Johnston’s iconic mural “Jeremiah the Innocent” has remained off of Guadalupe Street since 1993. | Photo by ATXtoday
The votes are in for the ATXtoday unofficial historical marker contest. Check out the finalists below, including the contest winner our readers voted for.
Winner: “Jeremiah the Innocent” mural
50% of voters selected this mural as the winner of our competition. So loved by the Austin community, Daniel Johnston’s iconic frog mural was saved from demolition when its building was knocked down in 2023. The mural was created in 1993 on the wall of the Sound Exchange Record Store, which was a well-known haunt for UT students at the time.
The motif has since become an unofficial symbol of Austin and inspired artists like Kurt Cobain. The mural has even received calls from The Daily Texan to make it into a Historical Landmark.
It doesn’t stop there. Check out our map of unofficial historical locations — both locally and across the nation.
Village of Lights | Friday, Dec. 13-Saturday, Dec. 14 | 5:30-9 p.m. | Community First! Village | Cost of purchase | This inaugural event will feature thousands of holiday lights (which are choreographed to festive music), a vendor market, food + drinks, and a visit from Santa.
Hayes Carll & The Band of Heathens | 8 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre | $21+ | Spend your Friday night listening to rock ‘n’ roll, folk, country, and soulful blues at this holiday show.
Grand Opening Party | 8 p.m.-2 a.m. | Tiger Lilly | Cost of purchase | Head Downtown to dance to live DJs and sip champagne at the bar’s grand opening celebration.
Saturday, Dec. 14
“The Polar Express” | Saturday, Dec. 14-Sunday, Dec. 15 | 11:45 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Bullock Texas State History Museum | $15+ | Grab a mug of hot chocolate and immerse yourself in this holiday favorite at an IMAX screening in 3D.
Holiday Hootenanny | Saturday, Dec. 14-Sunday, Dec. 15 | 1-10:30 p.m. | Radio/East | $40+ | This two-day micro-fest includes performances from Danny Brown, of Montreal, HEALTH, and Voxtrot.
Sunday, Dec. 15
Vixens of Volstead Drag Brunch: “Jingle Bell Rock” | 12 p.m. | The Volstead Lounge | Cost of purchase | Enjoy a boozy brunch on the patio and a holiday drag show hosted by May Magdalene, Veronica Valentine, and Mars.
Handmade Lemon Ricotta Ravioli Cooking Class | 5-6:15 p.m. | Cambria Hotel Austin Downtown | $65 | Make and eat homemade pasta with lemon ricotta filling and brown butter sage sauce at this hands-on workshop.
Find this serene wellness destination right in Austin’s own backyard. | Photos courtesy of Miraval Austin
Treat the wellness lover in your life (or yourself) to Miraval Austin this holiday season.
With innovative programs, spa treatments, nourishing cuisine, and world-class wellness experts, this luxurious retreat is the ultimate post-holiday reset.
Choose a Day Pass, plan a group retreat, or grab a gift card to experience the epitome of wellness in a luxurious setting right in our backyard.
Aba, an upscale Mediterranean restaurant on South Congress Avenue, will soon have a sister restaurant in the former Valencia’s Tex-Mex Garage space at Domain NORTHSIDE. Ema will open in the fall of next year, offer a mezze-style menu, and feature indoor + outdoor dining.
Civic
Tomorrow, Dec. 14, is Election Day for the Central Texas runoff elections. Find out what’s on the ballot, then cast your vote from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at any voting center with a “Vote Here/Aquí" sign. (KVUE)
Arts
The historic Elisabet Ney Museum in Hyde Park will close for “much needed” renovations on Monday, Dec. 30, and reopen in the summer of 2026. Don’t fret — there are plenty more museums to explore while the 19th-century art studio is under construction.
Austinite
TIME Magazine’s CEO of the Year is an Austinite. Lisa Su, chair and CEO of Advanced Micro Devices, was praised for nearly doubling the company’s stock trades since she stepped into the position a decade ago.
Development
A student housing building in Downtown Austin will soon become a 185-room Tru by Hilton hotel. The 10-year-old building at 1715 Guadalupe St. is already under construction and should be complete in March 2026. (Austin Business Journal)
Travel
New flight alert. Southwest Airlines will launch a new nonstop route from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to San Francisco in August 2025. The route will operate daily and is available to book now. (KXAN)
Number
$1,445. That’s the median asking rent in Austin as of November, which is a 12.4% decrease from the previous year. The Capital City landed the No. 1 spot on a new Redfin list that ranked major metros with the highest rent decreases.
Sports
The Longhorns are just four wins away from taking home a national championship. Tune in at 3 p.m. tomorrow to watch them take on Clemson, and get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Texas Longhorns with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Shop
You’ve made your list and checked it twice — now it’s time to knock out holiday shopping. Our recommendation? Head to Aldrich Street, the vibrant activity hub of the Mueller neighborhood. Psst… Visit any retail, dining, or wellness establishment tomorrow, Dec. 14-Sunday, Dec. 15, and receive a complimentary commemorative gift.*
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A cute custom gift under $20 — we like this custom name necklace and this minimalist personalized wallet. Personalize it just for them and watch their face light up when they open it. You’re so thoughtful.
City Editor Figi and I ate breakfast at Fifth Street Diner this week, and I’m still drooling over the bread pudding French toast with whipped vanilla mascarpone. Try it out if you’re in the mood for retro vibes + classic comfort foods.
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