Ho ho ho! The holiday season is OFFICIALLY here. Celebrating and creating traditions doesn’t have to cost you a thang–Austin is hosting plenty of magic around the city for FREE! Here are 20 Free & Festive Things To Do in Austin This Season. *Adds to Google Calendar*
Season’s Greetings Selfie Wall- Now – Dec. 27 Domain NORTHSIDE – next to YETI-Season’s Greetings! Take a selfie at the all-new holiday selfie wall! Located on Palm Way, across from the Lawn, near YETI.
Bass Pro Shop-Now – December 24-Round Rock- They really know how to serve some Christmas spirit. The decoration display is gorgeous, the kiddos always love to visit the fish, and their Santa ROCKS! There’s a reservation system which cuts down on wait times- make sure to use it!
Selfies With Santa- November 25- December 24- Select Days-Hill Country Galleria allows families to visit Santa inside his Workshop and take their own photos for free!
Domain NORTHSIDE Holiday Tree Light Show- NOW – Dec. 25-Times Vary- across from Apple- Stop by the NORTHSIDE holiday tree and enjoy a beautiful holiday tree light show every hour on the hour – Saturdays are 12 to 9 p.m., Sundays from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday are 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Christmas Eve & Day from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. The Holiday Tree is located next to The Lawn, across the street from Apple.
Letters to Santa-Nov. 20 – Dec. 24 Domain NORTHSIDE – next to Culinary Dropout Need to get your list to Santa Claus? Visit the NORTHSIDE Santa House between Culinary Dropout and Valencia’s Tex-Mex! Drop off your Letters to Santa from Sunday, Nov. 20 through Dec. 24. For every Letter to Santa submitted, NORTHSIDE will donate $1 to The SAFE Alliance. The SAFE Alliance exists to stop abuse for everyone by serving the survivors of child abuse, sexual assault, trafficking, and domestic violence.
Blue Genie Art Bazaar is November 18 – December 24, 2022 from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. (10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve). 6100 Airport Blvd., Austin– Free to browse but you’ll want to make sure to bring some spending money to get your holiday shopping done!
Johnson City Lights – November 25- January 8- 101 E Pecan Dr, Johnson City. A light display so massive and magical NASA reported seeing it from the International Space Station! Pro Tip: Park by the courthouse!
Annual Georgetown Christmas Stroll-December 2nd from 5-9p & December 3rd 10a-8p- Downtown Georgetown- Enjoy the annual Parade is on Saturday at 10 a.m., shopping, live manger, Santa photos, dessert with the Grinch, and more!
Light Up the Lake- Fri. Dec 2nd and Sat. Dec. 3rd, 2022- 6-9:30- Old Settlers Park- The annual Light Up the Lake holiday festival features giant balloons hovering over Bright Lake, amazing light show, LIVE music, holiday displays, holiday food and refreshments, crafts, family activities, yule log and more!
Downtown Holiday Stroll and Capitol Tree Lighting-December 3-5-10pm- Celebrate downtown Austin with live music, carolS singing, and the official tree lighting.
The Pfestival of Lights and Christmas Parade-December 3- 4 p.m.
Heritage Park in Cedar Park Tree Lighting Ceremony-December 2- 6:30-9:30–Games, crafts, photos with Santa, yule fire, live music, inflatables, food and SNOW!
Lakeway Trail of Lights– December 2 through January 2, 2023 from 6:00- midnight. Access the trail from the lower level of the parking lot at the Lakeway Activity Center (105 Cross Creek) or by parking behind City Hall (1102 Lohman’s Crossing at the corner of Lohman’s and Sailmaster). Handicapped and stroller access is available from City Hall by following the sidewalk nearest the dumpster cage, around the building to the back. There is no charge to park or to attend. Trail is self-guided. There are no vendors or attendants on site.
37th Street Lights- December 9- New Years- Locally known since the 80s, 37th Street Lights creates some of the weirdest displays in the city. From giant dinosaurs, to the stuffed animal petting zoo, to a Santa disco party, these are not your ordinary holiday displays! Come see for yourself! DONATIONS ARE NEEDED! Find out more here.
Merry & Bright- December 9- 6-8pm- Aldrich Street (Mueller)- Live music, holiday photo ops, light displays, cotton candy, and alpacas!
Kendra Scott Holiday Events- South Congress Flagship Store- RSVP Here!
Austin Trail of Lights--Zilker Park- TOL is back IN-PERSON this year and FREE on these select nights: December 8, 9, 11, 13, 14, 15, & 18 (General Admission only)
Tuba Christmas -December 23- Noon- 200 musicians performing traditional Christmas music on the south steps of the Texas Capitol Building.
We hope these 20 Free & Festive Things To Do in Austin This Season bring you joy! Click here for more holiday happenings.
