For some of us, the holidays are just as fun for us as adults as they were for us when we were kids. Enjoy these Austin area events and activities that bring a little more of the naughty than the nice into holiday celebrations.
The Best Austin Holiday Themed Activities for Adults
Justine’s Brasserie’s Winter Tent
Head over to Justine’s Brasserie’s Outdoor Winter Tent to shuck things up! The annual tent event and Le Bar à Huîtres oyster bar are back. This year’s gold dipped tent comes to us from designer Emily Andelin and features a look inspired by designer Tony Duquette and old Hollywood, complete with a movie set feel, gardens, 17th century paintings and more. The space is beyond beautiful and open every weekend evening until 1:30 a.m.
Holiday Movie Parties at Alamo Drafthouse
Various dates | 7 p.m. | Alamo Drafthouse at Lakeline | 14028 N Us Hwy 183 Bldg F
AlamoDrafthouse at Lakeline is hosting a variety of Holiday movie parties, including Love Actually on December 11, Gremlins on December 13, and multiple screenings of A Christmas Story and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. There’s also a screening of everyone’s favorite debatable Christmas film, Die Hard, on December 10. See the complete schedule here. The Ritz is also hosting multiple events. See that schedule here.
W Austin Presents: The FriendZone Cuffing Season
November 29 | 7 to 10 p.m. | W Austin | 200 Lavaca St.
As a cold front finally settles into Austin, it marks the start of cuffing season. Have no one to cuff? No worries, W Austin’s Living Room Bar will be hosting FriendZone: Cuffing season, a singles mixer that will allow singles to meet and mingle. Bring your best friend, you know, the one that’s already in the friend zone. Sip on cocktails, enjoy beats by DJ Kid Slyce, and meet people together. Click here to RSVP.
Holiday Sip & Stroll
December 1 | 5 to 8 p.m. | Downtown Buda
Sip, savor, shop, and stroll in beautiful Historic Downtown Buda on this magical evening to remember. Ticket holders will receive a commemorative glass, entertainment, and more as you stroll through a dozen of our downtown shops tasting a variety of spirits as well as a sampling of some of our restaurants finest menu items. Discover everything you’ve been missing at Downtown Buda’s Holiday Sip & Stroll.
10th Annual White Party: Winter Formal
December 2 | 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. | Speakeasy | 412 Congress Ave.
Celebrate the White Party’s 10 year anniversary! Dress attire is formal. As always, all white dress code. Early bird tickets can be purchased for $20 (+ Eventbrite processing fee) through Monday, November 27. Earlybird VIP is $25. The VIP ticket includes a dedicated entrance line, access to the mezzanine, and catered food. Tickets purchased after November 27 will be $25 for GA online and at the door. Proceeds will go to the Andy Roddick Foundation.
Holiday Cocktail Workshop
December 2 | 4 to 6 p.m. | Revelry | 908 E. 5th St.
Head down to REVELRY and spread good cheer! In this fun and interactive session, you’ll learn how to prepare, measure, and mix delicious, holiday themed cocktails. The class will cover cocktail basics, like the proper equipment and techniques needed to make perfect sips for the holiday season. Everyone takes home recipes, a list of bar tools needed, and great ideas for entertaining with family and pals! Cost is $55 per person ($95/twosome) and includes light bites!
Elf Pub Run + Screening Presented by Whole Foods
December 5 | 6 to 9 p.m. | Paramount Theater | 713 Congress Ave.
Grab all your buddies and meet at the Paramount. From there, you’ll “pass through the seven levels of the Candy Cane forest, through the sea of swirly twirly gumdrops…” (Okay – so it’s more like the seven levels of downtown Austin construction, and swirly twirly sights of 6th Street, but you get the point.) Smile your way to Whole Foods at 5th and Lamar (if you see gum there, don’t eat it, it isn’t free candy). Once there, grab a pint of “holiday cheer,” a.k.a. complimentary local Austin beer. Then you’ll make our way back to the Paramount Theatre for more festivities and a 7:45 p.m. screening of Elf. Pub Run participants will also receive goodies including two tickets good for beer, soda, or popcorn once back at the theatre.
