Your monthly day-by-day guide of all the best events and activities going on in and around Austin.
Everyday
Holiday Bars and Pop-Ups In Austin
It’s time to eat, drink, and be merry—emphasis on drink, it seems. Austin is going all out on holiday and Christmas-themed bars and pop-ups for 2022, and we rounded them up for ease in planning your holiday bar crawls, or for when you need a hot toddy and a big dose of Christmas cheer.
Ice Skating At The Long Center
Ice Skate this December with the best view in Austin! Enjoy a cup of cocoa & fresh popcorn, or a Hot Toddy & Christmas cookies. They will have activations by Tesla, Blue Norther, Spectrum, and the Austin Ballet. Tickets include skate rental and one hour on the ice. Reserve your spot now, otherwise walk-ups will be first come first serve and have a high chance of selling out. Children 12 and under require adult supervision. Children 5 and under require an accompanying adult skater.
December 9th
New Music Vibezzz
One part party, one part open mic night, three parts New Music Vibezzz. Density512 is throwing a blowout bash where you’ll hear a dazzling array of groundbreaking artists from Austin’s new music scene. Your admission includes entertainment, tunes, and one free drink ticket.
December 10th
Humanities Texas Holiday Book Fair
Humanities Texas will host its twelfth annual Holiday Book Fair at the historic Byrne-Reed House in Austin on Saturday, December 10th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Twenty-three Texas authors will visit with the public and sign copies of their latest books, which Humanities Texas will offer for purchase at a discounted price. Available titles include works of fiction and nonfiction, with selections for both adult and young readers.
December 11th
The Cathedral Open House + Holiday Market
Join The Cathedral for their December Open House + Holiday Market! Enjoy festive complimentary drinks and support local while shopping their 100 Gifts Under $100 shop to find something for everyone on your list. Experience Austin’s largest local women artist collective, atxGALS, in a one-of-a-kind setting to shop over 200+ original works by Austin’s emerging women artists and thousands of prints.
December 12th
ATX Short Film Showcase
The ATX Short Film Showcase is Austin’s monthly film festival. Every month, they curate 6-7 local short films, followed by a Q&A session with the filmmakers. Whether you’re interested in learning about the filmmaking process, looking to network with fellow Texas filmmakers, or just want a fun night of entertainment, come check them out!
December 13th
Cold Brew Comedy
Cold Brew Comedy is a stand up comedy show with a line up of some of the best comedians in Austin, TX, hosted at one of the city’s most loved downtown venues. Located inside the first floor of Native Hostel, there will be a full liquor and coffee bar. Tickets for show #7 are just $5 online, $10 at the door. Seating is limited so get your tickets now!
December 14th
A Drag Queen Christmas
For the 8th consecutive year, Murray & Peter present, “A Drag Queen Christmas”. Get ready for your favorite queens performing live on stage. They’ve got Winners, Fan Favorites and Miss Congeniality. VIP Meet & Greet tickets are also available. The M&G starts at 6pm. All ages welcome. The show starts at 8pm.
December 15th
Make & Take: Tamales
Make & Take: Tamales is a cooking class at Central Market where you’ll learn how to make a light and fluffy masa with guidance and options so that you can assemble fillings to your taste; and include steaming and serving suggestions. You’ll make 12 tamales and take them with you at the end of class. For ages 13 & up. Children 17 & younger must be accompanied by an adult. Each attendee must purchase a ticket.
December 16th
An Unusual Night In Austin
Join Feeld in Austin’s East 6th Street neighborhood for An Unusual Night in Austin, a pop-up performance and pub crawl as they show the city that it’s not unusual to be adored for your unique self-expression, desires, and sexuality. Whether you’re curious about alternative relationships or want to explore your desires, Feeld will connect you with like-minded humans, all looking to explore dating beyond the norm.
December 17th
Screen On The Green: The Santa Clause
Join Fareground for their monthly Screen On The Green. Bring your own blanket, and Fareground will bring the holiday fun with an assortment of seasonal concession specials from $4 happy hour drinks to popcorn and cotton candy and more!
Showtime: 6PM but pop on by earlier to reserve your spot on the green and enjoy dinner before the movie begins.
December 18th
Barre In The Park
Meanwhile Brewing is excited to offer a free Barre class alongside their friends at Barre3! Enjoy the sunshine and a guided barre workout on their soccer field. Afterwards, join them in the brewery for some beer and tacos from Pueblo Viejo. This is an all-levels Barre class.
December 19th
Vegan Meetup & Cookbook Exchange
Join ATX Vegans on Monday, December 19th for a chill meet-up and Vegan Cookbook Swap. How it works: Show up, drop off book(s) and grab a bite to eat. Make new friends or chill in the corner with your old ones, they don’t care! After about an hour, they’ll start the swap.
