Friday, December 7
Miracle on 34th Street Screening
5:30 – 9:00 PM | The Community Cinema at Mobile Loaves and Fishes
A free screening of Miracle on 34th Street is being shown at The Community Cinema at Mobile Loaves and Fishes. Along with the movie showing, Village of Lights, one of the biggest light displays in Texas, will be on display. The light show includes over 200,000 bulbs blinking along to festive tunes. Snacks, drinks, and a market that supports homeless artisans will be on site too.
Watercolor Dance Performance
6:00 – 8:00 PM | Buzz Mill
Dance Waterloo is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing interdisciplinary forms of dance to community spots in Austin that are often overlooked or underdeveloped. On Friday, Dec. 7, Dance Waterloo is hosting a happy hour at Buzz Mill with live music and dance performances. A watercolor painting will be in sync with the music and dance to bring all three forms of art together in support of Dance Waterloo. Tickets to the event can be purchased here.
Austin Music Video Festival
7:00 PM | Various
Nicknamed “The Live Music Capital of the World”, Austin is best known for its diverse and energetic art scene found in nearly every nook of the city. Just between Austin City Limits Music Fest and SXSW, the Austin Music Video Festival is a 5-day film festival and awards show that highlights some of this year’s best music videos. Music videos up for awards include pieces from Shakey Graves, Wild Child, The Shins, and more.
Saturday, December 8
The Austin Trail of Lights Preview Party
7:00 PM | Zilker Park
Before the park officially opens for The Trail of Lights, a preview party “Night Lights” is being hosted that allows locals to experience Austin’s second largest event before anyone else! Live music, good eats, an artisan market, and roller coaster rides will be at the party. All proceeds of tickets for the party will support Trail of Lights. Tickets for Night Lights can be purchased here.
Holiday Cookie Decorating Class
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Austin Public Library University Hills
Colorful cookies are some of the best treats to come home to during the holiday season. Whether you’re a baking pro or still using cookie dough out of the tin, a free holiday cookie baking and decorating class is being offered on Saturday, Dec. 8. Adults and children 8+ are invited to bake, decorate, and bring home their sweet holiday treats.
Luminations
6:00 PM | LBJ Wildflower Center
The annual light show at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is back and ready to be admired. With colorful light fixtures and designs embedded into the natural features, Luminations is meant to “make this a tradition- naturally!” Tickets for entry into Luminations are available here.
Sunday, December 9
Pet Photos with Santa
6:30 PM | Barton Creek Square Mall
By now, everyone’s mailboxes are filled to the brim with holiday cards and yearly update letters from friends and family all across the country. But something missing from this cards could be one thing: Pet photos! Barton Creek Square Mall is offering free Santa pictures of you and your furry family members!
Houston vs Austin BBQ Throwdown
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Friends and Allies Brewing
There’s the saying “Everything is better in Texas”, right? Well this mentality seems to cross over to the cities in Texas, as every major city in the state claims to be the best in Texas… Especially when it comes to food! Battling for the title of best BBQ city, Houston and Austin will be meeting to have their annual cook off. BBQ and drinks will be served while participants get to vote on the best plate. Tickets for the cook off can be purchased here.
Love Actually Screening
3:30 PM | Alamo Drafthouse at The Ritz
Holiday classic, Love Actually, is known for its perfect balance of romance and comedy in a film. And even better, it’s set during Christmas time! In celebration of Love Actually and the holidays being right around the corner, Alamo Drafthouse at The Ritz is hosting a screening. Fun fact: Movie posters and other trinkets will be on sale from Alamo Drafthouse to serve as the perfect gift for your film fanatic friend!
