The Holiday Season, Austin-Style: December 2026 Events in Austin for Adults

Jump To: December 4 – 6 | December 11 – 13 | December 18 – 20 | December 25 – 27 

The holiday season is here, and Austin is buzzing with excitement. This December, the city’s calendar is packed with a mix of holiday shows, thrilling outdoor light adventures, and plenty of fun spring activities. Read on to discover your next great adventure!

This month’s highlights include the The Light Park Austin, Ballet Austin’s The Nutcracker, and more.

Everything is grouped by date range with quick summaries to help you scan and plan.

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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.

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Events in Austin for Adults – December 4 – 6, 2026

Light Up the Lake – Celebrate the season at Round Rock’s two-night Light Up the Lake festival where giant balloons hover over Bright Lake and dazzling light shows illuminate the grounds. Enjoy live music, festive displays, holiday treats, crafts, family activities and a cozy yule log gathering.

Light the Night Christmas Parade – See more than 150 dazzling floats light up Fredericksburg’s historic Main Street during this beloved holiday parade. Then visit the AfterGlow at Marktplatz for food, drinks, holiday music and kids’ activities before wrapping up the evening with free photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Peppermint Platz.

Shiner Holiday Village – Head to Blumenthal Farms for a festive village of tasting huts where you can sample Shiner favorites and discover seasonal pours with a Tasting Passport. 

Arthritis Foundation Jingle Bell Run – Lace up for this festive run in Cedar Park, featuring timed and untimed 5K options, a Kid Zone, holiday games and awards. Every dollar raised supports Central Texans living with arthritis.

For King & Country in concert – Celebrate the hope and joy of Christmas as For King & Country brings its A Drummer Boy Christmas Tour to Cedar Park.

Buena Vista Social Club – Travel to the heart of Havana through this musical inspired by true events and the Grammy Award-winning Buena Vista Social Club album.

Koe Wetzel and Parker McCollum in concert – Catch Texas country favorites Koe Wetzel and Parker McCollum in Round Rock on The Naughty or Nice Tour, joined by Jackson Wendell and Logan Jahnke.

ACL Live presents Ben Schwartz & Friends – Get ready for an unpredictable night of comedy as actor and comedian Ben Schwartz brings his Ben Schwartz & Friends improv show to Austin joined by talented improvisers from Los Angeles.

Flamenco India – Discover the shared history and rhythms connecting Indian music and Spain’s Romani flamenco tradition in a performance that brings dancers and musicians from both lineages together.

Bricks in the Wall – Pink Floyd Tribute Live at Haute Spot – Catch Bricks in the Wall bringing Pink Floyd’s music to life at Haute Spot in Cedar Park. Doors open at 6 p.m., with the headliner scheduled for 9:15 p.m.

JD McPherson – SOCKS: A Rock N’ Roll Christmas Tour with special guest Melissa Carper – Get a rock ’n’ roll spin on the holidays when singer-songwriter JD McPherson brings his eighth annual SOCKS Christmas tour to Austin, with special guest Melissa Carper.

Downtown Holiday Stroll & Tree Lighting – Kick off the season at Downtown Austin’s 31st Annual Tree Lighting, Sing-Along and Stroll. Browse artisan vendors, grab a bite from food trucks, snap photos with Santa and join the community in welcoming the holidays.

German-Texan Christmas Market – Experience an authentic German Christmas market. Sip German Glühwein, browse holiday gifts and enjoy kid-friendly activities, with St. Nick roaming the market to hand out presents.

Austin Trail of Lights Fun Run – Run or walk an untimed two-mile course through the glowing Austin Trail of Lights at Zilker Park. You’ll receive a long-sleeve shirt, race bib, cocoa or beer for guests 21 and older, Finish Line Festival admission, free photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and early access to select North Pole attractions.

Beat Root Revival’s 4th Annual Christmas Cracker – Celebrate the season with Beat Root Revival, the roots duo of Andrea Magee and Ben Jones, whose sound blends folk, blues, country and rock with rich harmonies.

Bastrop’s River of Lights – Take a festive stroll along Bastrop’s half-mile June Hill Pape Riverwalk, transformed into a twinkling holiday wonderland with hundreds of themed light displays beside the Colorado River.

A Victorian Christmas Carol – Experience Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol in an intimate, historically informed production exploring the story’s themes of love, loss and redemption. Set inside Pioneer Farms’ Wessels Dance Hall, the adaptation features live period music played on authentic instruments and Victorian-inspired snacks.

Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!) – When two actors refuse to perform A Christmas Carol yet again, they decide to tackle every Christmas story they can remember instead, setting off a rapid-fire comedy packed with holiday characters and chaos. Expect classics from The Grinch Who Stole Christmas to Frosty the Snowman to life with wild costumes.

