Enriched Family December Austin Activities List
Photo Credit: Photo by Anna Popovic on Unsplash
Austin during the holidays does not disappoint — the list of free holiday activities this month is quite extensive. Check out the wide variety of holiday events at local libraries around Austin; support local artisans and enjoy the Cherrywood Art Fair; listen to holiday-themed concerts put on by the Austin Symphony Orchestra; celebrate Christmas Family Night in Round Rock; be sure not to miss the Community First! Village of Lights & Advent Market; partake in the 25th annual Holiday Stroll in downtown Austin; enjoy a Winter Wonderland Community Festival; or participate in a variety of Hanukkah events.
Fee-based holiday events include the Trail of Lights (there are also free nights on 12/10-12/12 and 12/15-12/18); Ballet Austin’s The Nutcracker, Breakfast with the Grinch!; CultureMap’s Rooftop Ice Skating Rink at Whole Foods Market; Luminations at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center; a jazz tap Nutcracker — Of Mice & Music; screenings of The Muppet Christmas Carol @ The Bullock Museum; Thinkery Gingerbread Workshops; or catch a performance of The Christmas Carol, Holiday Heroes, or The Santaland Diaries.
General free events include the Capital Area Halal Festival; DeSTEMber Extravaganza presented by Girlstart; First Saturdays at the George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center; Starry Nights at Girlstart; Start-Up Kid’s Club Market; and more! As always, this list is not exhaustive, but includes a sampling of events and activities that caught my eye that I wanted to highlight. Additional good sources for activity lists are included at the end of the post.
Finally, if you are looking for ways to give back to our community this holiday season, check out this month’s highlighted resource below: local charitable giving guides.
(Please note, the following is provided for informational purposes only; the information is accurate and true to the best of my knowledge, but there may be omissions, errors or mistakes, and no guarantees are made.)
Highlighted Resource: Local Charitable Giving Guides
The Austin Chronicle “Wish List” Guide to Charitable Giving
The Austin Chronicle’s wish list is an annual tradition. It's one of the ways the Austin Chronicle helps grow and connect our community, Austin's amazing nonprofits, and, of course, Chronicle readers. The wish list includes needed donations for local organizations (such as the Texas Homeless Network, Equal Justice Center, American Gateways, etc) so they can better serve Austin and all of us who call her home. List from 2019 is posted.
Generation SERVE Holiday Giving Guide 2019
Learn how your family can support more than 55 nonprofit organizations during this holiday season! Find out how you can volunteer, donate, or contribute to the wish lists of your favorite Austin organizations, such as the Austin Diaper Bank, the Central Texas Food Bank, Meals on Wheels Central Texas, Caritas of Austin, Refugee Services of Texas, The Safe Alliance, and many more…
Assorted Holiday Events: Free
Austin Public Library Holiday Events
Details: The Austin Public Library is hosting a wide variety of free holiday events this month at local library branches around town. Whether you are interested in star gazing; Holiday Craft-a-paloozas; Carol Karaoke & Cocoa Sing-A-Longs; Holiday Open Houses and Holiday Celebrations; Noche de Fiesta; a Holiday Craft Crawl; or making green gifts; there is something for almost everyone this month at your local library branch. Check the list for details.
When and where: Various Austin-area libraries throughout December.
Details: Welcome to Cherrywood Art Fair, the longest-running not for profit art fair in East Austin! Cherrywood Art Fair is produced by Chula League, a local nonprofit grounded in East Austin, committed to fueling and sustaining the arts in Austin. Cherrywood Art Fair is an art filled two-day event showcasing local artists, live music, kids activities and great food in a free, family-friendly environment. More than 8,000 visitors stroll through the fairgrounds looking at art, listening to beautiful music and sampling some of Austin’s quirkiest food trailer cuisine. Support Texas makers, artists, and artisans! Cherrywood Art Fair provides a one-stop holiday shopping experience boasting some of the best art and hand-made gifts Texas has to offer in a fun, family-friendly event with live music and good food. A portion of Fair proceeds benefit the Maplewood school art and gardening programs as well as Chula League’s arts-mentorship program, Little Artist BIG ARTIST.
