Home Events
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Sponsored Listing
Western Wonderland
The City of Dripping Springs is bringing the sparkle this holiday season! Western Wonderland consists of an ice rink, holiday trail of lights, and weekend holiday markets. They will also be hosting special events and appreciation days throughout the month. Complete details, including hours, ticket sales, and an event calendar are available online.Dec. 8 - Jan. 7Dripping Springs Ranch Park Event Center -
Sponsored Listing
Graham Reynolds Ruins the Holidays
Don't miss composer and bandleader Graham Reynolds as he burns down the house with his raucous, minor key versions of your holiday favorites along with several special guests! Tickets on sale now.Dec. 8-9Rollins Studio Theatre at the Long Center
Recommended
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Food
Food Events
12 Days of Free Lunch
Free Lunch ATX, a local organization dedicated to providing meal support to Austin’s Camp Esperanza homeless community, is hosting 12 Days of Free Lunch, a citywide fundraising initiative, hoping to raise $12,000 by partnering with more than a dozen local culinary hotspots – including Joanne's Fine Foods (Fri., Dec. 1), Burn Slow (Sat., Dec. 2), Bufalina (Sun., Dec. 3), Black Star Coop (Mon., Dec. 4), Allday Pizza (Tue., Dec. 5), LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue (Wed., Dec. 6), Tweedy’s (Thu., Dec. 7), Sugar Mama’s (Fri., Dec. 8), Lolo's (Sat., Dec. 9), Rockstar Bagels (Sun., Dec. 10), Justine’s (Mon., Dec. 11), Lou's Barton Springs (Tue., Dec. 12), and more – to help combat food insecurity in Austin. -
Arts
Theatre
A Christmas Carol
Zach Theatre’s adaptation of the Dickens classic is a musical sleigh ride through rhythm and time, infusing the traditional Victorian story with a score that spans all genres and eras. "Celebrate the season with the loving Cratchit family and three soulful ghosts as they take Ebenezer Scrooge on a joyride to rediscover his heart and love for human kindness."Through Dec. 31. $25 and up. -
Arts
Visual Arts
Alejandra Almuelle: Annual Studio Show
The renowned sculptor presents the newest: additions to her existing collection of gold luster tableware, flower vases, mortar and pestles, salt cellars, and candle holders for the holidays. Stop by for excellent holiday shopping and enjoy freshly baked empanadas with a glass of vino verde and sparkling water.Sat.-Sun., Dec. 9-10, 11am-5pm1503 Miami -
Arts
Theatre
Austin Puppet Incident
Here's Austin's premiere event of puppetry for adult audiences, brought to life by Glass Half Full and Trouble Puppet Theatre, and now in its 14th year! Local artists collaborate to create short pieces for this annual showcase, using a variety of puppetry techniques including shadow, hand and rod, tabletop, object, and physical theatre. It's two nights of naughty, heartbreaking, harrowing, hilarious, and always original stories, presented through the medium of animated objects.Fri.-Sat., Dec. 8-9, 8pm. $15-45. -
Community
Events
Austin Trail of Lights
Austin's beloved tradition returns for its 59th year, featuring more than 2 million lights illuminating the park, 90 lighted holiday trees, and more than 70 other holiday displays and lighted tunnels.Dec. 8-23 -
Community
Events
Blue Genie Art Bazaar
Austin's fave shopping destination for the holidays is the place to find unique jewelry, art, home goods, and gifts with oodles of Austin flair.Nov. 17-Dec. 24. Free entry. -
Arts
Visual Arts
Butridge Gallery: Finding Wholeness
This collection of paintings by Alexandra Abbott explores a secret, magic world existing within the ordinary. Observe the voluptuous curves of a flower, the movement of clouds across a desert landscape, insects steadily and silently working, rock walls stacked by hands hundreds of years ago, and things so quiet they are hardly noticed.Dec. 2-Jan. 27. Reception: Wed., Dec. 6, 7-9pm -
Arts
Theatre
Cards Against Humanity: The Christmas Carol
"Imagine you're at an outdoor café, complete with a stage decked out with holiday cheer, while in-house waitstaff serve you festive festive food and drinks. And soon, you’ll be watching a free performance of The Christmas Carol. But this is no ordinary Christmas Carol: it’s one that gets derailed by a deck of Cards Against Humanity! And if you've ever played Cards Against Humanity, you know the zany possibilities are endless." Note: For a small donation, you may even have the chance to derail the show yourself by playing a card.Thu.-Sun., Dec. 7-17, 6:30pm. Donations accepted. -
Community
Events
Community First! Village of Lights
With more than 250,000 Christmas lights choreographed to holiday music, the village is sure to get you in the spirit. They'll have a holiday market with unique, handcrafted gifts created by village artists and makers, and your purchases support its formerly homeless residents. Plus, there'll be holiday movies screening, mini train rides, a life-size snow globe, visits from Santa, and more fun in store.Fri.-Sat., Dec. 1-2 & 8-9, 5:30-9pm. Free. -
Arts
Visual Arts
Davis Gallery: Holiday Group Show
This 25th annual holiday show features new and selected works by more than Central Texas artists: Lisa Beaman, William B. Montgomery, Steve Brudniak, Darden Smith, Caprice Pierucci, Randall Reid, John Sager, Dana Younger, Felice House, and more among the company of glory included here.Opening reception: Sat., Dec. 9, 4-7pm -
Arts
Visual Arts
Decompose / Descompone: A Public Art Walk At Circle Acres
Join the Central Texas Mycological Society and Odditree Society for the launch of this new public artwork: a self-guided walk and mediation, developed by artist Sara Dotterer, that aims to highlight the history and ecology of Circle Acres as well as the interactions between soil, tree, and fungal networks.Sat., Dec. 9, 1-3pm. Free.Circle Acres Nature Preserve, 508 Grove -
Arts
Visual Arts
Flatbed Press: Holidaze
Here's an exhibition that highlights new work from collaborations with printers Alyssa Ebinger, Emery Spina, Matthew Magruder, and Katherine Brimberry at Flatbed Press during 2023. See stunning new prints from Erika Huddleson, Peter Leighton, Laura Berman, Adrian Armstrong, Serena Perrone, David Everett, Darden Smith , James Sullivan, Jeffrey Dell, Linda Ridgway, Charlotte Seifert, and Kyle Hawley.Opening reception: Sat., Dec. 9, 4-6pm -
Arts
Classical Music
Graham Reynolds Ruins the Holidays
For the sixth year in the Rollins Studio Theatre, composer and bandleader Graham Reynolds will burn down the house with his raucous, minor-key versions of your holiday favorites – abetted by his talented friends (Andre Hayward on trombone, trumpet player Rachel Spencer, John Mills on saxophone, and more) and a ferocious spirit of celebration.Fri.-Sat., Dec. 8-9, 7:30pm. $44. -
Arts
Visual Arts
GrayDUCK Gallery: The Dog Show
U.S.-based Japanese artist Hiromi Stringer reveals the colorful drawings of of Umeyama – "a mediocre scholar who time-travels (from Japan 170 years ago) to various times and places, vividly documenting the quotidian objects and scenes he encounters." In this case, especially? Doggos, and plenty of those heckin' good boys.Through Jan. 7 -
Arts
Visual Arts
Guzu Gallery: Catch 'Em All!
Here's an art show tribute to everyone’s favorite pocket monsters, featuring all-new artwork from more than 20 local artists. If you’re a fan of the card game, the video games, the animated series, the films, the manga, or all of the above, this free, all-ages event is for you! With art by Vinnie Martinez, George Brenner, Tessa Morrison, Chet Phillips, Half-Human, Mia Burwitz, and more.Opening reception: Fri., Dec. 8, 7-10pm. Free. -
Arts
Books
Humanities Texas Holiday Book Fair
Twenty-two Texas authors will visit with the public and sign copies of their latest books, which Humanities Texas will offer at a discounted price. Available titles include works of fiction and nonfiction, with selections for both adult and young readers. Which Texas authors, you ask? Among them: Greg Beets and Richard Whymark, H.W. Brands, Lawrence Wright, Carmen Tafolla, Elizabeth Crook, Norma E. Cantú, Laeken Zea Kemp, and more!Sat., Dec. 9, 10am-2pm. Free. -
Arts
Visual Arts
Imagine Art: Holiday Bazaar
Available works at this arty and festive market will include ceramics, painting, drawing, jewelry, textiles, and mixed media. Bonus: There will be a raku firing demonstration, with the opportunity to purchase a ceramic piece, apply glaze to it, and watch it being fired using the raku method.Sat., Dec. 9, 11am-4pm. Free. -
Arts
Theatre
Jack & Aiden
"When Aiden first meets Jack, it’s through the transactional world of gay male hookup apps – Aiden’s first exploration since transitioning. But as the two spend more time together, things get complicated - they must navigate their grief, recovery, and trauma, and find out if they can hold one another’s human messiness." This is the world premiere of a new musical, commissioned by Ground Floor Theatre, with book by Lane Michael Stanley, music and lyrics by Tova Katz, and starring Justin P. Lopez and Laura Leo Kelly. Directed by Trace Turner, with musical direction by Trey Shonkwiler. Age recommendation: 18 and older, due to brief nudity, depictions of sex, and the subjects of addiction and recovery.Through Dec. 16. Thu.-Sat., 8pm. $30. -
