Holiday Activities and Events

Austin Trail of Lights @ Zilker Park Nov 28 – Jan 3 / 5:45 PM – 10 PM Hosted 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. The 56th annual Austin Trail of Lights is returning to the city's iconic Zilker Park as a drive-thru only event. The Trail now features more than 2 million lights illuminating the park, 90 lighted holiday trees and more than 70 other holiday displays and lighted tunnels.

Peppermint Parkway @ Circuit of the Americas Nov 27-Jan 3 / 6 PM– 10:30PM Circuit of The Americas (COTA) is excited to announce it will be debuting an all-new event to help the community celebrate the holiday season in a safe and festive way. Peppermint Parkway will invite Central Texans to experience a magical drive-thru on select nights from November 27 to December 27. The holiday spectacular will be a one-mile driving attraction that will immerse visitors in millions of holiday lights synchronized to joyful holiday classics.

Luminations @ Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Nov 27-Jan 3 / 6PM – 9PM / Members only on Mondays *Closed Dec. 24, 25, 31 & Jan.1 Experience the calm of winter at the Center with the shimmer of thousands of luminarias lighting the way. This year, for the first time ever, stroll through their naturally beautiful Texas Arboretum among the illuminated oaks and the light-splashed forts of Fortlandia. Stroll a one-way path through the beautiful Texas Arboretum. See select structures of Fortlandia take on new dimensions with creative lighting. Experience audio and visual art installations from Collide Arts and bathe in the lights of an open-air illuminated tunnel on the trail.

Downtown Holiday Stroll Downtown Austin November 28 – December 31 Free activities for the whole family will take place throughout downtown including holiday shopping experiences, holiday window and light displays, pop-up activations, photo-ops, and of course the signature 45-foot downtown holiday tree. Shop local and explore downtown with the Holiday Passport, a pocket-sized guide filled with deals, discounts, and activities for the month of December, making it fun and easy to support local shops and restaurants while staying safe.

Songs Under The Stars: A Rockin’ Holiday Concert @ The People’s Plaza – Zach Theater Dec 10th – Jan 3rd Celebrate the season with the stellar singers from ZACH’s A Christmas Carol as they perform a merry mix of traditional favorites and classic rock-n-soul hits—guaranteed to lift the spirits of the scroogiest Scrooge! Rock the ultimate holiday bash at a joyous new outdoor concert, perfect fun for all ages, starring CHANEL, Kenny Williams, Roderick Sanford, Leslie McDonel and Daniel Rowan.

The Paramount Theatre Holiday Film Series @ The Paramount Theatre

Paramount Classic Holiday Films presented by CapMetro are back, and they’re serving up the cinematic equivalent of a hot-cocoa-fueled winter retreat. From modern classics to CLASSIC classics, come see your favorite films of the season the way they were meant to be seen…on the big screen at Austin’s only movie palace. Austin’s beloved tradition has been updated to keep everyone healthy and safe.

Blue Starlite Downtown Drive-In @ 300 San Antonio St. This is the NEWEST Blue Starlite experience in collaboration with the Downtown Austin Alliance. It is located on the ROOFTOP of the Garage at 300 San Antonio St! Blue Starlite Mini Urban Drive-in has holiday favorites showing all season long at the Downtown Drive-in. Enjoy classics like Elf, Home Alone, Christmas Vacation and more!

Elf the Musical @ The Bastrop Opera House Live Theatre Showing / December 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19 at 7:30 pm December 6, 13, 20 at 2:30 pm

Based on the beloved holiday film, this hilarious fish-out-of-water comedy follows Buddy the Elf in his quest to find his true identity. This modern-day holiday classic is sure to make everyone embrace their inner elf. After all, the best way to spread Christmas Cheer is singing loud for all to hear.

Blue Genie Art Bazaar @ 6100 Airport Blvd. Nov 13 – Dec 24 The Blue Genie Art Bazaar is a fixture of the Austin holiday season! They have thousands of original works ranging from serious art to fun, kitschy items. Shopping at the Bazaar is a great way to buy holiday gifts in a hassle-free environment, all while supporting local artists. All items at the Bazaar are handmade by local and regional artists that are selected through a rigorous jury process.