When: Saturday & Sunday, December 7th and 8th, 2019 | 10am-5pm
Location: Maplewood Elementary, 3808 Maplewood Ave (@ E 38 ½ St) Austin, 78722
Christmas Family Night in Round Rock
Details: Christmas Family Night, Round Rock’s annual holiday festival, is coming back to Main Street! The event kicks off with a welcome from Mayor Craig Morgan, followed by the illumination of the all NEW Hometown Holiday lights. Then Santa makes his grand entrance. This FREE event includes activities for the entire family including live music, dancers, candle making, game booths, Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus and more. Children should bring their “wish lists” for Santa Claus and parents are encouraged to bring their own cameras for pictures with Santa. Plus, enjoy free hot dogs, popcorn, hot chocolate, and other refreshments, activities and snacks.
When: Friday, December 6, 2019 | 6:30-9pm
Location: Downtown Round Rock
“Christmas in the Community” with the Austin Symphony Orchestra
Details: The Austin Symphony Orchestra is once again bringing free music to all Austinites this holiday season. “Christmas in the Community” is a series of concerts held throughout the city of Austin featuring different ensembles of the orchestra playing familiar holiday music. The program kicks off on December 6 at the Gus Garcia Recreation Center and concludes December 18 at Macy’s Barton Creek. All dates, times, and locations are listed below. Performances are all free and open to the public with no tickets required. “Christmas in the Community” is proudly sponsored by Macy’s.
December 6 | 11am @Gus Garcia Recreation Center — Brass Quintet
December 6 | 1pm @Macy’s Barton Creek — String Quartet
December 11 | 1pm @Macy’s Lakeline — Woodwind Quintet
December 11 | 5pm @Pan American Recreation Center — Brass Quintet
December 11 | 7pm @Carver Museum — String Quartet with kids from Austin Youth Orchestra
December 13 | 2pm @Macy’s Domain — Woodwind Quintet
December 16 | 12pm @Capitol Rotunda — String Quartet with kids from Austin Soundwaves
December 18 | 11am @Asian American Resource Center — Brass Quintet
December 18 | 1pm @Macy’s Barton Creek — Woodwind Quintet
Community First! Village of Lights & Advent Market
Details: Gather your family and friends and join in for the fourth annual Mobile Loaves & Fishes Community First! Village of Lights. You don’t want to miss this FREE holiday event! With more than 200,000 Christmas lights choreographed to holiday music, the Community First! Village of Lights is one of the biggest Christmas light displays in Central Texas! Be sure to include a stop at the Advent Market to shop for unique, handcrafted gifts made by formerly homeless craftsmen and artisans who live at the Village. Your purchase of gifts and concessions during the event will help our Community First! Village neighbors earn a dignified income. For a complete Village of Lights schedule, a list of the holiday movie showings, and to RSVP for one of the upcoming nights, click here.
When: Friday, December 6th, Saturday, Dec. 7, Friday, Dec. 13, & Saturday, Dec. 14 | 5:30-9pm
Where: Mobile Loaves & Fishes, 9301 Hog Eye Road, Austin, 78724
Downtown Austin Alliance presents Holiday Stroll
Details: Celebrate the start of your holiday season in downtown Austin at the 25th annual Downtown Holiday Stroll. A free, family-friendly event, Downtown Holiday Stroll has something for everyone to enjoy! The festivities kick off at 5pm with live music, a holiday market, photos with Santa, kids play area, food trucks, special anniversary photo-ops, and more!
When: Saturday, December 7, 2019 | 5-10pm
6pm Sing-along
7pm Countdown to tree lighting
Where: Texas State Capitol, Congress Ave between 9th & 11th Street
A Winter Wonderland Community Festival
Details: You are invited to enjoy a free Winter Wonderland Community Festival hosted by Danzversity, Greater Austin Music Academy, and Mi Casa Es Tu Casa. In store for you are Pictures with Santa, a Hot Coco Station, Face-Painting, A Music Sing-Along, Holiday Movie Clips, and a Finale Family Dance Party. Three specialty schools in the same location.
