Looking for Holiday Events in Austin & Central Texas for 2014? Click here to see them!
Can you believe the Holidays are here? There are so many fun & unique Christmas and Holiday events happening in Austin and Central Texas over the next two months, that I couldn’t wait to tell you all about. Plus, many of these events sell out, so we wanted to give you an early heads-up!
Here are 25 Fun Holiday Events for you and your family to enjoy this year:
Santa’s Ranch
November 1, 2013 – January 4, 2014
A drive-thru Christmas Light Park is located just 30 minutes south of Austin on I-35. With over 1 million lights and 100 displays & animations, the one mile drive thru park is seen from the comfort of your own vehicle.
Winter Wonderland
A Christmas Affair 2012 ~ Palmer Events Center
November 20-24, 2013
A shopping event like no other, this 5 day event puts everyone in the Holiday mood! The event consists of 4 full market days with over 200 local and national vendors. There are some really fun children’s events too – Enjoy breakfast or brunch with Santa, a family movie night, and photos with Santa all weekend long!
The Domain Christmas Tree Lighting
November 23, 2013 6 pm – 10 pm
Kick off the Holiday Season with this fun event, featuring Phil Vasser and Outside Voices youth choir. Food, fireworks show and an appearance by Santa. And of course, the lighting of the 40 foot Great Tree!
4th Annual Gingerbread House Raising
November 23 & 24, 2013
Ages 6-11 will have the opportunity to decorate their very own gingerbread house while learning Greek Revival architecture and the history of the Neill-Cochran house. Space is limited, so make sure you reserve yours.
A Christmas Story
November 27 – December 29, 2013
One of the most fun Christmas tales unfolds on ZACH’s Topfer Theatre the entire month of December. I couldn’t think of a more fun date night or family night!
Elgin CHRISTmas Tree Farm
November 29 – December 22, 2013
Take the family out this year to hand pick your Christmas Tree at an actual Tree Farm. In additional to getting a tree, you can enjoy a scenic hayride, animals, crazy maze & playground.
Texas Hill Country Regional Christmas Lighting Trail
November 29 – January 1, 2014
10 different communities in the Hill Country are participating on the trail this year and have events planned every weekend from Thanksgiving until Christmas. Some of our favorites include the Christmas Walkway of Lights in Marble Falls and Main Street Bethlehem in Burnet. Visit the website to see specifics.
North Pole Flyer
November 29 – December 22, 2013
The 2 hour, round trip train ride on the historic Bertram Flyer includes story-time, cookies, and a visit from both Mrs. Claus and Santa Claus!
Chuy’s Giving to Children Christmas Parade
November 30, 2013
Starting at 11 am and marching down Congress Ave, the Chuy’s Giving to Children Christmas Parade collects toys for Operation Blue Santa. Bring a toy to give to the marchers in the parade and enjoy big inflatable balloons, holiday floats and children’s characters.
Rooftop Ice Skating
December 1, 2013 – January 11, 2014
The rooftop of this Austin landmark transforms into an ice skating rink over the holidays! Ages 6 and up are invited to skate daily from 11 am – 9 pm. Also, check out their Gingerbread House Make & Take workshops in December!
Rock’N Light Holiday Tour & Christmas Towne
December 2 – 31, 2013
Round Rock started this last year and came back with an even bigger drive-thru light show! Over 2 million lights twinkle along the 1.5 mile path. After the light show, visit Christmas Towne with pony rides, petting zoo, train ride, and more (Saturdays & Sundays).
It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Show
December 5 – 22, 2013
Five actors bring this classic tale to life at Round Rock’s Rice Crossing Store, located at Old Settler’s Park. A fun evening for the whole family – check out the Rockn’ Light Holiday Light Tour & Christmas Town and make a night of it!