New Year’s Eve At The Fairmont Austin

Garrison – NYE Pop up Dinner On New Year’s Eve Garrison, located on the Lobby level of the Fairmont Austin, will be hosting a chef’s tasting menu dinner event. They will be offering two seatings @ 6pm - $125 and 9pm $155. Reservations are required for this event as well as a credit card to finalize the booking.

Revue / 5pm – 12AM / December 31st Only Located on our Lobby Level Revue will be open for dining on NYE and will be featuring a Champagne Bar and Raw Bar. No reservations required, first come first served.

Fulton / 7am – 1am Located on our Lobby Level and open all day Fulton will be offering a special NYE bubbles menu as well as live music from 5pm-1am. You will also receive a complimentary glass of champagne at midnight to toast the New Year! Reservations recommended.

Rules & Regs / 5pm – 1am Our 7th Floor rooftop bar will be open and offering their Latin inspired bar bites menu. They will also be offering a complimentary glass of champagne at midnight to ring in the New Year! Reservations recommended.

New Year’s Eve Cocktail Cart - Available December 31st Only Available through In-Room Dining only. Toast the good times to come in the comfort of your own room with a special delivery from our New Year’s Eve Cocktail cart! Simply confirm your timeframe with In-Room dining and select from 3 celebratory options when your server arrives at your door. Enjoy one glass of Moet & Chandon Imperial Brut / Champagne Cocktail with bubbly cube, bitters / Old Fashioed Amigos with casamigos reposado tequila, glenlivet 12 scotch, turbinado, bitters.

New Year’s Eve The following are adult only events located outside of the Fairmont Austin

NYE with HeartByrne @ ACL Live at the Moody Theater Say goodbye to 2020 and hello to 2021 with HeartByrne: A Tribute to Talking Heads on New Year’s Eve! Safely ring in the New Year with a distanced dance party to remember! HeartByrne pays tribute to Talking Heads and David Byrne, who fused pop, funk, art rock, and African rhythms into perhaps the most adventurous, danceable and timeless music to emerge from the new wave movement.

Roaring 20’s NYE Party @ The Roosevelt Room Ring in 2021 at The Roosevelt Room's annual Roaring 20s New Year's Eve Party! This year will feature a seated/socially-distanced experience so that you and guests can celebrate in a safe and sanitary environment. Indulge in classic cocktails first crafted in the 1920s while listening to the upbeat Electro-swing of DJ Beatsmode. And of course, we'll be showing the Ball Drop at Midnight on our projector above the bar!

NYE Bash with Garrett T Capps, Mayaeux & Broussards & More @ The White Horse With an entry cover at $10 this is a great and economical way to ring in the New Year at a classic Austin watering hole! With live music all night long you will be dancing the night away at this iconic Honky Tonk. The White Horse features a full-service bar, outdoor patio and smoking area, live music seven days a week, two pool tables, Bomb Tacos taco trailer, a giant dance floor, a pretty little photo booth, shoe shine station, and WHISKEY ON TAP.

NYE Celebration @ Unbarlievable - Rainey St. Come celebrate New Year's Eve under the big top at the #1 bar in Austin...Unbarlievable on Rainey Street! Ticket packages include entry and VIP line bypass. Upon arrival guests will be escorted to a table with a dedicated server. Due to reduced capacity and COVID-19 all ticket holders must arrive by 10:30 pm to be guaranteed entry. This will be a socially distanced event.

NYE Celebration @ The Aquarium on Sixth Celebrate New Year's Eve in Austin at The Aquarium on Sixth, the ultimate NYE celebration! Enjoy the sights and sounds as you party at the hottest bar on Historic East Sixth Street in the heart of all the action! Ticket packages include entry and VIP line bypass. Upon arrival guests will be escorted to a table with a dedicated server. Due to reduced capacity and COVID-19 all ticket holders must arrive by 10:30 pm to be guaranteed entry. This will be a socially distanced event.