When: Saturday, December 14th, 2019, from 2-4:30pm. RSVP is required.
Location: 2110 White Horse Trail, Austin, 78757 (Near Burnet Rd. and Koenig Ln., right next to Lamar Middle School)
*For a listing of a variety of Austin Hanukkah events, check out the calendars on Shalom Austin and Chabad Austin.
Holiday Events: Fee-based
Details: The Austin Trail of Lights is Austin’s largest holiday tradition and 2nd largest event in the city. Run by the Trail of Lights Foundation, the annual event in Zilker Park celebrates the unique spirit and people that make Austin the place we love to call home. Austinites and Central Texans alike bring friends, families, and neighbors out to the Austin Trail of Lights each year to enjoy more than 40 displays, 2 million lights, Austin’s favorite food trucks, nightly entertainment, and holiday activities sure to create treasured memories.
When: Open nightly, 12/10-12/23, 2019 | 7-10pm
Where: Zilker Park, 2100 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, 78704
Cost: General Admission is free 7 out of the 14 nights. Free nights are: 12/10-12/12 and 12/15-12/18. Non-general admission ticket prices vary - click here for information.
Details: Ballet Austin presents The Nutcracker, 57th Annual Production. Start your holiday celebrations with a scrumptious trip to the Court of Sweets and Ballet Austin’s spectacular annual production of The Nutcracker! From its vibrant sets and costumes to the impressive cast of more than 200 dancers, this colorful winter classic brings families and friends together every year to enjoy the world’s best-known ballet. Make The Nutcracker your annual holiday tradition and share this memorable experience with those you love! This production runs approximately two hours, with two, 45-minute acts and one, 20-minute intermission and is recommended for all ages.
Choreography: Stephen Mills
Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Live Accompaniment: Austin Symphony Orchestra
When: December 7 – December 23, 2019 | Matinee and evening performances
Where: The Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Drive, Austin, 78704
Cost: Tickets start at $29. Available here.
Details: Back again and up to no good, Grinch RETURNS for the 2nd Annual Breakfast with the Grinch! Bring your family to the Grinch's lair for a true Whoville experience! There will be tons of activites for your little ones including a petting zoo, face painting, balloon animals, hot cocoa bar, holiday craft stations, snow fall, pictures with the Grinch, and so much more! As before, this AMAZING event will be benefiting Partnerships for Children! Proceeds will help supply their Rainbow Room and fulfill Holiday Wishes for children in Child Protective Services. All ages welcome!
When: Saturday, December 7, 2019 | 8am-1:30pm
Where: The Venue ATX, 516 East 6th Street, Austin, 78701
Cost: General admission - $15; Children 2 and under - free. Limited tickets available here (tickets available for purchase for the event in hour and a half increments)
CultureMap’s Rooftop Ice Skating Rink at Whole Foods Market
Details: It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and CultureMap is spreading extra holiday cheer in Austin this season. Grab your family and friends and join in for ice skating at the CultureMap Rooftop Rink at Whole Foods Market’s downtown flagship store, presented by Frost Bank.
When: Saturday, November 23, 2019 - Monday, January 20, 2020 | Open 10am to 10pm daily (Holiday hours: December 24, Christmas Eve - 10am to 7pm; December 25, Christmas Day - Closed; December 31, New Year’s Eve - 10am to 9pm; January 1, New Year’s Day - 10am to 8pm)
Where: Whole Foods Market | Rooftop Plaza, 525 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, 78703
Cost: $12 in advance online; $15 at the door. Ticket prices are for all ages. All tickets include skate rentals and require a signed waiver. Purchase tickets online in advance for the designated time slot. Tickets purchased in advance online for the correct day/time will be given priority access to the rink. Tickets available here.
Luminations at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Details: Experience the Center embellished with lights as thousands of luminarias glow along the paths and gardens. Stroll through a natural wonderland with delightful displays, live music, festive foods and more. This year’s event features newly lit trails and an exclusive performance of Blue Lapis Light’s “Oneness of Being,” aerial dance choreography inspired by the Wildflower Center. Schedule and tickets here.
