Austin Highlights: Dec. 15 To 18 – Food, Music, Arts & More

Last Updated On – 14th December, 2025

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The best free and fun events in Austin, December 15 – 18, include the Ballet Afrique’s Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite, The Ghosts of Christmas Eve: The Best of TSO, and more!

Austin turns up the energy long before the weekend hits, and this list rounds up the can’t-miss events keeping the city buzzing all week long. Explore what’s happening from December 15 – 18 and keep your weekdays packed with Austin’s signature spirit and creativity!

Continue the fun into the weekend with our guide to Things to Do in Austin this Weekend! Published every Monday and updated throughout the week!

Editor’s Note: Our staff works hard to bring you the latest information. However, all information mentioned in this article is subject to change. As always, please confirm before heading out.

Free and Fun Events in Austin this Monday, December 15, 2025

He Rules The World

Step into an unforgettable holiday evening with He Rules The World. When you reserve your seat, you’ll enjoy a triple-feature celebration that brings together The Nativity Rock Opera, The Nutcracker Reading with a Christmas Carol Sing-Along, and The Fire & Water Show in one spectacular night.

Showtimes start at 6:30 PM and 8:30 PM, and limited tickets are available, so you’ll want to secure your spot for this immersive holiday experience.

Where: Mozart’s Coffee Roasters, 3825 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703
When: Monday, December 15 – 20, 2025
How Much: Starts at $45

Ballet Afrique presents Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite

Watch Austin’s only Black-owned en pointe dance company bring the classic story of The Nutcracker to life through the energy, rhythm, and style of Harlem’s jazz era.

You’ll see a 2025 cast led by standout artists from Austin’s Black community, including Jermaine and Jahmaal Dumes of Cajjun Eats as the Rat King and the Nutcracker, along with powerhouse vocalist Tameka Jones in the role of Mother Ginger.

Where: The Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701
When: Monday, December 15, 2025 | 7 pm
How Much: Starts at $52.17

Pink Martini All-Stars present A Season of Stars

Image credit: aclive

Enjoy a sparkling night of music with A Season of Stars with the Pink Martini All-Stars. You’ll hear three of the band’s favorite longtime collaborators take the stage, performing a lively blend of classic pop, big band swing, and old Hollywood flair.

Where: Austin City Limits Live (ACL Live & 3TEN ACL Live), 310 W Willie Nelson Blvd, Austin, TX 78701
When: Monday, December 15, 2025 | 8 pm
How Much: Not stated

Free and Fun Events in Austin this Tuesday, December 16, 2025

A Live Conversation with Chevy Chase following a screening of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

Celebrate the holidays with a special screening of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, followed by a live conversation with Chevy Chase and his wife, Jayni. You’ll hear behind-the-scenes stories, personal anecdotes, and insights into how this beloved classic became a holiday tradition.

The night gets even more engaging with an audience Q&A, giving you the chance to ask Chevy about his legendary career, from SNL to Caddyshack and beyond. For a truly memorable experience, a limited number of VIP tickets offer a post-show photo opportunity with Chevy himself.

Where: Bass Concert Hall, 2350 Robert Dedman Dr, Austin, TX 78712
When: Tuesday, December 16, 2025
How Much: Starts at $58.20

Ballet Austin: The Nutcracker

Image credit: Anne Marie Bloodgood Ballet Austin

Ballet Austin presents its 63rd annual production of The Nutcracker, a holiday tradition brimming with magic and wonder.

Follow Clara from a festive holiday party to the shimmering Land of Sweets, where she meets the dazzling Sugar Plum Fairy and the brave Nutcracker Prince.

Where: The Long Center for the Performing Arts, 701 W Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78704
When: Tuesday, December 16 – 23, 2025
How Much: Starts at $25

Free and Fun Events in Austin this Wednesday, December 17, 2025

DAC Nights: Winter Wonderland

Step into a cozy, creative evening at DAC Nights: Winter Wonderland, where you’ll bring a Texas-style winter to life using custom paint-by-number kits, adding snowy peaks, glowing cabins, and frosty landscapes with your own personal touch.