Winter Wonderettes – Enjoy a candy-colored holiday musical packed with close harmonies, matching cardigans and cheerful doo-wop flair as four talented performers race to save the Harper’s Hardware Holiday Party after Santa goes missing.

Mozart’s Festival of Lights – Watch millions of lights sparkle across Lake Austin at this festive holiday spectacle, featuring live Nutcracker storytelling, a dramatic fire battle between the Nutcracker Prince and Mouse King, and sing-alongs on giant LED screens.

The Light Park – Austin – Returning for its third Austin season, this dazzling drive-through show features glowing tunnels, towering light displays and larger-than-life Christmas scenes along the route.

Ballet Austin’s 64th annual production of The Nutcracker – Make the season magical with Ballet Austin’s 64th annual The Nutcracker at the Long Center for the Performing Arts.

Blue Genie Art Bazaar – Find thoughtful holiday gifts at Austin’s beloved Blue Genie Art Bazaar, returning for its 26th year with work from more than 200 regional artists. Browse handmade jewelry, original artwork, home goods and more while supporting local creators at this family-friendly shopping event.

A Christmas Carol Catastrophe! – Watch a ragtag troupe of performers scramble to stage the most profound and moving production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol while facing a double-booked venue, a stage manager performing double duty as Bob Cratchit, and a missing Scrooge actor.

A Sherlock Carol – Follow Sherlock Holmes as he investigates the death of Ebenezer Scrooge in A Sherlock Carol, a witty and suspenseful mash-up where the Great Detective, haunted by ghosts and convinced his detecting days are over, must solve one Dickens of a mystery.

The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show – Enjoy a full dinner while a hilarious murder mystery unfolds around you, with actors secretly blending in among the guests.

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Events in Austin for Adults – December 11 – 13, 2026

Graham Reynolds Ruins the Holidays – Trade traditional holiday melodies for musical mayhem when composer and bandleader Graham Reynolds returns to Rollins Studio Theatre for the ninth edition of Ruin the Holidays. Joined by his big band and special guests, Reynolds puts a raucous, minor-key spin on seasonal favorites for a delightfully chaotic night.

Jingle Bell Run 5K – Kick off your day with a festive run for all ages and fitness levels. Wear your favorite holiday gear and join the fun, with prizes and awards for finishers and top racers.

Tyla in concert – See Tyla live in Austin as she brings music from her new album, APop*, to the stage.

Lost Pines Christmas Lighted Parade – Watch Bastrop’s Main Street glow with more than 150 festive entries, including illuminated floats, fire trucks, vintage cars, unicycles, dancing Honey Bears and Santa himself. The parade begins around 6 p.m. at dusk.

Billy Strings in concert – Catch Billy Strings live in Austin and hear the acclaimed musician bring his distinctive bluegrass sound to the stage.

Armadillo Christmas Bazaar – Shop art, gifts and local creations while enjoying live music at Austin’s longtime Armadillo Christmas Bazaar. Explore 44,000 square feet of temporary galleries and shops, grab food from Southside Flying Pizza, enjoy a drink and catch the action at the festival’s intimate music stage, with the annual National String Off Competition adding to the fun.

‘Tis the Season Holiday Market – Find one-of-a-kind handmade gifts at this seventh annual holiday shopping event, featuring more than 30 local vendors.

5th Annual Barbette Bash: Cirque Du Barbette – Enjoy an unforgettable night of drag, aerial artistry, burlesque and circus performances led by RuPaul’s Drag Race star Cynthia Lee Fontaine as ringmaster. The show honors pioneering Texas drag artist Barbette while celebrating LGBTQ+ history and supporting scholarships for emerging artists.

Annual Festival of Trees – Soak up the holiday spirit as you stroll past beautifully decorated trees, sip hot chocolate, make holiday crafts, roast s’mores, browse vendor booths, and snap photos with festive inflatables. 

Austin Holiday Market – Shop more than 100 makers at Markets for Makers’ Austin Holiday Market where you’ll find unique gifts from small businesses alongside tasty snacks and themed photo walls.

Candlelight: Tribute to Florence + the Machine – Hear Florence + the Machine’s biggest songs reimagined by the Listeso String Quartet at a candlelit concert. Enjoy string arrangements of favorites such as “Dog Days Are Over,” “Shake It Out,” “Cosmic Love” and “Never Let Me Go.”

Candlelight: Tribute to Juan Luis Guerra – Enjoy the music of Dominican singer-songwriter Juan Luis Guerra in an intimate, candlelit setting. the Listeso String Quartet will bring beloved songs such as “Bachata Rosa,” “Burbujas de Amor,” “La Bilirrubina” and “Ojalá que Llueva Café” to life.

