Join Austin Water for a guided hike on Austin Water Wildlands – conservation lands that benefit people, water, and wildlife. From family-friendly walks through woodlands in west Austin to cross-country treks through grassland savanna in Buda – they host a variety of free hikes in and around Austin each month.
Nothing says holidays in Austin like scouring aisles and aisles of local art, crafts, and – thank God – beer. All while surrounded by tunes from one of many musical acts performing this year.
Dec. 14-24, 11am-10pm. $8, free for children 12 and under.
Celebrate the holiqueers with WTGG and GirlFriend! Bust out that ugly sweater, donate a (new, unwrapped, non violent) toy for foster kids (at Helping Hand Home), and grab the mic for queeraraoke.
Hotel Vegas spreads the holiday cheer with karaoke, DJs, the Eastside Pop Up Holiday Market. Into trivia? Brush up on Home Alone, Elf, Die Hard, and A Christmas Story, and grab some friends (don't forget to dress up in your favorite seasonal gear).
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 Celtic Cultural Center of Texas presents this night featuring some of the city's most honored vocalists, including Brett Barnes, Danny Johnson and Stephanie Prewitt – led by director Jeffrey Jones Ragona.
Join in the annual census of our avian friends. Many events are kid- and beginner-friendly as birders fan out across Texas and the Western Hemisphere in the largest citizen science project in the world.
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.
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!
Austin's Commission for Women is currently taking nominations for Austin Women’s Hall of Fame. "Each year, the commission recognizes women who've made significant contributions to Austin/Travis County by breaking barriers for women, working to better the lives of women and girls, or through other forms of public or community service."
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).
The holiday show queers wait all year for returns with yer kookiest hosts Rebecca Havemeyer and Stanley Roy Williamson. Prepare for the dazzle. Expect the absurd with special guests Mitzi Meyers, Lindsey Taylor, Russell Reed, and Silky Shoemaker!
Wed.-Sat., Dec. 20-23, 7:30pm. $15 in advance, $20 at the door.
Get out there and try your luck in catching some of the 305,525 rainbow trout released into waters around the state. There are “no fee” locations for access to the Guadalupe River below Canyon Reservoir, one of the best spots to catch trout in America.
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%.
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.
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).
The final draft of Austin's proposed new cemetery rules has been posted on the City Clerk's website for public feedback. Email comments to D’Anne Williams.