May your days be

The Ultimate Guide To The Holidays in Austin 2024

Addie Gross Featured, Holidays

It’s time to celebrate the holidays! If you’re looking for a comprehensive guide to all the holiday events, look no further. We cover pictures with Santa, holiday events, lights displays, performances, shopping, volunteering, day trips, and even where you can cut down your own Christmas tree. This is the Ultimate Guide to the Holidays in Austin 2024!

The Ultimate Guide To The Holidays in Austin 2024

Holidays Events

Lights Displays

Here’s our list of all the best drive-through, walk-up, and neighborhood lights displays around Austin.

Where to Take Pictures With Santa

Tree Lighting Ceremonies

Breakfasts With Santa

Holiday Movies, Plays, and Performances

Ice Skating

Cut-Your-Own-Trees

Holiday Day Trips From Austin

Holiday Craft Fairs and Bazaars Around Austin

Gingerbread House Workshops Around Austin

Volunteering, Donating, and Giving Back

For days that are too cold to play outside:

where to play indoors in austin

Experience Gifts For Kids in Austin

Holiday Traditions

Free Holiday Fun in Austin:

free holiday fun in austin

Black Friday/Cyber Monday Deals

All About Santa’s Ranch

One of our favorite drive-thru lights displays in the Austin area is this family-owned light park.

37th Street Lights in Austin

This is the quirkiest, most Austin thing you can do during the holidays.

Mozart’s Coffee Lake Austin Festival of Lights

Luminations at the Wildflower Center

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Austin Fun For Kids

austinfunforkids

1,046 59,332

🙋🏼‍♀️ A guide for exploring Austin with kids 🛝 parks, hikes, restaurants, day trips, etc!

🚨 BLACK FRIDAY SALE ON THE POGO PASS ‼️

Use my code: Austinfunforkids
to get half off a @pogopass_austin_sanantonio plus an extra $5 off!!

Get free admission to the following (plus more):

Typhoon Texas Waterpark
Main Event
Thinkery Childrens Museum
Indigo Play
Austin Spurs
Texas Stars
Pinballz (laser tag)
Inflatable Wonderland
Pump It Up
Ninja Nation
Pioneer Farms
Rock Sports Arena
Neill-Cochran House Museum
San Antonio Zoo
The Witte Museum
The Buckhorn Saloon & Museum
The Rush Fun Park
Mayborn Museum
Texas Sports Hall Of Fame

Get one pass per family member if that person would have to pay admission to the places listed above.

27 0

🚨 BLACK FRIDAY SALE ON THE POGO PASS ‼️ Use my code: Austinfunforkids to get half off a @pogopass_austin_sanantonio plus an extra $5 off!! Get free admission to the following (plus more): Typhoon Texas Waterpark Main Event Thinkery Childrens Museum Indigo Play Austin Spurs Texas Stars Pinballz (laser tag) Inflatable Wonderland Pump It Up Ninja Nation Pioneer Farms Rock Sports Arena Neill-Cochran House Museum San Antonio Zoo The Witte Museum The Buckhorn Saloon & Museum The Rush Fun Park Mayborn Museum Texas Sports Hall Of Fame Get one pass per family member if that person would have to pay admission to the places listed above.

27 0

🎅🏻 SUNDAY WITH SANTA 🥞

📍 @julietitalian 701 S Main St, Georgetown

📅 Dec 1 and Dec 22

⏰ 9-10:30am, 10:30am-noon, 12-1:30pm

📸 Pictures with Santa
🥞 Breakfast buffet
🎅🏻 Fun family activities
✉️ Letters to Santa
🎄Holiday decorating
📚 Stories with Mrs Claus & elves

🎟️ Tickets are $30. Use this link to purchase:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/christmas-pajama-santa-brunch-tickets-1075213515569?aff=influencer1

🤩Show up in your favorite pajamas, enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet featuring “decorate your own pancakes,” fresh fruit, crispy bacon, and warm cocoa. 🎅🏻 Take memorable photos with Santa (digital and print options available) and join Mrs. Claus for storytime and caroling. 🎶 📚