Distant Worlds: music from FINAL FANTASY – Experience the music of the beloved FINAL FANTASY video game series in Distant Worlds, the official symphonic concert produced by AWR Music Productions.

Joy and Light: Delights of the Season – Celebrate the season through centuries of holiday music with the Texas Early Music Project’s annual concert, featuring singers and instrumentalists performing a rich mix of traditions from medieval chant and magnificent motets to Celtic songs.

A Charlie Brown Christmas at Bass Concert Hall – Enjoy a beloved holiday tradition in its new home at UT Austin’s Bass Concert Hall. Arrive early to soak up the festive lobby atmosphere, where you can meet Snoopy and pick up drinks and snacks before the show.

Bastrop’s River of Lights – Take a festive stroll along Bastrop’s half-mile June Hill Pape Riverwalk, transformed into a twinkling holiday wonderland with hundreds of themed light displays beside the Colorado River.

A Victorian Christmas Carol – Experience Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol in an intimate, historically informed production exploring the story’s themes of love, loss and redemption. Set inside Pioneer Farms’ Wessels Dance Hall, the adaptation features live period music played on authentic instruments and Victorian-inspired snacks.

Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!) – When two actors refuse to perform A Christmas Carol yet again, they decide to tackle every Christmas story they can remember instead, setting off a rapid-fire comedy packed with holiday characters and chaos. Expect classics from The Grinch Who Stole Christmas to Frosty the Snowman to come to life with wild costumes.

Winter Wonderettes – Enjoy a candy-colored holiday musical packed with close harmonies, matching cardigans and cheerful doo-wop flair as four talented performers race to save the Harper’s Hardware Holiday Party after Santa goes missing.

Austin Trail of Lights – Experience one of Central Texas’s most beloved holiday traditions as more than two million lights, glowing trees and festive displays transform Zilker Park. Enjoy food trucks, rides, live music and photos with Santa, or book a holiday party space for a festive gathering in the heart of Austin.

Mozart’s Festival of Lights – Watch millions of lights sparkle across Lake Austin at this festive holiday spectacle, featuring live Nutcracker storytelling, a dramatic fire battle between the Nutcracker Prince and Mouse King, and sing-alongs on giant LED screens.

The Light Park – Austin – Returning for its third Austin season, this dazzling drive-through show features glowing tunnels, towering light displays and larger-than-life Christmas scenes along the route.

Ballet Austin’s 64th annual production of The Nutcracker – Make the season magical with Ballet Austin’s 64th annual The Nutcracker at the Long Center for the Performing Arts.

A Christmas Carol Catastrophe! – Watch a ragtag troupe of performers scramble to stage the most profound and moving production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol while facing a double-booked venue, a stage manager performing double duty as Bob Cratchit, and a missing Scrooge actor.

A Sherlock Carol – Follow Sherlock Holmes as he investigates the death of Ebenezer Scrooge in A Sherlock Carol, a witty and suspenseful mash-up where the Great Detective, haunted by ghosts and convinced his detecting days are over, must solve one Dickens of a mystery.

The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show – Enjoy a full dinner while a hilarious murder mystery unfolds around you, with actors secretly blending in among the guests.

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Events in Austin for Adults – December 18 – 20, 2026

Candy Cane Course – Add some festive fun to your fitness routine at Bodies Race Company’s Candy Cane Course, where you can receive a custom medal and designer race shirt.

A Drag Queen Christmas – Celebrate the holidays with glamour, comedy and show-stopping performances at A Drag Queen Christmas, hosted by Nina West. The long-running drag tour features Myki Meeks, Nini Coco, Darlene Mitchell, Juicy Love Dion, Discord Addams, Crystal Methyd and Silky Ganache.

Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings – Let a string quartet bring your favorite Christmas carols to life at St. David’s Episcopal Church, surrounded by the warm glow of thousands of candles. Enjoy seasonal favorites such as “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” “Angels from the Realms of Glory” and “Angels We Have Heard on High.”

Candlelight: Christmas Classics – Settle into a cozy, candlelit concert filled with beloved Christmas classics, from timeless carols to festive seasonal favorites.

Glenn Miller Orchestra: In the Christmas Mood – Get into the holiday swing with the Glenn Miller Orchestra as its musicians and singers give seasonal favorites a signature big-band sound. Enjoy classics such as “White Christmas,” “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Jingle Bells,” alongside timeless hits including “Moonlight Serenade,” “In the Mood” and “Chattanooga Choo Choo.”

