Your guide for events and things to do in the Central Texas region throughout the vacation season












Nov. 17-Dec. 23
Relish a photo op with vacation attractions and hear carolers
Domain Northside hosts several holiday-themed attractions design by local firm Ion Art. Attractions include a 10-foot-tall Willie Nelson nutcracker, a cowboy Santa and an armadillo snowman. On November. 17-18 and November. 24-25, the kickoff 100 guests will have an opportunity accept a professional person photo with an Airstream sleigh. Groups tin can also preregister for a time here.

Carolers perform Nov. 23-25 and Dec. 22-23 from apex-ii p.k. and five-7 p.m. Other performances include:


  • Nov. 21, 6 p.m.: Cedar Park High School Choir

  • Nov. 28, 6 p.m.: Bridge Point Elementary School Chorale

  • Dec. 5, 6 p.one thousand.: Austin Suzuki Music School String Operation, McCallum High School Jazz Band

  • Dec. 12, 6 p.m.: Valley View Elementary School Chorale, Lamar Middle School Jazz Ring

  • Dec. 19, noon and 6 p.m.: Canyon Ridge Heart Schoolhouse Junior Varsity Choir, The Lamar Fiddlers

Free. Domain Northside Lawn at Rock Rose Avenue and Domain Boulevard. www.domainnorthside.com/events



Nov. 23
Elgin Christmas Tree Farm begins sales and hayrides
Upon arrival customers take a hayride out to the fields, where they can select their tree and cut it down. Hours vary. $11/tree human foot. Every bit the flavor progresses, tree prices will become down. 120 Natures Manner, Elgin. 512-281-5016.
www.elginchristmastreefarm.com



Dec. 1
Carol through Austin and terminate at The Country Capitol

The Holiday Sing-Along & Downtown Stroll has crafts, a petting zoo and food trucks. five-10 p.grand. Tree lighting at 7 p.m. Free. Congress Avenue between Ninth and 11th streets, Austin. 512-469-1766. www.downtownaustin.com/holidays













Dec. 1
Skate with Santa Claus
Chaparral Ice hosts its almanac Santa Skate event featuring photo opportunities with Santa Claus, Christmas music, hot chocolate and a raffle. $15 (includes skate rental). Noon-3 p.m. Chaparral Ice, 2525 W. Anderson Lane, Austin.
512-252-8500. www.chaparralice.com













Dec. 6-ix
Walk through luminaries at the Wildflower Center
The center'southward annual winter upshot, Luminations, includes non-holiday themed luminaries, music and events. six-nine p.chiliad. $fifteen. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Ave., Austin. 512-232-0100. www.wildflower.org



December. vii
Hear Norman Brown perform Christmas tunes

Titled "A Joyous Christmas," Grammy Honor-winning jazz musician Norman Brown will perform two evening shows at the One Earth Theatre. 7 p.m. and 9:thirty p.m. $35-$108. I World Theatre, 7701 Bee Caves Route, Austin. 512- 330-9500. www.oneworldtheatre.org













Dec. 7-23
Gloat the season at 'The Nutcracker'

The score for Ballet Austin'south 56th product of the evidence is performed alive by the Austin Symphony Orchestra. Times vary. $24-$89. Long Heart for the Performing Arts, 701 W. Riverside Bulldoze. 512-476-9151. www.balletaustin.org



December. viii
Listen to a Christmas a cappella functioning

A Cappella Unlimited and A Cappella Texas host a Christmas show at Due south Austin's Bethany Lutheran Church. Treats, raffles and prizes are available. 2 p.one thousand. $20. Bethany Lutheran Church, 3701 Due west. Slaughter Lane, Austin. 512-931-4653. www.acappellaunlimited.org



Dec. 9
Attend a Hanukkah party with sweetness Israeli treats

Congregation Beth El hosts a family-friendly community Hanukkah political party consummate with a menorah lighting, live music, face painting and food, including sufganiot, or Israeli doughnuts. 4-6 p.m. Free. 8902 Mesa Drive, Austin.
512-231-0266. www.betheltx.org



Dec. 13-14
Catch a baroque choral performance at a church

Hear Handel's Messiah at Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church and St. Louis Cosmic Chapel. 7:30 p.one thousand. $ten-$45. Westlake Hills Presbyterian: 7127 Bee Caves Road, Austin. 512-327-1116. St. Louis Catholic: 7601 Burnet Route, Austin.
512-454-0384. world wide web.ensembleviii.org



Dec. xv
Relish a sensory-friendly Christmas celebration

Alive Oak Unitarian Universalist Church hosts sensory-friendly effect, in a calming environment for children with and without disabilities. 10 a.yard.-two p.yard. Free. 3315 El Salido Parkway, Cedar Park.
512-219-9008. www.selfieswithsanta.org













Dec. 29-31
Band in the new twelvemonth with Willie Nelson and friends

Austin Metropolis Limits Live at The Moody Theater hosts country music fable Willie Nelson and invitee Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real. 8 p.m. Prices vary. 310 Willie Nelson Blvd., Austin. 512-225-7999. www.acl-live.com













Dec. 29-31
Attend a Christmas performance with a rock 'n' curlicue twist and lite show

