Unique local searches

• Top trending “tour” search | Taylor Swift: “The Eras” Tour
• Top trending TV show search | “The Last of Us”
• Top trending “versus” search | Canelo Álvarez vs. John Ryder

Five top trending “near me” searches in the Austin area

• Haircut near me | Need some self care? Check out our guide to taking a mental health day.
• Pilates near me | On a related note, we also love our share of yoga studios.
• Car dealerships near me | How about an alternative to driving? Here are 11 reasons to ride CapMetro’s Red Line commuter rail.
• Farmers markets near me | Our City Guide can help with that. Check out these local markets across town.
• Mediterranean food near me | Austin was the only place in the US with this as a top trending search. We’ve got the scoop on food — check out these new restaurants.

• Peppermint Parkway | Now-Saturday, Dec. 30 | 6-9 p.m. | Circuit of the Americas, 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd., Austin | $45-$99 | The holiday light display returns with a plethora of drive-thru installations, plus a petting zoo, holiday photo ops, rides, and a market at Peppermint Plaza.
• Grand Rapids Griffins vs. Texas Stars | Tuesday, Dec. 19 | 7 p.m. | H-E-B Center at Cedar Park, 2100 Ave. of the Stars, Cedar Park | $20-$56 | Cheer on the Stars as they face down the Michigan team.

• Luminations | Wednesday, Dec. 20-Saturday, Jan. 6 | 5:45-9 p.m. | Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Ave., Austin | $23-$28 | This glowing exhibition is inspired by the four elements.
• Steak & Bacon | Wednesday, Dec. 20 | 6:30-9 p.m. | Central Market Austin North Lamar, 4001 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin | $85 | Work with multiple types of bacon to craft oysters, steak, two side dishes, and creme brulee.

• Christmas Cookie Decorating Class | Thursday, Dec. 21 | 6:30 p.m. | Simona’s Coffee + Cocktails, 2510 S. Congress Ave., Austin | $60 | This decorating class is a partnership with Mindy’s Bakeshop — expect to drink holiday cocktails and leave with a box of five cookies.
• Pentatonix | Thursday, Dec. 21 | 7 p.m. | The Moody Center, 2001 Robert Dedman Dr., Austin | $87-$656 | Join in on “The Most Wonderful Tour of the Year.”

• Goblin King’s New Years Eve Ball | Sunday, Dec. 31 | 9 p.m.-2 a.m. | Elysium, 705 Red River St., Austin | $24-$250 | Let the goblins whisk you away at this New Year’s Eve celebration, complete with a specialty drink menu and DJs.

• The Austin Convention Center remodel project is set to begin in 2025, cost $1.6 billion, nearly double the venue’s size, and wrap up in 2029. Once complete, the venue’s economic impact is expect to increase from $468 million to $750 million. (Austin Business Journal)

• Houston-based mini-chain Dish Society — which was founded by an Austinite — opened its first Austin restaurant this week, located at 1900 Aldrich Blvd. The all-day cafe serves brunch, lunch, dinner, and cocktails, and features a walk-up window to order from.

• North Campus restaurant Pacha Cafe will close its doors on Sunday, Dec. 31 after 23 years serving Austinites. The cafe’s co-owners said the closure is out of “necessity,” and items in the cafe will be up for sale in the meantime. (Eater Austin)

• Sour Duck Market and ThoroughBread are two of the top 100 bakeries in America, according to Food & Wine magazine. San Antonio’s La Panadería and Bakery Lorraine (which has an Austin location) also made the list.

• Austin is the No. 11 highest-ranking city in America in terms of 2023 ratings according to a study by LawnStarter, but it’s not the highest-ranking city in Texas. Houston took the cake as top city in Texas, ranking No. 7 overall.

• We may have our qualms with Ashe Juniper trees — aka the culprits of “cedar fever” — but they are essential to our local ecology. The trees help prevent erosion, provide a source of food for insects, and even have medicinal benefits. (KXAN)

• Calling all aspiring astronauts. The Texas Lottery announced the “Space Perspective Cash Adventure” initiative, which could send four lucky winners to outer space. There’s a twist — only losing scratch off tickets can enter. Learn how. (KXAN)

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