“Old Austin” is alive and well on West 37th Street during the holiday season. | Photo by ATXtoday
Get ready to rock around the block — 37th Street Lights is back Friday, Dec. 13-Wednesday, Jan. 1.
The DIY neighborhood light display has dazzled pedestrians since the 1980s and is known for keeping the spirit of “Old Austin” alive. Homes on the strip are decked with out-of-the-ordinary holiday decorations and light displays that Clark Griswold could only aspire to achieve.
Last year’s event included this “Church of Mother,” aka a Taylor Swift shrine.
Photo by ATXtoday
Attendees can also look forward to live music performances and quirky activities like hula hooping + a stuffed animal petting zoo. Here’s everything you need to know before ooing and ahhing your way through the annual activation.
The neighborhood will light up from sunset until 10 p.m. each night through New Years Day, though some homes will keep their lights on later at night and into 2025.
West 37th Street is a living street, meaning no car traffic is allowed during the event.
KOOP Radio x Carpenter Hotel Vinyl Night | 6-8 p.m. | Carpenter Coffee Bar | Cost of purchase | Bring your own vinyl to spin, sit back to enjoy curated playlists, and partake in 50% off bottles of wine.
Thursday, Dec. 12
Tyler Halverson | 8 p.m. | Stubb’s Indoors | $10 | “Run Wild” toward this up-and-coming country artist’s “Beatin’ Around The Bar” tour.
Friday, Dec. 13
Celtic Christmas | Friday, Dec. 13-Sunday, Dec. 22 | 7:30 p.m. | Mozart’s Coffee Roasters | $75 | Your ticket to the Irish ensemble performance includes deep-fried potato pancakes, Irish cream cake, and hot cocoa with Bailey’s Irish Cream.
Saturday, Dec. 14
Blanton All Day: Jingle Jam | 10 a.m.-8 p.m. | Blanton Museum of Art | $20 | Spend your Sunday at the museum with a live choir performance, picnics on the lawn, “Art with an Expert” talks, and DJ sets.
Holiday Makers Market | 12-5 p.m. | Desert Door Distillery, Driftwood | Cost of purchase | “Bad Santa” will wander around this sixth annual vendor market, which brings together artisans from across the Lone Star State.
Sunday, Dec. 15
Mariah Carey Holiday Dance Workshop | 12:15-1:45 p.m. | Ballet Austin | $35 | Learn a festive dance to “All I Want for Christmas Is You” at this one-night-only class.
$521.8 million. That’s how much Cousins Properties will pay to purchase Austin’s “sail tower,” the 35-story skyscraper that Google currently leases at 601 W. 2nd St. Cousins Properties is the dominant office space landlord in The Domain and developed the Frost Bank Tower. (Austin Business Journal)
Announced
SXSW announced the keynote speaker for its 2025 conference: IBM Chairman and CEO Arvind Krishna. The newest slate of featured speakers includes talks from notable figures like astronaut Amanda Nguyen, Bumble CEO Lidiane Jones, and PBS NewsHour co-anchor Geoff Bennett.
Civic
It’ll be a bit longer before we know the fate of the Our Future 35 initiative. Austin City Council delayed the vote on a multi-million dollar funding commitment to cap I-35 from tomorrow until March 2025 due to delays in TxDOT’s pump station contract award. (KXAN)
Closing
South Congress Books has reached the end of its final chapter. The local bookshop — which moved into a new location on Kerbey Lane nearly two years ago — will permanently close its storefront on Sunday, Jan. 5. The bright side? You’ll still be able to find them online + at local outposts.
Coming Soon
An interactive game room experience called Activate will open an Austin facility on Tuesday, Dec. 17 in The Domain. Players wear electronic wristbands to track scores while participating in a series of high-energy games, including relay races, obstacle courses, and escape rooms. (CultureMap Austin)
Festival
The lineup for Free Week is here, and it’s packed with local talent. Red River Cultural District’s winter music festival will include admission-free performances by 75+ Austin-based bands across 10+ different venues, so be sure to catch a show Friday, Jan. 3 + Saturday, Jan. 4.
Health
Expecting in 2025? Three Ascension Seton hospitals made US News & World Report’s “2025 Best Hospitals for Maternity Care.” Hospitals were evaluated based on their performance in areas like newborn complication rates and transparency regarding racial disparities.
Sports
The Spurs are making waves in the NBA, thanks to standout performances from Victor Wembanyama and Chris Paul. Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the San Antonio Spurs with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Wellness
Thinning hair doesn’t stand a chance with KilgourMD’s dermatologist-developed serums. Increase follicle growth by 200% when you get the bundle for $150, featuring 15% + free shipping.*
Announced
Meet Jobs, our virtual job board for all industries that can connect you with top local talent. Post your first listing for free and watch those applications roll in.
Seasonal
Shop
🎁 7 holiday presents $20 or less
Including a chic bedside carafe and a winter-friendly lip balm. | Graphic by 6AM City
Shop some of our favorite finds that will brighten up anyone’s holiday, all available for $20 or less.
Local pick:Tiny Framed Armadillo | $15 | Give this cute ‘dillo or browse from dozens of tiny framed pictures to find one that speaks to your recipient.
Bedside carafe + tumbler | $18.99 | Gift a pretty amber tumbler and glass perfect for adorning any bedside table.
A great gift for a significant other or someone you love — a personalized song plaque you can customize with their favorite song + a photo of you together.
One local tradition you can’t skip this holiday season is spinning underneath the Zilker Holiday Tree. Did you know it contains 3,309 multicolored light bulbs? Now you do.
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