Christmas Family Night
December 6, 2013
Celebrate the Christmas lighting of downtown Round Rock and the historic water tower when Santa rides into town on his sleigh. Tiny homes all over downtown feature free crafts, face-painting, puppet shows, and more. Enjoy free refreshments and live entertainment.
A Dickens Christmas in Lockhart
December 6 & 7, 2013
The town of Lockhart, Texas is transformed into a Dickens’ style Christmas starting with a Lighted Christmas Parade on Friday night. The fun continues on Saturday with an all-day festival that ends with the lighting of a Yule Log on Saturday night.
32nd Annual Georgetown Christmas Stroll
December 6 & 7, 2013
Downtown Georgetown Square transforms into a Norman Rockwell-picturesque scene with window displays, carolers, yummy goodies and local vendors. Visit the live nativity at the Bethlehem Village, tease the Grinch at the Whoo-Village and Santa makes an appearance at the parade on Saturday.
Ebenezer’s Journey – A Dickens’ Christmas Story
December 6-7 & 14-15, 2013
An interactive tour of Pioneer Farms, based on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, with parts of the classic tale acted out at various sites across the farm.
Weihnachtsmarkt, a German Christmas Market
December 7, 2013
The German Texan Heritage Society offers shoppers hand-made imported crafts including plenty of Christmas themed decorations such as nutcrackers and ornaments. With a visit from both the historic American Santa Claus and the traditional German Sankt Nikolas, this is a fun event for the children too.
A Snow Spectacular
December 7, 2013
An event benefitting children fighting cancer and their families, there will be over 26,000 pounds of REAL SNOW blown over a 1230 square foot area for the kids to play in! There will also be light hor d’oeuvres, an adult beverage cash bar, a hot chocolate/coffee bar, a live band, a silent auction and more.
The Holiday Sing-Along and Downtown Stroll
December 7, 2013
A free, family-fun event that starts with a group sing-along at the Capitol in Downtown Austin. As that is wrapping up, the Capitol Holiday tree is lite and Congress Ave becomes alive with music, art, shopping, & more.
The Nutcracker at the Ballet Austin
December 7 – 23, 2013
The Austin Ballet produces the longest-running production of The Nutcracker in Texas. Celebrating 51 years, I can’t think of a sweeter Christmas performance to take your children to.
Zilker Trail of Lights
December 8 – 22, 2013
One of Austin’s most anticipated events is back this year for an even longer run! Millions of holiday lights and displays line the trail, creating a fun experience for the whole family. Each night will feature performances from local dance companies, bands, and singers. And new this year, purchase special “ZIP” passes online to get in a full 45 minutes earlier than everyone else!
Christmas Sing-Along
December 10, 2013
A fun family sing-along with the Austin Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, with favorites songs that will make every age smile. Tickets are free and will be available beginning December 2.
Austin Children’s Museum Gingerbread House Workshops
December 14-15 & 21-24, 2013 (various times)
Come make & decorate your very own gingerbread house and leave the mess somewhere other than your house! These workshops fill up fast, so make your reservation today!
Luminations
December 14 & 15, 2013
Enjoy the gardens lite with thousands of luminaries and twinkly lights. There will be holiday music, puppet acts, crafts, and photo opportunities. Admission is free with 2 canned goods, benefiting the Capitol Area Food Bank.
Armadillo Christmas Bazaar
December 17 – 24, 2013
Hot music, fine art and cold beer make the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar the place where Austin shops in the giving season. The show is actually two events in one: an art fair and music festival with a vibrant community-driven vibe.
There is also Sights & Sounds of Christmas in San Marcos, TX. December 4-7 http://www.sights-n-sounds.org
The Georgetown Palace Theater is doing Peter Pan from November 15 to December 30th on weekends. Great show
Cute ideas and fun happenings!
But title should state “in and AROUND Austin.” Georgetown and San Marcos are not Austin, just FYI 😉
Also, the 32nd street lights in hyde park ought to be mentioned here. That tradition is def, very Austin-y!