Holiday events top the Northwest Austin to-do list for the next week, Dec. 14-19

Austin City Ballet's 'The Nutcracker'

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By Emma Whalen | 10:07 PM Dec 13, 2017 CST

Celebrate the holidays and learn about nonprofit organizations this weekend and early next week.

THURSDAY

1. Watch a performance of "The Nutcracker"
Northwest Austin-based nonprofit Austin City Ballet presents the 17th Annual "Austin Children’s Nutcracker" at the Texas School for the Deaf. Performers range in age from 8 to 18 years. 7:30 p.m. (Thu.-Fri.), 2:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. (Sat.) Admission varies. 1102 S. Congress Ave., Austin. www.austincityballet.org

2. Experience Shalom Austin’s “This is Hunger” Exhibit
“This is Hunger” is a nationwide mobile exhibit organized by MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, a national nonprofit organization aimed at ending hunger in the U.S. The exhibit brings an educational multimedia presentation on issues surrounding hunger. Registration is required. 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and noon. Free. Dell Jewish Community Campus, 7300 Hart Lane, Austin. www.thisishunger.org

FRIDAY

3. Attend a baroque Christmas concert
Ensemble VIII, a baroque and renaissance voice ensemble presents, “Vivaldi Gloria—Christmas with Ensemble VII.” The performance features Ensemble VII’s vocalists backed by a chamber orchestra. 7:30 p.m. $10 (student admission),$35 (general admission), $45 (priority seating).St. Louis King of France Catholic Church Chapel, 7601 Burnet Road, Austin. www.ensembleviii.org

4. Celebrate the holiday season with kid-friendly event
Catch Air's Anderson Mill location hosts a Cookies & Crafts with Santa event that includes snacks, crafts and photo opportunities with Santa. 4-7 p.m. Admission varies by age. 13450 N. US 183, Ste. 107, Austin.
www.catchairparty.com/location/austin/

MONDAY

5. Enjoy more holiday festivities
Winter Wonderland at The Circuit features a 1-mile circuit of lights, a skating rink, a petting zoo, movies on the lawn and a tunnel of lights. Attendees can ride carnival rides and watch live music performances. 6 p.m. $16. Circuit of The Americas, 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd., Del Valle. www.thecircuit.com/winter-wonderland

TUESDAY

6. Give blood during a Red Cross blood Drive
The Red Cross puts in extra effort to attract blood donors during the typically slow month of December, a news release stated. A donation drive is hosted at the Doubletree Northwest Austin Arboretum hotel, but donors can also make appointments online. 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Free.Doubletree Northwest Austin Arboretum, 8901 Business Park Drive, Austin. www.redcrossblood.org

By Emma Whalen

Emma is Community Impact Newspaper's Houston City Hall reporter. Previously, she covered public health, education and features for several Austin-area publications. A Boston native, she is a former student athlete and alumna of The University of Texas at Austin.