Lucky you. You just found ATXtoday’s Plan Ahead, a list of some of the biggest events to plan for that are taking place throughout Austin each month.
Take out your calendar, grab your day planner, or text all your friends — these are the top events we recommend heading to in December. Psst: Don’t forget to bookmark this page and come back — we update our guide monthly.
Don’t see anything you like? Check out our full events calendar.
Concerts
Marc Broussard + Taylor Rae | Thursday, Dec. 4 | 8 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre | $35+ | The son of Louisiana Hall of Fame guitarist Ted Broussard, Marc has been nurturing his musical gifts since childhood.
Shane Smith & The Saints | Friday, Dec. 5 | 8 p.m. | ACL Live at The Moody Theater | $27+ | Ray Wylie Hubbard and Jonathan Terrell will join the band’s “Ugly Sweater Christmas Party” show.
Jim Brickman: “The Gift of Christmas” | Saturday, Dec. 6 | 4-8 p.m. | McCullough Theatre | $46+ | Hear the pianist and “2 Billion Streams” clubmember’s biggest hits live.
Christone “Kingfish” Ingram: “The Hard Road World Tour” | Saturday, Dec. 6 | 8 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre | $41+ | The GRAMMY-winning guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter will share the stage with Mathias Lattin for the evening.
An Evening with Tommy Emmanuel CGP | Sunday, Dec. 7 | 7:30 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre | $38+ | The guitar icon and performer of legend is a genre-bending artist.
Bob Schneider & The Moonlight Orchestra | Sunday, Dec. 7 | 8 p.m. | ACL Live at The Moody Theater | $31+ | This Austin-based musician has become a holiday season staple with his creative approach to music.
A Night for Rich Brotherton | Tuesday, Dec. 9 | 7 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre | $50+ | This mini-festival will bring performers including Lyle Lovett, Charley Crockett, and Patty Griffin to the stage.
Christmas with CeCe Winans | Wednesday, Dec. 10 | 7 p.m. | ACL Live at The Moody Theater | $62+ | The best-selling and most-awarded female gospel artist of all time will put you right in the holiday spirit.
Jelly’s 13th Annual Christmas Jam | Thursday, Dec. 11 | 7 p.m. | ACL Live at 3Ten | $31 | Jonathan “Jelly” Ellington has been entertaining Austinites with his holiday show since 2012.
A Prairie Home Companion Christmas | Thursday, Dec. 11 | 8 p.m. | ACL Live at The Moody Theater | $57+ | Enjoy stories, sketches, and songs with tons of local performers and audience participation.
Portugal. the Man: “The Denali Tour” | Friday, Dec. 12 | 8 p.m. | ACL Live at The Moody Theater | $40+ | The “Feel It Still” band boasts a GRAMMY for “Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.”
A Charlie Brown Christmas | Saturday, Dec. 13 | 6-7:30 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre | $28+ | Hear all the beloved Vince Guaraldi classics from the “Peanuts” universe to get you right in the holiday cheer.
Billy Strings | Saturday, Dec. 13 | 7:30-10:30 p.m. | The Moody Center | $59+ | The double GRAMMY Award-winning singer-songwriter will serenade Austinites all night long.
Billy Strings | Sunday, Dec. 14 | 7:30 p.m. | ACL Live at The Moody Theater | $402+ | The ACL Festival alumnus also has a show at The Moody Center the night before.
Pink Martini All-Stars present: “A Season of Stars” | Monday, Dec. 15 | 8 p.m. | ACL Live at The Moody Theater | $42+ | This holiday show and “little orchestra” promises triple the joy from plenty of performers.
Mariachi Sol de México de Jose Hernandez: “Merry-Achi Christmas” | Tuesday, Dec. 16 | 8 p.m. | ACL Live at The Moody Theater | $35+ | The world-renowned mariachi band will entertain with renditions of classics like “The Nutcracker” Suite to “Feliz Navidad.”
The Allman Betts Family Revival | Wednesday, Dec. 17 | 8 p.m. | ACL Live at The Moody Theater | $46+ | The ninth-annual event will be hosted by Devon Allman and Duane Betts, the sons of the Allman Brothers Band legends.
Michael Martin Murphey’s Cowboy Christmas | Wednesday, Dec. 17 | 8 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre | $31+ | The show with the legendary “Rio Grande Band,” features western art, mesmerizing lighting, and artful production.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra: “The Ghosts Of Christmas Eve” | Thursday, Dec. 18 | 7 p.m. | The Moody Center | $55+ | Hear the Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s greatest hits at this holiday show.
William Beckmann’s “Las Posadas Tour” with Julianna Rankin | Thursday, Dec. 18 | 8 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre | $29+ | The Texas crooner’s fourth annual tour features Spanish songs and storytelling in support of Texas Hill Country flood victims.
Robert Earl Keen: “The Greatest Christmas On Earth” | Friday, Dec. 19-Saturday, Dec. 20 | 8 p.m. | ACL Live at The Moody Theater | $53+ | “The party never ends” when this famous musician is on stage.
Patty Griffin | Friday, Dec. 19 | 8 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre | $60+ | Hear tracks from the singer-songwriter’s new album, “Crown Of Roses,” live from the GRAMMY winner.
Walker Lukens: "(Not) the Last Walt 3" | Saturday, Dec. 20 | 8 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre | $29+ | Zella Day, Laraaji, Matthew Logan Vasquez, Monica Valli, The McCuewans, and DJ Disko Cowboy will also join the party during this concert extravaganza.
