December Curated: Austin’s Top 10 Events This Month
Don't miss the dazzling light shows, seasonal sing-alongs, cherished traditions, live music & more merriment this December
Austin is aglow with holiday sparkle and merriment this December! There are plentiful events happening throughout the city to delight all ages. Choose from live music, dazzling light displays, seasonal sing-alongs, cherished holiday traditions, and much more! Here are our picks for some can’t-miss plans to add to your social calendar this month.
Luminations
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Cener
now through Jan. 6
Stroll through nearly two miles of the Wildflower Center’s grounds to wander through pretty nature-themed light displays. In our opinion, Luminations is even better than ever this year, and features some new light installations. It’s a great outing for the family or for a fun date night. Enjoy plenty of great food and a cash bar, as well. Be sure to get your tickets in advance.
A Christmas Carol
ZACH Theatre
Now through December 31
There’s very good reason that A Christmas Carol has sold out for the past four years at ZACH Theatre. It’s truly one of our most favorite holiday traditions! Full of lively pop music performed by the most amazing vocalists, this show will have you bopping around your seat just trying not to sing along. (If singing is your pleasure, take note of ZACH’s new holiday show Pop!.) Not a stuffy production in the least, this adaptation of Dickens’ classic tale is such a blast. Be sure to get your tickets soon.
A Very Merry Christmas Jazz Show
Parker Jazz Club
Fridays and Saturdays from December 1 – 23
Throughout the month of December, Parker Jazz Club presents its annual A Very Merry Christmas Show, featuring the talented Parker House Band with vocalist Jennifer Johnson as they perform jazz arrangements of holiday favorites. The Ryan Davis Trio will open each show with Vince Guaraldi’s classic music from A Charlie Brown Christmas, setting the tone for a stylish and fun evening. Choose from two set times each Friday and Saturday night.
Ballet Austin’s The Nutcracker
Long Center
December 2 – 23
A perfect winter tradition for family and friends, the 61st annual production of Ballet Austin’s The Nutcracker is Austin’s longest-running live production. Guests can witness the timeless tale with mesmerizing choreography by dancers as they perform to Tchaikovsky’s magical score, staged live by the Austin Symphony Orchestra. Hurry to reserve your seats because tickets are limited.
Holiday Sing-Along & Downtown Stroll
11th & Congress Ave.
December 2
Gather your friends and family for the annual Holiday Sing-Along, Tree Lighting, and Downtown Stroll. Join KUT Austin, KUTX, and the Downtown Austin Alliance at this free, family-friendly event. The stroll begins at 5 p.m., featuring a holiday market with local food and artisan vendors, interactive art, live music performances, and photos with Santa. Enjoy a Kwanzaa Tribute followed by KUT and KUTX leading the crowd in singing songs of the season at 6 p.m. At 7pm, countdown to the lighting of the 45-foot holiday tree at 11th St. and Congress Ave., then enjoy a free concert by Tomar and the FCs.
Black Pumas in Concert
ACL Live at the Moody Theatre
December 3 – 6
Austin’s beloved psychedelic soul group is set to grace the stage at ACL Live at The Moody Theatre, returning to their hometown to perform for four consecutive nights. Renowned for their electrifying live performances, the Black Pumas have amassed a dedicated following, consistently selling out shows on their tours across the globe.
My Fair Lady
Bass Concert Hall
December 5-10
Boasting a score that contains such classic songs as “I Could Have Danced All Night,” “Get Me to the Church on Time,” “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly,” Broadway in Austin brings Lerner & Loewe’s My Fair Lady to Bass Concert Hall as part of its big national tour. This production was hailed by The New York Times as “Thrilling, glorious and better than it ever was. A marvelous and transformative revival.”
Austin Trail of Lights
Zilker Park
December 8-23
One of Austin’s most cherished celebrations, the 59th annual Austin Trail of Lights features millions of twinkling lights, live entertainment and delicious food. Starting Dec. 8, visitors can walk through Zilker Park to witness top attractions like a 155-foot multicolored tree, 89 additional trees and more than 70 artful light displays. There will also be theme nights, including a UT Night, Heroes Night, Movie Night and Pride Night. We recommend purchasing tickets sooner rather than later as they tend to sell out.
Weird Winter
The Blanton Museum of Art
December 9 – Jan. 6
The Blanton Museum presents Weird Winter, a new installation described as “oddly cheerful” by artist, musician, and longtime SoundSpace curator Steve Parker. Complete with brass instruments, musical snow globes, marionette-animated trees, and carols, we look forward to exploring this new installation this winter.
Rockin’ Around the Paramount
Paramount and State Theatres
All month this December
Celebrate the season by Rockin’ Around the Paramount with a slate of holiday programming. Feel the magic in the historic Paramount Theatre with live holiday music, yuletide drag, an Elf pub run, and your favorite festive films captivating stage shows, seasonal film favorites, and an epic send-off to 2023. Paramount’s live holiday music concerts, classic theater shows and yuletide drag performances throughout the season. View the full list of holiday happenings.
More Fun this December
Of course this is just a snippet of all the exciting events in store this month! As always, check out our curated calendar of events, and take note of these other fun happenings:
