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29 HOLIDAY POP UPS TO GET EXCITED FOR AROUND ATX🎄 The holidays are here, and Austin is bursting with festive vibes and holiday pop-ups🎄 We’ve rounded up 29 spots to enjoy festive decor and merry cocktails! Explore this list below and let the holiday cheer begin! OPENS IN NOVEMBER Candy Land @cosmicsaltillo | 11/14-12/27 Pinkmas at @museumoficecream | Starts 11/15 @miracleon5thst at @theeleanoratx | 11/15-12/28 LatchSki @latchkeyatx | Starts 11/18 Jingle Jangle @thedeadrabbittx | 11/19-1/5 Christmas at @devilmaycareatx | 11/ 20-12/28 Yule @azulrooftop | 11/21-12/29 Winter Sol @otopiarooftop | Starts 11/22 Ice Rodeo @fsaustin | 11/22-1/5 Holiday Hideaway @zanzibaratx | Starts 11/22 Naughty or Nice @upstairsatcaroline | 11/21-12/29 Snow Much Fun @jwmarriottatx | Starts 11/23 Sippin’ Santa @nickelcitybar | 11/25-12/29 The Ugly Sweater @fairmontatx | 11/26-12/28 Winter Wonderglam @gibsonstbar | Opens 11/27 How the Grinch Stole @sunnysbackyard | Starts 11/26 The Lodge Rooftop Igloos @geraldinesatx | Open select dates 11/29-12/29 Best in Snow @tlcaustin | Starts 11/30 OPENS IN DECEMBER Rudolph’s Rooftop @leftysbrickbar | Starts 1st week of Dec Swamp Christmas @lileasyatx | 12/1-31 Holiday Extravaganza @donnsdepot | Starts 12/2 Hanukkah Pop-Up @kittycohens | 12/3-1/2 Merry Merry Marlow @marlow.bar | 12/3-29 Uptown Holiday @uptownsportsclub | Starts 12/4 @krampuscovepopup @halfstepbar | 12/4-29 Winter Wonderland @austinmotel | 12/5-22 Krampus @thecavalieratx | 12/12-24 Apres Swim @swimclubaustin | 12/15-30 YEAR ROUND CHEER @_lalaslittlenugget_ and @lalassouthpole | Year-round

30+ AUSTIN HOLIDAY BUCKET LIST IDEAS🎄 ‘Tis the season for all the holiday festivities! There are so many fun things to do around Austin during the holidays and we’ve listed out 32 of our favorite activities! Save this list or send it to a friend and start checking things off your holiday bucket list!! ​​ What are you most excited for? And what other activities do you have on your bucket list? AUSTIN BUCKET LIST 1. Visit the Zilker Tree 2. Watch your favorite holiday movie at @docsdriveeintheatre 3. Have a Hot Cocoa from @houndstoothcoffee 4. Hit the Miracle on 5th Street pop up at @theelanoratx 5. Visit the Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience 6. Get your steps in at the Thundercloud Subs Turkey Trot 7. Find the perfect tree at @papanoeltrees 8. Host a Friendsgiving or grab a thanksgiving meal from @district_kitchen 9. Indulge on all the holiday drinks at local bars + lounges 10. Browse the @armadillobazaar 11. Walk the @atxlights at Zilker Park 12. Drop by @lalaslittlenugget or @lalassouthpole for year round cheer 13. Go ice skating at the Four Seasons 14. Visit the Hanukkah pop up at @kittycohens 15. Watch the holiday light show on the water from @mozartscoffee 16. Go to the Kwanzaa Celebration at @carvermuseumatx 17. Enjoy a downtown holiday stroll 18. Cook your favorite, yummy holiday dishes 19. Hit the local, holiday markets, like @vibeartisanmarkets 20. Drive through the @peppermintparkway 21. Watch Ballet Austin perform The Nutcracker 22. Celebrate Austin’s New Year at Auditorium Shores 23. Stroll and see @37thstreetlights 24. Hit the nightlife scene the night before Thanksgiving 25. Get your house nice & festive with seasonal decorations 26. Get involved with a local charity like @thejuniorleagueaustin or @austinpetsalive 27. See at Christmas Carol at @zachtheatre 28. Indulge in all the sweet treats the holidays have to offer 29. Pick a few local spots to add to your 2025 bucket list 30. Get in on all the deals on Black Friday! 31. Ring in the New Year at @thebelmont 32. Participate in a Thanksgiving cook off + food drive with @chalmersatx

10 EVENTS TO ATTEND AUSTIN IN DECEMBER! From holiday happenings to ending the year off with a bang, here are 10 events around Austin that will help you close out the year with a fun-filled December! HARRY POTTER FORBIDDEN FOREST EXPERIENCE | 12/1-1/5 | $39+ Immerse yourself in the world of Harry Potter as you walk through the Forbidden Forest, cast spells, interact with mythical creatures + more! MOZART’S FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS | 12/1-1/4 ​​| $5 One of Austin’s beloved holiday light shows returns for another year of festive fun on the lake! BLUE GENIE ART BAZAAR | 12/1-24 | Free Browse local art and quirky treasures at Austin’s beloved Blue Genie Bazaar! DRISKILL HOTEL TREE LIGHTING | 12/6 | Free Watch the historic Driskill Hotel’s grand tree lighting, with carolers + Victorian festivities! BALLET AUSTIN’S THE NUTCRACKER | 12/6-23 | $20+ 62nd annual performance of The Nutcracker with music by the Austin Symphony Orchestra! HOLIDAY MARKET AT THE LOREN HOTEL | 12/7 | Free Shop and stroll a holiday market featuring handcrafted goods from local artisans! GERMAN-TEXAN HERITAGE SOCIETY CHRISTMAS MARKET | 12/7 ​| $8 Shop handmade gifts, try authentic German treats + more! AUSTIN TRAIL OF LIGHTS | 12/10-23 | Free Head to Zilker Park and walk through a 1.25 mile illuminated trail with more than 2 million lights + holiday displays! ARMADILLO CHRISTMAS BAZAAR | 12/14-23 | $12+ 10 day extravaganza with shopping, live music, artistic + more! AUSTIN’S NEW YEAR | 12/31 ​| Free Ring in the new year with your fellow Austinites at Auditorium Shores!

18 OF THE BEST CHINESE SPOTS IN AUSTIN As Christmas Eve approaches, there’s a delicious tradition we love partaking in - skipping the kitchen prep to enjoy Chinese food instead! From fiery Sichuan spots to cozy noodle shops, we’ve rounded up 18 authentic restaurants that’ll make your pre-holiday dining both festive and stress-free! @HOUSEOFTHREEGORGES Signature jumpin’ fish and authentic Sichuan specialties / North Austin @WUCHOWAUSTIN Upscale Sichuan dining with two locations - perfect for date night / Downtown @BAMBOOHOUSEUSA Peking duck, braised pork belly with mushroom + minced pork with long beans / North Austin @DINHOCHINESEBBQ Consistently rated as one of Austin’s best authentic Chinese restaurants / North Austin @CHINA_FAMILY Cumin beef, twice cooked pork, braised pork belly, and spicy mapo tofu are local favorites / Multiple Locations RICE BOWL CAFE Three cup chicken, orange chicken + shredded pork with Nanking sauce are must-tries / North Austin @JADERESTAURANTATX Asian fusion that incorporates Chinese, Japanese & Vietnamese flavors / Westlake Austin SICHUAN RIVER Authentic Sichuan dishes in a comfortable setting / Westgate @MALA_CHILI_AUSTIN Spicy Chinese cuisine specializing in mala flavors / Cedar Park ASIA CAFE Traditional Chinese dishes in a relaxed atmosphere / Northwest Austin CHENS NOODLE HOUSE Handmade noodles and authentic Chinese comfort food / North Austin @HUNANBISTROATX Specializing in both Sichuan and Hunan style dishes / Northwest Austin @STEAMIES_DUMPLINGS Hand-crafted authentic Chinese dumplings made with local ingredients / Central Austin @JULIESNOODLES Hand-pulled noodles with flavors similar to Lanzhou style / Central Austin @SPECIALNOODLE.TX Pan-fried soup dumplings and green bean with eggplant dish earn perfect scores / Cedar Park CHEF HONG Authentic Chinese cuisine in a casual setting / West Campus @FIRSTCHINESEBBQ Beef flat noodle with sate sauce, BBQ pork + sesame chicken are crowd pleasers / North Austin PAOS MANDARIN HOUSE Traditional Mandarin fare, with some Hunan & Cantonese options / Lakeway