When: Thursday, December 5 – Sunday, December 15, 2019, 6-10pm
Where: Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Ave., Austin, 78739
Cost: $18 per person ($5 for members*); FREE for children up to 4 years old; Thursdays are member only nights.
Of Mice & Music — A Jazz Tap Nutcracker
Details: Tapestry Dance Company presents Of Mice & Music — A Jazz Tap Nutcracker, celebrating its 10th Anniversary. Celebrate the holidays with the whole family and join Tapestry Dance Company with this Austintatious rhythm tap and jazz spin on the beloved yuletide story, The Nutcracker. This Tapestry tradition which premiered to rave reviews and standing ovations last season, OF MICE AND MUSIC unites the company’s professional dancers with the rising stars of its pre-apprentice youth company Visions in Rhythm and the children, youth and adults who study with its dance academy to share a love for rhythm and movement that only Tapestry Dance Company can bring to the stage!
When: December 12 - 22, 2019 | Matinee and evening performances
Where: The Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Drive, Austin, 78704
Cost: Tickets start at $34. Available here.
The Muppet Christmas Carol @ Bullock Museum
Details: Join the Bullock Museum for a special winter-holiday, multi-sensory screening of The Muppet Christmas Carol. Bring the whole family for a one-of-a-kind experience in the Museum's Texas Spirit Theater. In this 1992 retelling of the Charles Dicken's classic, Jim Henson's beloved Muppet characters tell their version of an old and bitter miser's redemption on Christmas Eve. Enjoy special effects throughout the screening! Arrive early to explore exhibitions and Free First Sunday family activities. From 12pm until 3:30pm, drop-in at a family activity station on the second floor with Caritas of Austin. Seating begins at 1pm for the 1:30pm screening and at 3:30pm for the 4pm screening. All children over 4 need a ticket for entry. Any child under 4 who wants a guaranteed seat during the film will also need to purchase a ticket. Concessions from the IMAX Theatre will be allowed in the theater. Rated G | 85 min. | Comedy, Drama, Family
When: Sunday, December 1, 2019 | 1:30pm & 4pm
Where: Bullock Museum, Texas Spirit Theater, 1800 N. Congress Avenue, Austin, 78701
Cost: Tickets are $5 for Bullock Museum members and $8 for general admission; tickets available here.
Thinkery Gingerbread Workshops
Details: Thinkery's Gingerbread Workshops let creative families use fresh gingerbread and sweet treats to build gingerbread houses in a fun and festive atmosphere. Build one house together as a group or let each family member create their own gingerbread masterpiece! From tots to teens and all ages in-between, you'll find a workshop that's right for your family or group! Each Gingerbread House Kit includes all the supplies you'll need—fresh gingerbread from La Mexicana Bakery, an assortment of candies and plenty of icing. After the workshop, participants are welcome to explore Thinkery while their houses dry in the Gingerbread Village. Choose the Gingerbread Workshop that’s right for you!
Classic Gingerbread Workshops (Tot-friendly, all ages and abilities; 1 hr.)
Candy Chemistry (Ages 7+; 2.5 hr.)
Seriously Sweet Structures (Ages 8+; 2.5 hr.)
When and cost: Varies; see options above for details and reservation information.
Where: Thinkery, 1830 Simond Ave, Austin, 78723
*For more fun, Austin holiday event ideas for families, check out Do512 Family’s list “How to Do the Holidays in Austin”
Free Educational/Cultural/Fun Activities
Details: We live in a city made stronger (and tastier!) by the different communities that call Austin home. Our Muslim neighbors collectively represent an incredibly diverse group of cultures, languages, traditions, and of course, cuisines. What better way to appreciate the beauty of that diversity than with a celebration of food, art, culture and tradition. The first Capital Area Halal Festival features local vendors and artisans offering authentic cuisines, unique arts and crafts, cultural experiences and more. Join us in breaking roti/khubz/ekmek/naan with your Muslim neighbors at this family friendly event! Free and open to the public. Register here. Capital Area Halal Fest is presented by the Council on American-Islamic Relations - Austin (CAIR-Austin) in collaboration with the City of Austin’s Asian American Resource Center.
When: Saturday, December 7, 2019 | 12-5pm
Where: Asian American Resource Center, 8401 Cameron Road, Austin, 78754
DeSTEMber Extravaganza presented by Girlstart
Details: Free, festive STEM fun for everyone! Join Girlstart for free, frosty hands-on STEM fun for the whole family. Create your own LED circuit reindeer, discover the unique characteristics of penguin feathers, and design a poinsettia spinner. Enjoy the science behind this magical time of year with soaring hang gliders, rocket launches, augmented reality, fluffy snow, and more hands-on fun! Reminder: Chaperones are required. Adults must stay with their children throughout the event.
When: Saturday, December 7th, 2019 | 9:30am-12pm
Where: 1400 W. Anderson Lane, Austin, 78757
First Saturdays at the George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center
Details: The Carver, Capitol View Arts, Austin Local Organizing Committee and Counter Balance host First Saturdays. This program offers insights on history, culture, and aesthetic expression of African Americans. First Saturdays celebrates a range of themes throughout the year, and ties into exhibitions at the museum. It's family-friendly, diverse, and intelligent programming. FREE and open to the public.
When: Saturday, December 7th, 2019 | 10am-4pm
Where: 1165 Angelina St, Austin, 78702
Details: Girlstart's STEM Studio and Mini-Planetarium is a unique space to explore astronomy! Starry Nights are held the 1st Thursday of every month (except January, June, July, and August), with each month featuring a new astronomy experience. Drop by anytime between 5:30 and 7pm. December Starry Night will feature Inuit Star Lore Shows. Every culture has passed down stories explaining the images we see in the sky; the variations and interpretations of these stories are as varied as the people who tell them. All Ages Welcome! Reminder: Chaperones are required. Adults must stay with their children throughout the event. Free - RSVP here. December 5th hands-on activities include:
Make Inuit snow goggles
Explore polar bear adaptations
Engineer a vibrating scribble bot
Design a light up holiday circuit card
When: Thursday, December 5th, 2019 | 5:30-7pm
Where: 1400 W. Anderson Lane, Austin, 78757
Details: Come out and support Austin’s young entrepreneurs at the Start-Up Kid’s Club Market, where students from across the city debut their businesses! With a wide assortment of booths, you won’t leave empty handed. Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate the wonderful things our future business leaders are creating, making, and selling! Live music and food will be available so bring your appetite. Parking is available on site.
This event is free and open to the public. Start-Up Kid’s Club is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and donations are encouraged and appreciated to ensure the continual support of the students!
When: Sunday, December 1, 2019, 1-4pm
Where: Republic Square, 422 Guadalupe St., Austin, 78701
General Events
December Creative Action Parent & Child Music & Movement Class
Details: Connect with your family through the arts and create community. Creative Action Music & Movement classes are active and are designed to inspire creativity, encourage physical and emotional development, and support bonding and connection for parents and children. Singing, rhythm making, instrument playing, and multicultural music are explored throughout the class. Classes include multi-sensory play and bring out the individual creativity of both parent and child. Space is limited, RSVP here. Classes are pay-what-you-can. Event Schedule:
10am Music & Movement Class
11:15am Family Dance Party
Drawing & Sound Exploration will be offered as open workshops outside of the main class space
*Free Coffee and Snacks provided before/after each class*
When: Saturday, December 7, 2019 | 10-11:30am
Where: Creative Action, 1023 Springdale Road, Building 3, Austin, 78721
Fun and Productive Events at The Hive Austin in December
Details: Looking for a cool coworking space with childcare? A fun place to meet up for playdates with your kids? A place to get your fitness on? Or maybe get your happy hour on? All this and more is available at The Hive. Feel free to come sans kiddos OR reserve a spot in the supervised childcare area for only $10/hr. Productivity here we come! There is a beautiful cafe area and lounge where any and all are welcome to visit or work at no charge. This month’s activities include the South Austin New Mama Social (Tuesdays, Dec 3, 10, 17 | 11am-12:30pm); Live at The Hive (Saturdays, Dec 7, 14, 21, 28 | 9:30-11am); South Austin TX Autism Parent Support Group (Thursday, Dec 12 | 6pm); Holiday at The Hive: Festival and Vendor Market (Sunday, Dec 15 | 4-8pm); and so much more. Check the Hive events page on Facebook for details!
When: Various.
Where: The Hive Austin, 10542 Manchaca Rd, Austin, 78748
Cost: Varies. See website for details.
Infant Massage Classes by Baby Strokes
Details: Private and weekly infant massage group classes offered at Precision Chiropractic ATX. Class rates include handouts and a bottle of massage oil. Wear comfy clothes, bring your yoga mat, a towel or blanket, diaper bag and baby essentials, and your baby or favorite doll.
When: Private classes offered Wednesdays | 9-10:30am. Group classes are offered Mondays | 9-10:30am & Wednesdays | 10:30am to noon.
Where: Precision Chiropractic ATX, 300 W Highway 290 Building A, Austin, 78736
Cost: Group Class - $69; Private Session - $99. Schedule here.
My Coding Place December Game Night/Parents Night Out
Details: Head to My Coding Place for a night of fun and games for ages 6-12. You will build a fun game in Scratch, have pizza, compete in team activities, and play online games (with the exception of first-person shooter)!
When: Friday, December 13th | 5:30-9pm
Where: 3616 Far West Blvd. #109, Austin, 78731
Cost: $50 per child, sibling discount available. Requires non-refundable registration.
Wide Variety of December Events at the Toybrary Austin
Details: Members Bring a Friend for Free! (Dec 6, 13, 20 | 1-6pm); Free Baby Play Date (Dec 3, 10, 17 | 1-3pm); Music Classes with Miss Ariel (Dec 4, 11, 20 | 10:30 & 1pm); The Groovy Gymnastics Bus (Dec 4, 11, 18 | 11:30am-12pm); Pictures with Santa (Dec 5 | 10:30am-12pm); Holiday Show with Milly McSilly (Dec 6 | 10:30-11:15am); Holiday Singalong with Miss Ariel (Dec 18 | 10:30am & 1pm); How to Simplify and De-Stress Your Holiday (Dec 6 | 10:30-11:30am); Gingerbread House Decorating (Dec 12 | 10:30am-12pm); Come Meet Olaf! (Dec 14 | 10:30-11:15am); Come Make a Holiday Ornament! (Dec 19 | 10:30am-12pm); NOON Year’s Eve (Dec 31 | 10:30am-12pm); and more! Toybrary Austin is a toy lending library and kids' birthday party venue that also offers drop-in childcare in Austin.
When: Various.
Where: Toybrary Austin, 2001 Justin Lane, Austin, 78757
Cost: Varies. See website for details.
Museum Exhibits and Programs
Colors of Life: An Indian Perspective
Details: Visit scenes of traditional life and nature in India by artist, psychologist, yoga teacher, and author: Shruti Mehta. Using oils, watercolor, and mixed media, the artist captures visions of life’s simple pleasures while growing up in a multi-generational household.
When: Exhibit on display through December 14, 2019 during Center hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday: 9am to 5pm
Wednesday and Thursday: 9am to 9pm
Where: Asian American Resource Center, 8401 Cameron Rd., Austin, 78754
Admission: Free
Motown: The Sound of Young America, A 60-Year Retrospective
Details: Curated by the GRAMMY Museum®, Motown: The Sound of Young America is the first major museum exhibition to embrace all facets—music, culture, and politics—of the 1960s biggest sounds in soul. Visit the exhibition at the LBJ Library to explore the evolution of the label, view personal artifacts from some of its biggest artists, and do your take on some of Motown's biggest hits.
When: Exhibit on display through January 26, 2020. Open daily from from 9am-5pm.
