Plus, The Trail of Lights has new entertainment this year.
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🍽️ Hungry for the holidays

A festive spread of various dishes arranged on a table with a striped blue and orange tablecloth. The centerpiece is a glazed roasted ham in a copper pot, surrounded by bowls of kale salad, green bean salad, and noodles. Other items include cinnamon rolls, appetizers topped with feta, and a glass teapot with tea.
Don’t fuss over your holiday spread this year — let Zoé Tong handle it. | Photo courtesy Honeysuckle Teatime & Mackenzie Smith Kelley
When we think about the holidays, one thing always comes to mind: food.

While it’s true that most places close down around December 25, you don’t have to find a way to feed your family and friends alone. We found 12 local restaurants that are ready to serve up takeout and even host on the big day.

Dine in

The Driskill Bar | Now-Wednesday, Dec. 25
Stop by this bar, which will serve upscale bites and festive cocktails made with eggnog, gold leaf, candy canes, and pecans.

The Tradition | Tuesday, Dec. 24-Wednesday, Dec. 25
Dig into a three-course prix fixe menu with options like cider + onion soup, a seafood feast, and gingerbread cake with eggnog ice cream for $65 per person.

Takeout

Three Potato, Parmesan & Brussels Sprout Latkes on a white platter with a bowl of creme fraiche and applesauce on a wooden table.

Aba Chef CJ Jacobson’s take on Hanukkah fare includes these Brussels sprout latkes paired with applesauce.

Photo by Samantha Brauer

Aba
Get some potato-Brussels sprout latkes and shawarma-spiced brisket confit for Hanukkah or whipped feta and sticky date cake for Christmas.

Zoé Tong
This restaurant’s holiday meal package is inspired by the Chinese takeout in “A Christmas Story.”
Chow down

Asked

What is your favorite street in Austin?


Think: the strip you love to shop, walk, or enjoy an evening out.
A. Barton Springs Road
B. South Congress Avenue
C. North Lamar Boulevard
D. Other
Walk with us

Events

Friday, Dec. 6

Free Week | Friday, Dec. 6-Sunday, Dec. 8 | 12-6 p.m. | The Contemporary Austin - Jones Center | Free | Skip the admission fee at this Downtown museum and see its current exhibitions “Carl Cheng: Nature Never Loses” and “HOST: Katarina Janečková Walshe.”

Ballet Austin’s 62nd Annual Production of The Nutcracker | Friday, Dec. 6-Monday, Dec. 23 | Times vary | The Long Center for Performing Arts | $43+ | This annual tradition will get you in the holiday spirit — arrive early for pre-show festivities.

Saturday, Dec. 7

Christmas Wreath Workshop | 9:30-11 a.m. | Mozart’s Coffee Roasters | $125+ | Create your own custom wreath just in time for the holidays while sipping on a warm beverage.

Markets for Makers: Austin Holiday Market | Saturday, Dec. 7-Sunday, Dec. 8 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Palmer Events Center | $8+ | Shop from 100+ makers, do DIY crafts, take holiday photos, and enjoy snacks + drinks.

Goat Pilates In The Pen | Jester King Brewing | 10-11 a.m. | $15 | Join in on this Hot Girl Pilates class among Jester King’s 75 Nigerian Dwarf goats.

Sunday, Dec. 8

Forest Bathing | 10-11 a.m. | Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center | $45 | Based on the Japanese practice of Shinrin-Yoku, forest bathing is said to reduce stress and increase inner peace.

“A Very Electric Christmas” | Times vary | The Paramount Theatre | $18+ | 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.

Friday, Dec. 13

A Very Merry Swiftmas Paint Night | 5-8 p.m. | The Art Garage Austin | $15+ | Listen to Taylor Swift songs, paint themed pottery, and enjoy a complimentary drink.
Get busy
Click here to have your event featured.
West Chelsea Contemporary

News Notes

Opening

Loro Asian Smokehouse and Bar will open its second Austin location at The Domain on Saturday, Dec. 21. To celebrate the new spot, Loro will host ten days of activations where customers can enjoy rotating happy hours and grab special goodies, gift cards, and freebies.

