So many options, so little time.
Make the most of your holiday season by finding activities that fit your vibe. Are you looking for a light trail to walk? Want a holiday themed bar? Need some excitement to keep the kiddos entertained? Just want to shop for holiday gifts? Here’s a good roundup of goings ons that I’ve collected over the years.
Lights Viewing
Austin Trail of Lights
Perhaps the most iconic holiday experience in Austin – walking the trail of lights. I’ve written Your Comprehensive Guide to the Austin Trail of Lights here. This is definitely the most involved experience with a lot of logistics – tickets, parking, VIP options, etc.
Marble Falls Walkway of Lights
There is SO MUCH to explore around the cute little city of Marble Falls. Just an hour west of Austin, Marble Falls is the perfect place to get yourself into the holiday spirit. If you’re looking for a general itinerary for a Marble Falls day trip, I’ve written one of those as well! Read it here.
If you spend time downtown, take a stroll down Main Street. Snap some pics in front of the 26-foot, do some shopping, a little eating and drinking… there’s a lot packed into the small downtown area!
Then drive over to the Walkway of Lights. It has been operating for over 30 years!! This walk along the lake includes tons of lights and ends with a large Christmas Tree display and SANTA. The walk is $2 per person and is a pretty quick, casual stroll. It’s the perfect outing for families with little ones or the final stop on a longer day exploring the city.
The newest addition to the holiday festivities in Marble Falls, Texas is their bumper cars on the ice! Bump and spin your way around the slick ice in your own bumper car. If you’re not quite the thrill-seeking type, you can enjoy classic ice skating on the ice as well.
37th Street Lights
The 37th St. lights have been around since the 80s! The display is a hodgepodge of neighborhood light displays coming together in one epic street! The lights mostly occur between Guadalupe and Home St on 37th. Entering 519 W 37th St, Austin, TX 78705 into your GPS will get you here.
Like their website says these lights pop up around the holidays, but they’re not your typical holiday lights. There’s Godzilla blowing bubbles, a stuffed animal petting zoo, a cat named Dragon who’s running for mayor… you get the idea. It’s your classic “Keep Austin Weird” vibes for sure. While you certainly can drive 37th St. and view the lights from your car, I would recommend walking. There’s plenty of parking in the neighborhood around 37th St.
Wimberley Trail of Lights
The Wimberley Trail of lights is a walking trail through approximately 8 acres (!) of lighted exhibits. The annual event is free to attend, however, donations are graciously accepted.
We parked next door at Wimberley High School. It’s a short (but very dark) walk from there to the start of the trail. The trail meanders all over – there’s no real direction, you just wander around!
There’s a small concession stand that offers many options including: hot dogs (plain, chili/cheese), frito pie, bottled water, smores, marshmallows, hot cocoa, and more! The light exhibits along the trial come from local Wimberley businesses, families, non-profits, clubs, churches… there are nearly 100 exhibitors!
I think my main takeaway on this particular trail is: If you want something free and low-key, it’s worth a visit. If you want to day trip to Wimberleyand explore the square, eat dinner, and have the lights as one part of your day, it’s worth a visit. If you’re driving from Austin to Wimberley JUST for the lights… probably not worth it. But to each their own!
Holiday Bars
Miracle on 5th Street
Last year was my first experience with a holiday pop-up bar. I went to Nickle City‘s tiki-themed event and loved it! This year, I decided to check another magical pop-up off my list – Miracle on 5th Street (not sponsored, just my own exploring!). Located at the Eleanor, the event space is decked out in Christmas flair from floor to ceiling. There are lights everywhere, multiple rooms to explore, and themed cocktails to try.
I was much more into going for the photos than for the drunken shenanigans, so I went at 2 in the afternoon one day. I can only imagine the kind of craziness that ensues as the night goes on. Their website has a really nice calendar with their hours for each day so you can plan accordingly. I got the Porter’s Coffee Break (Jameson Caskmates Irish Whiskey, Chameleon Cold Brew Coffee, Guinness-Maple Syrup, Salted-Cinnamon Cream) and it was honestly delicious. However, you can definitely go another route… they have a “ski chalet” that serves beer and shot combos.
Lefty’s Brick Bar
Each holiday season, Lefty’s Brick bar transforms into #RudolphsRoadHouse and it is so cute. The whole two-space is fully decorated. There’s a dark, intimate space near the downstairs bar, tables on the patio space under the bright holiday lights, a Beach-y Santa area, and an upstairs GINgerbread bar.
