From the last holiday light displays to New Year's Eve celebrations to entertainment options in the first month of 2022, here are 12 events for residents in Northwest Austin to enjoy.
Today through Jan. 2: Say ‘cheese’ in front of holiday decor Visitors are invited to enjoy the Christmas tree and other holiday lights and decorations at the Domain Northside’s Holiday Walk-Thru Photo Experience. Additionally, individuals can be entered in a contest to receive treats from Sprinkles and Starbucks by posting photos to Instagram. Nightly. Free. 11821 Rock Rose Ave., Austin. 512-758-7937.
www.domainnorthside.com Today through Jan. 30: Delight in holiday lights Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center will host its winter light event, Luminations, for the next month. Visitors walk a path dotted by lights to see art installations in the Texas Arboretum. 6-9 p.m. Thu.-Sun; closed Dec. 24, 25, 31 and Jan. 1. $10-$20. Free (ages 4 and under), $15 (ages 5-17), $25 (ages 18 and up), with discounts for members. 4801 La Crosse Ave., Austin. 512-232-0100.
www.wildflower.org Dec. 31: Dance in the new year Nonprofit organization Austin Ballroom Dancers will host a New Year’s Eve party featuring music by the Nash Hernandez Septet. Tickets to the bring-your-own-beverage event will include hors d’oeuvres and punch along with a sparkling cider toast at midnight. 8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. $45 (members), $55 (nonmembers), $65 (at the door, if available). Austin Uptown Dance, 8868 Research Blvd., Austin. 512-989-3939.
www.austinballroomdancers.org Dec. 31: Have a rockin’ New Year ACL Live will host two New Year’s Eve rock concerts. The first, located in The Moody Theater, features Spoon, John Doe Folk Trio and Sweet Spirit. Additionally, HeartByrne pays tribute to Talking Heads during a New Year’s Eve show at 3Ten. 8:30 p.m. (Spoon), 9 p.m. (HeartByrne). $55 and up (HeartByrne), $69 and up (Spoon). 310 Willie Nelson Blvd., Austin. 512-225-7999.
www.acl-live.com Jan. 1: Hike the Hill Country The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department invites guests to head to Pedernales Falls State Park for their first hike of 2022. Throughout the day, the TPWD will offer two guided hikes and suggests other trails to explore. Guests can finish off the day with a campfire. All guided hikes are dog friendly, and no additional registration or fees are required. 9 a.m. (Pedernales Falls Trail), noon (Twin Falls Nature Trail), 3 p.m. (campfire). Free (children under 12), $6 (age 13 and older). 2585 Park Road 6026, Johnson City. 830-868-7304.
www.tpwd.texas.gov Jan. 2, 8 and 9: Recycle your tree City residents can drop their holiday tree off at Zilker Park on three collection days. Additionally, city curbside customers can leave their trees at the curb on their regular collection day starting Dec. 26. The trees will be mulched, and that garden mulch will be available for free at 9 a.m. Jan. 12. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Zilker Park Polo Fields, 2100 Barton Springs Drive, Austin.
www.austintexas.gov Jan. 3: Create sea creature magnets Children ages 9 through 12 can tune in online for Austin Public Library’s Just for Tweens event. During the session, Rita Wang will teach a polymer clay art technique for making magnets shaped like sea creatures and amphibians. 6-7:30 p.m. Free (registration required). Online. 512-974-7400.
www.library.austintexas.gov Jan. 8 and 9: Experience holistic healing At the Austin Metaphysical & Holistic Life Expo hosted by Spiritual Life Productions, attendees can attend lectures and immersive sessions on a number of topics including meditation, astrology and tarot card readings. Additionally, at the event’s market, vendors will sell books, crystals and wellness products. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (Sat.), 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (Sun.). $10 per day. Norris Conference Center, 2525 W. Anderson Lane, Ste. 365, Austin.
www.spirituallifeproductions.org Jan. 9: Watch an updated fable with family An electroluminescent puppet show put on by Lightwire Theater—semifinalists on “America’s Got Talent”—comes to Austin. The show will be based on Aesop’s fable “The Tortoise and the Hare” but finds the characters 10 years after the race, now with children of their own. 2 p.m. $21-$25. Paramount Theater, 713 Congress Ave., Austin. 512-472-5470.
www.austintheatre.org Jan. 12: Pick up a new sewing skill Austin-based Northwest Sewing Center and Designs in Machine Embroidery will host a virtual Patch Party. During the event, participants will learn how to make professional-grade patches on any machine; select fabrics and threads; and apply them to bags, jackets and shoes. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free. Online. 512-459-3961.
www.nwsewingcenter.com Jan. 14 and 15: Be riveted by bull riders H-E-B Center at Cedar Park Professional Bull Rider’s Pendleton Whiskey Velocity Tour returns for the second year. Over the course of two nights, 45 of the world’s top bull riders will compete on some of the sport’s best bulls. 8 p.m. (Fri.), 7 p.m. (Sat.). $18 and up. 2100 Ave. of the Stars, Cedar Park. 719-242-2800.
www.pbr.com Jan. 18: Learn at the Long Center Astrophysicist and author Neil deGrasse Tyson will discuss the ambition of space exploration with the geopolitical, economic and cultural realities that have limited it in his talk called “Delusions of Space Enthusiasts.” A VIP Q&A session with Tyson after the show is also available. Face masks and proof of a negative COVID-19 test or vaccination are required. 7:30 p.m. $49 and up. 701 W. Riverside Drive, Austin. 512-474-5664.
my.thelongcenter.org Jan. 23: Run a half marathon More than 7,500 runners will gather in Austin for the 3M Half Marathon Downhill to downtown. The race calls itself one of the fastest half marathons, boasting a mostly downhill 13.1-mile course. The event finishes near the Texas State Capitol, and runners can celebrate with a postrace festival and beer garden. A virtual half-marathon option is also available. 7:30-11:30 a.m. $55 (virtual), $139 (in person). 9700 Stonelake Blvd., Austin (start).
www.downhilltodowntown.com
