Home Events
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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 -
Sponsored Listing
KUT/KUTX & Downtown Austin Alliance Present the Sing-Along & Holiday Stroll
Join KUT, KUTX & the Downtown Austin Alliance for their 29th Annual Tree Lighting, Sing-Along and Stroll. Let’s ring in the holidays together. This free family-friendly event is on Congress Avenue between 9th and 11th streets and features artisan vendors, food trucks, photos with Santa and more. The Holiday Stroll is the perfect way to kick of your holiday season!Sat. Dec. 2, 5pm-9pmDowntown Austin
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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
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
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
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.Opening reception: Sat., Dec. 2, 7-10pm -
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
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 -
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
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.Dec. 1-30. Thu.-Sat., 8pm. Sun., Dec, 3 & 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. -
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 -
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.Dec. 2-23. $15-125. -
Arts
Dance
The Watchmaker's Song
Ventana Ballet and Red Nightfall Dance Theatre present an immersive, culturally inclusive, and whimsical twist on the holiday classic, The Nutcracker, showcasing classical ballet, Spanish Flamenco, Egyptian bellydance, traditional Chinese dance, and drag performance.Dec. 7-16. Thu.-Fri., 7:30pm; Sat., 6:30 & 8:30pm. $40-60. -
Film
Special Screenings
Waitress: The Musical
Fathom Events: The Tony-nominated Broadway sensation comes to the big screen, featuring stunning composer-lyricist Sara Bareilles as the titular waitress.Thu.-Mon., Dec. 7-11; times vary by theatre -
Arts
Visual Arts
Wally Workman Gallery: Nocturnes and Promises
Sylvia Benitez captures ethereal landscapes in oils on canvas, bringing fields of color to haunt the more urbanized sectors of your mind with a memory of the forests and meadows and riverine tableaux you've encountered in dreams.Opening reception: Sat., Dec. 2, 5-7pm -
Arts
Visual Arts
WCC: RE/FRESH
West Chelsea Contemporary brings together collections from more than a dozen contemporary artists in this new exhibition, featuring works by Hunt Slonem, Ash Almonte, Bob Schneider, Cody Hooper, Tyler Guinn, Juan Mejía, and more.Opening reception: Sat., Dec. 2, 2-4pm -
Arts
Visual Arts
Yard Dog: Suit Yourself
Here's a new show by Austin's own Krissy Teegerstrom of Featherweight Studio. What's on display is nothing less than an expression of freedom and imagination as seen through wearable soft sculpture, featuring capes made from fine fabricssuch as velvets, brocades, satins, and tulle, fabulously enhanced by glimmering sequins, beads, and rhinestones.Opening reception: Sat., Dec. 2, 7-9pm
All Events
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Community
Events
59th Annual Austin Trail of Lights Grand Opening
The beloved and long-running tradition continues, offering a jubilant display with millions of lights and dozens of lit trees and displays. Plus free photos with Santa, food truck options, and more.Fri., Dec. 8, 6-10pm. Free; VIP ticketed options available. -
Music
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Community
Events
Accelerated Introduction to AI
Want to understand the fundamentals of AI, what it can and cannot (yet) do, when to use different AI techniques, and for what kinds of use cases? If so, join Austin Forum for an informative seminar to get up to speed.Fri., Dec. 8, 9am-noon. Free.Capital Factory Willie Room, 701 Brazos -
Community
Civic Events
Affordable Care Act Help
Now's the time to sign up for Affordable Care Act health coverage! Open enrollment runs through Jan. 15, 2024, but if you want coverage starting Jan. 1, you must enroll by Dec. 15. The city has gathered a ton of helpful resources to help you sort out options; go online to learn more or call 800/318-2596.Through Jan. 15, 2024 -
Music
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Music
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Music
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Arts
Visual Arts
Artworks Gallery: The Mini Show!
Here's a group show of smaller-sized local works that are priced for stocking-stuffer shopping, ready to bring the gift of local creative goodness to your most art-loving friends.Opening reception: Sat., Dec. 2, 2-5pm