Hot chocolate in hand, you can relax, sip, and enjoy the process—no matter your skill level—while creating your very own winter masterpiece in a warm, festive atmosphere.

Where: Dougherty Arts Center, 1110 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
When: Wednesday, December 17, 2025 | 7 pm
How Much: Free

Ventana Ballet presents Frostbite: The Witch Who Melted Winter

Image credit: Ventana Ballet

Ventana Ballet invites you into Frostbite: The Witch Who Melted Winter, an immersive holiday adventure full of magic, mischief, and laughter. The mischievous witch sets out to take control of the season, sending guests on a journey from the eerie Undead Woods to the sparkling realm of Winterland.

Along the way, you’ll encounter enchanting characters like Señor Snow, the Polar Bear, the Ice Unicorn, and a lively flock of penguins. Every moment blends comedy, charm, and winter wonder, creating a festive experience that surprises and delights at every turn.

Where: East Side Performing Arts, 979 Springdale Rd Ste 815, Austin, TX 78702
When: Wednesday, December 17 – 21, 2025
How Much: Starts at $20

Austin Symphony Orchestra presents Home Alone in Concert

The Austin Symphony Orchestra brings the magic of Home Alone to life with a live performance of John Williams’ iconic score.

On screen, Macaulay Culkin stars as Kevin McCallister, the clever 8-year-old left behind when his family heads off for Christmas vacation, who must hilariously outsmart two bumbling burglars.

Experience every comedic twist and holiday moment amplified by the full orchestra, turning this beloved film into an unforgettable live cinematic event.

Where: The Long Center for the Performing Arts, 701 W Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78704
When: Wednesday, December 17, 2025 | 7:30 pm
How Much: Starts at $34

Free and Fun Events in Austin this Thursday, December 18, 2025

Murray & Peter present A Drag Queen Christmas

Image credit: Murray and Peter

Get ready to celebrate the holidays with A Drag Queen Christmas, hosted by the fabulous Nina West.

This legendary, long-running drag tour lights up the stage with glitter, laughs, and holiday cheer withOnya Nurve, Shea Couleé, Jewels Sparkles, Crystal Methyd, Suzie Toot, Brooke Lynn Hytes, and Lydia B. Kollins bringing unforgettable performances, dazzling costumes, and festive flair.

Where: Austin City Limits Live (ACL Live & 3TEN ACL Live), 310 W Willie Nelson Blvd, Austin, TX 78701
When: Thursday, December 18, 2025 | 7:30 pm
How Much: Starts at $45

Trans-Siberian Orchestra presents The Ghosts of Christmas Eve: The Best of TSO and More

Feel the holiday magic come alive with Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s The Ghosts of Christmas Eve: The Best of TSO and More. And experience TSO’s signature fusion of rock, classical, and theatrical spectacle, complete with dazzling pyrotechnics, lasers, and unforgettable storytelling.

The night opens with a fresh production of their beloved The Ghosts of Christmas Eve, then continues with a special set of fan-favorite hits, including a 25th anniversary salute to Beethoven’s Last Night.

Where: Moody Center, 2001 Robert Dedman Dr, Austin, TX 78712
When: Thursday, December 18, 2025 | 7 pm
How Much: Starts at $59

Already planning your days off? Browse our latest picks for Friday through Sunday in Austin — concerts, food festivals, date ideas, and more await!

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Lacey Morris

Lacey is a freelancer and Austin local who’s always on the hunt for new restaurants to try, fun activities to do, and local events to attend. She loves sharing her discoveries with others through her writing and hopes her work encourages both visitors and locals to be active in the community. When she’s not writing, you can find her exploring one of the city’s many hiking trails with her Blue Heeler, Oreo, getting lost in a good book, or dancing the night away to some house or techno beats at one of her favorite rave spots.