Women & Whiskey: Buzzed With Your Besties
December 6 | 6 to 8 p.m. | Seven Grand | 405 E. 7th St.
Celebrate the season by being buzzed with your besties! Join Bumble BFF at Seven Grand, Austin’s newest hot spot whiskey bar, for a special VIP whiskey tasting event. They’ll educate you on the ins and outs of whiskey, introduce you to some Boss Babes in the whiskey industry, share four top tier whiskey tastings from Balvenie, Tullamore Dew and an exclusive tasting of Seven Grand’s Reserve Barrel of Hudson and complimentary bites that pair beautifully with your whiskies. You won’t leave empty handed as you’ll walk out with a swag bag from Bumble, William & Grant and Sons and Seven Grand.
Ugly Sweater Crawl
December 9 | 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. | Sixth Street
The second annual Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl is here. Get that Goodwill sweater, find those tacky holiday pants, and get ready to jingle bell ROCK! Ticket includes an ugly sweater themed koozie and sunglasses, exclusive drink specials at participating bars, holiday music rocking at each participating bar, hundreds of crawlers dressed in the ugliest holiday gear and more giveaways. Tickets and more info here.
10th Annual Santa Pub Crawl
December 9 | 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. | 508 Tequila Bar | 508 E. 8th St.
The Santa Pub Crawl is always a blast. It’s a great way to meet new friends, have some drinks in the spirit of Christmas and show the community you care. This year, they’ve partnered with austingiving to throw the biggest, craziest, most Santa Clause’iest party ever! Get more info on the event plus ticket prices here.
Tje Austin presents A Motown Christmas
December 15 | 9 p.m. | Geraldine’s | 605 Davis St.
Tje’s favorite holiday is arriving and that means he must do a Christmas show at one of his favorite rooms in Austin! And the best part for you is, not only are you sharing this night of fun and festivity but it’s totally free. Head out and get ready to hear some of your favorite tunes!
Worthwich Yule Ball
December 16 | 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. | Sterling Events Center | 6134 U.S. 290 Frontage Rd.
To celebrate the end of another magical term at Worthwich School, they are hosting a holiday ball. Enjoy a night of wizard wrock, holiday music, delicious brews, and formal dancing among fellow students, witches, wizards, professors and a flurry of fantastic creatures. Don your best dress robes, hats, and glowing gowns for a night that ought not be forgotten. And don’t be afraid to ask someone special to accompany you (and hurry up lest the good ones all be taken!) Worthwich school of Witchcraft & Wizardry hosts the adults only portion of the Yule Ball from 7 p.m. – Midnight. More info here.
Guerrilla Queer Bar: Homo For the Holidays
December 21 | 6 to 10 p.m. | The Common Interest | 8440 Burnet Rd. Ste. 148
#GQB is back! And this time they’re taking over The Common Interest on Burnet Road. This will be their first karaoke outing so get those vocal chords warmed up. Most importantly there will be a toy drive for the Helping Hand Home for Children. Bring an UNWRAPPED toys for kids 4-13 (no used toys and no weapons of any kind, please!) to give to the kids over at HHH. They’ve created a wish-list online here. Happy hour specials run until 8 p.m. Wear your ugliest sweater for the photobooth. They may or may not have a gay Santa (possibly multiple).
The Jigglewatts Burlesque: “A Haunted Holiday”
December 23 | 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. | Spider House Ballroom | 2906 Fruth St.
What happens when you’ve seen over a hundred years of holiday seasons come and go? How do you manage to fit in when the neighborhood is ga-ga over Halloween, but all your family cares about is holly wreaths and yule logs? Which has more cholestorol, human blood or egg nog? Age old questions asked in a new way, and answered by The Jigglewatts Burlesque Revue in “A Haunted Holiday.” The Jigglewatts Burlesque Revue is a great match for this jewel-box of a theatre, where floor to ceiling red velvet curtains, an artfully appointed stage, and an aura of old Vaudeville add to the immersive experience. Guests can also look forward to saucy door prizes and goodie bags from Forbidden Fruit boutique. Tickets range from $15 – 120.
Featured photo by Flickr user istolethetv, Creative Commons licensed.