Community
Events
Maywald Family Lights Display
See a stunning light display and bring a donation for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, for which the Maywalds raised over $80,000 last year. New this year: a gift shop offering hot chocolate, mugs, shirts, Christmas ornaments, and more.Nov. 23-Dec. 28, 6-10pm. Donations for Make-a-Wish encouraged.10505 Twilight Vista -
Food
Food Events
Midnight in the Garden: Chanukah
Top Chef alumni Amanda Rockman (New Waterloo) and Jo Chan (Bureau de Poste) bring Midnight in the Garden two evenings of multicourse dining to share the heritage, heart, and hope that Chanukah carries – via dishes of smoked fish, chicken liver, latkes, matzo ball soup, wagyu short ribs, kugel, sufganiyot, rugelach, and more, with complimentary wine parings.Sat.-Sun., Dec. 9-10. $225.7700 Manassas -
Arts
Theatre
Miss Lulu Bett
In Zona Gale's classic play – the first play written by a woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama – Lulu Bett lives with her sister's family and does all the cooking in the house. Spinsterhood seems to be her destiny – until an enthusiastic visitor proposes. Directed by Norman Blumensaadt for Different Stages.Through Dec. 9. Thu.-Sat., 8pm; Sun., 6pm. $15-37. -
Arts
Theatre
Mortified Live!
See adults sharing their most embarrassing childhood artifacts (journals, letters, poems, lyrics, plays, home movies, art) with others as they reveal stories about their lives.Sat., Dec. 9, 7pm. $20-30. -
Food
Food Events
Mueller: Holiday Brunch & Cocktail Crawl
Sample smart and festive holiday cocktails and fantastic brunch specials at some of the best coffee bars and restaurants in Mueller, as Blue Lacy, Colleen's Kitchen, Halcyon, and Veracruz All Natural team up for this wintery celebration. Note: Check in before 11am to collect your wristband, map, specials, and more.Sat., Dec. 9, 9am-3pm. $25-41. -
Arts
Theatre
Murder on the Links
Murder's afoot – and it's wearing those funny golfers' socks! Yes, Austin Playhouse presents the regional premiere of Murder on the Links, from the Agatha Christie novel, written and directed by Steven Dietz. Bonus: An all-star cast! We mean, Ben Wolfe (as Hercule Poirot, no less), Lara Toner Haddock, Huck Huckaby, Tonie Knight, Chase Brewer, and Sarah Chong Dickey.Through Dec. 30. Thu.-Sat., 8pm. Sun., Dec. 24, 2pm; Dec. 10 & 17, 5pm. $21-42. -
Arts
Theatre
My Fair Lady
Lerner & Loewe’s classic travels from Lincoln Center Theater, presented in all its musical, class-skewering splendor, as directed by Bartlett Sher.Dec. 5-10. Tue.-Thu., 7:30pm; Fri., 8pm; Sat., 2 & 8pm; Sun., 1 & 6:30pm. $30 and up. -
Arts
Theatre
Sembrando Herencia: The Prince and the Pana
The Puerto Rican Cultural Center presents this historical and magical musical that weaves together English, Spanish, and Taíno (the language of Puerto Rican indigenous people). Set against the backdrop of the mid-19th century, prior to the abolition of slavery in Puerto Rico, the story follows an African prince on his quest to save his people.Dec. 9-10. Sat., 6:30pm; Sun., 3pm. $20 ($5, kids). -
Film
Special Screenings
Sound Unseen Film & Music Festival
The 24th annual fest offers music-centric film screenings and events like an evening with Karaoke Underground and a hip-hop showcase.Wed.-Sun., Dec. 6-10Various locations -
Community
Sports
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Arts
Visual Arts
The Blanton: Weird Winter
Artist and musician Steve Parker brings a new installation to the Blanton that’ll make even the grinchiest grin, complete with brass instruments, musical snowglobes, marionette-animated trees, and carols like you’ve never heard them before.Dec. 9-Jan. 7. $20. -
Arts
Dance
The Nutcracker
From the twinkling lights, whirling snowflakes, and sparkling beauty of the exquisite sets and costumes comes this classic, heartwarming story. Bringing the magic of the holiday season, the 61st annual production of The Nutcracker remains Austin’s longest-running live production, presented here by Ballet Austin, with concept and choreography by Stephen Mills, music by Tchaikovsky, and live accompaniment by the Austin Symphony Orchestra. See our feature on the show right here.Through Dec. 23. $15-125.
