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Sponsored Listing
Affordable Art Fair Austin
Affordable Art Fair Austin will launch in May 2024, showcasing original contemporary artworks ranging between $100 to $10,000. Welcoming a whole host of local, national and international exhibitors, their spectacular first edition is set to be unmissable!May 16-19Palmer Events Center -
Sponsored Listing
Laundry & Bourbon with Lonestar
Laundry and Bourbon with Lonestar, two companion one act plays set in backyards of a small Texas town. Three ladies come together to talk about their life's ups and downs. Lonestar follows the life of three small town boys and the events that have shaped them. Both shows give us highs & lows with humor spread around, for good measure.Apr. 19-May 5Navasota Theatre Alliance
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Community
Events
Luminations at LBJ Wildflower Center
In a year that could use some sparkle, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is bringing back a beloved winter tradition. It's a strollable Hill Country experience where thousands of luminarias light the way. For the first time ever, Luminations will wind through the Texas Arboretum among glowing oaks and the light-splashed forts of Fortlandia, a collection of forts custom-designed and built by local architects, designers, and artists.Through Jan. 3. Members only on Mondays; closed Dec. 24, 25, 31 & Jan. 1 -
Community
Events
Winter Wanderland
Snow close, yet snow far out! Austin Motel is decked out for the holidays with a neon rainbow, and they're serving up hot chocolate (with optional peppermint schnapps), a Sugar Plum cocktail, and La Colombe coffee. Snacks include Reindeer Chow and hot pretzels.Through Jan. 3. Free, but RSVP. -
Community
Events
ACR Outdoor Market
Shop for Earth-friendly artwork and goods sourced with reused materials from Austin Creative Reuse staff and volunteers as well as Reuse Gallery artists.Sat.-Sun., Dec. 12-13, noon-5pm -
Community
Events
APA! Drive-Through Holiday Photos
Meow-y Christmas and Happy Paw-lidays! Book a photo shoot at Austin Pets Alive! to memorialize the season with your favorite furry friend. Special goodies and entry into a raffle are included with the ticket.Sat., Dec. 12, 10am-4pm. $40. -
Arts
Classical Music
Austin Classical Guitar: Nella Fantasia
Join well-strung maestro Matt Hinsley and the ACG team for holiday gratitude and joy in music and story, as they reflect on the year behind us (and none too soon) and share hopes for the future.Sat., Dec. 12, 8pm. Donations accepted. -
Community
Events
Austin Trail of Lights
Austin's 56th annual holiday tradition returns to Zilker Park as a drive-through event this year and runs two additional weeks. As you drive through the trail illuminated by more than 2 million lights, tune in via your car radio for holiday music, highlights, and history. This year guests can choose a ticket type based on their preferred date and time, with prices ranging from $25-35 per vehicle for GA or a $60 per vehicle "Dash Pass" which includes early entry and festive refreshments.Through Jan. 3 (except New Year's Day). GA, $25-35 per vehicle; Dash Pass, $60 per vehicle. -
Arts
Visual Arts
Bale Creek Allen Gallery: Promised Land
Musician John Doe and visual artist Michael Mogavero have been friends for almost 50 years, witnessing and enjoying each other’s work as it progressed and evolved. Recently, Mogavero sent Doe a group of new images, some of which Doe paired with poems. During the process, titles were changed and unexpected stories were added within the images. This collaboration at Bale Creek Allen Gallery is a celebration of melding poetry with visual images and a testament to the artists' friendship, and our Robert Faires tells you more about it right here.Through Jan. 4 -
Arts
Dance
Ballet Austin: The Nutcracker
Local luminaries enliven the stage with holiday splendor and wintery exuberance in this Nutcracker digital film, featuring Ballet Austin’s 2019 stage production by Stephen Mills, now streaming on-demand and including a plethora of bonus material, cast and crew interviews, and behind-the-scenes featurettes. Note: You can get access with a tax-deductible donation to Ballet Austin and view the kinetic wonderment until the new year dawns.Through Jan. 1 -
Qmmunity
Arts & Culture
Bizarre Stripper Burlesque: Sinful Silver
Austin's premier all-trans revue and burlesque troupe is back, and they're celebrating their first anniversary with performances from Marley Belle, Estee Slaughter, Sylvia Hatchett, Jinxy Deviate, Hermajestie, and Louisianna Purchase.Sat., Dec. 12, 8-10pm. $10-30.Online -
Music
Black Fret Ball
