Support Us Button Widget
Culture

Austin-themed table topics for the holiday season

Sick of rotating through conversations about politics, religion, and your relationship status? Introduce these niche and interesting topics at your next holiday meal.

November 23, 2022 • 
Laura Figi
An overhead view of a Thanksgiving table spread.

Don’t let the conversation get you down — use one of these topics and the rest is gravy.

Photo by Askar Abayev

Table of Contents
🍽 Which was the best year for ACL Festival vibes?
🍽 Debate over the best (or worst) Thanksgiving side dish
🍽 Best Austin holiday tradition
🍽 If you could visit any of Austin's sister cities, which would it be?

Dreading the debates and cringe questions that tend to take over holiday meals? Consider employing one of these four table topics — they may just lead to your favorite conversation yet.

🍽 Which was the best year for ACL Festival vibes?

Anyone that has attended ACL Fest since its inception in 2002 has opinions about the which year had the best vibes. Get specific with it — food selection, vendors, weather, freebies, the crowd, and obviously the lineup are up for debate.

🍽 Debate over the best (or worst) Thanksgiving side dish

Get ready to start viewing your friends and family very differently, as this question may stir up the most heated debate of the day. This list says creamed corn is the most popular side dish in Texas — do you agree?

🍽 Best Austin holiday tradition

Take a walk down memory lane and reminisce on events such as Austin’s Trail of Lights, holiday bazaars, 2nd Street District Stroll, caroling, and more. You might leave dinner with new holiday plans.

🍽 If you could visit any of Austin’s sister cities, which would it be?

Austin has a baker’s dozen of sister cities, including Angers, France; Lima, Peru; Saltillo, Mexico; and Oita, Japan. This could inspire family travel plans, or even better, plane ticket gift ideas.

Guides
More from ATXtoday
The Austin skyline, as seen from between trees on the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail.
City
How to protect Austin’s urban forest of 42 million trees
It may be Earth Day, but we’re offering tips and tools for supporting Austin’s thriving urban forest 365 days a year.
April 21, 2026
 · 
London Gibson
A woman in a denim jacket stands smiling in a lush garden with a water fountain. The background features greenery and a mural of an eye.
Business
Good Grief: How Austinite Veronica Pulido turned tragedy into creation
The winner of Austin FC’s Dream Starter competition started an online platform to help people navigate serious illness and end-of-life care for their loved ones.
April 20, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_W Block of Red River_No Text.jpg
City
Red River Cultural District unveils five-year strategic enhancement plan
The Soundtrack to the Future plan outlines improvements to the venue facades, curb appeal, and safety features.
April 16, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi
Downtown Austin from the east, featuring train tracks running through a busy street, lined with trees and vegetation in the foreground. Modern high-rise buildings with glass and steel facades dominate the skyline, interspersed with older, low-rise structures. Cars navigate the streets below, and traffic lights and street signs add to the busy, bustling atmosphere. Clear skies with light clouds above the city.
Culture
If Downtown is Austin’s living room, what does that make the rest of town?
Mayor Kirk Watson calls Downtown “Austin’s living room,” so we’re speculating on what that means for the rest of the city.
April 15, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi
A vibrant mural with the text "Greetings from 78666 San Marcos" featuring illustrations of a yellow rose, a historic city hall, and other local landmarks integrated into the zip code. The mural is painted on a red wall with a small sign on the bottom right indicating sponsorship.
Play
Get in — we’re going to San Marcos, Texas
The Mermaid Capital of Texas, home to Texas State University, and riverside town is a great place to take a day trip — we’ve got all the spots to hit when you visit.
April 14, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi
One person handing a bag of food to another person on the porch of a home
Play
40+ volunteer opportunities in Austin
This list of volunteer opportunities in Austin, TX includes everything from building homes for people in need to fostering shelter animals.
April 8, 2026
 · 
STAFF
A spaceman kite floating facing down in front of a sky filled with dozens of other kites.
Events
A brief history of Austin’s ABC Kite Fest
The ABC Kite Fest — originally called the Kite Tournament — has been an Austin staple for almost a century, providing free fun for kids and adults alike.
April 7, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi
A singer and guitarist in a cowboy hat sings into a microphone with a bassist and drummer in the background.
City
Red River Cultural District announces $529 million inaugural economic impact report
The home to some of Austin’s most iconic venues, the district has generated $2.3 billion in impact in five years.
April 6, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_CapMetroFools
Culture
April Fools’ pranks in Austin that we almost fell for
We’ve got some jokers in the Capital City, and these pranks from local businesses almost had us fooled.
April 1, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi
A bottle of Desert Door sotol on the rocky ground next to a golden easter egg and a spiky plant.
Events
Try This: Adult Easter egg hunts in Austin
Who says the kids should have all the fun? Here are four Easter egg hunts where everybunny 21 and up can relive the nostalgia.
March 31, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi