Holiday events in Austin
41 upcoming. Tree lightings, light shows and trails, Nutcracker and ballet, holiday markets, parades, Santa events, and New Year's Eve fun across the Austin metro.
FridayDecember 4
6 to 10pm, through Dec 5Free
Old Settlers ParkTwo nights of giant balloons over Bright Lake, a light show, live music on the Lakeview Stage, holiday displays, crafts and a yule log. Free entry.
6:30pm, through Dec 6Free
Downtown BudaDowntown Buda hosts three days of holiday cheer with a tree lighting, a lighted night parade and fireworks, a craft market, carnival rides, and free Santa photos.
7:30pm, through Dec 6
Dell Hall at Long CenterBallet Austin's Stephen Mills-choreographed Nutcracker, the longest-running production in Texas, plays 16 performances at Dell Hall Dec 4-23 with matinees and evening shows, a cast of hundreds, and live music from the Austin Symphony Orchestra.
7:30pm, through Dec 6$29
Penfold TheatreThree actors ditch a straight Christmas Carol and race through every holiday tale they can recall, from the Grinch to Rudolph, in 90 fast, funny minutes. Rated PG-13.
SaturdayDecember 5
10am to 9pm
Old Town LeanderOld Town fills with a Christmas marketplace, a hometown parade, Santa photos, live performances and food vendors, plus the morning Rudolph Run 5K.
10am to 5pm$8
German Free SchoolShop imported German gifts and ornaments, eat German food and pastries, and sip gluhwein in the gardens of the historic German Free School in downtown Austin.
10am to 5pmFree
Historic Mercer StreetHistoric Mercer Street closes to traffic for a hometown festival of holiday shopping, live entertainment, kids activities, and photos with Santa in Dripping Springs.
12 to 3:30pmFree
The People's Plaza at ZACHOn Dec 5 the free ZACH market becomes the Kids' Market, where every booth is run by a young entrepreneur ages 5 to 17 selling their own creations.
5 to 8pmFree
Congress Avenue and the Texas State CapitolDowntown Austin's free 32nd annual Holiday Sing-Along and Stroll brings live music, local food, artisan vendors, and Santa to Congress Avenue on Dec 5, capped by the lighting of the Capitol Christmas tree.
MondayDecember 7
7:30pm
ACL Live at the Moody TheaterA Magical Cirque Christmas lands at ACL Live on Dec 7 with world-class acrobats, comedy, and magic set to modern holiday hits.
WednesdayDecember 9
6 to 9pm, through Dec 12Free
Historic Stagecoach ParkStroll a twinkling walk-through light display at Historic Stagecoach Park with festive entertainment and Santa visits on select December nights in Buda.
7pm
Moody Center ATXTrans-Siberian Orchestra brings its 30th-anniversary staging of The Ghosts of Christmas Eve to Moody Center on Dec 9 with lasers, pyrotechnics, and a high-energy second set.
ThursdayDecember 10
7pm, through Dec 23
Zilker ParkAustin's beloved 62nd annual Trail of Lights fills Zilker Park with more than 2 million lights, 96 illuminated trees, and 70+ displays and lighted tunnels; free admission on Dec 10-11 and 13-17, $8 tickets on Dec 12 and 18-23, kids under 12 always free.
SaturdayDecember 12
11am to 9:30pm, through Dec 21
Palmer Events CenterAustin's longest-running holiday art market returns to the Palmer Events Center Dec 12-21 with 100+ local and national artists, three live bands daily, and everything from stocking stuffers to fine art (kids 12 and under free).
SundayDecember 13
4pm
Bass Concert HallACMC brings its Austin holiday tradition to Bass Hall: Guaraldi classics like Linus and Lucy and Christmas Time Is Here, plus a meet Snoopy moment before the show.
TuesdayDecember 15
7:30pm, through Dec 16
Dell Hall at Long CenterThe Austin Symphony plays the full Elf score live while the film screens at Dell Hall on Dec 15 and 16 as part of the Butler Pops Series.
FridayDecember 18
8pm
ACL Live at The Moody TheaterWilliam Beckmann brings his Las Posadas holiday show to ACL Live, mixing Christmas classics, Spanish language favorites, and originals with a horn section band.
SaturdayDecember 19
8pm
The State TheatreJazz vocalist Kat Edmonson brings her new holiday album to the State Theatre: swinging carols, bossa nova Jingle Bells and two new originals. Doors 7pm, show 8pm.
SundayDecember 20
4pm
Klett Performing Arts CenterCentral Texas Philharmonic and Panoramic Voices perform Handels Messiah with vocal soloists in Georgetown. A classic oratorio afternoon for the Christmas season.
TuesdayDecember 22
7pm
Bass Concert HallThe Muppet Christmas Carol film screens while Central Texas Philharmonic plays the score live. Kermit as Bob Cratchit and Michael Caine as Scrooge at Bass Hall.
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