Holiday Happenings in Austin Oh, What Fun!

• 37th Street Lights — “The weirdest lights you will see this holiday season,” plus a stuffed animal petting zoo. Joy to the weird, indeed.
• Austin Trail of Lights at Zilker Park — A magical drive-thru event with more than 2 million lights, 90 holiday trees and 70 other holiday displays and tunnels.
• Zilker Tree Lighting — Standing at 155 feet and with a 120-foot diameter, the Zilker Holiday Tree surrounds a moonlight tower with 39 lit streamers.
• Downtown Holiday Stroll — Free activities and holiday happenings make this family-friendly monthlong event a safe way to celebrate the season.
• "Luminations" exhibit at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center — Through Jan. 6, enjoy the glowing celebration of winter's natural beauty, inspired by the four elements (earth, air, fire and water).

• Peppermint Parkway — At Austin’s Circuit of the Americas, the Peppermint Parkway drive-thru experience includes dazzling scenes with millions of lights, dancing elves and strolling entertainers.
• “The Nutcracker” — Ballet Austin’s seasonal favorite features hundreds of dancers interpreting the enchanting story with accompaniment by the Austin Symphony Orchestra.
• Miracle on 5th Street — This multi-room, multi-level pop-up cocktail bar has a ’Gram-worthy Santa’s Throne, wall-to-wall Christmas décor and cheery social experiences.
• Hometown Holiday — Round Rock’s downtown basks in the holiday glow. Bring the family for a round of bingo, write a letter to Santa, color ornaments and wander the well-lit streets. Enjoy concerts in the plaza and more-intimate acoustic music in the parklets.

Bigger Austin holiday fun calls for bigger Austin holiday energy sources. These coffee houses, bars and eateries fill that cup up:

• Lala’s Little Nugget — Christmas in Texas year-round? You bet your sweet boots. Jolly Hour is Monday - Thursday, Bloody Mary Mornin’ is Sunday and Christmas parties include ½ Christmas, Zombie Christmas, Lala’s Anniversary and Lala’s Christmas Bash.
• Halcyon — This coffee + bar + lounge joint is a great place to chill, hang out, meet with friends — and roast marshmallows to make s’mores while sipping on a chocolate espresso martini.
• Kitty Cohen’s — Hosting Austin’s first-ever Hanukkah “Get Lit” Pop-up Bar in 2019, the ’70s-inspired Kitty Cohen’s is always on the holiday bar list.

• Sippin’ Santa — Nickel City Bar serves up plenty of holiday cocktails (classic and new) in themed glassware, with specific glassware sales going to the James Beard Foundation’s Open for Good campaign.
• Cosmic Coffee + Beer Garden — Tasty seasonal menus are best enjoyed on the spacious patio, all decorated with holiday lights.
• Easy Tiger — Served hot, fresh baked daily, no preservatives: Dip these perfect pretzels in something salty, savory or sweet (all de-lish). For a fresh twist, throw a holiday pretzel party (two days' advance notice, please).
• Sprinkles — Right across the street from Archer Hotel Austin is Sprinkles — a cupcake, cookie and layered cake store. Holiday cupcakes are festive and fabulous.

Holiday gift-giving takes on a merrier vibe when the sales support local artisans and charities. In Austin, these options do just that; happy shopping:

• Domain NORTHSIDE — Archer’s walkable neighborhood has a holiday selfie wall, a tree lighting and a Merry Grinchmas holiday kickoff event that includes plenty of photo ops, a bracelet bar, caricature artists, temporary tattoos, a hair tinsel studio and holiday tunes.
• A Christmas Affair — The Junior League of Austin presents the five-day holiday Market Days, plus several in-person and virtual parties and children’s events.
• Blue Genie Art Bazaar — The Holiday Bazaar features the handmade, unique work of nearly 200 artists selected from a talent pool of 400+ applicants each year.
• Lone Star Holiday Market — The Hill Country Galleria hosts this indoor holiday market, with local vendors, unique gifts and gift wrapping, plus live music and holiday libations.
• Armadillo Christmas Bazaar — The nine-day fine art, shopping destination showcases both local and national award-winning artists, along with live music and two full bars.