Festivals, concerts, markets and more: 23 Austin area events to celebrate the holiday season

Circuit of the Americas will present its annual mile-long holiday lights drive-thru featuring millions of holiday lights, dancing characters and more. The accompanying Peppermint Plaza will have more holiday activities, food and sweets.

• Nov. 22-Dec. 29, 6-9 p.m
• $45+ (ticket per vehicle)
• 9201 Circuit of The Americas Blvd., Austin
• www.peppermintparkway.com

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in South Austin will light up its gardens and trails with luminarias for guests to walk through. The center will be closed on Dec. 24, 25, 31 and Jan. 1.

• Nov. 22-Jan. 5, 5:45-7:45 p.m. (entry)
• $18-$28
• 4801 La Crosse Ave., Austin
• www.wildflower.org

Dripping Springs Ranch Park will host its annual Western Wonderland with an ice skating rink, holiday market, light trail and more.

• Nov. 27-Jan. 5, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
• Free (admission)
• 1042 Event Center Drive, Dripping Springs
• www.drippingspringsranchpark.com

The Hill Country Galleria will light up for the holidays on Black Friday. The Tree Lighting Ceremony will begin with a performance from Magnolia Musical Theatre and ice-skating, giveaways, face painting and more will follow.

• Nov. 29, 5-9 p.m.
• Free (admission)
• 12700 Hill Country Blvd., Bee Cave
• www.hillcountrygalleria.com

The ZACH Theatre will open its production of ‘A Christmas Carol’ for the holiday season in November. Follow along as the cast and crew tell the story of Ebenezer Scrooge and his encounters with the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future.

• Nov. 29-Dec. 20, showtimes vary
• Ticket prices vary
• 202 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin
• www.zachtheatre.org

Mozart’s Coffee Roasters is putting a twist on its annual light show on Lake Austin. This year’s open seating format will allow guests to see the lights, listen to live performances, shop from holiday vendors, head out to the lake and more during their selected time slot.

• Nov. 29-Jan. 4, 5-10 p.m.
• $5-$300 (children 11 and under free)
• 3825 Lake Austin Blvd., Austin
• www.mozartscoffee.com

The Emily Ann Trail of Lights is a walking trail through approximately eight acres of light exhibits. Most nights will have live entertainment with hot chocolate and visits from Santa Claus. The opening ceremony Nov. 30 will have a holiday tree lighting.

• Nov. 30-Dec. 26, 6-9 p.m. (Sundays-Thursdays); 6-10 p.m. (Fridays-Saturdays)
• Free (donations accepted)
• 1101 FM 2325, Wimberley
• www.emilyann.org/trailoflights

The City of Austin will host its annual holiday tree lighting ceremony at Zilker Park. There will be food, music and performances from the Austin Civic Wind Ensemble. The tree will stay up through Jan. 1.

• Dec. 1, 6 p.m. (pre-ceremony music at 5:15 p.m.)
• Free (admission)
• 2100 Barton Springs Road, Austin
• www.austintexas.gov

The Austin Symphony Orchestra and Austin Chorus will present its traditional holiday concert at the Riverbend Centre.

• Dec. 3, 8 p.m.
• $19-$64 (tickets)
• 4214 N. Capital of Texas Hwy., Austin
• www.austinsymphony.org

The Trans-Siberian Orchestra will be at the Moody Center to present its holiday rock concert.

• Dec. 4, 7 p.m.
• Ticket prices vary
• 2001 Robert Dedman Drive, Austin
• www.trans-siberian.com

Cedar Parks Park and Recreation will illuminate the tree at Heritage Oak Park with over 50,000 lights. The event will also have food and sweets, holiday photo opportunities, musical performances and more.

• Dec. 6, 6:30-9 p.m.
• Free (admission)
• 875 Quest Parkway, Cedar Park
• www.cedarparktexas.gov/160/Parks-Recreation

Round Rock's annual holiday festival at Old Settlers Park will have light shows, live music, crafts, holiday festivities and more.

• Dec 6-7, 6 p.m.
• Free (admission)
• 3300 Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock
• www.roundrocktexas.gov/event

Buda’s annual Christmas festival will have a vendor market, lighted parade, pictures with Santa and more family-friendly holiday activities.

• Dec. 6-8, 6-9 p.m. (Friday); noon-9 p.m. (Saturday); noon-5 p.m. (Sunday)
• Free (admission)
• Downtown Buda, 303 Main St., Buda
• www.budafest.org

The Bastrop Opera House main stage will be decorated with lights and decorations for this production featuring performances of holiday classics with rock ‘n’ roll twists.

• Dec. 6-22, show times vary
• $30 (tickets)
• 711 Spring St., Bastrop
• www.bastropoperahouse.org/shows

Ballet Austin will present the 62nd annual production of “The Nutcracker” at The Long Center. The show's music will be played by the Austin Symphony Orchestra.

• Dec. 6-23, show times vary
• $20-$125 (tickets)
• 701 W. Riverside Drive, Austin
• www.balletaustin.org/performances/the-nutcracker

Hosted by the Dripping Springs Lions Club and the City of Dripping Springs, the downtown holiday festival will have live music, food and drinks, kids’ games and activities, photos with Santa Claus and more.

• Dec. 7, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Free (admission)
• Downtown Dripping Springs
• www.cityofdrippingsprings.com/christmasonmercer

Leander’s annual Christmas festival will have a parade, market, rides, live performances, food and drink and more themed activities. The event begins with the Old Town Rudolph Run 5K at 10 a.m.

• Dec. 7, 11 a.m. (festival opens)
• Free (admission)
• 100 N. Brushy St., Leander
• www.oldtownleander.com

Members of the Austin Chamber Music Center will play holiday classics like “Linus and Lucy” and “O Tannenbaum” from “A Charlie Brown Christmas” at the State Theatre.

• Dec. 7, noon; 3:30 p.m., 7 p.m.
• $28-$58 (tickets)
• 719 Congress Ave., Austin
• www.austinchambermusic.org

Austin’s holiday light walk-thru event will return to Zilker Park for its 60th year. Visit the trail to see over 2 million lights, 90 lighted holiday trees, over 65 holiday displays and more.

• Dec. 10-23
• Free-$8 (admission)
• 2100 Barton Springs Road, Austin
• www.austintrailoflights.org

San Marcos' annual holiday festival will return to San Marcos Plaza Park for a one-day event this year. The event will start with the Jingle Bell Run 5K and Kids K and continue all day with performances from SMCISD students, a holiday vendor market, kids' crafts and activities, Santa's arrival and more. The event's live music headliner will be the Spazmatics.

• Dec. 14, 9 a.m. (run start); 2 p.m. (festivities begin)
• Free (admission)
• 206 N. CM Allen Parkway, San Marcos
• http://www.sights-n-sounds.org

This 10-day market event at the Palmer Events Center will have fine art, handmade gifts and more from nearly 200 artists. There will also be daily live music.

• Dec. 14-23, 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
• $12 (admission)
• 900 Barton Springs Road, Austin
• www.armadillobazaar.com