🎉 Festivals

Photo by @prettyatx

🎄 Holiday events

🩰 Holiday performances

• 17th Annual Tower Lighting in Mueller | Tuesday, Nov. 29 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Mueller, 3925 Berkman Dr., Austin | Free | Kick off the season with the lighting of the Mueller Control Tower, alongside snowball fights, refreshments, and live music.
• “Love Actually” | Tuesday, Nov. 29 | 7 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave., Austin | $11 | Watch this star-studded holiday film on the big screen.

• Geoffrey Smith: A Papyrus Fragment of the Gospel of John | Wednesday, Nov. 30 | 4:30-5:30 p.m. | Harry Ransom Center, 300 W. 21st St., Austin | Free | Learn about the Harry Ransom Center’s recently acquired fragment of the Gospel of John, a 1,600-year-old document with keys to understanding early Christianity.
• A Christmas Carol | Wednesday, Nov. 30-Saturday, Dec. 3 | 7:30 p.m. | ZACH Theatre, 202 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin | $25+ | Start your holiday season with this Christmas classic.

• Starlit Austin | Thursday, Dec. 1 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | The Park at Indeed Tower, 200 W. Sixth St., Austin | Free | This free holiday event includes a meet-and-greet with Santa, a LED light show, complimentary hot cocoa, and live music.
• Austin Spurs vs. Rio Grande Valley Vipers | Thursday, Dec. 1 | 7:30 p.m. | H-E-B Center at Cedar Park, 2100 Ave. of the Stars, Cedar Park | $10-$ | Cheer on the Spurs as they face down the Vipers in this Showcase Cup game.
• Casi Joy | Thursday, Dec. 1 | 8 p.m. | 3TEN at ACL Live, 310 W. Willie Nelson Blvd., Austin | $21 | The Nashville-based musician from “The Voice” has a new holiday single out called “The Tree and Me.”

• 77º | Partly cloudy | 21% chance of rain

• The runoff election to decide Austin’s new mayor and elect three more city councilors takes place Tuesday, Dec. 13. Early voting starts Thursday, Dec. 1 and lasts until Friday, Dec. 9 — learn about the candidates and find a polling location near you. 🗳 (Austin American-Statesman)
• This week, the City of Austin is giving out free winter weather supplies — like meter keys, hand-crank flashlights, and emergency preparedness kit materials — while supplies last. Find out where to pick them up near you. ❄️ (KXAN)

• Giving Tuesday, a global holiday encouraging donations to nonprofits and charitable organizations. To participate locally, give to these Austin groups or dine out at these restaurants donating their proceeds. (KVUE + CultureMap Austin)

• 999,816. That’s how many hours drivers spend each year stuck in traffic on I-35, according to a new report by Texas A&M’s Transportation Institute. The stretch of highway from US 290 to State Hwy. 71 was ranked the third-most congested roadway in Texas. 🚘

• UT volleyball will head to the NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Tournament as the No. 1 seed this week, first facing down No. 3 Fairleigh Dickinson. Cheer on the Horns in person during the match at Gregory Gymnasium on Thursday, Dec. 1. 🏐 (KXAN)
• Texas football’s regular season may be over, but that doesn’t mean the Longhorns are packing up the shoulder pads just yet. Depending on the outcome of other games this week, the Horns may be up for a bowl game this winter. (Austin American-Statesman)

• The chefs behind Lucky Robot, De Nada Cantina, Nixta Taqueria, and other Austin restaurants just released a new line of unique tableware at Clay Imports. Pick yourself up a tortillero designed by Edgar Rico or a tamale tray from Nick Barrera online. (Austin Home)

• It’s cuffing season. Austin was named one of the country’s best cities for singles, according to Wallet Hub’s “2022’s Best & Worst Cities for Singles.” Austin ranked No. 7 based on three key dimensions — economics (the price of going out), fun and recreation, and dating opportunities (who is available to date). ❤️

• Location, location, location. According to our recent survey, 58% of respondents shared that they’d be willing to move out of state to get their dream home, compared to 32% in a national Opendoor report. 🏡*

• Let’s give an Austin welcome to ZIKI’s newest location at 706 N. Lamar Blvd. The Greek-Mexican fusion + ingredient-conscious restaurant will be serving generously portioned grain bowls, their famous Zurritos, and loaded Greek fries from their bright pink food truck until 3 a.m. Order online or visit one of their four Austin locations. 🌯*

• Two words: Pineapple cottage. This Hakalau, Hawaii Vrbo has sweeping ocean views, an outdoor hanging bed for lounging, and is on a fruit farm (think: lemons, oranges, lychee and pineapple at your fingertips). Book as a January getaway or as the best holiday gift ever for only $195 avg/night. 🍍*