Black Fret’s mission is formally stated as “enabling the creation and performance of new music,” but to put it plainly, it’s finding ways to put money in musicians’ pockets. That’s become imperative amid the stageless struggle of 2020, so the patronage-model nonprofit adapted accordingly by slashing annual membership dues in half, quickening artists’ access to grant money, and creating a Happy Hour Concert where Austin musicians are well-compensated to perform to business staff on virtual platforms. The organization’s banner event, the Black Fret Ball, streams to the public Saturday. Some $160,000 in 20 $8,000 grants will be issued to nominees including Altamesa, Cilantro Boombox, Croy & the Boys, Sam Houston & Blk Odyssy, Alesia Lani, Carrie Rodriguez, and Sir Woman. Free to watch, but consider becoming a member.Sat., Dec. 12, 7pm -
Community
Events
Blue Genie Art Bazaar
The beloved Austin holiday shopping experience returns for its 20th year with four shopping options to ensure safety in the time of COVID-19. For in-store shopping, reserve free tickets online for a "no wait" entry. Walk-ins are also welcome, but guests may have to wait outside if it's at capacity. Online shoppers can either pick up items in-store or have them shipped anywhere in the U.S. Personal shoppers and virtual shopping will also be available through the BGAB website. BGAB is a family-friendly experience where you can find one-of-a-kind, handcrafted jewelry, artwork, home goods, and gifts for everyone on your shopping list.Through Dec. 24, 10am-10pm daily (10am-6pm on Dec. 24) -
Community
Events
Downtown Holiday Stroll
This year, the hallmark event is more than just one evening; it's a month of free activities and holiday happenings. Visit the 45-foot-tall holiday tree by the Capitol, catch a movie at Paramount or the new Blue Starlite, and download or pick up a holiday passport to guide your way and collect stamps as you experience all that Downtown Austin has to offer.Through Dec. 31Downtown Austin -
Film
Special Screenings
Elf (2003)
DAA Fundraiser: For the full experience, add on Buddy’s special spaghetti and meatball dinner from Quattro Gatti, paired with a bag of sugar and toppings from Yummi Joy. A portion of ticket proceeds goes to the Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation, which is raising funds to revitalize Auction Oaks.Sat., Dec. 12, 7pm -
Arts
Theatre
Frank Wo/Men Collective: K ! :D D: Ö
Texas Performing Arts and Fusebox Festival present that gang of kinetic provocateurs whose work “is underpinned with intersectional thinking, queerness, Freudian curiosities, body positivity, and absurdist exploration." Yes, it's the Frank Wo/Men Collective, bringing their latest (after 2019's brilliant Rub a Duck) to Austin via the internets, in a live-action, warped childhood-playscape experiment that engages the audience with a User Interface, allowing us to modify environments, play games with the characters, "and even taste control." Ah, is that what that flavor is? Yummmmmmmy!Dec. 12-13. Sat.-Sun., slots available at 2pm, 4pm, 6pm, and 8pm. Donations accepted. -
Food
Food Events
Geraldine's: The South Pole
This is still, they're reassuring us, That Most Wonderful Time of the Year, so Geraldine's in the Hotel Van Zandt is sparking joy all tinsel-bright each Friday and Saturday night in December until Christmas – with continuous cocktail tastings, a roving s'mores station, and "santa-tized" seating among the festive atmosphere of your favorite holiday tunes. Note: The tables of 2-10 will be socially distanced, and masks must be worn at all times unless seated.Through Dec. 19. Fri.-Sat., 7:30-9:30pm. $70-350. -
Community
Events
Holibabes Market
Features the work of 34 local female makers, artists and woman-owned creative small businesses. Visitors are also invited to check out an installation by local artist Aimee Everett while shopping for the perfect locally made gifts. Plus, thanks to Bumble, the first 50 attendees get a free gift bag filled with Bumble-branded goodies.Sat., Dec. 12, 10am-7pm; Sun., Dec. 13, noon-6pm -
Arts
Theatre
Human Resources: The Musical
Here's a team of theatre artists from across the country – a cast and crew of nearly 30, with the majority from Austin, but with others from Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, and more – presenting the premiere of a brand new musical. Yes, it’s online. And, yes, they’re doing it in quarantine. This musical is a satirical horror comedy that looks at the unsavory ways women are treated in the workplace, with book and lyrics by Mallory Schlossberg and music by Schlossberg and Alexandra Smith. Choreography and movement by Kelly Hasandras. Look: Our Robert Faires interviewed the playwright right here.Fri.-Sat., Dec. 11-12, 7pm. Donations accepted. -
Film
Special Screenings
Krampus (2015)
Drag at the Drive-in: A special half-hour drag show precedes the camp horror.Sat., Dec. 12, 10:30pm -
Arts
Dance
Metamorphosis Dance: The Nutcracker
The Metamorphosis Dance company presents this annual and unique telling of the beloved holiday classic – coming to you virtually this year, via video of the ballet's performance at the Carver Museum.Through Dec. 24. $10-50. -
Arts
Books
MexAmeriCon
Austin’s first Latinx Comic Book Convention is back for its third year – as a virtual event showcasing Mexican-American and Latinx artists who create comic books, graphic novels, zines, and related media. Will there will be music, an artist alley, as well as interviews and panels exploring topics relating to comics and Latinx culture> You know it, citizen!Sat., Dec. 12, 11am-4pm. Free. -