9 EVENTS TO RING IN THE NEW YEAR IN AUSTIN There is officially 2 weeks left of 2024, and as we look forward to next year, the first item on our to-do list is finalizing our New Years Eve plans! From fireworks to themed bashes, these 9 events around Austin will help you ring in the New Year in style! AUSTIN’S NEW YEAR AT AUDITORIUM SHORES | Free Enjoy live music from Third Eye Blind, food trucks, and a dazzling fireworks display at midnight. BOB SCHNEIDER’S BIG SPECTACULAR NYE PARTY | $35+ Ring in the New Year at Paramount Theatre with a glamorous night of live music, chandeliers + a midnight champagne toast. DAISY LOUNGE’S GREAT GATSBY | $75 Join in for an evening filled with sparkling champagne, martinis, and an unforgettable countdown as the ball drops - festive. Gatsby dress is encouraged! EBERLY’S LAS VEGAS NYE CELEBRATION | $105 Celebrate with a Sin City-inspired night featuring casino games, rooftop views + a Chapel of Love. ELECTRIC SHUFFLE’S NYE BASH | $150 Join an electric evening with shuffleboard, passed bites, an open bar + a midnight toast. ESTHER’S FOLLIES’ “A YEAR IN REVIEW” | $60+ Laugh your way into 2025 with a comedic look back at 2024, topped with a champagne toast! LE FRENCH DISKO | Free Dance under the stars to French Synth-Pop-Disco tunes in a chic courtyard lounge at Hotel San Jose. SPEAKEASY’S NYE BASH | $75+ Party across 3 levels with live performances, DJs + a rooftop view of fireworks. THE BELMONT’S SILENT DISCO | $75+ Dance to multiple DJs with provided headphones, plus enjoy a photo booth + light bites! How are you ringing in 2025 and celebrating new years eve? Let us know in the comments!

AUSTIN’S PEPPERMINT PARKWAY IS BACK WITH SIX MILLION LIGHTS AND A TWO MILE DRIVE-THRU EXPERIENCE ✨ Get ready for the most magical holiday drive in Austin! Wind your way through millions of synchronized lights at the @peppermintparkway for an unforgettable festive experience that’s perfect for the whole family! TWO MILES OF LIGHTS Cruise through a dazzling 2-mile display of SIX MILLION lights choreographed to holiday music! Discover magical scenes around every turn, from enchanting light tunnels to towering Christmas trees, all perfectly synchronized to your favorite holiday tunes! Plus, feel like an F1 superstar with an add-on experience to drive on the actual F1 track at @circuitoftheamericas ! AN EXTRA DASH OF FESTIVE Level up your visit at Peppermint Plaza, where holiday magic comes to life! From snapping photos with Santa and his racing elves to warming up with festive treats, this winter wonderland has something for everyone. Here’s everything you can enjoy: 🏎️ COTA karting 🥂 Jingle Bar 💋 Mistletoe Kissing Booth 🛍️ Mint’s Market 🐑 Pepper’s Petting Zoo 🚂 Peppermint Express 🎡 Amusement Rides ⛳ Mini Golf HOURS + TICKETS: Open nightly through December 29th from 6:00 - 10:00 PM! Tickets start at $45 per vehicle - book online in advance to guarantee your spot! 📍9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd

POV: YOUR HOLIDAY BAKING JUST GOT EASIER THAN EVER THANKS TO SWIM CLUB’S APRES SKI POP-UP AND THEIR FESTIVE COOKIE KITS! Hold onto your baking sheets, Austin – the ultimate holiday baking hack has arrived thanks to @swimclubaustin ! Whether your kids are prepping their cookies for Santa or you’re hosting a festive girls night in, these kits are guaranteed to level up your holiday game. APRES SWIM The Apres Swim holiday pop-up at Swim Club is serving up major winter wonderland vibes this season, transforming the space into a glitzy, holiday destination that’s giving us all the fun holiday energy. This temporary holiday experience is all things vintage ski chic, complete with ski suits, a disco tree forest and a seriously adorable cookie kit that’ll make holiday baking easier than ever. COOKIES FOR SANTA MADE EASY Looking to make Santa’s cookie delivery smoother than a fresh powder run? These genius cookie kits are about to be your new holiday MVP. For just $21, you’re getting the ultimate baking experience in a cute pink box that includes 🍪 4 sugar cookies 🤍 3 festive frostings (hello, red, white, and green!) ✨ Holiday sprinkles ❄️ Marshmellows ❤️ Candy Cane Shavings Cookie kits are available at Swim Club through the end of December – so grab yours before they’re gone, Austin!

7 CHRISTMAS TREE FARMS AROUND AUSTIN🎄✨ If you’re late to the Christmas tree game, no worries! These 7 Christmas tree farms still have a great selection to choose from! Take a little trip outside of Austin to a true tree farm or visit a cheerful tree lot - you cannot go wrong! @PAPANOELTREES | Multiple Locations Papa Noel’s trees have decorated the White House three times! Check them out for some high quality Fraser Firs from North Carolina! @MONTANAFRESHATX | Crestview Find your amazing Christmas tree from this selection of premium, freshly-cut Montana grown trees! They also have a wide variety of wreaths and festive greenery! @BRUNGOT_FARMS | Cedar Park Select your Christmas tree from these freshly cut Fraser Fir trees! Or pick out one of their festive and fresh wreaths! @HOLIDAYANDHARVEST | Multiple Locations Choose your ideal tree while giving back to the local community! With every tree purchased, a donation is given to Austin Sunshine Camps! @COLORFUL_CHRISTMAS_TREES | Southwest Hills Dreaming of a unique Christmas Tree? Pick one out and choose from 12 different colors available to flock your tree! Talk about a colorful Christmas! @EVERGREENFARMSELIGN | Elgin Visit Evergreen Tree farms and choose your perfect tree! Enjoy outdoor games, a maze, nature trails and more while you’re at it! ABRAMEIT TREE FARM | Luling Abrameit is a classic tree farm with both chose-and-cut trees as well as pre-cut trees! We recommend you call before you go and ask about their availability!

