---

---

We have so much to do in the run-up to Christmas! Every detail counts, from discovering the best light displays to selecting cozy bars where you can soak in the festive atmosphere. Here's a holiday roadmap to help navigate this busy season.

Dazzling Holiday Light Displays: A Luminous Wonderland Awaits

Every day, Austin, recognized as the most festive city in the country for three years in a row, is decked out with more and more string lights. They can be found everywhere, in the most unexpected variations, serving as a reminder that the holiday season is approaching.

Viewing the 155-foot-tall Zilker Holiday Tree, displayed from December 1 to January 1 and composed of 39 streamers adorned with 81 multicolored LED bulbs — totaling 3,309 lights — is a beloved tradition among must-have Christmas things to do in Austin. In the exact location, the Trail of Lights, powered by H-E-B, celebrates its 60th anniversary, illuminating Zilker Park with 2 million lights and 90 lighted trees until December 23.

This year, Mozart's Lake Austin Festival of Lights celebrates its fourth decade with a festive holiday market featuring wooden chalets, engaging activities, and treats, all under a million twinkling lights. The 5½-week festival includes live entertainment, along with new experiences like boat cruises, guided donut boat rides, and private "Euro igloos" for up to 10 guests. Immerse yourself in the magic of winter nights at Luminations, where nature and art unite in a breathtaking light display across Austin's Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Gardens.

Sip and Celebrate: Discover Festive Holiday-Themed Bars

When winter holidays are nigh, every dining establishment seeks to align with the festive spirit, transforming both their interiors and exteriors to set themselves apart from the competition and evoke the best sensations.

Right after Twisted Carnival, the Gibson Street Bar on Lamar Boulevard turns into Winter Wonderglam, serving specially-themed drinks and providing festive merchandise to create a memorable Holiday Eve and Christmas. Open from noon until 2 a.m., Nickel City on East 11th Street is a tiki pop-up Christmas bar Austin that turns the Halloween-decorated Moe's Tavern into an incredible Sippin' Santa to definitely get you and your beloved ones into the holiday spirit.

Lala's Little Nugget on Justin Lane is adorned with Christmas decorations year-round, promising a maximum lively celebration in anticipation of everyone's favorite holiday with a special winter menu and Jolly Hour. Geraldine's at Hotel Van Zandt, located off Rainey Street, is once more converting their pool deck into a limited-time pop-up giant snow igloo to create an unforgettable experience.

Read more: Holiday Eats & Treats in Austin: Places to Dine In & Take Out

Holiday Performances: Exciting Things to Do in Austin in December

Dance recitals, concerts, theatrical plays, and other performances take on a unique charm right from the start of the holiday season, enabling every Christmas passion hunter to discover something that resonates with their interests.

A Christmas Carol, running through December 29 at the Topfer Theatre within ZACH Theatre on South Lamar Boulevard, is a two-hour Broadway musical adaptation of the beloved Charles Dickens masterpiece directed by Dave Steakley. Austin's premier holiday tradition returns by popular demand and marks ten years of joy with a unique creative journey to breathe new life into Victorian allure and fresh music accompaniment.

Equally thrilling is the iconic Nutcracker at the North Austin Ballet Theatre, inviting everyone to "waltz into the winter season" with the remarkable 62nd annual production of this timeless rivalry with the Mouse King. A hilarious Holly Joliday adaptation of the adventures of siblings Judy and Stink Moody at the Scottish Rite Theatre is one of the best places for Christmas vacation for little angels, filled with delightful surprises. The annual La Pastorela by Teatro Vivo promises an unforgettable experience celebrating Latino culture from December 6th to 14th.

Things to Do for Christmas: Visit the Tree Farms First

The winter season is incomplete without a Christmas tree! However, when the question of purchasing this iconic holiday symbol, which brings a unique vibe to every home, arises, it can often catch you by surprise.

Putting this task at the top of things to do in Austin in December, locals can turn to Holiday and Harvest, offering premium Nordman Fir, Douglas Fir, and Noble Fir at four locations, along with delivery, installation, and end-of-season removal. Located at the corner of San Gabriel and North Lamar, the Optimist Club, with more than 4,000 New Year trees, has maintained a sales fundraiser tradition for decades, with the proceeds benefiting local youth charities.

Montana Fresh Christmas Trees on Burnet Road presents an impressive selection of premium, freshly cut evergreens cultivated in Montana, including Douglas, Fraser, Grand, Noble, and Nordman Fir. Colorful Christmas Trees, located at 9600 US-290, greets guests every day from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. with a wide selection of beauties, featuring Noble and Douglas Firs, available in 12 colors to suit every taste.

Festive Flicks: Enjoy Holiday Movie Screenings Across Austin

Watching winter-set and Christmas-themed movies on cozy winter evenings becomes a cherished ritual as the holidays approach, evoking nostalgia and warm emotions. Nevertheless, gathering together to enjoy favorite stories in a specific place at a set time enhances the atmosphere even more.

The Rockin' Around the Paramount is one of those Christmas events in Austin that simply cannot be missed. The historic Paramount Theatre on Congress Ave presents a package of events and entertainment, featuring a screening of Home Alone on December 10th, The Muppet Christmas Carol on the 12th, and other holiday treasures. The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema has prepared a lively movie party package themed around favorites like National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Gremlins, The Polar Express, and Elf.

And where would we be without our green favorite causing mischief here and there? The Christian Brothers Automotive in Lakeway will host a free family-friendly Drive-In Movie Night, screening How the Grinch Stole Christmas at 7 p.m., right after A Charlie Brown Christmas. Tim Burton's celebrated work, The Nightmare Before Christmas, will be screened on December 17 at the Long Center, featuring dialogue and effects, accompanied by Danny Elfman's enigmatic music played live by the Austin Symphony Orchestra.

Read more: Austin and Out of Town Holiday Fun and Events

Local Shopping: Discover Unique Gifts at Holiday Markets

During the winter holiday season, shopping boils at full speed. Armed with a list of Christmas things to do in Austin, people head to the bustling Christmas markets in search of gifts, decorations, and New Year specialties, enjoying the buzzing pre-holiday atmosphere.

From December 14th to the 23rd, the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar's Austin Winter Arts Fest will celebrate its 19th anniversary at the Palmer Events Center. This 10-day event features over 200 artists and 30 live music bands, creating a vibrant atmosphere filled with fine art, handmade gifts, and plenty of inspiration to reinvigorate your creativity.

No less vibrant emotions can be found at the Blue Genie Art Bazaar, offering a shop-in-store available until December 24th on Airport Boulevard, showcasing an impressive holiday collection of handmade masterpieces by various artists and artisans. Every year, the historic German Free School on East 11th Street becomes a German-Texan Christmas Market, featuring authentic decorations, kid-friendly activities, and unique items for sale.

Read more: Austin Holiday Markets and Shopping

On the eve of the holidays, it's essential to consider where to cut New Year's evergreens, feel the magic of dazzling light displays, discover themed cocktail bars, catch movie screenings, and enjoy various performances. But don't worry! With this guide to things to do for Christmas, preparing for the festive season will be a true pleasure.

---