33 2

🎅🏻 SUNDAY WITH SANTA 🥞 📍 @julietitalian 701 S Main St, Georgetown 📅 Dec 1 and Dec 22 ⏰ 9-10:30am, 10:30am-noon, 12-1:30pm 📸 Pictures with Santa 🥞 Breakfast buffet 🎅🏻 Fun family activities ✉️ Letters to Santa 🎄Holiday decorating 📚 Stories with Mrs Claus & elves 🎟️ Tickets are $30. Use this link to purchase: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/christmas-pajama-santa-brunch-tickets-1075213515569?aff=influencer1 🤩Show up in your favorite pajamas, enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet featuring “decorate your own pancakes,” fresh fruit, crispy bacon, and warm cocoa. 🎅🏻 Take memorable photos with Santa (digital and print options available) and join Mrs. Claus for storytime and caroling. 🎶 📚

33 2

🎄 ZILKER HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY

📅 Sunday, December 1, 2024

⏰ 5:15pm: Austin Civic Wind Ensemble

6pm: Tree Lighting Ceremony plus local entertainment, food, and live music.

📍 Zilker Park, 2100 Barton Springs Road (on the south side of the park)

🚗 Free parking on site first-come first-served. Entry suggested via eastbound Barton Springs Road.

👀 check their Facebook page for weather updates

151 7

🎄 ZILKER HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY 📅 Sunday, December 1, 2024 ⏰ 5:15pm: Austin Civic Wind Ensemble 6pm: Tree Lighting Ceremony plus local entertainment, food, and live music. 📍 Zilker Park, 2100 Barton Springs Road (on the south side of the park) 🚗 Free parking on site first-come first-served. Entry suggested via eastbound Barton Springs Road. 👀 check their Facebook page for weather updates

151 7

✨ @diagonalleyatx ✨

📍 Circle C Neighborhood (Slaughter Lane & Bungalow)

👉What you should know:

🏠 This is a house in a neighborhood! Please be respectful, careful, and aware. Drive slowly, park and walk up, and stand on the sidewalk (don’t go into their yard)!
🚗The exact address isn’t given out, but it’s very easy to find. They are right across the street from a park in the Vintage Place area.
💰 It’s free to see the lights/decorations, but consider donating to their Venmo (@diagonalleyatx). All proceeds go to local charities.
🧙They have been decorating their house to look like Hogwarts for Halloween for years and they leave everything up and switch it over to look like the Yule Ball for Christmas. They took a break last year but this is usually an annual tradition.
⏰ The lights will be on hopefully shortly after Thanksgiving (check their Instagram page @diagonalleyatx or their Facebook page for updates. The lights will be on 6-8pm weekdays and 6-9pm weekends. The lights are timed with music during certain times. The light show schedule will be announced soon but will most likely begin at dusk and go every half hour until 8pm (weekdays) or 9pm (weekends).

841 13

✨ @diagonalleyatx ✨ 📍 Circle C Neighborhood (Slaughter Lane & Bungalow) 👉What you should know: 🏠 This is a house in a neighborhood! Please be respectful, careful, and aware. Drive slowly, park and walk up, and stand on the sidewalk (don’t go into their yard)! 🚗The exact address isn’t given out, but it’s very easy to find. They are right across the street from a park in the Vintage Place area. 💰 It’s free to see the lights/decorations, but consider donating to their Venmo (@diagonalleyatx). All proceeds go to local charities. 🧙They have been decorating their house to look like Hogwarts for Halloween for years and they leave everything up and switch it over to look like the Yule Ball for Christmas. They took a break last year but this is usually an annual tradition. ⏰ The lights will be on hopefully shortly after Thanksgiving (check their Instagram page @diagonalleyatx or their Facebook page for updates. The lights will be on 6-8pm weekdays and 6-9pm weekends. The lights are timed with music during certain times. The light show schedule will be announced soon but will most likely begin at dusk and go every half hour until 8pm (weekdays) or 9pm (weekends).

841 13

🚗 PEPPERMINT PARKWAY at @cota_official opens today! 🤗

@peppermintparkway
📍 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd, Del Valle, TX

🚗 Drive the Parkway through millions of twinkling lights, animated characters, and my favorite: the inflatable Santas! 😂

🏎️Drive the REAL RACETRACK at COTA!

🎟️ $45-99

Then check out the Plaza for more holiday fun:
🎅🏻 Photos with Santa
🎡 Rides
✉️ Letters to Santa
🍪 Cookie decorating
🐐 Petting Zoo
☕️ Hot cocoa and treats
🏎️ Go karts
⛳️ Mini golf
And more!

