Austin Events Guide: December 2024 & January 2025

Discover Austin's top annual events happening this December and January! Explore this curated list for must-see festivals and celebrations, or dive into our comprehensive Events Calendar for daily happenings.

11/15/24 - 12/29/24​
Miracle on 5th Street

Location: 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.
miracleon5thst.com

11/15/24 - 12/24/24
​Blue Genie Art Bazaar

Location: 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.
bluegenieartbazaar.com

11/22/24 - 12/29/24
​Peppermint Parkway

Location: Circuit of The Americas

Peppermint Parkway is a magical experience at Austin's Circuit of The Americas. This year, the holiday spectacular will be transformed into a one-mile driving attraction that immerses visitors in millions of holiday lights synchronized to joyful holiday classics.
peppermintparkway.com

12/6/24 - 12/23/24
​Ballet Austin's "The Nutcracker"

Location : Long Center for the Performing Arts

Ballet Austin will against 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.
balletaustin.org

12/7/24
​German-Texan Heritage Society Christmas Market

Location: 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.
germantexans.org

12/7/24
​Downtown Holiday Stroll

Location: 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.
downtownholidaystroll.com

12/10/24 - 12/23/24
​Austin Trail of Lights

Location: Zilker Park

The 60th Annual Trail of Lights is part of the essential Austin experience, lighting up the season with a celebration of community, memories and fun. Walk through this spectacular 1.25 mile trail illuminated with two million lights, 90 lighted holiday trees and more than 70 other holiday displays. Don't miss this Austin holiday tradition!
austintrailoflights.org

12/12/24 - 12/15/24 & 12/19/24 - 12/21/24
Ventana Ballet's "The Watchmaker's Song"

Location: Neill-Cochran House Museum

An Austin holiday favorite returns. The Watchmaker’s Song is a jazzy and interactive re-imagination of the classic story of the The Nutcracker. This is a Nutcracker for everyone. The Watchmaker’s Song is an immersive dance-theatre production based on the beloved ballet, The Nutcracker, performed by Ventana Ballet at the historic Neill-Cochran House Museum.
ventanaballet.com/watchmaker

12/15/24 - 12/23/24
Armadillo Christmas Bazaar

Location: 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.
armadillobazaar.com

12/31/24
​Austin's New Year

Location: 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. CNN Anchor Sara Sidner and CNN Contributor Cari Champion will be live at Austin’s countdown as part of the network's “New Year’s Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen.” Austin’s New Year also features a night of entertainment headlined by The Band of Heathens, food trucks and beverage vendors, and a midnight fireworks show.
austintexas.gov

​Driskill Grand Lobby Tree Lighting

Location: The Driskill Hotel

Gather at The Driskill hotel and watch as the Grand Lobby tree is lit, accompanied by holiday music and caroling. The historic Driskill hosts holiday events throughout the season, including Victorian holiday teas.
driskillhotel.com

Kwanzaa Celebration

Location: George Washington Carver Museum

Visit the Carver Museum's annual Kwanzaa celebration featuring CDF Austin Freedom School scholars with special guest reader Qi Dada from Riders Against the Storm, "Spirit of the Drum" featuring poet Ms. Eartha Colson, African bites, crafts and more. The event celebrates family, community, and culture. This Kwanzaa celebration is free and open to the public
austintexas.gov

January 2025 Austin Events and Festivals

11/9/24 - 1/4/25
​​Mozart’s Festival of Lights

Location: Mozart’s Coffee Roasters

At Mozart’s Coffee Roasters, sip on a steaming cup of hot chocolate while watching the shop’s dazzling lights display choreographed to lively music nightly from November through January.
​mozartscoffee.com

1/3/25 - 1/4/25
Free Week

Location: Around Austin

The first week of January might be the best time for a music fan to visit Austin. Why? Hundreds of Austin bands participate in this annual event that encompasses multiple venues all over Austin.
redriverculturaldistrict.org

1/19/25
Austin International Half

Location: Downtown Austin

Formerly the 3M Half Marathon, the Austin International Half boasts one of the fastest half marathon courses in the country. Enjoy a mostly downhill course that takes you past some of Austin’s finest locations and finishes downtown near the Texas State Capitol.
3mhalfmarathon.com

​MLK Day Festival

Location: MLK Statue on the University of Texas campus

This year, participate in the Austin-area MLK Day celebrations with The Austin Area Heritage Council. Enjoy a walk starting from the Martin Luther King Jr. statue on the University of Texas campus to the south steps of the Capitol for a rally and ending the march at the historic Huston-Tillotson University for activities and events.
mlkcelebration.com