Drinks range in price from $13-$18, with mocktails for $11 and huge punch bowls for the whole gang for $50/$65. Remember, you’re paying for the 🌟 vibes 🌟 of the winter wonderland space. I found inexpensive paid parking on 5th street and easily walked over.
Fun for Kids (and kids at heart!)
Peppermint Parkway at COTA
Their marketing says Peppermint Parkway is now a walkthrough lights experience, but honestly, I’d say it’s more of a fair. There are lots of rides and activities. Less “Trail of Lights” walking and more “kids running around at a winter carnival.” We added on the F1 track lap ($35 and our group agreed – worth it) and it’s better than I remember. The track is much better lit. You can see the grandstands! My full writeup is in its own blog HERE.
Holiday Shopping
Blue Genie Art Bazaar
The Blue Genie Art Bazaar has been around since 2001 and now features more than 200 artists! Personally, this is the market that I visit each year to get unique gifts for the holidays. It is FREE to enter! You can also now shop online, which is incredible. The Blue Genie also opens mid-November and remains open until Christmas Eve., which means you have PLENTY of time to shop.
Because the Blue Genie has been so popular, they now do a second opening during the year around Mother’s Day.
Armadillo Christmas Bazaar
For 12 days in December, nearly 200 local artists take over the Palmer Events center with INCREDIBLE art. I was expecting a craft fair, but this was way more than that. The art that was displayed was one-of-a-kind, incredibly impressive, and affordable. It was a perfect opportunity to get a handcrafted piece of art from a local artist in an approachable way. The art ranged from woodworking, leather goods, paintings, and drawings, to clothing design, ceramics, classic “Austin Themed” goodies, and even sculpture.
You did have to pay to enter the bazaar ($10 per person). I received 4 free tickets for my family and me to experience the show. Parking at the Palmer Event Center was $8. If you know you’re going to do a lot of your shopping at the bazaar, you can purchase a season pass for $50, which allows you to enter as many days as you want. If you’re a City of Austin employee, you can visit the bazaar on opening day for free! In addition to shopping, there’s a concession stand, pop-up bar, and live music from a central stage each day!
Some of the more unique stalls featured hand-drawn maps of famous cities, polished crystals and gemstones, and light fixtures that doubled as steampunk-style sculpture pieces. I also managed to find a baby Yoda coozie for Brian. I’d highly recommend starting your Christmas shopping here next year. Have a few people in mind, know what they like, then see if you can find something that is really them. Not only will you be supporting local artists, but you’ll be giving a one-of-a-kind piece of art your loved one will cherish.
More Winter Coziness
“A Christmas Carol” at ZACH Theatre
NOTE: This write up is from when I first saw the play in 2019, so it’s a bit dated with the actors names and such. BUT, the play is still running and I’m sure it’s as fun as ever.
I have to admit – I was not looking forward to going to the play. I’m a school administrator and, as anyone in education knows, the stretch between late September and Thanksgiving is BRUTAL. So when I made it home from school on Friday, FINALLY on Thanksgiving break, the last thing I wanted to do was go to a play. Honestly, I was really worried about falling asleep – it was just “A Christmas Carol” after all.
Fast forward to 10:30pm. I’m HYPED, talking furiously with Brian about how it was NOT what I expected, waiting for “our favorite” actor (because we have a favorite actor at this point) to come out so we can meet him. “Are we theatre people now? How do we become theatre people?” Asks Brian, excitedly.
Let me explain how we got here. The full write up is HERE.
Teal House Coffee & Bakery
My families tradition is cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning. When I was growing up, we at the Pilsbury rolls from the can (so nostalgic, I love them). As we’ve grown, moved, and started new family traditions, one thing has remained the same – someone HAS to bring cinnamon rolls.
In Austin, the best cinnamon rolls I’ve found come from Teal House Coffee & Bakery. OH. MY. GOSH. I cannot recommend their cinnamon rolls enough. You can visit one of their locations for fresh rolls, or, you can preorder their frozen rolls to bake later. I was a little nervous to try their frozen ones, but they did not dissapoint. We set them out to rise for about 3 hours, then popped them in the oven for about 10 minutes and voila! Incredible cinnamon rolls that are so easy to travel with! I guarantee you’ll be your family’s favorite 🙂