Where: LBJ Presidential Library, 2313 Red River St., Austin, 78705
Admission: Adults - $10; seniors (62 and over) with valid ID - $7; former military with valid ID - $5; college students with valid ID - $3; Youth 13-18 - $3; children 12 and under - free.
*If you and your family enjoy exploring Austin's many fantastic museums, check out Do512 Family's list of free times to visit local museums.
Theatre and other Performances
Details: Austin's most rockin' holiday tradition returns to make merry with new music and surprises to get the party started. ZACH's inspired adaptation of the Dickens' classic is a musical sleigh ride through rhythm and time, infusing the traditional Victorian story with a score that spans all genres and eras. This family-friendly spectacular creates an infectious spirit that has everyone dancing in the aisles. Celebrate the season with the loving Cratchit family and three soulful ghosts as they take Ebenezer Scrooge on a joyride to rediscover his heart and love for human kindness. Age recommendation: 6 and up.
When: Through December 29, 2019 | Matinees and evening performances
Location: The Topfer at ZACH Theatre, 202 South Lamar Blvd., Austin, 78704
Cost: Tickets start at $30; available here.
A Christmas Carol: Reduced, Reused & Recycled
Details: School’s out for the holidays, but Timmy Cratchit is stuck at Scrooge’s Plastic Emporium where his mom labors overtime on a last-minute deadline. Tim and his cousins work on a school project while Mr. Scrooge eavesdrops and learns about the serious environmental problems caused by the plastics his company produces. This new family musical combines the suspense and tradition of the beloved Dickens tale with new hope for the future. All ages will groove to Laura Freeman’s original live music, dance, puppets, and more! Who knows? It may even snow!
When: Weekends, December 7-15, 2019 | 11am and 1pm matinees
Where: Austin Scottish Rite Theater, 207 W 18th St, Austin, 78701
Tickets: $10 children (2-11); $15 (ages 12+), children 2 and under are free. Tickets available here.
Details: Zach Theatre presents Holiday Heroes, written by Shaun Wainwright Branigan and Jerome Schoolar. Due to demand, the original Holiday Heroes returns with some new songs and surprises! In this hilariously fun holiday sing-along, students get into the holiday spirit with Ernie and Rufus. Celebrate the season with singing, laughter, and holiday cheer for all. Age recommendation: 3 and up.
When: Saturday, December 7 & 14, 2019 | 11am
Where: Zach Theatre, 202 South Lamar Blvd., Austin, 78704
Tickets: Start at $19 for youth; available here.
Details: David Sedaris’ ever-irreverent and cynical Crumpet returns! The outlandish tale of a Macy’s elf merrily jingles to life in this holiday cult-classic. Crumpet sarcastically expounds on the talent it takes to juggle tinsel, tearful tots, and not-so-sober Santas at the most wonderful time of the year. With 75 minutes of rollicking (and not so politically-correct) fun, this laugh-‘til-you-spill-your-cocktail evening will delight adult elves who like it more naughty than nice! Age recommendation: 14 and up for adult humor.
When: Through December 29, 2019 | Evening showings
Where: ZACH Theatre, The Whisenhunt, 202 South Lamar Blvd, Austin, 78704
Tickets: $40 and up, available here.
Also, check out these sites for good lists of community activities for kids and families in the Austin area:
http://austinkidsdirectory.com/events/all/
https://www.austintexas.org/events/
http://austin.thinkbilingual.org/events/
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Happy Holidays! Please feel free to send us local family events to: hello[at]enrichedfamily.com.
Esha/Enriched Family
Enriched Family is a unique, custom research and consulting business dedicated to providing families with the information, tools, and systems they need to live more organized and joyful lives. Services include: Custom family-focused research (child care, education, health and wellness resources, camps, and enrichment activities), family organization solutions (stuff & family systems), and productivity consulting for busy, professional parents (planning and prioritizing, productivity coaching, and time management coaching). I offer a free, 20-minute initial phone consultation to all new clients to discuss matching your needs and priorities with my services. I invite you to check out my services and click the "Let's Get Started!" button below to contact me with questions.