The Trans-Siberian Orchestra performs a special light show and original programme, "Ghosts of Christmas Eve." 8-11 p.thousand. $46-$90. 1701 Cherry River St., Austin.
512-477-6060. www.uterwincenter.com













5 holiday races to run


  1. Nov. 22: ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot
    The upshot features a timed and untimed v-mile run, a 1-mile walk and a Kids G. Subsequently the race, participants tin enjoy snacks, children's activities and live music. $12-$43. Start times 8:45-9:50 a.one thousand. Long Center for the Performing Arts, 701 W. Riverside Drive, Austin. www.thundercloud.com/event-info

  2. Dec. 1: Austin Trail of Lights Fun Run
    The 2.1-mile course starts at the Zilker Holiday Tree and winds through the Austin Trail of Lights, ending with a celebration in the center of Zilker Park. The festival features a DJ, trip the light fantastic toe political party, ferris bike, carousel rides, nutrient trucks, drinks and more. $20-$75. Staggered commencement times: 6 p.grand. and vii:xxx p.m. Zilker Park, 2100 Barton Springs Road, Austin. www.austintrailoflights.org/2018-fun-run

  3. Dec. 9: Austin Jingle Bong 5K
    Participants can walk or run the 5K distance with jingle bells fastened to their vesture. Santa will exist in attendance. $10-$40. 8 a.m. The Domain, 11410 Century Oaks Terrace, Austin. world wide web.austinjinglebell.com

  4. Dec. 16: Jingle Bell Run
    Participants wear holiday costumes and tie jingle bells to their shoelaces for the annual 5K and 1K race. A timed and untimed option is bachelor. The upshot also includes a costume competition, food, beer, prizes and an awards anniversary. $40. 2:30 p.1000. Camp Mabry, 200 W. 35 St., Austin. https://events.arthritis.org

  5. Dec. 30: Rockin' Resolution Race closes out 2018
    The second-annual Rockin' Resolution Race offers options including a Kids K, 5K and 10- and 20- mile runs. 7:30 a.m. $10-$80. One-time Settler's Park, 3300 E. Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock. www.facebook.com/austinrrrace














5 places to encounter holiday lights


  1. November. 17-January. one: See the Northern Lights at Domain Northside
    The shopping commune has lights and photograph opportunities for the holiday season. Free. www.domainnorthside.com

  2. November. 23-January. 1: Come across Georgetown Square illuminated with lights
    Georgetown Square features nightly holiday lights. Free. The Square, 103 W. Seventh St., Georgetown. 800-436-8696. https://visit.georgetown.org

  3. Nov. 23-Jan. half dozen: Visit Johnson Metropolis'due south Lights Spectacular
    Many buildings rave decorative lights. Gratuitous. Locations vary. 830-868-7684. world wide web.johnsoncitytexas.info/lights-spectacular

  4. Nov. 25-December. 31: The holiday tree on display at Zilker Park
    The 155-human foot-alpine Zilker Vacation Tree is decorated with a total of 3,309 lights. 6 p.thousand.-midnight. Complimentary. Zilker Park, 2100 Barton Springs Road, Austin. www.austintexas.gov/zilkerholidaytree

  5. Dec. 10-23: Stroll the Trail of Lights at Zilker Park
    The Trail of Lights features more than xl displays, 2 million lights and food trucks. 7-10 p.m. Free entry on Dec. 10-thirteen,17-19; $3 general admission other nights. Zilker Park, 2100 Barton Springs Route, Austin. www.austintrailoflights.org














five markets for vacation gifts


  1. November. 23-Dec. 24: Shop at the Blue Genie Art Bazaar
    Open up daily from Blackness Friday to Christmas Eve, the boutique features local gifts and art. x a.m.-10 p.chiliad. (ten a.one thousand.-6 p.chiliad. on Dec. 24). Free. 6100 Airdrome Blvd., Austin. 512-222-7303. www.bluegenieartbazaar.com

  2. December. one: Award German language heritage at German-Texan Christmas market
    Shop for authentic German-Texan gifts. xi a.chiliad.-5 p.m. Free. 507 Due east. 10th St., Austin. 512-467-4569. world wide web.germantexans.org

  3. Dec. 1-ii: Enjoy a holiday artisan market place and show
    The Redbud Artisan Market has handmade craft. 10 a.m.-5 p.g. Dec. ane, xi a.m.-4 p.k. Dec. 2. $i. 1042 Issue Center Drive, Dripping Springs. 512-660-3328

  4. Dec. 8: Sip on beers at brewery vacation market place
    At Flying Man Brewing Co.'south Just Me Holidaze Fine art On Tap Pop-Upwards Market, drink arts and crafts beer while shopping. three-eight p.m. Costless. 2400 Patterson Industrial Bulldoze, Pflugerville. 512-910-4099. world wide web.flyingmanbrewing.com

  5. Dec. 13-24: Peruse almanac Armadillo Christmas Bazaar
    Savor shopping and live music. 11 a.thou.-10 p.grand. Admission varies. 900 Barton Springs Route, Austin.
    512-447-1605. www.armadillobazaar.com