectators at one of the biggest Christmas light displays in Central Texas. Hit up the Advent Market for gifts made by formerly homeless craftspeople and artisans who live at the Village.
Make an edible house as a family or pay a little extra to make sure everyone has a home to ingest later. Explore the museum as your creation dries and finish with a photo of you and your dessert abode.
Take a self-guided road trip through the Blanton's latest exhibition making pit stops at the artmaking atrium and WorkLAB Studio for treats and souvenir making. Regular museum admission is required.
Monte Akers, Michael Barnes, Chris Barton, Olga Campos Benz, and Patricia Bernstein are just a few of the authors who will be autographing books for purchase at a discounted rate. Coffee and treats will be available if your blood sugar gets low from all the literary star power. Proceeds will benefit Hurricane Harvey recovery.
We're not implying that Amy Simmons is a secret vampire or anything like that, but everyone who donates at a We Are Blood location or mobile drive in December will receive a voucher for a free pint of Amy’s Ice Creams. Suggestion: Get you a taste of that cold, creamy, public good!
Now through December 9, Luke’s Wish Toy Drive is accepting donations for new, unwrapped toys for children from infants to 18 years old to make the season brighter for the kids stuck in the hospital this winter. See drop-off details on Facebook.
Follow the evolution of the gaming industry from the Seventies to the present day with a focus on the local scene from Richard Garriott's Ultima series to John Romero's Doom to the developers making waves on today's gaming platforms.
Daily through March 18, 2018. Museum admission: $13 ($9, kids).
Santa will be at three different Frost financial institutions this morning. First explain to the kids how St. Nick can trilocate and then head down for some quality time with Mr. Claus and nosh on some cookies.
Sat., Dec. 9, 9am-noon. Free.
Lake Travis Financial Center, 12532 FM 2244; 26 Doors Financial Center, 1206 W. 38th; Tech Ridge Financial Center, 605 W. Canyon Ridge Dr.
Children will sing, dance, and get their silly on to the music supplied by kids' performer Staci Gray. Stick around for the Crafternoon for Kids ($10) at noon.
Dee Dee Davis and Tatiana Ladanova emcee a show for tips and donations to UCA charities. Performances by Empress Simone Jewell Riviera and Emperor Jake St. Stone.
Bring the kids and the pets and get up close with the big guy. Activities are planned for the kids and wine for the moms will be served outside on the terrace while waiting your turn.
Thu.-Sun., through Dec. 24, 12-8pm. Free or purchase photo package.
Anderson Terrace Event Venue, 11505 Anderson Mill Rd
Cards, jewelry, prints, ornaments, fine art, knitted items, CDs, glass, and more all from Texas artists. Artists get 70% of sales and VSA Texas gets 30%.
Santa will be making a stop next to Amy's Ice Creams at the Arboretum to take note of all the good boys and girls Christmas lists and pose for that special holiday pic.
Saturday and Sundays through Dec. 23, 1-5pm. Free.
Drive exotic cars at a state-of-the-art motoring facility that brings a European style and flair to Central Texas. The Grand Prix course has elevation changes, signature corners, extensive training facilities, and an F1 caliber track.
Text “TITOSHOLIDAY” to 81181, select the charity of your choice – such as ASPCA and Operation Homefront, and Tito’s will donate $1 for every text received (up to $150,000). No vodka necessary.
Foundation Communities can help you navigate the ACA health insurance marketplace to find the plan that works best for you. Hours vary by day and location; see website for details.
Calling all Central Texas (queer/trans/gender diverse) high schoolers. PFLAG's essay contest returns! Write 500 to 1,000 words on: What challenges LGBTQ+ high school students face in romantic relationships. First place takes $500 cash (second = $200, third = $100).