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We just love this time of the year when the temperatures cool off (a bit!) and smells of Pumpkin Lates and Cinnamon Buns swirl through the air of our favorite cafes. It’s time when kids (of all ages) go crazy over costumes and festivals flourish around our apartment community in Austin, Texas.
To get you out and about with goblins and ghosts, picking the perfect pumpkin, and sipping seasonal local brews, we have scoured the streets of Austin to find the perfect place to celebrate the fall season in Austin.
Where to Pick a Pumpkin in Austin?
Barton Hill Farms Fall Festival
Just 30 minutes from downtown Austin is one of the best spots to pick out that perfect pumpkin this year. Head out any weekend in October and through November 6 to their annual Pumpkin Patch and Fall Festival. This is their 11th annual festival that has been named “the best pumpkin patch” in Central Texas. With over 30 activities on site, this will soon become a family tradition. For a break in the action, wander down to the Colorado River and take a family photo under their beautiful Cottonwood trees.
Be sure to get your tickets ahead of time through this link.
Sweet Eats
This is another one of our favorite places to go every fall, especially for the pig races and evening campfires. Sweet Eats loves to offer family fun for all ages, and they do it well. You can get the details on their website at SweetEats.com where you can learn more about when the pigs race (really!), how and where to pick out your pumpkin, and how to secure a campfire site for a festive fall evening. A pre-reservation is required and all you need to do is show-up. It’s a great group event that comes with seating for 12, S’mores for all, hot dog roasting and pre-lit campfire as well!
Sweet Berry Farm
Scarecrows unite! Sweet Berry Farm is ready to make more memories come true this year for you and yours by offering a full day of family fun through November 6th. Go for the hayrides or hang out in the pumpkin patch. Make your own Scarecrow (supplies on site) or get lost in their maze for an amazing day in Austin!
How amazing? Check out what these folks do to create the most innovative maze in Texas! (read more on their website)
We surveyed the perimeter of the State of Texas into a field. We then plant "Texas" to a Haygrazer grass that gets up to 10 feet tall (not all of Texas is that tall though). The result is a 4-acre field that looks exactly like Texas from the air. Signs representing real places in the actual State of Texas are put into their respective spots in our Texas. We then cut pathways to and from which all connect creating a labyrinth. The object of the game is to find all the places in Texas, each marked with said sign and a hole punch to mark your gamecard.
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]]>The post 25 Ways to Celebrate the Holidays in Austin 2019 appeared first on Juniper Springs A Concierge Community Blog.
]]>BY CAROLINE JANES, CANDACE BAKER, SASKIA HENN & NATALIE VENEGAS
‘Tis the season for event after event after event. When it comes to the holidays, Austin’s jam-packed with festivals, fairs, and parties to end the year. Here’s our list of 25 things to do before the 25th.
What started as a holiday project by one Austin resident has now turned into holiday tradition. Take a stroll down 37th Street to experience some of the most colorful and quirkiest light decorations in the city.
Dec. 14-31
519 W. 37th Street
New this year to the Hill Country Galleria, the Holiday Village features Santa’s Workshop, dance and choir performances, and local artisan vendors to help with last-minute Christmas shopping. And, of course, expect plenty of family photo-ops.
Select dates from Nov. 23 through Dec. 24.
12700 Hill Country Blvd.
Gingerbread House Decorating Party at Eberly
Enjoy drinks and small bites while crafting the perfect gingerbread house. No experience? No worries. All supplies will be provided and pastry chef Sarah Seghi will help guide guests to build their sweet creation.
Dec. 15, 6-9 p.m.
615 S. Lamar Blvd.
Christmas Light Show at Mozart’s
Sit back, relax, and enjoy a cup of something hot while you watch Mozart’s annual Christmas light show, featuring over 1 million LED lights synched to classic holiday songs. Admission is free and there’s no assigned seating, making it easy to enjoy with friends and family.
Nov. 21 – Jan. 5, 6-11 p.m.
3825 Lake Austin Blvd.
Don’t miss your chance to enjoy Austin’s staple holiday tradition, now in its 55th year at Zilker Park. Along with more than 60 displays and 2 million lights, the Trail of Lights features food trucks, local music, movies, merchants, and more. (Pro-tip: skip the line and buy your tickets online.)
Dec. 10-23, 7-10 p.m.
Zilker Park
Fetes de Fleurs Austin will be providing all supplies, including greenery and holiday ribbon for you to make the perfect holiday wreath. Also included: light snacks and 10% off at the shop.
Dec. 8, 1-3 p.m.
2700 W. Anderson Lane Ste. 410
Looking to escape the throngs of last minute shoppers? Check out our guide to Christmas movie showings around town.
Ballet Austin – The Nutcracker
Now in its 57th year, The Nutcracker by Ballet Austin comes complete with beautiful sets, costumes, and choreography by artistic director, Stephen Mills. With over 200 dancers, the show is sure to stun … and to sell out. (We suggest snagging tickets as soon as possible.)
Dec. 7-23
701 W. Riverside Drive
Stop by the annual German-Texan Christmas Market on Dec. 7 and shop a variety of handcrafted and authentic German goods. Don’t forget to stick around for treats, like Gluehwein (hot spiced wine), Silke’s German Gourmet Cookies, and other home-baked items.
Dec. 7, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
507 E. 10th Street
Teddy Bear Tea at Four Seasons
Get cozy at the Four Seasons with a special reading of The Night Before Christmas by Santa himself, along with tea service and caroling. Don’t forget to bring a new unwrapped teddy bear to be donated to some of Austin’s non-profit organizations.
Dec. 8, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
98 San Jacinto Blvd.
Jose Hernandez, known as a mariachi master, is taking his rich cultural heritage and adding some Christmas flair. Catch Mariachi Sol De Mexico De Jose Hernandez at the Moody Theater for some holiday favorites.
Dec. 22, 8 p.m.
310 Willie Nelson Blvd.
Lumination Garden Holiday Lights
Take a nighttime stroll through the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center while thousands of luminarias light the way. The two week event features newly lit trails and a special performance of Blue Lapis Light’s “Oneness of Being,”aerial dance choreography, making for an ethereal holiday experience.
Dec. 5-8 and 12-15, 6-10 p.m.
4801 La Crosse Ave.
See Dripping Springs transformed with holiday spirit at the 15th Annual Christmas on Mercer Street. Visitors can enjoy a family-friendly day featuring arts and crafts, shopping, live entertainment, a petting zoo, a trackless train, pony rides, and more. The best part? Admission is free.
Dec. 7, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Mercer Street, Dripping Springs
Still looking for that perfect Christmas present? Spend a day at the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar, an Austin holiday staple featuring nearly 200 local and touring artists and makers to shop from, and you’ll be set. Expect live music from 36 bands, (Austin legends and newcomers alike), and food from local vendors.
Dec. 13-23, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Palmer Events Center
Although outdoor ice skating rinks are few and far between in central Texas, Chaparral Ice brings the fun of ice skating indoors. While offering a slew of classes for skaters of any level, public skating hours are also available. For an experience closer to home, check out the Rooftop Rink at Whole Foods Market’s downtown flagship store.
Sub out your old plastic tree this year with a fresh fir or pine tree to bring some life to your living room for the holidays. We suggest stopping by the Optimist Club of Austin—not only do they offer 5 different breeds of evergreen to choose from, but all profits go to local charity.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Live Musical
See your favorite reindeer brought to life for one night only at the Cedar Park Center. Wind down the weekend by watching Bumble the Abominable Snowman, the Misfit Toys, and of course Rudolph himself dance and sing.
Dec. 29, 3 p.m.
2100 Avenue Of The Stars
Austin’s very own Molly Burch is throwing a Christmas party like no other with holiday drinks, a photo booth, and a performance of her Christmas album in its entirety. Belt out “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” and “Last Christmas” with Burch during this special holiday show.
Dec. 13, 8 p.m.
1607 San Jacinto Blvd.
Spend your Saturday morning with the Grinch! This family event features a petting zoo, face painting, a donut wall, hot cocoa bar, holiday craft stations, snow fall, pictures with the Grinch, and more. Rumor has it that stylists will be in attendance, ready to transform kids’ hair into classic Whoville fashion. Not only is this event a fun way to start off your weekend, it also benefits Partnerships for Children and proceeds go toward children in Child Protective Services.
Dec. 7, 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
516 E. Sixth Street
Austin has no shortage of festive holiday bars to spice up the season. Pop on your Santa hat and duck into some of the city’s most intricately decorated venues, featuring Christmas cocktails, comfy chairs, and plenty of holiday spirit. Here’s our guide to the best.
Bundle up and enjoy an evening on the capitol grounds for Austin’s 25th annual singalong and tree lighting countdown. Get there early to peruse the holiday market and introduce Santa to your kiddos, before the city’s dazzling display of Christmas tree lights turn on and signal the official beginning of the holiday season.
Dec. 7, 5-10 p.m.
Texas State Capitol, 1100 Congress Ave.
Community First! Village of Lights
The Community First Village of Lights is returning for a fourth year with all the necessary stops to put you in a festive mood—an Advent market selling homemade gifts by formerly homeless craftsmen and women, seasonal sips and treats by The Community Grille, and a choreographed light show synchronized holiday music and featuring a whopping total of 200,000 lights.
Dec. 7, 5-9 p.m.
9301 Hog Eye Road
Don’t miss the 53rd lighting of the iconic Zilker Holiday Tree, which has received a glow-up this year, featuring mostly LED lights in a bid to become more sustainable. Try keeping your balance spinning under the 155-foot original moonlight tower adorned with red, yellow, blue, and green bulbs and keep your hands warm with a creamy hot chocolate from one of the nearby vendors.
Lighting ceremony: Dec. 1, 5:30 p.m. to midnight
Duration: Dec. 1 to Jan. 1, 6 p.m. to midnight
2100 Barton Springs Road
Looking for an excuse to get out of the cold? Head down to Come and Take It Live dressed in your favorite ugly Christmas sweater and take in the live performances from five different artists.
Dec 20, 7:00 p.m.
2015 E. Riverside Drive, Bldg. 4
Get a head start on your holiday shopping at the Blue Genie Art Bazaar, where you can find items ranging from ceramics to jewelry to clothing, all made by local artists. Meander around the walls of photography with your family, or take yourself on a date as you peruse the aisles and support the Austin art community.
Nov. 22 to Dec. 24, 10 a.m to 10 p.m (Dec. 24: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
6100 Airport Blvd.
The post 25 Ways to Celebrate the Holidays in Austin 2019 appeared first on Juniper Springs A Concierge Community Blog.
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