📅 Nov 22-Dec 29

380 10

🚗 PEPPERMINT PARKWAY at @cota_official opens today! 🤗 @peppermintparkway 📍 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd, Del Valle, TX 🚗 Drive the Parkway through millions of twinkling lights, animated characters, and my favorite: the inflatable Santas! 😂 🏎️Drive the REAL RACETRACK at COTA! 🎟️ $45-99 Then check out the Plaza for more holiday fun: 🎅🏻 Photos with Santa 🎡 Rides ✉️ Letters to Santa 🍪 Cookie decorating 🐐 Petting Zoo ☕️ Hot cocoa and treats 🏎️ Go karts ⛳️ Mini golf And more! 📅 Nov 22-Dec 29

380 10

11/22
🍂Autumn Carnival @austincityparks at Virginia L Brown Rec Center 4:30-6:30pm
🎅🏻 Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s (free photo with Santa)
🎨 Arty Party at Laguna Gloria @contemporaryatx 10-11am Free!
🦖 Jurassic Jamboree Dino Fest at @sweeteatsfruitfarm 9am-6pm
⛺️ Fortlandia at @wildflowercenter 9am-4pm
🧙 @hpforbiddenforestexperience
⛸️Winter Wonderland at @thepitchaustin ice skating and activities for the whole family! North Pole Play area, meet Santa on the weekends!
🎥Finding Nemo at @skishores 7pm
🌟Luminations at @wildflowercenter opening night!
🎥 E.T. at Metz Park @austincityparks at sunset. Bring blankets & chairs! Free!
🎶 Free live music on the patio at @central_market North Lamar 6-8:30pm
🎅🏻 @santasranch 6-11pm
‌
11/23
👧Playdate in the Park at Metz Park 10am-noon
🎅🏻Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s (free photo with Santa)
🦖Jurassic Jamboree Dino Fest at @sweeteatsfruitfarm 9am-6pm
⛺️Fortlandia at @wildflowercenter 9am-4pm
🎄Grinchmas at @domainnorthside 3-6pm followed by the tree lighting
🧙 @hpforbiddenforestexperience
🎨 Fall Art Pop Up For kids at @slackersbrew 11am-noon
📚 Story Time at @bookpeople at 10:30am
📖 Free Story Time at @paperbarkbirchbooks at 11am
😂 @excusedabsencecomedy kid-friendly improv show at 11am $5 at @coldtownetheater
🎅🏻 @santasranch 6-11pm
🎉 Anniversary Party at @waysouthatx 2-6pm
😂 @csz_austin Comedy Sportz at @pinballz_lakecreek at 7:30pm
‌
11/24
🎅🏻Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s (free photo with Santa)
🦖Jurassic Jamboree Dino Fest at @sweeteatsfruitfarm 9am-6pm
⛺️Fortlandia at @wildflowercenter 9am-4pm
🧙 @hpforbiddenforestexperience
👧Kids Festival at @dreamlanddstx 12-7pm petting zoo, pony rides, face painting, bounce house & more
🎶Free live kids music at @cherrywood_coffeehouse 10am
🦖Free 4th Sunday at @texas.science.museum 1-5pm
😂Family-friendly improv show at @hideouttheatre 4pm $5
🎅🏻 @santasranch 6-10pm

88 2

11/22 🍂Autumn Carnival @austincityparks at Virginia L Brown Rec Center 4:30-6:30pm 🎅🏻 Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s (free photo with Santa) 🎨 Arty Party at Laguna Gloria @contemporaryatx 10-11am Free! 🦖 Jurassic Jamboree Dino Fest at @sweeteatsfruitfarm 9am-6pm ⛺️ Fortlandia at @wildflowercenter 9am-4pm 🧙 @hpforbiddenforestexperience ⛸️Winter Wonderland at @thepitchaustin ice skating and activities for the whole family! North Pole Play area, meet Santa on the weekends! 🎥Finding Nemo at @skishores 7pm 🌟Luminations at @wildflowercenter opening night! 🎥 E.T. at Metz Park @austincityparks at sunset. Bring blankets & chairs! Free! 🎶 Free live music on the patio at @central_market North Lamar 6-8:30pm 🎅🏻 @santasranch 6-11pm ‌ 11/23 👧Playdate in the Park at Metz Park 10am-noon 🎅🏻Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s (free photo with Santa) 🦖Jurassic Jamboree Dino Fest at @sweeteatsfruitfarm 9am-6pm ⛺️Fortlandia at @wildflowercenter 9am-4pm 🎄Grinchmas at @domainnorthside 3-6pm followed by the tree lighting 🧙 @hpforbiddenforestexperience 🎨 Fall Art Pop Up For kids at @slackersbrew 11am-noon 📚 Story Time at @bookpeople at 10:30am 📖 Free Story Time at @paperbarkbirchbooks at 11am 😂 @excusedabsencecomedy kid-friendly improv show at 11am $5 at @coldtownetheater 🎅🏻 @santasranch 6-11pm 🎉 Anniversary Party at @waysouthatx 2-6pm 😂 @csz_austin Comedy Sportz at @pinballz_lakecreek at 7:30pm ‌ 11/24 🎅🏻Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s (free photo with Santa) 🦖Jurassic Jamboree Dino Fest at @sweeteatsfruitfarm 9am-6pm ⛺️Fortlandia at @wildflowercenter 9am-4pm 🧙 @hpforbiddenforestexperience 👧Kids Festival at @dreamlanddstx 12-7pm petting zoo, pony rides, face painting, bounce house & more 🎶Free live kids music at @cherrywood_coffeehouse 10am 🦖Free 4th Sunday at @texas.science.museum 1-5pm 😂Family-friendly improv show at @hideouttheatre 4pm $5 🎅🏻 @santasranch 6-10pm

