We may not get the wintry weather our friends in the north get for the Holidays, but Austinites still go all out! We have some fun events happening this season to celebrate the Holidays. Get your calendars out, cause here are the Top 26 Holiday Events in Austin & Central Texas for 2014!
Here are 26 Fun Holiday Events for you and your family to enjoy this year:
Santa’s Ranch
November 7, 2014 – January 3, 2015
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.
Christmas in the City
A Christmas Affair 2014 ~ Palmer Events Center
November 19-23, 2014
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 teen/tween party, and photos with Santa all weekend long!
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 teen/tween party, and photos with Santa all weekend long!
The Domain Christmas Tree Lighting
November 22, 2014 6 pm – 10 pm
Kick off the Holiday Season with this fun event, the 8th Annual Lighting of the Domain Christmas Tree. Food, special holiday performances and an appearance by Santa. And of course, the lighting of the 40 foot Great Tree!
A Christmas Carol
November 26 – December 28, 2014
This Christmas tale 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 28 – December 23, 2014
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 28 – January 1, 2015
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.
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 28 – December 21, 2014
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!
Elf: The Musical
November 28 – 30, 2014
Elf: The Musical comes to town for a 3 day engagement. Based on the 2003 hit movie, this is a perfect family show!
Chuy’s Giving to Children Christmas Parade
November 29, 2014
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.
Four Seasons Hotel Austin’s Teddy Bear Teas
November 29 – December 21, 2014
Start a new Holiday tradition with your children – enjoy a tea service with drinks and sweets, caroling, and a reading by Santa on weekend afternoons.
37st Street Christmas Light Display
November 29- December 30, 2014
For years I have been told that seeing the lights of Austin’s 37st Street is a rite-of-passage for every Austinite. Every year, I struggle to find an actual website to get detailed info on this word-of-mouth event. So I can’t say with all certainty any details about the event, other than you “HAVE to SEE them!”
Rock’N Light Holiday Tour & Christmas Towne
December 1 – 30, 2014
Round Rock has an amazing 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).
A Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Radio Show
December 4 – 27, 2014
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 5, 2014
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 5 & 6, 2014
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.
33rd Annual Georgetown Christmas Stroll
December 5 & 6, 2014
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.
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 5-6 & 12-13, 2014
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 6, 2014
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 6, 2014
An event benefitting children fighting cancer and their families, there will be over 30,000 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 6, 2014
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.
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 6 – 23, 2014
The Austin Ballet produces the longest-running production of The Nutcracker in Texas. Celebrating 52 years, I can’t think of a sweeter Christmas performance to take your children to.
Zilker Trail of Lights
December 7 – 21, 2014
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. Purchase special “ZIP” passes online to get in a full 45 minutes earlier than everyone else!
Austin Thinkery Gingerbread House Workshops
December 13 & 20, 2014 (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 13 & 14, 2014
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 16 – 24, 2014
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.
Holiday Lights & Ice
December 19 – January 4, 2015
The 5th Annual Holiday Lights & Ice event benefits Make-A-Wish® Central & South Texas, featuring skating, s’mores, games, twinkling lights and more. Check out their display of over 200,000 twinkling lights and festive activities.
Snow Day!
December 6, 14, & 20, 2014
Each Saturday in December, the Hill Country Galleria has real snow you can play in! Wow!
Have a wonderful holiday season!
Are you looking to see what else is going on in Texas over the Holidays? Check out these events:
How in the world Chinati court Christmas lights is not on here is beyond me! They are in Cedar Park and the largest brown Santa donation spot. They have spirit 105.9 and Santa Claus out there by the bonfire on Friday and Saturday nights in December!
It snows every weekend in December at the Hill Country Galleria. Snow Day!
You forgot about Way Off Broadway’s Christmas Melodrama, Crisis at Mistletoe Mesa! A rip roaring great time December 12-14. Great fun for the whole family! Check out wobcp.org or facebook.com/WOBCP for more information!
I don’t see Sights and Sounds of Christmas in San Marcos! We go almost every year!
I don’t see a TubaChristmas on your list. It is one of my favorite holiday traditions! About 100 tuba players gather on the steps of the Capital to play a wonderful variety of Christmas Carols and music. According to their website, this year’s performance is Monday, December 22 at 12:00 noon. Be there or be square!
Santa’s Ranch is not in San Marcos, it is in New Braunfels, Texas. San Marcos actually has an event of its own called Sights & Sounds of Christmas – December 3rd – December 6th. http://www.sights-n-sounds.org/
The Cedar Park Holiday Tree lighting is on Fri Dec 5th from 6:30 -9 at Heritage Oak Park.
http://www.cedarparktexas.gov/index.aspx?page=448
I didn’t see the Emily Anne Trail of Lights in Wimberley, Texas.
If you want to shop local for a wide variety of handmade items, see the Old Bakery Gift Shop at 10th & Congress. It is NOT a bakery, but is an historical building…originally a bakery. It is open Tues thru Fri. 9am to 4pm, & Sat. 11am to 4pm. You will find everything from art,& stain glasss, jewelry, bags & totes, & scarves to beautiful baby clothes & quilts, There are wooden objects & seasonal gifts & decorations. There are 3 floors of beautiful, unique, one of a kind gifts & treasures! And free parking is available in small lot on south side of building. It is 1st driveway off Congress..on 10th St.
Thanks for sharing all the info for those that didn’t make the original list! We hope to attend LOTS of new things this year!
Hi Traci – thanks for your feedback – we actually publish a whole article dedicated to Christmas Lights in Austin and Chianti Court is most definitely on the list!!
Sounds fun! Adding it to the list!
Thanks for the info! I hadn’t heard of it before!
Sounds fun! We will have to check it out this year!
Yes!! That sounds fun -thanks for all the information!
A Dickens’ Christmas in Lockhart: Dec 5 & 6, 2014 – On the first weekend in December each year the town of Lockhart, Texas is transformed into a Dickens’ style Christmas. A fun time is had by all who attend this grand annual event around the Downtown Square. Enjoy two days of activities and free entertainment and a relaxed shopping experience. Lighted parade Friday night. Come help celebrate the 25th year of this celebration…and come play or slide down the hill of snow being brought in for this event!!
“Christmas in Comfort” is the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Booths, shopping, live music, followed by lighted Christmas Parade which ends with the arrival of Santa. Then kids can line up to tell Santa what they want for Christmas. My top pick.
Great! Thank you for the information!
Thank you for the information!
BENEFITTING MAKE-A-WISH:
Please come and enjoy our 40,000 light show with over 48 channels of animation -tune into 94.1 to listen. Features include multiple lit trees, arches, and Santa.
400 Liscio Cove, Georgetown, Texas 78628
visit our webpage to make a donation for details on Santa’s visits:
Berrycreekchristmas.com
great info as always! We created a train lover after suggesting the Thomas experience in Burnett! Does anyone know the time of the San Marcos Santa’s Ranch light display? I couldn’t find that info on their site and we’re a little nuts about the kids’ bedtimes!
Over 40,000 lights synchronized to 48 channels of digital automation.
Cocoa, cookies, and Santa visits also scheduled.
All benefitting Make-A-Wish
Visit our webpage for more info:
berrycreekchristmas.com
We tried to locate the 37th Street lights on Friday, December 5, 2014. They don’t exist. It was disappointing, but we guessed the neighborhood has changed ownership or the process was too involved. Anyways, thought you might want to update your list.
This is helpful and wish I could have found out late Oct. or right before Thanksgiving at the latest to plan! I am a calendar person and unfortunately many of those interesting events came early in Dec. But the information is helpful and I am grateful for this … it is nice to know during Christmas season what is going on for the family & events to attend. THANKS!
Please take 37th Street off your list, drove over there last night and it was a total bust. There were maybe 3 houses done with a few lights and I mean minimal – many people have moved out of the neighborhood and the new people are not carrying on the tradition.