Austin Highlights: Dec. 8 To 11 – Food, Music, Arts & More

Last Updated On – 8th December, 2025

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The best free and fun events in Austin, December 8 – 11, include the Austin Trail of Lights, Mozart’s 2025 Celtic Christmas, 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 8 – 11 and keep your weekdays packed with Austin’s signature spirit and creativity!

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 8, 2025

Grinchmas Holiday Pop Up

Step into Whoville at The Peached Tortilla Cedar Park during the Grinchmas Holiday Pop Up, where special holiday food, drinks, and decorations bring the Who’s Christmas village to life. From December 2 to 23, the pop-up runs daily alongside regular dinner service, giving you a full holiday-themed experience without missing your favorite dishes.

A snow machine, a festive menu, and a projector screening of How the Grinch Stole Christmas fill the space with cheerful energy and playful charm.

Where: The Peached Tortilla, 1915 E Whitestone Blvd, Cedar Park, TX 78613
When: Monday, December 8 – 23, 2025 | 5 pm – 9 pm
How Much: Free

Blue Genie Art Bazaar

Image credit: Blue Genie Art Bazaar

Join Austin’s beloved holiday shopping experience, the Blue Genie Art Bazaar (BGAB), as it returns for its spectacular 25th year!

You can find unique handmade jewelry, beautiful artwork, home goods, and gifts for everyone on your list, all featuring the work of more than 200 talented regional artists.

As always, BGAB offers a family-friendly, hassle-free environment where you can easily purchase holiday gifts while supporting local vendors.

Where: Blue Genie Art Bazaar, 6100 Airport Blvd, Ste C, Austin, TX 78752
When: Monday, December 8 – 24, 2025
How Much: Free

Free and Fun Events in Austin this Tuesday, December 9, 2025

Mozart’s 2025 Celtic Christmas

Image credit: Mozart’s Coffee Roasters

For six unforgettable evenings, The Loft will be transformed into a festive Irish wonderland, complete with a delicious fixed-price menu that includes hot chocolate with a twist, deep-fried Irish potato pancakes, and Irish cream cake.

You can also enjoy captivating performances by the renowned Irish ensemble Here & Now, as they bring Ireland’s rich traditions to life through soulful music, storytelling, and spoken word.

Where: Mozart’s Coffee Roasters, 3825 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703
When: Tuesday, December 9 – 11, 2025
How Much: $75

Ballet Austin: The Nutcracker

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 9 – 23, 2025
How Much: Starts at $25

Free and Fun Events in Austin this Wednesday, December 10, 2025

Lights on the Lake – a Christmas Walk Thru!

Step into a holiday wonderland at Lights on the Lake, the newest Christmas walk-through experience in Austin! Set along the beautiful shores of Lake Travis, this magical event offers stunning Christmas displays, vibrant lights, and endless festive fun for the whole family.

Stroll through enchanting light displays, capture unforgettable photos, and enjoy holiday crafts, festive drinks, and delicious food. Meet Santa on Saturdays, or visit the Grinch on open days. With cozy spots to relax, play games, and soak up the season, it’s a perfect place for a holiday hangout with friends, family, or a date.

Where: Volente Beach Waterpark, 16107 Farm to Market Rd 2769, Suite D, Leander, TX 78641
When: Wednesday, December 10, 2025 – January 4, 2026
How Much: $10 – $15

Holiday Craft Night

Join a free Community Craft Night with @atxwitheleanor and enjoy an evening of creating at Ani’s Day & Night. You can drop in at any time during the 2.5-hour session and bring your own supplies to work on your projects in a relaxed, welcoming space.

Wine and cheese boards from Spread & Cheese Co. are available for purchase, giving you something tasty to enjoy while you craft.

Where: Ani’s Day and Night, 7107 E Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78741
When: Wednesday, December 10, 2025 | 6:30 pm – 9 pm
How Much: Free

Austin Trail Of Lights

Image credit: Austin Trail of Lights

Enjoy the Austin Trail of Lights, where more than 2 million lights brighten the park with 90 lighted holiday trees and over 70 displays and tunnels.

At the center of the Trail, the North Pole features Santa’s House and Santa’s Workshop, adding a classic holiday touch to your visit. Zilker Square rounds out the experience with more food, rides, shopping, and live music, giving you plenty of activities to enjoy throughout the night.

Where: Zilker Metropolitan Park, Austin, TX 78746
When: Wednesday, December 10 – 23, 2025 | 7 pm
How Much: Starts at $10.62

Free and Fun Events in Austin this Thursday, December 11, 2025

Luminations

Image credit: Art Seen Alliance

Experience the magic of Luminations at the Wildflower Center this winter, where twinkling lights illuminate the natural beauty of the gardens. Stroll glowing paths, enjoy nightly live music, and savor hot chocolate and churros while capturing festive photo moments.

Where: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Ave, Austin, TX 78739
When: Thursday, December 11, 2025 – January 3, 2026
How Much: Free – $30

Merry Makers Market

Get ready for the second annual Merry Makers Market, hosted by Contracommon, where holiday shopping meets local artistry. This booth-style market will showcase art and handmade goods from talented Austin-area artists. It’s the perfect place to find unique gifts while supporting creative small businesses this holiday season.

Browse original paintings, prints, sculptures, jewelry, ornaments, homewares, and more from artists like Alison Lackey, Cara Jackson, Emily Tolipova, and many others.

In addition to the market, Contracommon will host a festive holiday party and Mario Kart Tournament on Saturday, December 13th, from 6 pm to 11 pm.

Where: Contracommon, 12912 Hill Country Blvd f140, Bee Cave, TX 78738
When: Thursday, December 11, 2025 – January 2, 2026
How Much: Free

Omni Austin presents 4th Annual Holiday Market

Explore the 4th Annual Holiday Market at the Omni Austin Hotel Downtown, where you can browse a wide range of local vendors and discover unique gifts for someone special.

You can find colorful jewelry from Kendra Scott, DIY craft kits from Crafty Creations, clean candles and fragrances from House of Amao, and delicate gold pieces from Harper Phinn Jewelry. Complimentary light bites and drinks, a full cash bar, live entertainment, and DIY craft stations will also be available.

A portion of all vendor proceeds supports Texas CASA and CASA of Travis County, which advocate for children in foster care and help create safe, promising futures for kids across Texas.

Where: Omni Austin Hotel Downtown, 700 San Jacinto At, E 8th St, Austin, TX 78701
When: Thursday, December 11, 2025 | 4 pm
How Much: Free

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.