Ellis Bullard: Holiday Honky Tonk Jamboree | Saturday, Dec. 20 | 8-11 p.m. | The State Theatre | $35+ | This holiday jam session will also help kids have a holly, jolly Christmas with Toys for Tots.
Kira Fontana: “O Holy Night” | Sunday, Dec. 21 | 7 p.m. | ACL Live at The Moody Theater | Free with RSVP | The singer will be joined by a 30-piece orchestra during this candlelit Christmas show.
Leslie Odom Jr.: “The Christmas Tour” | Sunday, Dec. 21 | 7 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre | $359+ | The Tony and GRAMMY Award-winning artist is putting the magic in the season this year.
Clay Walker: New Year’s Eve | Wednesday, Dec. 31 | 9 p.m. | ACL Live at The Moody Theater | $81+ | Say goodbye to 2025 with this multi-platinum country artist.
Bob Schneider’s Great Big Spectacular New Year’s Eve Party | Wednesday, Dec. 31 | 9 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre | $47+ | Let this legendary local musician usher you into the New Year.
Comedy
Kill Tony | Wednesday, Dec. 31 | 7 p.m. | The Moody Center | $54+ | Phones will not be allowed at this collaborative comedy show, so sit back and enjoy the experience sans screens.
Theater
“Disney’s Beauty and the Beast” | Tuesday, Dec. 2-Sunday, Dec. 14 | 7:30-10 p.m. | Bass Concert Hall | $36+ | Be our guest to see this classic musical, with all the tunes you know and love from the Disney movie.
“A Christmas Carol” | Wednesday, Dec. 3-Saturday, Jan. 3 | Times vary | Zach Theater | $28+ | This timeless tale of holiday spirit will return to the stage for its 11th season.
“A Charlie Brown Christmas” | Saturday, Dec. 6-Sunday, Dec. 28 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | The Kleberg at Zach | $21+ | Join the Peanuts gang for a holiday retelling of their famous Christmas story.
Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite | Monday, Dec. 15 | 7 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre | $52+ | Ballet Afrique presents this performance to honor tradition, celebrate the season, and showcase the vibrant lens of Harlem’s jazz era.
Sports
WWE Friday Night SmackDown | Friday, Dec. 5 | 6:30 p.m. | The Moody Center | $48+ | Can you smell what The Rock is cooking? It’s a WWE fight live in Austin.
Active
Trail of Lights Fun Run | Saturday, Dec. 6 | 6-10 p.m. | Zilker Metropolitan Park | $45+ | Lace up your running shoes for a trot through Austin’s most iconic holiday tradition.
Seasonal Events
Oh What Fun! Austin Holiday Market | Thursday, Nov. 20-Sunday, Dec. 21 | 11 a.m.-10 p.m. | Republic Square | Free | Local makers at this market will switch out booths throughout the season, so there will always be something new to see.
Blue Genie Art Bazaar | Friday, Nov. 14-Wednesday, Dec. 24 | 10 a.m.-10 p.m. | Blue Genie Art Bazaar | Cost of purchase | Celebrate 25 years of this holiday market by and for Austinites.
Mozart’s 2025 Lake Austin Festival of Lights | Monday, Dec. 1-Saturday, Jan. 3 | 7-11 p.m. | Mozart’s Coffee Roasters | $3+ | Bask in the sparkling lights and enjoy live performances with hot cocoa in-hand.
Holiday Sing-Along & Stroll | Saturday, Dec. 6 | 5-8 p.m. | Downtown | Free | Peruse everything Downtown Austin has to offer while soaking up holiday vibes.
“Die Hard” | Monday, Dec. 8 | 7:30 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre | $15 | Whether or not you believe this iconic film is a Christmas movie, you can see the Bruce Willis film on the big screen like its 1988.
Austin Trail of Lights | Wednesday, Dec. 10-Tuesday, Dec. 23 | 7-10 p.m. | Zilker Park | $0+ | Walk through the Capital City’s time-honored light display, which has been running for more than 60 years.
“White Christmas” | Friday, Dec. 12 | 7 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre | $15 | Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera-Ellen star in this 1954 holiday classic.
“It’s a Wonderful Life” | Sunday, Dec. 14 | 7 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre | $15 | Remember that every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings while you watch this 1946 Christmas classic.
“Christmas Vacation” Screening with Chevy Chase | Tuesday, Dec. 16 | 7:30 p.m. | Bass Concert Hall | $58+ | Chevy and Jayni Chase will share their tales from behind the scenes of this hilarious holiday film.
A Drag Queen Christmas | Thursday, Dec. 18 | 7:30 p.m. | ACL Live at The Moody Theater | $67+ | This 18+ drag show is the longest-running drag show in the country.
Austin’s New Year | Wednesday, Dec. 31 | 7 p.m.-1:30 a.m. | Auditorium Shores | $0+ | Ring in the new year with local vendors, entertainment from Chaparelle + The Head and the Heart, a drone show, and fireworks to welcome 2026.
Have an event of your own you want to share with us? Follow these easy steps to add your events to our calendar:
- Go to our Events page.
- Click “Add Event” in the top right-hand corner.
- Make sure to include a link and fill out important information like the date, time, location, and price of your event.
- Click “Submit,” and you’ve just added an event to our website calendar.