It is officially the holiday season, and that means lights, music, and all kinds of celebrations! There are tree lighting events, Santa appearances, model train displays, fireworks, and more! PLUS, a FREE live performance from an Austin guitar legend. Also, you have a chance to do some truly “Austin” shopping! Don’t forget to check out our calendar for even more FREE fun!
Weekend Top 10 FREE Events: November 24-26, 2017
- Santa on the Terrace
Friday, Nov. 24 | from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Long Center, 701 W Riverside Dr
Bring the kids for a FREE photo with Santa overlooking the best view in Austin! Enjoy some holiday treats with all sorts of fun entertainment. Activities will be planned for the whole family, so bring everyone. And, in true Black Friday fashion, they’ll have some of their best deals of the year available! - 5th Annual Holiday Model Train Show: Opening Weekend! (Round Rock)
Fri & Sat, Nov. 24-25 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday Nov. 26 from 2 to 6 p.m. | ArtSpace, 231 E Main St, Round Rock
Visit a dynamic train display replete with a Harry Potter scene, a 1950s city with a trolley weaving through its downtown that is filled with vintage cars, a farm, amusement park, mountain range where Boy Scouts are on an outing, an old train depot, and even a water tower, just like Round Rock! For a donation to the Tinplate Trackers, you can be a “junior engineer” and operate the train controls, many of which have different speeds and audio components (bells, engineer’s commands, etc). Additionally, raffle tickets are available for purchase to enter to win a Thomas the Train set. To add an interactive component for children and families, they are also offering “ArtSpace Activity Booklets,” containing the ever popular scavenger hunt. FREE! - Holidays at Domain NORTHSIDE: Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides, Caroling, DJ, Live Music
Fri & Sat, Nov. 24-25 from noon to 9 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 26 from noon to 6 p.m. | Domain NORTHSIDE, 11700 Domain Blvd
See the complete schedule here. FREE! - Santa’s Arrival and Tree Lighting Holiday Celebration
Friday, Nov. 24 from 6 to 9 p.m. | Hill Country Galleria, 12700 Hill Country Blvd
The fun starts at 6 p.m. in the Hill Country Galleria’s outdoor Central Plaza with children’s activities like face painting and flash tattoos. The program will begin at 7 p.m. where you can see Santa, watch fireworks, and enjoy live music by All Time Low! Emceed by Mix 94.7. FREE! - Mozart’s Christmas Light Show
Friday, Nov. 24 through Sunday, Nov. 26 from 6 to 11 p.m. | Mozart’s Coffee Roasters, 3825 Lake Austin Blvd
Thousands of dazzling lights have been sculpted into giant iconic objects, custom-made in Greece, that evoke Austin’s culture and the Christmas season, including a dozen guitars, the State Capitol, and a tree filled with presents, plus, an audio-activated wall of lights. Thousands of other lights will be imaginatively strung in the trees, facades, and rooflines. All will be placed around Mozart’s lakeside deck. For refreshment, Mozart’s acclaimed coffee and hot chocolate can be purchased inside the coffee house and at kiosks outdoors. Special holiday goodies from Mozart’s bakery will also be available. High Points of the Show/Timing: The exhilarating high points of the show, super light-ups and live choral singing, will be spaced throughout the entire evening. Families can relax and arrive at any time to get their over-the-top dose of Christmas magic. Show is FREE! - Staci Gray Kids’ Concert
Saturday, Nov. 25 | at 10 a.m. | in.gredients, 2610 Manor Rd
Staci Gray gets kids groovin’, laughing, and dancing! They love her kooky tunes and of course, the BUBBLE MACHINE! After the show, there’s still fun to be had on the Amish-built playscape. The show and fun is FREE! Espresso, bagels, and other snacks are available to purchase. - KOOP Presents: A Coco Celebration with The Reveleros
Saturday, Nov. 25 | at 6 p.m. | Barrel O’Fun @ Alamo Drafthouse Mueller, 1911 Aldrich St. #120
Celebrate opening weekend of Disney Pixar’s latest animated film Coco with KOOP Radio and The Reveleros. Come hear these Austin music veterans play their signature spicy mix of global, dance-friendly music led by Chris Dirkx (percussion) and Kim Simpson (guitar, lead vocals). This music showcase is FREE with no cover. - Free Monthly Concert Series
Sunday, Nov. 26 at 3 p.m. | Threadgill’s, 422 Guadalupe Street, Austin
To help keep bringing great music and great fun to the community, SouthPop is continuing their Free Concert Series, and Threadgill’s will be hosting the live music! Come share Austin’s Live Music History and Culture! This month, enjoy music by Jimmy Johnson and Bob Livingston. FREE! - Eric Johnson FREE In-Store Performance
Sunday, Nov. 26 | at 5 p.m. | Waterloo Records, 600 N Lamar Blvd
Enjoy a performance from legendary guitarist Eric Johnson and celebrate his brand new EP, Collage, as well as the re-issue of Souvenir and Up Close, Another Look on CD! Refreshments provided by Austin Beerworks! - Zilker Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony 2017
Sunday, Nov. 26 | at 6 p.m. | Zilker Holiday Tree, 2100 Barton Springs Road
Celebrate the lighting of the Zilker Tree! Featuring local entertainment, food, novelties and live music! FREE!
Bonus Shopportunity:
- Opening Night Party: Blue Genie Art Bazaar 2017
Friday, November 24 | from 6 to 9 p.m. | Blue Genie Art Bazaar, 6100 Airport Blvd.
Come kick-off another amazing Bazaar season! The Bazaar will open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Black Friday with nearly 200 artist booths ready to shop! Starting at 6 p.m. there will be music and delicious snacks by Eldorado Cafe ATX (while they last). Stop by to get the first look at all the unique gifts and art on offer, then enjoy a drink at our bar and relax after a day of shopping! The Blue Genie Art Bazaar is a fixture of the Austin holiday shopping season, open every year from Black Friday to Christmas Eve. The Bazaar features unique work from over 200 local and regional artists – with a portion of proceeds going to Make-A-Wish®. Parking and admission are always FREE of charge.
Love These Free Austin Events? You May Also Be Interested In:
- 100+ Ways to Celebrate the Holidays in Central Texas
- Top Spots For Stargazing In And Around Austin
- 2017 Holiday Bazaars, Markets, And Craft Shows
- 30+ FREE Don’t-Miss Austin Events This November
- Welcome To Austin! A Guide To ATX For New Friends And Family