The Mutt-Cracker (Sweet!) – Give The Nutcracker a playful canine twist in The Mutt-Cracker (Sweet!), starring rescue dogs Firefly, Dragonfly and Coyote alongside puppy Butterfly in her debut. Led by Darren Peterson, the talented pups share the spotlight with juggling, unicycling and dog-training antics.

Bastrop’s River of Lights – Take a festive stroll along Bastrop’s half-mile June Hill Pape Riverwalk, transformed into a twinkling holiday wonderland with hundreds of themed light displays beside the Colorado River.

A Victorian Christmas Carol – Experience Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol in an intimate, historically informed production exploring the story’s themes of love, loss, and redemption. Set inside Pioneer Farms’ Wessels Dance Hall, the adaptation features live period music played on authentic instruments and Victorian-inspired snacks.

Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!) – When two actors refuse to perform A Christmas Carol yet again, they decide to tackle every Christmas story they can remember instead, setting off a rapid-fire comedy packed with holiday characters and chaos. Expect classics from The Grinch Who Stole Christmas to Frosty the Snowman to life with wild costumes.

Winter Wonderettes – Enjoy a candy-colored holiday musical packed with close harmonies, matching cardigans and cheerful doo-wop flair as four talented performers race to save the Harper’s Hardware Holiday Party after Santa goes missing.

Armadillo Christmas Bazaar – Shop art, gifts, and local creations while enjoying live music at Austin’s longtime Armadillo Christmas Bazaar. Explore 44,000 square feet of temporary galleries and shops, grab food from Southside Flying Pizza, enjoy a drink, and catch the action at the festival’s intimate music stage, with the annual National String Off Competition adding to the fun.

Austin Trail of Lights – Experience one of Central Texas’s most beloved holiday traditions as more than two million lights, glowing trees and festive displays transform Zilker Park. Enjoy food trucks, rides, live music, and photos with Santa, or book a holiday party space for a festive gathering in the heart of Austin.

Mozart’s Festival of Lights – Watch millions of lights sparkle across Lake Austin at this festive holiday spectacle, featuring live Nutcracker storytelling, a dramatic fire battle between the Nutcracker Prince and Mouse King, and sing-alongs on giant LED screens.

The Light Park – Austin – Returning for its third Austin season, this dazzling drive-through show features glowing tunnels, towering light displays and larger-than-life Christmas scenes along the route.

Ballet Austin’s 64th annual production of The Nutcracker – Make the season magical with Ballet Austin’s 64th annual The Nutcracker at the Long Center for the Performing Arts.

A Christmas Carol Catastrophe! – Watch a ragtag troupe of performers scramble to stage the most profound and moving production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol while facing a double-booked venue, a stage manager performing double duty as Bob Cratchit, and a missing Scrooge actor.

A Sherlock Carol – Follow Sherlock Holmes as he investigates the death of Ebenezer Scrooge in A Sherlock Carol, a witty and suspenseful mash-up where the Great Detective, haunted by ghosts and convinced his detecting days are over, must solve one Dickens of a mystery.

The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show – Enjoy a full dinner while a hilarious murder mystery unfolds around you, with actors secretly blending in among the guests.

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Events in Austin for Adults – December 25 – 27, 2026

Austin Spurs vs Stockton Kings – Catch the Austin Spurs, the San Antonio Spurs’ NBA G League affiliate, in action at H-E-B Center in Cedar Park as they face the Stockton Kings.

The Mutt-Cracker (Sweet!) – Give The Nutcracker a playful canine twist in The Mutt-Cracker (Sweet!), starring rescue dogs Firefly, Dragonfly and Coyote alongside puppy Butterfly in her debut. Led by Darren Peterson, the talented pups share the spotlight with juggling, unicycling and dog-training antics.

Bastrop’s River of Lights – Take a festive stroll along Bastrop’s half-mile June Hill Pape Riverwalk, transformed into a twinkling holiday wonderland with hundreds of themed light displays beside the Colorado River.

Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!) – When two actors refuse to perform A Christmas Carol yet again, they decide to tackle every Christmas story they can remember instead, setting off a rapid-fire comedy packed with holiday characters and chaos. Expect classics from The Grinch Who Stole Christmas to Frosty the Snowman to life with wild costumes.

Mozart’s Festival of Lights – Watch millions of lights sparkle across Lake Austin at this festive holiday spectacle, featuring live Nutcracker storytelling, a dramatic fire battle between the Nutcracker Prince and Mouse King, and sing-alongs on giant LED screens.

The Light Park – Austin – Returning for its third Austin season, this dazzling drive-through show features glowing tunnels, towering light displays and larger-than-life Christmas scenes along the route.

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Still craving more ways to have fun? Don’t miss our updated roundup of Things To Do in Austin This Weekend to see what’s happening around the city right now.