IT’S THE LAST YEAR FOR ‘DIAGON ALLEY’, AN AUSTIN HOLIDAY TRADITION This Austin holiday tradition is back this year for its grand finale! Make sure to swing by Circle C before January 1st to see this insane display of wizardry! DIAGON ALLEY RIGHT HERE IN ATX For those who don’t know, this house in the Circle C neighborhood of South Austin goes all out for Christmas in a very unique way - they transform their entire lawn into Hogwarts! Complete with a full size Hogwarts Express train in their driveway and a Flying Ford Anglia stuck in the trees! Plus, be sure to check and see which nights the Leaky Cauldron serving window will be open offering hot chocolate & ‘treats from the trolley’, like Butterbeer Cupcakes! You can find updates on serving night on their Facebook page ‘Diagon Alley Austin’ or @diagonalleyatx ! The lights and display is always free but donations are accepted to support local children charities in Austin! A MAGICAL CHAPTER CLOSES Although this iconic house is back this year from its brief hiatus - it is the LAST year they will be decking out ‘Diagon Alley’ so be sure to swing by this year before it’s too late! After years of spreading holiday magic, the creators of this enchanting Hogwarts display are hanging up their wands, inviting the community to enjoy their final magical Christmas celebration while supporting local children’s charities. Don’t miss this final opportunity to see the spectacular Hogwarts-themed wonderland - the display will be up through January 1st! PORTKEY TO CIRCLE C This extraordinary display is found at the intersection of Slaughter Lane and Bungalow in South Austin’s Circle C neighborhood! This magical Hogwarts-themed holiday display is impossible to miss, once you turn into the neighborhood, you’ll see the magic directly across from the park!

THE 101 TO GIFTING EXPERIENCES IN AUSTIN AND BEYOND - FROM COOKING CLASSES, LOCAL ADVENTURES, AND MORE! If you’re still stumped on what to get your loved ones this holiday season, we’ve curated an exciting collection of the best experiences around Austin for gifts they won’t forget! ADVENTURES @laketraviszipline : Soaring through the trees, aerial obstacle courses @austinkayaktours : Kayaking, paddleboarding, boat rentals @southerntrailrides : Horseback riding experience COOKING CLASSES @foodiekidsatx : Cooking classes for kids @PricklyPearCooking : Intimate & hands-on, seasonal focus @Cozymeal : In-home cooking classes, personalized experiences DIY PRODUCTS @madeatcraft : DIY soap making workshops @slownorth : Candle crafting classes @liplab : Make your own lip gloss & cosmetics @tandyleather : Leather crafting DIY classes SELF CARE @kuyawellness : Sound baths, float therapy, IVs + more @milkandhoneyspa : Luxury spa treatments, massage, + facials @meditation_bar : Holistic wellness + sound healing @aliveandwell.health : IV therapy, infrared sauna + acupuncture @woodhousedayspa_cedarpark : Therapeutic massages + more @vivadayspa : Customized wellness experiences + couples treatments ART CLASSES @potdaddystudio : Pottery class in a dome @upstairscircus : DIY and drink studio @brushandbarrelstudio : Guided painting experiences with wine @bsclubhouse : Pottery and ceramic studio The Art Garage: Paint, pottery, glass & more

AUSTIN CONSIDERS REOPENING 6TH STREET TO WEEKEND TRAFFIC! The Austin Police Department is exploring the possibility of allowing vehicle traffic on E 6th Street during weekend nights - a significant change from decades of street closures. WHY REOPEN? Currently, 6th Street is closed to traffic on weekend nights to create a pedestrian-friendly zone. However, city officials suggest that this empty space might actually enable criminal activities, including fighting and alcohol-related violence. The proposal is part of the Sixth Street Initiative, originally approved in 2021 following a series of shootings. COMMUNITY THOUGHTS Local business owners and residents are pushing back against the proposal saying it could decrease pedestrian safety, especially given the high number of people out late at night in the area. Also noting that current closers prevent vehicular accidents and allows large crowds from popular venues on Austin’s iconic 6th. WHAT NEXT? The potential change is still in early stages and will involve community engagement and collaboration with various groups. No specific timeline has been set for implementing these potential modifications. YOUR THOUGHTS? What do you all think about the proposal to reopen 6th street? Let us know in the comments!