Updated Dec 2018
This post is brought to you in collaboration with 6pm. Thank you for supporting the brands that support A Taste of Koko!
Photography by Ready Set Jet Set
Not only has the temperature dropped in Austin, we also got snow! How crazy was that?! With the cooler weather and the year coming to a close, there are so many festive events to attend in Austin. As a Texan, I don’t do well with cold weather and would be hiding at home under a mountain of blankets but there are so many activities going on.
SEE ALSO: Austin Events Calendar
I’ve been staying cozy with my new Bearpaw Koko boots from 6pm. No, I didn’t come out with my own boots but that would have been super cool! When I saw that Bearpaw had a pair of boots called Koko, I had to get them and I LOVE them. They’re super cozy and soft on the inside while stylish enough for both day and night. I’m wearing them right now in Germany where it’s 30F and my feet are still cozy and warm!
Check out my round up of the 9 top things to do in Austin this winter.
Table of Contents
ARMADILLO CHRISTMAS BAZAAR
Armadillo Bazaar is an 11-day art and music festival. Buy art, gifts for your loved ones, and listen to live music while you’re at it! There will be food from Southside Pizza and Chi’lantro and a full bar to make your time extra merry. Check out the music lineup here.
Dates: Dec. 13 – 24, 2018 from 11am – 10pm
Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Austin, TX 78704, armadillobazaar.com
TRAIL OF LIGHTS
Fun for all ages and an iconic Christmas tradition, Trail of Lights invites Austinites each year to take in more than 40 displays and 2 million lights! Trail of Lights has been an Austin tradition for 53 years and have grown to be quite an awe-inspiring production. Local food trucks will make sure you don’t go hungry as you walk through the magical displays.
Dates: December 10– 23, 2018, open from 7:00pm to 10:00pm nightly
Zilker Park, 2400 Barton Springs Rd, austintrailoflights.org
9TH ANNUAL MOZART’S LIGHT SHOW
From Hot Chocolate to Warm Treats — it’s something the whole family can enjoy together and truly feel the Christmas Spirit. This year is an on-going experience — with over one million LED lights, a giant coffee mug, and more. New this year is the Cobalt Blue Piano that will be played by pianist all season long. Mozart’s will also have a German Market in the parking lot serving warm treats as you walk in.
Dates: December 1 – January 1, 2019, except for Christmas Day, 6 – 11p
3825 Lake Austin Blvd, mozartscoffee.com
ICE SKATING ON THE ROOFTOP PLAZA AT WHOLE FOODS
For 10 dollars a person (includes skate rental), you and your family can go ice skating on the rooftop plaza at Whole Foods Market Lamar! Enjoy holiday concessions while you skate with your friends! Please double check hours of operations before you go.
Dates: Friday, Nov. 23 through Monday, Jan. 21, 2019 from 10 am – 9 pm
525 N Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX 78703, wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/lamar
COTA WINTER WONDERLAND
Circuit of The Americas created a Winter Wonderland, a magical world illuminated by millions of lights and includes a petting zoo, a skating rink, camel rides, holiday movies on the lawn, singing trees, and even a human snow globe! Food and shopping are available and they have a tunnel of lights!
Dates: December 1, 2, 6, 7*, 8, 9, 13-30 from 6PM TO 11PM Friday AND Saturdays
6PM TO 10PM Sundays – Thursday.
9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd, circuitoftheamericas.com/winter-wonderland
MIRACLE CHRISTMAS BAR
The holiday sensation “Miracle on 5th Street” is back and, believe it or not, it’s bigger, boozier and better than ever.
In addition to expanded hours and less buyouts, this year brings the miraculous addition of a third bar – a Shot Ski Lodge placed atop a ski slope serving Miracle’s much beloved Snowball Old Fashioneds, Naughty and Nice Shots, beer and wine, neat spirit shots and, for groups unafraid of going down a slippery slope, full-sized Shot Skis.
Dates: Open through Saturday, December 29, 2018
The Eleanor, 307 W. 5th St. – Unit A , theeleanoratx.com
37th Street Lights Premier
If you’re wanting to see a neighborhood lit up with Christmas lights, go to the 37th street annual Christmas Light exhibit.
Date: starts Saturday, December 8, 2018 at 7 PM – 10 PM
W 37th St, Austin, TX 78705
Horseshoe Bay Resort Winter Wonderland
Take a stroll through Horseshoe Bay Resort’s Winter Wonderland. The Winter Market will feature a uniquely curated shopping selection, including Kendra Scott, Raven + Lily, Haley LeBeuf, Colores Collective and Mustard Seed Jewelry. Guests will also enjoy a Laser Light Show, the Acapella Group Vocalibre of Texas State University, photos with Santa, letters to Santa, arts and crafts, food and beverage stations, horse-drawn carriage rides and more. Guests may view pricing and updates on the resort event calendar.
Date: Saturday, December 15th from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
200 Hi Cir N, Horseshoe Bay, TX, event link
Scream Hollow Presents: Twisted Christmas
Scream Hollow will transform into a Winter Wonderland decorated with over 30,000 LED Christmas lights with fun-filled activities for the whole family, including a live reindeer exhibit (Dec 2nd, 9th, 15th & 22nd 4-8PM) and festive holiday food and drink. Activities include making Christmas cookies, appearances by Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, a Christmas light walkthrough maze, petting zoo, 25-foot-tall double racing slide, an outdoor movie screen playing beloved Christmas classics, a Candyland bounce house, live Christmas music, holiday vendors and a real snow hill for sledding. Many favorite holiday characters, including a live elf on a shelf, will be at Twisted Christmas to take photos with the family and bring delight to kids of all ages.
Date: 4 – 8 PM Saturday & Sunday in December and the Christmas Haunts are open Friday & Saturday in December starting at 8 PM.
149 Split Rail Ln Smithville, TX, screamhollow.com/twistedchristmas
Photography by Ready Set Jet Set
