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.
A mile-long drive-through display of lights as well as a plaza full of music, food, and magic. New this year, attendees can pick up a Christmas tree during their visit with the addition of Wonder Woods. Circuit of the Americas gets in the holiday spirit by giving away free trees to families in need and offering low-cost trees to others. Also new, a Holiday Market with homemade sweet treats, gifts, and holiday swag for the kids.
In the first reinstallation of the collection galleries since it opened in 2019, Ruby City will present an exhibit of artwork from the Linda Pace collection by national and international artists.
This exhibit showcases materials from the State Archives documenting the official work and daily business of the state’s chief executive spanning 100 years. Can't visit in person? It's available to explore online.
A great selection of local farmers bringing fabulous pastured meats, eggs, dairy, vegetables, and fruits, plus prepared-food vendors, artisans, bakers, and of course, live music.
The nonprofit providing shelter and resources to asylum seekers needs volunteers for all kinds of tasks, including driving, sorting donations, and translating, and accepts donations daily 8am-6pm; see wish list for items needed.
For the fitness-curious and those on a budget, Castle Hill offers a wide selection of discounted classes throughout the week – just look for the "Community" name in the title.
Thinkery provides admission by donation as part of its Open Door Initiative, created to give every child a chance to explore STEAM concepts and develop a lifelong love of learning, regardless of means.
Donate now to help nonprofit El Buen Samaritano meet its $450,000 goal, which goes toward holiday meal kits, a food pantry, baby formula, services, and other assistance for Central Texans in need.
Calling all mini Monets! Registration is now open for afterschool and weekend art classes with professional artist and educator Amanda Jones, teaching students ages 8-18. Professional illustrator Carly Dennis also offers a special weekly class for younger artists.
Travis County and the city of Austin are asking for the public’s help to review, verify, and improve the new National Broadband Map created by the Federal Communications Commission. Hop online, pop in your address, and make sure the info is correct to help make the most accurate map possible.
Josh Brownfield and team take over the bar with lively decorations and a special menu with Hanukkah-inspired cocktails, including Latke Punch, a play on the traditional dish made with potato vodka, apple cider, ginger liqueur, and lemon. Bonus: chef Amanda Rockman collabs for the eight days of Hanukkah (Dec. 18-26) with special treats, including rugelach with walnut, currant, and cinnamon sugar – and Jewboy Burgers pops up on Mon., Dec. 19, to serve sliders and latkes.
Josh Brownfield and team take over this popular Eastside bar with lively decorations and a special menu with Hanukkah-inspired cocktails, including Latke Punch, a play on the traditional dish made with potato vodka, apple cider, ginger liqueur, and lemon.
More than 70 artists, painters, and sculptors contributed to this powerful exhibit remembering the terrorist attack on 9/11 including photographs taken from the streets of New York City.
Austin Tinplate Trackers have tons of model trains set up near the roller coaster at Kalahari's Tom Foolery Adventure Park & Arcade. Kids will love operating Thomas, Percy, the Polar Express, and the Batman train.
The luxury hotel offers an ice skating rink overlooking Lady Bird Lake, chic "cabins" to gather in and enjoy s'mores or a glass of vino, and stunning holiday art installations and decor.
Through Jan. 8. $35/hour to skate; $300 and up for cabins.
The ABC Great Christmas Light Fight winners of 2019 are at it once again and this year it’s even bigger and brighter. As a fundraiser for Make-A-Wish, the Maywalds have raised over $200,000 and granted over 30 wishes.
Through Dec. 28, 6-10pm nightly. Donations for Make-a-Wish encouraged.
You may have recently received a notice from the city about its new floodplain study: They're reevaluating floodplain maps and models to better understand flood risk and keep residents safe. Find out more about the project at an upcoming meeting.
Put your name in a bucket to go on a blind date in front of a live audience, then get dating advice from comedians who have no business giving out advice!
The ranch will set up an entertaining walking loop illuminated with creative light displays, and offers a gingerbread man cutout for photos, hot cocoa, s'mores, and craft beers.
Through Dec. 31. Thu.-Sat., 5-9pm; Sun., 5-8pm. Free.
Presented by Bank of Texas, this 35-year holiday family tradition has become a favorite for generations of Dallasites and includes 1,600 feet of track rolling from coast to coast on a whimsical rail journey across America. All ticket proceeds benefit Ronald McDonald House of Dallas.
Camp Huaco Springs on the Guadalupe River is open to anglers wishing to try their luck catching their daily bag limit of 5 of the more than 20,000 rainbow trout stocked by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department through late February. Anglers 17 years old and older will need a valid state fishing license.
The season of giving is a great time to get involved with Meals on Wheels, and donating just an hour a week makes a huge difference to the homebound older adults served by the org. Volunteers deliver more than a meal; they also bring warm smiles and much-needed safety checks. Apply online and get signed up for a Zoom training to get started.
We Are Blood’s annual holiday blood drives return to six Austin-area malls: Barton Creek Square, Lakeline Mall, the Arboretum, Wolf Ranch Town Center, and Premium Outlets in both San Marcos and Round Rock. Donating blood is a great way to give back to the community as you knock out your holiday shopping.
The Austin Motel becomes a neon rainbow experience for the holidays, with Hunky Santa on Thursdays, weekly film screenings Fridays, carols with a drag Mrs. Claus Saturdays, and pop-up shops Sundays.
Resources and info about Austin Public Health’s Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) supplemental nutrition program for qualifying pregnant women, new mothers, and young children.