Get your fuzzy socks and hot cocoa ready, Austin. From light displays to holiday performances and festive parties, this is by far the coziest season in the Capital City.
Gather the family and friends to celebrate what makes the holiday season special with our guide featuring 30 winter events happening between December and February.
Holiday events
After two years of being drive-thru only, the Trail of Lights is returning to a walkway.
Photo by @prettyatx
Blue Genie Art Bazaar, 6100 Airport Blvd.| Now-Tuesday, Dec. 24
Hundreds of locally made items are up for grabs during this annual holiday bazaar. Pro tip: you can also shop online.
Driskill Tree Lighting, The Driskill Hotel | Friday, Dec. 6
In addition to the tree lighting ceremony, the historic hotel will offer cocktails and live music.
German-Texan Heritage Society Christmas Market, German Free School | Saturday, Dec. 7
This market decked out with traditional decorations imported from Erzgebirge, Germany will serve up Glühwein and offer kid-friendly activities.
Holiday Sing-Along & Stroll 2024, Congress Avenue | Saturday, Dec. 7
Kick off the “y’alliday” season with this sing-along event, which also features the Capitol Tree Lighting, a vendor market, and performances by The Tiarras.
Austin Trail of Lights Fun Run, Zilker Park | Saturday, Dec. 7
This two-mile race starts at the Zilker Holiday Tree and ends with a finish line festival that includes a DJ performance, holiday photo ops, carnival rides, and food + drinks.
Armadillo Christmas Bazaar, Palmer Events Center | Saturday, Dec. 14-Monday, Dec. 23
This 10-day celebration includes live performances from 30 bands and a massive vendor market for holiday shopping.
Psst — don’t miss our guide to holiday pop-up bars, which are hosting events like drag performances, outdoor movies, and costume parties throughout December.
Light displays
Peppermint Parkway, Circuit of the Americas | Now-Sunday, Dec. 29
This drive-thru light display ends at Peppermint Plaza, which includes a holiday market, a petting zoo, COTA Karting, mini-golf, a mistletoe kissing booth, and carnival rides.
Zilker Holiday Tree, Zilker Park | Now-Wednesday, Jan. 1
This 155-ft tree, which has a moontower as the base, is made up of 3,309 lights.
Lake Austin Festival of Lights, Mozart’s Coffee Roasters | Now-Saturday, Jan. 4
This holiday tradition includes a dazzling light display, a marketplace, holiday treats, and donut boat rides.
Round Rock Light Up the Lake, Old Settlers Park, Round Rock | Friday, Dec. 6-Saturday, Dec. 7
Take in a light show featuring giant balloons over Bright Lake and enjoy holiday foods, crafts, live music, and activities.
Pfestival of Lights, Downtown Pflugerville | Saturday, Dec. 7
This event includes a parade, a tree lighting, and an appearance from Santa Claus.
Trail of Lights, Zilker Park | Tuesday, Dec. 10-Monday, Dec. 23
Now in its 60th year, this Austin tradition will return to Zilker Park with the same twinkling lights displays you know and love. Pro tip: check out the event calendar for themed and free nights.
View our full guide to holiday light displays for more illuminated experiences.
Holiday performances
“A Christmas Carol,” ZACH Theatre | Thursday, Dec. 5-Sunday, Dec. 29
This holiday tradition will return to the stage for the 10th year in a row.
Ballet Austin’s “The Nutcracker,” The Long Center | Saturday, Dec. 6-Saturday, Dec. 23
This magical classic brings 150 dancers to the stage to perform — just as ballerinas before them have done so in Austin for the past six decades.
“Holiday Heroes,” The Topfer at ZACH | Saturday, Dec. 7-Saturday, Dec. 21
Sing along during this festive production that incorporates Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa traditions.
“A Very Electric Christmas,” The Paramount Theatre | Sunday, Dec. 8
Follow the story of a bird who is blown off course and into the North Pole to the tunes of Nat King Cole, Mariah Carey, and Tchaikovsky.
Ventana Ballet’s “The Watchmaker’s Song,” Neill-Cochran House Museum | Thursday, Dec. 12-Saturday, Dec. 21
This jazzy retelling of “The Nutcracker” features flamenco, tap, Argentinian tango, and Egyptian belly dancing.
“It’s a Wonderful Life,” Penfold Theatre, Round Rock | Friday, Dec. 13-Saturday, Dec. 28
See the timeless tale unfold in a full-scale, live production.
New Year’s Eve celebrations
Austin’s New Year, Auditorium Shores | Tuesday, Dec. 31
Catch the City of Austin’s official New Year’s Eve celebration, which will include a live performance by Third Eye Blind.
New Year’s Eve Bash, Speakeasy | Tuesday, Dec. 31 Downtown bar has been hosting New Year’s Eve celebrations since 1997 — expect silent disco sets and a performance by The Spazmatics.
Roaring 20s NYE Party, The Roosevelt Room | Tuesday, Dec. 31
The swanky cocktail bar invites you to dress to the theme and watch the ball drop at midnight on a projector.
New Year’s Eve Extravaganza, The Belmont | Tuesday, Dec. 31
Enjoy a silent disco, a photo booth, complimentary champagne, and a heated outdoor courtyard at this annual event.
New Year’s Eve Rooftop Celebration, HeyDey Social Club | Tuesday, Dec. 31
Take in skyline views while trying new foods, listening to live music, and drinking cocktails.
New Year’s Eve Party, Zanzibar | Tuesday, Dec. 31
Dance ‘til it’s 2025 at this rooftop bar, which will serve island-inspired fare and complimentary sparkling wine.
Festivals
Use Free Week as an opportunity to discover new musicians and experience some of Austin’s best venues.
Photo by @CodyRossCowan
Free Week, multiple locations | Friday, Jan. 3-Saturday, Jan. 4
This event features a lineup of free concerts by local and regional musicians at the city’s hottest venues.
Austin MLK Day March, Festival, and Food Drive, multiple locations | Monday, Jan. 20
Start the day with a community march from the UT campus to the Capitol building, then follow it up with activities at Huston-Tillotson University.
OUTsider Festival, The Vortex | Wednesday, Feb. 19-Sunday, Feb. 23
This film, music, theater, and visual arts festival celebrates LGBTQ+ artists and thinkers.
Austin Marathon & Half Marathon, Downtown Austin | Sunday, Feb. 16
This race through some of Austin’s most iconic neighborhoods ends with a concert and festival at the finish line Downtown.
ATX Open, Westwood Country Club | Saturday, Feb. 22-Sunday, March 2
Experience the Lone Star State’s only women’s tour-level tennis tournament.
Austin Oyster Festival, Republic Square | Date TBD
This late-February festival serves up oysters in various ways, alongside drinks and live music.