88 2

🧗‍♀️ @cruxccpflugerville @cruxcc CHECK OUT THE NEW PFLUGERVILLE LOCATION! 🤩

📍 18817 N Heatherwilde Blvd Bldg 3, Pflugerville, TX

🎟️ Kids 5 & under are $12

There’s so much for kids to do here! An entire kids section that has bouldering, a slide, a warped wall, ropes climbing/belay, and more!

I also love how welcoming they are towards kids in the adult section. My kids wanted to try some more challenging stuff out in the big area and they were encouraged to try it! There’s a helpful code system that has cute little animal faces to show the difficulty level. For example, my kids mostly stuck to the “Sloth” belays (the easiest ones).

495 16

🧗‍♀️ @cruxccpflugerville @cruxcc CHECK OUT THE NEW PFLUGERVILLE LOCATION! 🤩 📍 18817 N Heatherwilde Blvd Bldg 3, Pflugerville, TX 🎟️ Kids 5 & under are $12 There’s so much for kids to do here! An entire kids section that has bouldering, a slide, a warped wall, ropes climbing/belay, and more! I also love how welcoming they are towards kids in the adult section. My kids wanted to try some more challenging stuff out in the big area and they were encouraged to try it! There’s a helpful code system that has cute little animal faces to show the difficulty level. For example, my kids mostly stuck to the “Sloth” belays (the easiest ones).

495 16

🐠 Simar Seafood & Steak 🥩

📍 9503 Research Blvd Unit 400, Austin

@simar_atx is such an ideal place to eat out for families in Austin! Here’s why we love it:

🧸 Indoor/outdoor play area. Is it indoors? Is it outdoors? It’s both! 👏 Such a genius concept and I’ve never seen anything else like it. Perfect for patio season (right now!!!) but also hot weather or cold weather. It’s covered and indoors but also right off the patio so it’s sort of outside too? Whatever you call it, I think it’s perfect!! There’s so much to play with and it’s a large play area so even if it’s crowded there’s still plenty of room and lots to do!
🌮 Everything was delicious but my favorite hands down was the mini starter tacos 🤤
🪑 They have a gorgeous patio that’s covered so you can enjoy it almost year round.
🤩It’s a big place and would be a great spot for a large group/family gathering!
🎹 They even have a piano in the front!
🍔 Kids eat free on Sundays with the purchase of an adult meal!
🙌 Use code: TIDE10 for 10% off your total bill!!

280 6

🐠 Simar Seafood & Steak 🥩 📍 9503 Research Blvd Unit 400, Austin @simar_atx is such an ideal place to eat out for families in Austin! Here’s why we love it: 🧸 Indoor/outdoor play area. Is it indoors? Is it outdoors? It’s both! 👏 Such a genius concept and I’ve never seen anything else like it. Perfect for patio season (right now!!!) but also hot weather or cold weather. It’s covered and indoors but also right off the patio so it’s sort of outside too? Whatever you call it, I think it’s perfect!! There’s so much to play with and it’s a large play area so even if it’s crowded there’s still plenty of room and lots to do! 🌮 Everything was delicious but my favorite hands down was the mini starter tacos 🤤 🪑 They have a gorgeous patio that’s covered so you can enjoy it almost year round. 🤩It’s a big place and would be a great spot for a large group/family gathering! 🎹 They even have a piano in the front! 🍔 Kids eat free on Sundays with the purchase of an adult meal! 🙌 Use code: TIDE10 for 10% off your total bill!!

280 6