The Original and Only Locally Owned Ghost Tour!
Two-Step Night, Saturday, November 8 at 7 – 10 PM. Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park. Presented in partnership with Native Texan Two Step.
Y’all come on out for a boot-scootin’ good time at Waterloo Park! Get ready for an evening of interactive two-step lessons for all levels set to a lively country western playlist, followed by a live band to keep the dance floor moving. Whether you’re a seasoned two-stepper or a first-time dancer, all are invited to enjoy twirling the night away at Waterloo Park! https://waterloogreenway.org/events/two-step-night-2
Texas Book Festival, 11/8/25 – 11/9/25, Texas State Capitol Grounds
The Texas Book Festival has evolved into one of the premier literary events in the country and hosts about 250 authors each year. Join in with other bookworms for readings, panel discussions, signings, cooking demonstrations, live music, local food, YA authors, children’s activities and more.
Panic at the Paramount Presents: Evil Dead in Concert, Sunday, November 9, 2025, Doors: 6pm, Show: 7pm The Paramount Theatre https://www.austintheatre.org/events/panic/
The 50th Annual Garage & Estate Sale, November 5 & 7-9, 2025 at the Palmer Events Center, https://www.settlementhome.org/garage-sale/
15th annual Texas Tribune Festival, Nov. 13–15 in downtown Austin. Discover how big, bold ideas take shape; meet decision-makers; and get inspired to bring your own ideas to life. TribFest isn’t just another political event — it’s an up-close look at how big, bold ideas are made reality. Step inside the conversations shaping the future of education, the economy, health care, energy, technology, public safety, culture and the arts — with those driving decisions in Texas and across the nation.
https://festival.texastribune.org/
Blue Genie Art Bazaar, 11/14/25 – 12/24/25. Blue Genie Art Bazaar
The Blue Genie Art Bazaar is a fixture of the Austin holiday season. With in-person and virtual shopping alternatives, shoppers can browse thousands of original works ranging from serious art to fun and kitschy items. A great way to buy hassle-free holiday gifts and support local artists.
Miracle on 5th Street, 11/14/25 – 12/28/25, The Eleanor. Miracle is a Christmas-themed pop-up cocktail bar that serves holiday cocktails in the most festive and nostalgic setting in the city. Featuring wall-to-wall Christmas decor, multiple bars, cheery social experiences and a whole lot of Christmas spirits.
Panda Fest, November 14 – 16, 2025, Republic Square, 422 Guadalupe St, Austin, Get ready for a vibrant cultural experience at Panda Fest Austin 2025, a major outdoor Asian food and culture festival. Come hungry because there will be over 40 Asian food vendors serving more than 100 authentic street food dishes and fusion bites. After you get your fill, you can explore the marketplace with unique artisan crafts and panda-themed products. Beyond those, get ready for a full schedule of live entertainment and interactive fun. Enjoy captivating cultural performances, including thrilling lion dances and exciting K-pop showcases. You can even try your hand at traditional arts like calligraphy and sugar painting. Be sure to check out the panda attractions, featuring a giant 15-foot inflatable, themed games, and panda face painting. $14 – $25 https://www.pandafests.com
Austin Studio Tour, Second weekend Nov 15–16, 12:00pm – 6:00pm Daily. A FREE CITY-WIDE CELEBRATION OF ART. Since 2003, the Austin Studio Tour has connected artists with art lovers, weaving a strong foundation of community. We first joined the tour in 2016, and it has led to unforgettable memories, lasting friendships and the confidence to fully commit to our creative practice.
Texas Craft Brewers Festival, 11/15/25, Fiesta Gardens. The Texas Craft Brewers Festival brings together small and independent breweries from around the state of Texas. Taking place in the beautiful Fiesta Gardens outdoor space right on Lady Bird Lake, visitors can expect attendance from more than 70 breweries and a variety of local food vendors.
Celebrate Opera! A Birthday Celebration, November 15-16, The Long Center. For their 40th birthday, Austin Opera is gifting our town with arias, ensemble vocals, and other music from the likes of Verdi, Puccini, Bizet, Wagner, and more. Don’t worry if you don’t know Italian, French, and German; translated lyrics will be projected for your operatic edification. austinopera.org.
Rooftop Sessions -The Chromatic Hour, Nov 19 (Wed) 6:30–8:30P, Jones Center Roof Deck (700 Congress Ave.)Celebrate the fall season with The Contemporary Austin on November 19 (Wed)! Gather with friends and community on the Moody Rooftop at the Jones Center for an evening filled with great vibes and a stunning city view. While you’re here, don’t miss the chance to explore our current exhibitions: The Canvas Can Do Miracles, Teddy Sandoval and the Butch Gardens School of Art, and HOST: Raul De Lara.
Inspired by the vibrant, high-energy, and colorful spirit of The Canvas Can Do Miracles exhibition, expect a lively event filled with art, music, and friends. Local band J’cuuzi will bring the rooftop to life with a special live performance from 7–8pm. Doors open at 6:30pm, so make sure to get here early! https://thecontemporaryaustin.org/event/rooftop-sessions-11/
A Christmas Affair, 11/19/25 – 11/23/25, Palmer Event Center. A Christmas Affair is a five-day holiday market benefiting The Junior League of Austin. The annual event hosts 200+ retail merchants and attracts 25,000+ patrons. As a new tradition started in 2020, The Junior League of Austin has also launched A Christmas Affair Virtual Marketplace.
Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, November 21 – December 21, TexARTS New Facility. Greet the winter season with this charming Christmas classic featuring dazzling dances, lovely costumes, and plenty of yuletide cheer. tex-arts.org/events.
University of Texas Football – UT vs Arkansas Nov 22 (Sat) Flex (2:30-3:30 p.m. or 5-7 p.m. CT) D.K.R. Memorial Stadium. Cheer on the University of Texas Longhorns at one of their home games at D.K.R. Texas Memorial Stadium on select Saturdays from September to November. For the first year ever, the Longhorns will compete in the Southeastern Conference(SEC), and go head-to-head with some of the top teams in the country.
Austin Powwow, November 22, Travis County Expo Center. Presented by the Native American Cultural Center, this gathering of over 400 Native dancers, arts & crafts vendors, and food booths returns to once again promote traditional knowledge and encourage cultural appreciation. austinpowwow.net.
The Front Market: Fall 2025 Season, Nov 22, 2025 – Nov 23, 2025 WATERLOO PARK (WATERLOO GREENWAY), 150+ artists, makers, craftspeople and small business owners 11 AM to 5 PM each day, Amplifying women & LGBTQ+ creatives. Rain or shine
As always, we’ll be open from 11 AM to 5 PM on November 22 and 23, with an outdoor exhibition and fair, featuring 150+ independent craftspeople, creatives, small business owners, designers & makers across the Texas South.
100% family-friendly. Dog-friendly. Human-friendly. Open-air. Nonprofit-run. Free to the public.
SHOP SMALL. SUSTAIN LOCAL. SHOW UP. https://thefrontmarket.com/
Lake Austin Festival of Lights, Starts November 22, Mozart’s Coffee Roasters. Mozart’s goes all-out for this annual tradition, with displays featuring over a million twinkling lights to gawk at, live entertainment, and a holiday market to browse before taking a boat ride on the lake. mozartscoffee.com.
Austin Empty Bowl Project – November 24, Central Texas Food Bank
(6500 Metropolis Dr). This beloved yearly tradition returns — mark your calendar to join us for a day of handcrafted ceramics, tasty soup, live music, and fun for the whole family. The Austin Empty Bowl Project is an effort by Austin area potters to fight hunger. Always the Sunday before Thanksgiving, this annual event donates all proceeds to Kids Cafe, a program of the Central Texas Food Bank, and Meals for Kids, a program of Meals on Wheels Central Texas. Take the bowl home with you to remind you that others have empty bowls.
Potters from all over Central Texas donate bowls of all sizes, shapes, and colors. Thirty restaurants and bakeries donate delicious soups and breads, while musicians donate their time and talent to entertain us. Then, on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, friends and families come together to purchase a bowl for $30, have it filled with soup, and enjoy the music. The bowl is yours to keep, as a reminder of those whose bowls are empty. The proceeds go to Meals on Wheels Central Texas’ Meals for Kids, and the Central Texas Food Bank to help sponsor the Kids Cafe Program. Kids Cafe provides a safe, nurturing place where children receive a hot, nutritious dinner, as well as help with homework. http://cafbtx.convio.net/site/R?i=sU7p1kmY7sXsU58xHLSFLYC7EnDtOvG67CnMXt-2Z8bKEpmYgRbCFg
ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot, November 27th, Downtown. ThunderCloud Subs’ annual 5-mile run/1-mile walk is a great way to work up a Thanksgiving-sized appetite. Compete with the best of Austin or head outside with the kids for a more relaxed holiday jog. https://thundercloud.com/event-info/
University of Texas Football – UT vs Texas A&M Nov 28 (Fri) 6:30 p.m. CT. D.K.R. Memorial Stadium. Cheer on the University of Texas Longhorns at one of their home games at D.K.R. Texas Memorial Stadium on select Saturdays from September to November. For the first year ever, the Longhorns will compete in the Southeastern Conference(SEC), and go head-to-head with some of the top teams in the country.
