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🧀 A really gouda weekend
Expand your definition of what mac + cheese means during this annual celebration. | Photo courtesy Mac + Cheese Festival
We have grate expectations for this weekend, because Austin Mac + Cheese Festival will take over Star Hill Ranch this Sunday, Nov. 16.
It’s going to be a mac-nificent day with 25+ restaurants serving their take on this year’s theme: Tropical Party.
Guests will sample bites — think jerk chicken mac + cheese, surf and turf mac, or spam and pineapple grilled cheese — and vote for their favorites for the People’s Choice Award. A panel, of judges will also crown a Judge’s Champion.
Cheddar late than never — there’s still time to grab tickets.
Traffic at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport took a steep decline this year, according to a study from Locals Insider. From January through July 2024, traffic dropped by 279,201 passengers compared to the same period this year — the No. 22 highest drop in the country. Traffic in Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio is also falling.
Traffic
Crews will close the main lanes of I-35 from State Highway 71 and Ben White Boulevard to Stassney Lane tonight from 11 p.m. to 9 a.m. and Saturday night from 11 p.m. to 10 a.m. The closure is part of the I-35 Capital Express Project South work. (KXAN)
Coming Soon
The twinkling lights are big and bright deep in the heart of Texas.The Longhorn Lights display will glow burnt orange for the third year in a row, starting Tuesday, Nov. 18 at UT Austin’s South Mall lawn. The display will be lit until Thursday, Jan. 1.
Edu
Lights, Camera, Action. Texas State University will debut a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Cinematic Arts in fall 2026. Up until now, film studies has existed only as part of the theater degree. (CultureMap)
State
Yes, everything is bigger in Texas. The world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, will set sail out of Galveston in August 2027. The massive ship will travel to The Bahamas, Roatan, Honduras; and Cozumel, Mexico. (KHOU)
Real Estate
House Beautiful just named the most famous building in each US state, and Prada in Marfa took the title for Texas. Closer to home, Austin has no shortage of stunning architecture and skyline staples. See for yourself by visiting the Capital City’s most iconic landmarks.
Seasonal
This December, Mozart’s Festival of Lights transforms into a dazzling celebration with “He Rules The World” — a multimillion-dollar Christmas rock concert running for nine nights only, Dec. 12–20. Snag tickets.*
Shop
If you’re a Costco shopper, you know about the $1.50 hot dog. But are you in on these other 10 lesser-known hacks all Costco shoppers should know about?*
Wellness
Arouse the whole you with this FDA-registered vibrating ring for women that adjusts to your vulva shape for distributed external stimulation and magnified sensations. Even better? It’s recommended by doctors to enhance arousal and natural lubrication. Save 35% + an extra 15% with code H4PPY15.*
Featured Deal
Particle Face Cream for men diminishes wrinkles, reduces eye bags, and nourishes deeply with Dead Sea minerals. Try it 20% off with code CITY20.*
Keep Austin Cheer’d is coming back for its fifth year next month.
The two-night charity event, hosted by local band and ACL Festival alum Me Nd Adam, will post up at The Continental Club to raise money for Casa Marianella on Friday, Dec. 5 + Saturday, Dec. 6.
This year’s lineup includes Nico Little & the North Americans, Texas Rebels, Brooke Michelle, and of course, Me Nd Adam. Get tickets.
As temperatures continue to fall, we’re leaning into our cold-weather essentials. Here are three we absolutely swear by:
👖 Really good fleece-lined leggings with pockets. The thermal lining delivers extra warmth without compromising on stretch and breathability.
🛌 A top-rated long sleeve pj set for maximum comfort and coziness during fall and winter nights.
✋ A pair of rechargeable handwarmers with three temperature settings and up to 36 hours of battery life. Bonus: They include a portable charging case for power on the go.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Blue Genie Art Bazaar opens today, and it’s one of my favorite ways to shop local for the holidays. I make a trip each year and beeline to Jollie Ollie Designs + Tiny Happy Clay.