Arts
Comedy
Moontower Comedy: Big Jay Oakerson
Festival favorite Oakerson's the co-host of the Legion of Skanks and The SDR Show podcasts on Gas Digital Network, of course, and of The Bonfire with Big Jay Oakerson and Dan Soder on Comedy Central Radio. He's also the towering sequoia of comedy who'll be bringing the laughs onstage at that revered theatre Downtown this weekend. Bonus: Josh Adam Meyers opens.Fri.-Sat., Dec. 11-12, 7 & 10pm. $22-30. -
Community
Events
Mozart's 2020 COVID-Cautious Christmas Light Show
Sip a delicious hot bevvie and see the beautiful light show by the lake. Reservations required.Through Jan. 6, 6pm-12mid. $10 per table for one-hour show. -
Arts
Visual Arts
Northern-Southern: Baton
This is a group show by relay, begun in July of 2020 as a method of socially distancing a community in the height of the pandemic: Artists took turns alone in the space, each adding to the exhibition. Now, as it nears its close, the exhibition resembles a community in which work converses and overlaps. With Adreon Henry, Vy Ngo, Dawn Okoro, Leon Alesi, Matt Steinke, Sev Coursen, Stella Alesi, and more.Closing reception: Sat., July 24, 3-9pm -
Film
Special Screenings
Paramount Holiday Film Series
The series comes to a close this weekend with White Christmas, Love Actually, and It's a Wonderful Life. Get your tickets soon because the theatre is operating at very limited capacity.Dec. 6-20 -
Music
Red Bull Estados Unidos de Bass
Zeroing in on Latinx music culture, Red Bull hosts three consecutive weekends of concert series across five cities featuring a variety of reggaeton, Latin trap, moombahton, and more. While dance veteran Maceo Plex’s two-decade career traverses gritty electro and smooth house, the Cuban Dallas native offers more rugged bass and climactic synths on new singles “Nu World” and “Cinemax.” Also featured is Las Cruxes business founder Veronica Ortuño and Austin’s eight-DJ collective Peligrosa. Corpus Christi’s El Dusty bridges hip-hop and cumbia, while East Sixth Volstead resident Orión García’s syncopated dance fuses Colombian flutes and accordion.Thu.-Sat., Dec. 10-12 -
Arts
Classical Music
Sounds of the Season: Tinsel
The festive and merry Tinsel Singers grace the magnificent porch of the Neill-Cochran House Museum to sing all your holiday favorites.Sun., Dec. 20, 2pm. $10. -
Arts
Theatre
Teatro Vivo: Cuento Navideño
It's "Bah, Humbug!" in the barrio, as Teatro Vivo presents this festive family comedy that infuses Latino culture, Spanish language, and holiday traditions into one theatrical celebration. Written and directed by Rupert Reyes, streaming online as 2020 draws to a close.Through 20. Thu.-Sat., 7pm; Sun., 2pm. Donations accepted. -
Food
Food Events
The Eleanor: Miracle on Fifth Street
Yes, the beloved Christmas-themed pop-up bar returns to The Eleanor for another year of spirited celebration. Joann Spiegel, the mastermind behind the brand’s cocktail repertoire, has created a roster of delightful, holiday-inspired libations, featuring cocktails that play on classic holiday flavors. New this year: Jolly Koala (gin, vermouth, and pine-cardamom-sage cordial), On Dasher (bourbon, mezcal, sweet vermouth, spiced hibiscus, bitters, and lemon), and a Fruitcake Flip (brandy, Jamaican overproof rum, Amaretto, fruitcake, cherry bitters, and a whole egg). (Our personal fave, the Bad Santa, is likewise among the heady lineup.) Also, the full cocktail menu will be available at the main downstairs and mezzanine bars. Note: This year, all Miracle cocktails can be ordered to-go. Note: This year, all Miracle cocktails can be ordered to-go – and a portion of all to-go sales will benefit the Austin Children’s Shelter and Austin Pets Alive. God bless us, everyone!Daily, through Dec. 27 -
Arts
Dance
The Watchmaker's Song: A Drive-In Nutcracker Experience.
This year, the audience will follow the Watchmaker and his loved ones through an entirely new narrative, as conceived by Ventana Ballet's new co-artistic director, Jerreme Rodriguez, in an effort to make the most of this nontraditional venue. "The new adaptation honors the elements of The Watchmaker’s Song that set it apart from traditional stagings of The Nutcracker Ballet," they tell us, and it's enlivened by Duke Ellington’s jazzy rendition of the original Tchaikovsky music.Through Dec. 19. Fri.-Sat., 6:30 & 8pm. $25 per person.2400 E. Cesar Chavez -
Community
Events
Winter Well-Being Toolkit
The stressors of the COVID-19 pandemic could make this winter and holiday season tougher than usual. Integral Care recently launched a Winter Well-Being Toolkit, a compilation of ideas to boost mental health, fight the winter blues, stay safely connected and celebrate the season in new ways. Topics include ideas to make gatherings special, tips for fighting Seasonal Affective Disorder, steps for improving happiness, ways to get moving and elevate your mood, and mindfulness activities. Plus, check out their YouTube channel for a winter mental health forum video.Ongoing