A Nostalgic Night With Macaulay Culkin: Home Alone 35th Anniversary, November 29, Bass Concert Hall. Catch this holiday classic about a boy, wet bandits, and a whole lotta traps on its 35th anniversary. Special for this screening, star Macaulay Culkin pops in for a moderated interview and audience Q&A. texasperformingarts.org.
December 2025
Ballet Austin’s “The Nutcracker”, 12/5/25 – 12/23/25 (select dates). Long Center for the Performing Arts. Ballet Austin will host it’s beloved holiday tradition with the 62nd annual performance of The Nutcracker. The ballet production also includes music by the Austin Symphony Orchestra. https://balletaustin.org/performances/the-nutcracker/
Luminations, Dec. 5, 2025 – Jan. 3, 2026. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (4801 La Crosse Ave.). Enjoy the natural wonder of winter in our gardens and natural areas. Featuring thousands of luminarias and seasonal delights. https://www.wildflower.org/
Downtown Holiday Stroll, 12/6/25 Congress Avenue, between Ninth Street & 11th Street. The stroll returns this December with free, family-friendly activities to celebrate the season. Visit downtown Austin for holiday festivities like the holiday shopping passport, pop-ups, appearances by Mr. & Mrs. Claus, holiday window and light displays and the signature 45-foot downtown tree. https://downtownaustin.com/holiday-stroll/
German-Texan Heritage Society Christmas Market, 12/6/25. German Free School of Austin. The German-Texan Heritage Society’s annual market offers shoppers handmade, imported crafts, decorations, ornaments and more. Browse the market, listen to traditional German Christmas music and take home Christmas Stollen made by the New World Bakery and German cookies from Silke’s German Gourmet Cookies. https://www.germantexans.org/christmas-market
Armadillo Christmas Bazaar, 12/13/25 – 12/21/25. Palmer Events Center. For 45+ seasons, the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar has been a fine art shopping destination featuring national and local award-winning artists alongside live music in a festive, lively atmosphere. This year, Armadillo Bazaar Outside will offer a multi-day shopping event with a festive, family-friendly fine-art scene. Experience a selection of curated artists with works to excite every art lover, collector, or first-time visitor; plus, live local music, surrounded by the sights of the city. https://armadillobazaar.com/
Holiday Hootenanny 2025, December 13, 2025 2:00 pm – 10:30 pm, Radio East (3504 Montopolis Dr.). Holiday Hootenanny returns for its second year on Dec. 13 at RADIO/EAST for a one-day holiday-themed music festival presented by Resound, Pooneh Presents, RADIO/EAST and KUTX. This year’s lineup includes Shannon and the Clams, Tune-Yards, Rubblebucket, Improvement Movement and more to be announced. In addition to live music, the event features DJs, a holiday vendor market, rides, games and seasonal activities. $35+
Blanton All Day: Holiday-A-Long, Saturday, December 13th, The Blanton Museum (The University of Texas at Austin, 200 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.) Join us for a full day of live music, tours and talks, family-friendly art activities, and more.Explore our ever-changing galleries and relax on the Moody Patio. Join us for a full day of live music, tours and talks, family-friendly art activities, and more.More information coming soon! All events and times subject to change. The galleries are open till 8:00 pm. Food & drink are available for purchase, and attendees are welcome to bring their own picnic to enjoy outdoors on the museum grounds. https://blantonmuseum.org/programs/blanton-all-day/
Austin’s New Year, 12/31/25. Auditorium Shores. Join the City of Austin and Visit Austin for a free and family-friendly evening as Austin welcomes the new year at Auditorium Shores. Austin’s New Year also features a night of entertainment, food trucks and beverage vendors, and a midnight fireworks show. https://www.austintexas.gov/department/austins-new-year