Travel

JetBlue Airways canceled its nonstop route between Austin and JFK Airport in New York City, as spokespeople for the airline said demand isn’t high enough for the summer seasonal flight. Austinites can still hop on a nonstop route to NYC on American Airlines and Delta Air Lines. (KXAN)

Biz

Burger lovers, listen up. Austin-based chain Hopdoddy Burger Bar has plans to double its restaurant presence over the next five years. The plan is to open up to 10 restaurants per year — there’s currently one under construction in the Mueller neighborhood. (Austin Business Journal)

Try This

Japanese handroll spot Top Roe is officially open in Austin. Helmed by James Beard nominated Chef Paul Qiu (who is also the “Top Chef” season nine winner), the intimate dining experience boasts just 72 seats. Its adjacent bar, Fox Tail, will roll out its menu on Thursday, Jan. 9.

Event

Got skills to pay the bills? Show off your pickleball prowess at Austin Pickle Ranch’s Sparkle & Smash Pickleball Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 28. Players are encouraged to dress in their sparkly best for the New Year — prizes will be awarded to the top players in each division and the best-dressed.
Was “Espresso” by Sabrina Carpenter your top song of 2024? If you said yes, you’re not alone, because that was the most-streamed song in Austin this year. Austinites also had “Good Luck, Babe!” by Chappell Roan, “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” by Billie Eilish, and “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar on repeat. (KVUE)

Listen

Bevo will have to watch the Longhorns play the Georgia Bulldogs from home because there’s no room for him on the field. Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Texas Longhorns with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Sports

ICYMI, Pro Volleyball is headed to Austin this January. During this historic first season, catch LOVB Austin playing at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park and Strahan Arena. Explore the schedule, see the star-studded roster featuring some familiar faces, and grab tickets.*

Finance

The bad news: Car repair costs have surged 17% in the last year, with some repairs exceeding $6,000. The good news: An Endurance protection plan could save you thousands. Sign up and receive $450 off your new contract, plus a free year of Elite Benefits. Get your free quote.*
Looking for a five-minute national news read? Free newsletter 1440 navigates 100+ sources to deliver a comprehensive daily digest — from global events to business to culture.*

Finance

How much could you borrow from your home? Get HELOC quotes now — calculate your payment.*

Culture

🚂 Rail to the Trail of Lights

A teddy bear made of colorful Christmas lights sits among lit-up trees on the path of the Trail of Lights.
Walk through the Trail in between rides on the Zilker Eagle and dance to some local music during this year’s annual tradition. | Photo courtesy of the Trail of Lights
The sparking lights won’t be the only attraction during this year’s Trail of Lights.

The Zilker Eagle mini-train will run special extended holiday hours from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10-Monday, Dec. 23. Tickets run the same price as daytime hours — $6 per ride — and children under 2 ride for free.

The annual holiday celebration, which is in its 60th year, will also host a lineup of live music:
  • Topaz and the Golden Go-Gos of Golden Dawn Arkestra | Tuesday, Dec. 10
  • UT Ensembles | Wednesday, Dec. 11
  • “Texas Music Scene” live taping | Thursday, Dec. 12
  • Tone Royal | Friday, Dec. 13
  • Floyd Domino’s Swing Revue | Wednesday, Dec. 18
  • Chief Cleopatra | Friday, Dec. 20
  • Como Los Movies | Saturday, Dec. 21
  • Big Wy’s Brass Band | Sunday, Dec. 22
Learn all about the history of The Trail of Lights before you go.

The Buy

The AirFly Pro — it’s a nifty gadget that will wirelessly transmit audio from in-flight entertainment to Bluetooth headphones so you can ditch those pesky wired earbuds.
More worth The Buy

The Wrap

On the left, an orange bubble with City Editor Figi and a goat inside. On the right, the name "Figi."
For those of you who don’t know, my last name is pronounced “figgy,” like figgy pudding, but I’ve never actually had it as a dish. Maybe I’ll make this recipe to surprise my family this year.

Send us a scoop, question, or feedback

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