Your Austin Holiday Events Guide

Spending the holidays in Austin, Texas? From annual holiday performances to over-the-top light displays, we’ve gathered our Austin Holiday Events Guide for festive happenings around the city. It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

Holiday Lights in Austin

Immerse yourself into dazzling light displays around the city! Now through January, take your pick at watching holiday lights by foot, car, or boat rentals. 

Take a walk through Zilker Park for the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on November 27, 2022. Or stroll through Field of Light at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, a stunning solar-powered lights display along a 0.75-mile walking trail.

The Annual Light Show at Mozart’s Coffee Roasters is a local favorite! Sip on piping hot cocoa and enjoy holiday treats while watching the choreographed lights along Lake Austin. For water-loving folks, enjoy Float on Boat Rentals to watch the annual Lake Travis Lighted Boat Parade on December 3, 2022.

Baby, it’s cold outside! Prefer to stay warm inside your vehicle? Drive through Peppermint Parkway for family fun at Circuit of Americas or Austin Trail of Lights at Zilker Park.

DIY Holiday Classes + Workshops

Feeling crafty? Get in the DIY spirit and with candle-making workshops at one of our favorite Austin candle studios Slow North. Or try your hand at a cake decorating or watercoloring class at The Paper + Craft Pantry. For kids and pre-teens, check out the holiday craft workshops at Austin DIY Studio. Everyone is sure to make some memorable gifts! 

Holiday Performances in Austin, Texas

Holiday performance roll call! Between December 3-23, 2022, bring the whole family to watch Ballet Austin’s 60th Annual Production of The Nutcracker accompanied by Austin Symphony Orchestra. Or enjoy new music and surprises at A Christmas Carol, a holiday musical production (November 16-December 31, 2022) presented by ZACH Theater.

Austin Holiday Market Events

Cross off your holiday shopping lists! Between November 18 – December 24, 2022, stop by the Blue Genie Art Bazaar storefront for the annual holiday art show and purchase original artisan-made gifts. 

With 400+ vendors across different weekends, Future Front Market showcases women and LGBTQ+ creatives, designers, makers and artists from Texas. Check for upcoming market dates at Ani’s Day + Night.

Active Holiday Events in Austin

Rock around the city with active events for the whole family! Enjoy ice skating on the plaza at Whole Foods flagship store on North Lamar, then grab holiday treats and a cup of hot coffee or cider inside.

Another option: the annual Austin Trail of Lights Fun Run! Walk or run this 2-mile course starting at the Zilker Holiday Tree through the colorful lights around the park. Bonus points for coming in your best holiday costumes!

For a leisurely stroll, head to Domain Northside for the Holiday Walk-Thru Photo Experience and Holiday Tree Light Show every evening through December. Be sure to stop by and see us at our Viva Day Spa + Med Spa Domain location to pick up or mail spa gift certificates for all your loved ones!

Holiday Events For the Kids

Create holly, jolly memories with the kids this year! Purchase a Gingerbread Kit from Thinkery, and build it at their Gingerbread Worshop or from home. 

If you’re close to the city, join the Downtown Austin Alliance and KUT/KUTX for their Downtown Holiday Stroll for holiday movies in Republic Square and Holiday Stroll & Sing-Along. 

You also won’t want to miss the Holiday Mini Market at Distribution Hall in East Austin. Get your holiday shopping done for mamas and minis with 60+ vendors, complimentary drinks, gift bags, and food trucks on site. 

Austin Holiday Pop-Ups

Finally, don’t miss the hotels and bars transforming their spaces into a Winter Wonderland this holiday season.

Head to The Miracle on 5th Street Holiday Pop-Up at The Roosevelt Room for an over-the-top decorations, or drop by Winter Wanderland at Austin Motel for your colorful Christmas tree photo ops. 

For festive libations, swing by East Austin to Kitty Cohen’s for their annual Hannakuh Pop-Up or Nickel City for tiki-Christmas cocktails — perfect for a Texas winter.

Relax at Viva Day Spa + Med Spa

Ready to relax from all the festivities? Restore and prioritize your self-care this holiday season with a Holiday Spa Package at any of our locations. And be sure to make your holiday gifting for further with our Holiday Gift Certificate Bonus! Purchase $500 in gift certificate and receive a complimentary $100 voucher to use at our spa or med spa. Happy Holidays!