Snap a holiday photo in front of this display at the Austin Motel. | Photo by ATXtoday
Austin is the No. 1 most festive city in the US for the fourth year in a row — and it’s easy to understand why when you step into these themed bars.
If you’re ready to sip your way through the season, we’ve made a list of 20 holiday pop-ups happening around town through December.
Holiday Hideaway at Zanzibar | Now-Sunday, Dec. 28
Santa puts on his swimsuit at this holiday oasis where guests can rent a themed cabana or take in Downtown views with a hot (or frozen) boozy beverage in hand. This rooftop is part of the Rockin’ Around the Rooftops event.
Rudolph’s Road House at Lefty’s Brick Bar | Now-Sunday, Jan. 4
The eastside pop-up features over-the-top decorations, themed cocktails, movie nights, trivia, a merry disco, and more weekly events.
Winter Wanderland at Austin Motel | Now-Wednesday, Dec. 31
Explore a forest of rainbow Christmas trees, sip seasonal cocktails, and attend a slew of events like all-night happy hours, cookie decorating, and sing-alongs.
$101. That’s the value of $100 in Austin, according to a new Tax Foundation study on purchasing power across the US. Compare that to California’s $87.42, and your wallet may be feeling a bit thicker than before. Pro tip: Keep it that way by filling your calendar with free activities. (Upworthy)
Ranked
Craving a slice of ‘za? Chowhound just named its top hole-in-the-wall pizza spot in Texas, and a pizzeria in Dallas claimed the title. We think they’re sleeping on Austin’s pizza scene — peruse our pizza guide to find your new favorite slice.
Trending
Meet the latest holiday trend taking over the internet: “Tacky Christmas.” The look leans into nostalgic kitsch — think rainbow lights, sparkly tinsel, and mismatched ornaments. Want to join in? Austin’s thrift shops are a great place to start. (House Beautiful)
Watch
“The Pitt,” “Severance,” and “Pluribus” are among Time Magazine’s top 10 TV shows of 2025. With the cost of streaming services going up and up, we’re planning to watch them on the couch this winter with a local lunch deal in hand.
Active
Healthy eating, going for walks, and gardening. Those are three things that a group of centenarians credit for their long life in a new UnitedHealthcare survey of 100-year-olds. Another common factor was strength training, so it’s never too late to go to the gym.
Drink
A raccoon in Virginia was the first victim to fall foul of holiday season merriment this year. Liquor store employees found the animal passed out in the bathroom after he broke in and had one too many. We recommend celebrating the holiday responsibly at a local happy hour. (AP News)
Sports
The Spurs have a packed schedule coming up, and the opponents are tough. Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the San Antonio Spurs with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Number
27,400+. That’s how many active job listings you can find on our Job Board. Explore openings in manufacturing, sales, marketing, and beyond. Roles for all experience levels are hiring now. Find a new gig for 2026.
Number
$0. That’s how much 94% of patients pay to see a licensed dietitian with Nourish. Find a dietitian covered by insurance and build a personalized nutrition plan — a structured, supportive way to map out your 2026 wellness goals now.*
I’m back with another local gift idea, and this one is close to my heart. For the lovers of having a perfect manicure without the price tag, allow me to introduce you to Static Nails.
I’ve been buying the company’s press-on, pop-off, reusable nails since before I knew they were headquartered in Austin. They make excellent stocking stuffers.
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