December 20th
Texass Queer Comedy Show
Is this show going to be awesome? Giddy-yup. Come on down to see Texass comedy — a fun ass night of horsin’ around with some of Austin’s funniest queer comedians!
December 21st
Winter Solstice Soundbath
You are invited to take a seasonal pause during this Winter Solstice Soundbath guided by Cynthia Aguillon Bernard, founder of ATX Yoga Girl at Hotel Van Zandt. They will invite in the changing season and give time for reflection during this celebration of light and the rebirth of the sun. As you prepare for this shift, you will discover that there is an immense need for slowing down, for silence and resting.
December 22nd
Power Vinyasa + Happy Hour
Power Vinyasa is an empowering movement based class where you’ll be encouraged to access balance, stability, flexibility, and vigor. Breath awareness and coordination are carried throughout the practice as the student ebbs and flows between effort and ease. Cocktails & mocktails provided after class by Tito’s Vodka and Juiced Up Smoothies ATX.
December 23rd
Holiday Dinner At Andiamo
Andiamo is celebrating the holiday season with their holiday dinner on the 23rd from 5 – 9 p.m. Join them for a 4-course dinner featuring offerings like Baked Halibut, Beef Medallions, Fried Eggplant, Pan Cotta, and more. Tickets cost $88.
December 24th
A Jewish Christmas Eve At Old Thousand
Old Thousand and JewBoy Burgers are teaming on Christmas Eve to offer a mashup menu of soy sauce and schmaltz, including traditional Jewish American and Chinese American menu items for one night only. It will be offered at Old Thousand’s 11th street location from noon to 8 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Reservations are available by calling the restaurant at 737-222-6637.
December 25th
Christmas At Nido
Spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day overlooking the city at Nido. Nido will be open on December 24th and 25th with their normal dining hours offering holiday-themed cocktails and limited-time menu specials with wine pairings. The bar at Nido will close at 10 p.m. on Christmas Day. Reservations are available here, and their patio and lounge area are open for walk-in service.
December 26th
Winter Wonderland – Last Day
Tis the season to go all out, so the Austin Motel doing exactly that during their Winter Wonderland. Have a jolly time taking in the twinkly sights and spirit of their courtyard and pool. Wander amongst the trees, grab a drink (or two), and experience Austin Motel’s Winter Wanderland December 1 – 26 with extra festive activities Thursday through Sunday.
December 27th
The Jungle Show At Antone’s
Antone’s Presents The Jungle Show starring Billy F Gibbons, Jimmie Vaughan, Mike “The Drifter” Flanigin, Sue Foley and Chris “Whipper” Layton.
December 28th
Teenage Dirtbag: Nostalgia Fueled Improv Comedy
Teenage Dirtbag explores a simpler, more hormonal time when we were all worried about our braces and who’d be in our home room. This show takes our high school experiences and gives ’em a wedgie before stuffing them in a locker. Because you’re an adult now, baby, and angst plus time equals comedy. Featuring a special guest storyteller every month and an all star selection of Austin’s funniest improvisers.
December 29th
The Jigglewatts Burlesque Revue
The Jigglewatts Burlesque Revue winds up the year in thrilling style with a dazzling and dangerous holiday burlesque murder mystery show, “The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year;” on two nights at 8:00 p.m. (doors at 7:00 p.m.) Thursday and Friday, December 29 and 30, 2022 at The Ballroom at Spider House, 2906 Fruth St. in Austin, Texas.
December 30th
Party At Independence: A Friday Night Comedy Show And Party
It’s a party and a comedy show on a Friday Night at Independence Brewing, so join some of the best comics in Austin as they go up on stage to make you laugh and leave the stage to have a good time, drink amazing beer, and party inside Austin’s best brewery.
December 31st
New Year’s Eve Dining At Honey Moon
Celebrate the New Year at Honey Moon Spirit Lounge with a special four course dinner for $95/person. There will also be suggested cocktail and wine pairings for those looking for a little something more. Enjoy seasonal cocktails and a chef curated celebratory menu. Reservations can be made online here.
New Year’s Eve Dining At Nido
Raise your glass and say goodbye to 2022 at Nido during their New Year’s Eve celebrations. Nido is offering two chef-curated seated dinners, an early seating from 5-6:30 p.m. and a later seating from 7:30-9 p.m. Their early seating features a four course prix fixe menu for $185+/person and includes a sparkling toast. Wine pairings are available for an additional $65. Nido’s 7:30 p.m. seating costs $225+/person and features a seven course prix fixe menu and a sparkling toast. Wine pairings are available for an additional $85. Reservations can be made online here.
