Meals on Wheels of Central Texas serves food to 5,000+ older adults in the area. | Photo via Meals on Wheels Central Texas
Maybe you have some extra time on your hands, or maybe you’re just in the giving spirit... it is the season of giving, after all.
All we know is there are more than enough great causes in Austin to give your time to.
Whether you’re an animal lover, an artsy type, a natural mentor, or a healthcare enthusiast — there’s a nearby volunteer opportunity for you. Here are 40 ways to get involved in Austin.
Inside Books Project | Help send free reading materials to people who are incarcerated in Texas through monthly volunteer sessions.
Explore Austin | Become a mentor for young Austinites who are economically disadvantaged by taking children on hikes, going camping, canoeing, and more.
Central Texas Pig Rescue | This nonprofit (which is run entirely by volunteers) has a “mission for as many people to meet pigs as possible.” Volunteer workdays each month include three-hour structured projects.
The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show | 8-10 p.m. | Long Center | $49+ | Get ready to laugh (and get in the holiday spirit) with “The Queens of Christmas.”
Wednesday, Nov. 20
Workshop: Beer Can Candle Pouring | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Blue Owl Brewing | $35 | Drink the brewery’s new holiday brew + pour your own soy wax candle into a Blue Owl beer can.
Thursday, Nov. 21
The Austin Flea Holiday Happy Hour Pop-Up Market | Thursday, Nov. 21 | 5 p.m. | Meanwhile Brewing Co. | Cost of purchase | Get ahead on holiday gift shopping at this local market with jewelry, artwork, textiles, home goods, and more.
Little Big Town + Sugarland | 7 p.m. | The Moody Center | $17+ | Catch the “Take Me Home” tour and hear hits like “Pontoon” and “Better Man” live.
Grooves in the Grove | 7-9 p.m. | The Carpenter Hotel | Cost of purchase | Grab some friends to listen to live music from Gypsy Mitchell, sip a cold drink, and eat food from Carpenters Hall.
Friday, Nov. 22
Can I Kick It? | 7 p.m. | Republic Square | Cost of purchase | Bring your lawn chairs and blankets to listen to a DJ set before watching “The Last Dragon” under the stars.
Rosetta Stone’s lessons focus on real-world images and scenarios to help users learn faster + retain more. | Photo provided by Rosetta Stone
Whether you’re a travel bug planning your next trip, wanting to connect with another culture, or looking to learn something new, the holidays arethe perfect time to dive into a new language — or 25.
Gift yourself (or a friend) lifetime access to all of Rosetta Stone’s languages with their Lifetime Unlimited plan at Black Friday pricing. With one low payment, you can immerse yourself in engaging language lessons whenever you want, forever.
Speaking of nonprofits... Austin FC and Q2 Stadium announced their picks for the 2024 Q-mmunity Gives grant program. Our Shared Kitchen, Senior Access, and the Yellow Bike Project will each receive a $50,000 grant to further their missions.
Closing
Rainey Street bar Icenhauer’s will permanently close after its last day of service on Sunday, Nov. 24. The watering hole took to Instagram to announce the closure, thanking the customers and staff for 14 years of service.
Weather
A cold front tonight will bring cooler temperatures for the rest of the week and possibly some patchy frost on Thursday morning. Bundle up if you’ll be out and about in the a.m. + view the full forecast here. (KVUE)
Try This
When the Texas Longhorns play the Kentucky Wildcats on Saturday, Still Austin Whiskey Co. will host its own battle against Kentucky Bourbon. The award-winning distillery’s “Kentucky Fill Up Day” will allow 500 folks to fill up an old Kentucky Bourbon bottle for $1. Sign-ups open tomorrow.
Announced
Third Eye Blind will headline Austin’s New Year on Tuesday, Dec. 31. The annual holiday event at Auditorium Shores will also feature more entertainment, food + beverage vendors, and a fireworks show at midnight.
Festival
The complete lineup for Cattle Country is here, featuring three days of performances from stars like Parker McCollum, Nickelback, Tanya Tucker, Clint Black, and more. The music festival will take place Thursday, April 10-Saturday, April 12 in Gonzalez, Texas, and tickets are on sale now.
Answered
Last week, we asked you to tell us which MICHELIN-starred restaurants you’ve been to in Austin. The most popular response among readers was Barley Swine, an American restaurant that features curated monthly menus. Hungry now?Make a reservation.
Sports
Coming off of a thrilling victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Mavericks will take on the New Orleans Pelicans tonight at 7:30 p.m. Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Dallas Mavericks with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Shop
This the last call to secure your spot in our 2024 Holiday Gift Guide. Get your giftable product or service in front of 79,000+ potential shoppers before the season ends.
Wellness
No more feeling wired and tired. Seven forms of magnesium in Magnesium Breakthrough help you unwind + sleep deeper. Get 25% off bundles — Black Friday sale ends tomorrow.*
Fall is the perfect season for a vacation to Fredericksburg. | Photo by ATXtoday
City Editor Morgan here. I’ve just returned from a weekend trip to Fredericksburg: a charming wine-centric town located about an hour and a half west of Austin.
There’s plenty to explore in the wine country, but I’m here to share my favorite places to help inform your next getaway.
The WineYard at Ferris and Fletch Wine Co.
When you spot the bluebonnet mural on Main Street, follow it to this tasting room’s airy backyard oasis where you can try six wines for $30 per person.
The Standard Public House
The “red-ish” wine shines at this French + American restaurant that sources seasonal ingredients from local farms.
Martini’s Seafood House
If you take only one recommendation from this list, let it be Martini’s. Oysters are always being shucked in the front window, the drinks are divine, and the fresh seafood will make you feel like you’re in a coastal town.
This 3-in-1 portable charger. Ditch your knot of clunky charging cords for Anker’s ultra-compact charger that includes a built-in USB-C cord, power bank, and foldable charger.
In the mood for happy hour today? Consider Casa Bianca. The east Austin rooftop patio offers $1 oysters and half-off bottles of champagne every Tuesday.
