December & January Calendar
Our Event Picks for December and January
Words by Alison Bryce
A Christmas Carol
November 20- December 29, times vary
The holiday tradition of A Christmas Carol is back at ZACH Theatre! With exciting new songs and cast members, this adaptation of the Dickens classic is a musical show full of fun for the entire family. Tickets are available starting at $30.
202 S. Lamar | zachtheatre.org
Community First! Village of Lights
December 6-7 and 13-14, 5:30-9pm
Explore Community First! Village as it transforms into a grand display of light shows choreographed to holiday music during its fourth annual Village of Lights. Family-friendly activities include light displays created with over 200,000 lights, Christmas movies on the big screen, shopping in the Advent Market, food, and more! Entrance into the Village of Lights is free while proceeds from the gift and concession purchases help the Community First! Village neighbors earn a dignified income.
9301 Hog Eye Rd. | mlf.org/lights
Cherrywood Art Fair
December 7-8 , 10am-5pm
Start the holiday shopping off right at the 18th annual Cherrywood Art Fair. Showcasing local artists, live music, kids activities, and food, the fair provides the perfect place to find unique, handcrafted items from Texas artists and makers. Cherrywood Art Fair is free to attend. Proceeds benefit Little Artist BIG ARTIST, Chula League’s free after school arts mentorship program.
3808 Maplewood Ave. | chulaleague.org
Trail of Lights
December 10-23, 7-10pm
Celebrate the magic of the holidays while enjoying more than 60 displays and two million twinkling lights. Soak up the season with nightly entertainment, holiday activities, and some of Austin’s favorite food trucks. Admission is free December 10-12 and 15-18, while tickets can be purchased starting at $5 for the remaining nights.
2100 Barton Springs Rd. | austintrailoflights.org
Lighted Christmas Parade
December 14, 6-8pm
Head to downtown Bastrop for their famous Lost Pines Lighted Christmas Parade to enjoy a night of holiday cheer. The parade will begin at dusk and include more than 100 decorated floats making their way down Main Street with local shops lining the path with holiday decorations on display.
921 Main St. | visitbastrop.com
Family Movie Night
December 19, 6-9pm
Grab the family for a free public screening of Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse at Austin School of Film. While the movie is the main attraction, the event will also promote different ways youth can steer away from the potential use and abuse of drugs and alcohol.
2200 Tillery St. | austinfilmschool.org
Redeemer Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols
December 24, 4:30pm & 6pm
Celebrate Christmas Eve at Redeemer Presbyterian Church with the telling of the Christmas story, carols, and songs for the season by the Redeemer Choir. The night’s festivities are patterned after the King’s College in Cambridge, England, which have held its services annually since 1918.
2111 Alexander Ave. | redeemerpres.org
All That 90s Party
January 4, 9pm-2am
Flash back to the 90s at The North Door during the All That 90s Party. With DJ Marco playing songs from the decade by artists like Janet Jackson and Prince, partygoers will enjoy a night of fun while blasting into the past. General admission tickets are $10.
502 Brushy St. | eventbrite.com
Tiny Tails Petting Zoo
January 5, 11am-1pm
See Austin’s tiny traveling petting zoo, Tiny Tails, at the Mueller Farmers Market. Children will have a unique and interactive experience by petting and holding lovable animals all while learning facts about the different species.
4550 Mueller Blvd. | texasfarmersmarket.org
12th on 12th
January 12, 4-8pm
Join the East 12th Street Merchants for an evening of specials, prizes, art, and music at 12th on 12th. Whether looking for a place to grab dinner or ready to do some shopping, 12th on 12th has a merchant for everyone. This free monthly event brings business owners along the East 12th Street Corridor together to help support the work their neighbors are doing while meeting locals in a community-centric family-friendly atmosphere.
E 12th St. | facebook.com/East12Merchants/
Photo Fantastico
January 15-17, times vary
Photo Fantastico Photography Festival combines the fun and networking of a photo retreat with a highly-creative photo scavenger hunt, done in teams of 2-4. Vying for a $1000 prize, participant teams will shoot 8 photo challenges based on clues. All images are screened at AFS Cinema the next day, with judging and awards, and boat party to follow. Tickets are $250 per team. Kick-off begins at 900 Red River.
photofantastico.com
Martin Luther King March & Festival
January 20, 9am-3:30pm
Remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the annual parade. March from the MLK statue on the UT campus to Huston-Tillotson University to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy. The festival, which starts after the march, holds a variety of vendors and local musicians the whole family can enjoy. Marchers and festival goers are encouraged to bring canned goods or non-perishable food items to be donated to the Central Texas Food Bank.
900 Chicon St. | mlkcelebration.com
The Archibald Project’s Charity Ball
January 25, 7pm
Enjoy a night of music, laughter, dinner, and drinks during The Archibald Project’s fourth annual Charity Ball. Guests will enjoy a whiskey bar, photo booth, auction, raffle, and a dueling piano bar all while raising awareness about fostering and adopting children. A film by The Archibald Project will be shared during the evening as well. Tickets start at $125.
708 San Antonio St. | thearchibaldproject.com/charityball
The Printmaker’s Ball
January 31, 7-10pm
Join Print Austin for a whimsical expo preview party. Whether wearing a mask or dressed up for a fancy Ball, guests will enjoy conversations with art vendors, an art lecture by art historian Karen Pope, silent auction, and more, all while learning about printmaking. Although the event is free, a $20 donation is suggested for all who attend.
6100 Airport Blvd. | printaustin.org
