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GIRLS NIGHT OUT | Dec 18, 6-9pm | 5 Soul Wine Co. | FREE | Info
A fun night of wine, laughs, and catching up before holiday chaos fully kicks in.

WESTERN WONDERLAND | Now-Jan 3 | Dripping Springs Ranch Park | Cost varies | Info 
The holidays go full Hill Country with lights, ice skating, and festive events for the whole crew.

IRVING BERLIN’S WHITE CHRISTMAS | Now-Dec 21 | TexARTS | Cost varies | Info 
A charming holiday tale where two buddies and two sisters team up to save a snowy Vermont inn.

BEE CAVE HOLIDAY MARKET | Dec 19, 4-9pm & Dec 20, 12–7pm | Hill Country Galleria | FREE | Info
A festive maker market perfect for last-minute gifts from local artisans.

DRINK & DRAW | Dec 19, 5–8pm | Contracommon | FREE | Info
A judgment-free evening of doodling, creating, and hanging with artsy neighbors.

“WE GOT THE ITCH” 7TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY | Dec 19, 6pm-12am | Jules Design Bar | FREE | Info
Throw on your flashiest glam and toast seven sparkly years with music, prizes, and good vibes.

MOVIE ON THE LAWN: CHRISTMAS VACATION | Dec 19, 6:30-8:30pm | Frontyard Brewing | FREE | Info
A cozy outdoor screening of a holiday favorite - free popcorn, warm cider, cold beer, and big laughs.

PJS, PADDLES & PROSECCO | Dec 20, 9-11am | 5 Soul Wine Co. | $25 | Info
A spirited morning of pickleball, mimosas, and a lively white elephant exchange.

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS MARKET | Dec 20, 10am-2pm | Lago Vista Brewing | FREE | Info
A festive finale full of local vendors, sweet treats, and armfuls of Christmas cheer.

FIRE + ICE: CONFLICT MANAGEMENT | Dec 20, 10:30am-12pm | Lake Travis Library Lakeway | FREE | Info
A fun, hands-on crash course in staying cool, calm, and collected through conflict.

CANDLE MAKING | Dec 20, 12-5pm | Frontyard Brewing | FREE | Info
Spend a cozy afternoon rafting the perfect heartfelt candle gift.

BONSAI BEGINNER WORKSHOP | Dec 20, 1pm | The Oasis | $85 | Info
A zen afternoon learning bonsai with sweeping lake views.

COME & GO CRAFTS: GINGERBREAD HOUSES | Dec 22, 1-3pm | Lake Travis Library Spicewood | FREE | Info
Drop in and build candy-covered masterpieces.

LAKE TRAVIS CHILI COOK OFF | Dec 20, 3-8pm | WakeSurf Saloon | FREE | Info
A spicy showdown where local chefs and businesses battle for chili bragging rights.

HOLIDAY POP-UP MARKET & PUP ADOPTION PAW-TY | Dec 20, 3-8pm | WakeSurf Saloon | FREE | Info
A festive lakeside popup with adorable adoptable pups and plenty of holiday cheer waiting to be scooped up.

CANDLES & CAROLS | Dec 23, 6-10pm | Angel’s Icehouse | FREE | Info
A candlelit evening of carols, warm drinks, and Hill Country cheer ft. the LTHS Choir.

POLAR EXPRESS | Dec 23, 9-11am | Dripping Springs Ranch Park | $35 | Info
A cozy mashup of story time, crafts, hot chocolate, cookie decorating, and ice skating.

CHRISTMAS BAKE OFF | Dec 23, 7pm | Hudson Tavern | FREE | Info
Bring your best holiday dessert and dive into a night of sweet, festive competition.

PHOTOS WITH SANTA | Now-Dec 24 | Hill Country Galleria | FREE | Info
No pro photographer, just pure holiday charm and your camera roll.

PANCAKE CHARACTER BREAKFAST | Dec 20, 9-11am | Dripping Springs Ranch Park | $15 | Info
A syrup-soaked morning with character meet-and-greets your kids will replay all week.

WHOVILLE IN VOLENTE | Dec 20, 5–8pm | Volente Beach Resort | $10 | Info
A lakeside Whoville celebration that feels straight out of a Dr. Seuss Christmas.

THE BEAUTY’S HOLIDAY HIGH TEA | Dec 22, 11:30am | Pikopye’s Town | $49 | Info
A sweet and charming holiday tea party that feels straight out of a storybook.

GAME DEVELOPMENT WITH ROBLOX | Dec 22-23, 9am-12pm | Lakeway Activity Center | $150 | Info
A two-day camp where kids turn their Roblox obsession into real-deal game-building skills.

TWEEN SCENE ON ICE | Dec 23, 7-9pm | Dripping Springs Ranch Park | $15 | Info
A cool night of skating and music perfect for pre-teens.

AUSTIN TRAIL OF LIGHTS | Now-Dec 23 | Zilker Park | Cost varies | Info
Austin’s iconic Trail of Lights returns to Zilker Park with millions of lights and classic holiday displays.

THE ARMADILLO CHRISTMAS BAZAAR | Now-Dec 21 | Palmer Events Center | $12 | Info
Five decades of Austin’s most wonderfully weird holiday tradition.

THE NUTCRACKER | Now-Dec 23 | The Long Center | $25-$135 | Info
Austin’s most elegant holiday escape of twirling snowflakes, soaring music, and a Nutcracker that always steals the show.

LUMINATIONS | Now-Jan 3 | Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center | Cost varies | Info
Full holiday mode with glowing garden paths, live music, and all the cocoa and churros you can handle.

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Last week’s poll results. Christmas Vacation ran away with the crown (shocking absolutely no one). And yes - we heard you - we missed a few heavy hitters. A Christmas Story, It’s A Wonderful Life, and The Family Stone (RIP Diane Keaton) all came in strong as top write-ins from our passionate holiday movie crowd.

Here’s what one of our readers had to say:

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Designed by Steve Zagorski Architects and built by Credence Custom Homes, 1702 Moonlight Trace delivers Hollywood Hills–level modern luxury in the heart of Spicewood.

Sitting on a one-acre perch in gated Tierra Vista, this 4,970-square foot stunner shows off panoramic Pedernales River views, floor-to-ceiling glass, and indoor-outdoor living so seamless you’ll wonder why you ever owned walls.

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ANGEL’S ICEHOUSE (Spicewood)
Fri: Alex Pack Band | 7-10pm

IRON WOLF RANCH & DISTILLERY (Spicewood)
Sat: Brandon Alan | 2-5pm

JULES DESIGN BAR (Bee Cave)
Fri: Shelley Mac & Rod Williams | 8-Late

LT CORNER PUB (Lakeway)
Fri: Karaoke Night + KJ Kevin | 9pm-1am

LUCKY RABBIT (Jonestown)
Thu: Cold Heart Cash Duo | 6-9pm
Fri: Super Natural ATX | 7-10pm
Sat: Chase Gassaway 2-5pm | North of Luck 7-10pm

POODIE’S ROADHOUSE (Spicewood)
Thu: Gus Miller 6pm | Bob Schneider & Adam Temple 8pm
Fri: Candy Coburn 8pm | Lauren Diamond 10pm
Sat: Ricke Brothers 6pm | Will Rhodes 8pm | Chris Hoff & The Hill Country Half-Timers 10:30pm
Sun: Travis Green 4pm | Chuck Shaw 7:30pm

STEINER RANCH STEAKHOUSE (Steiner Ranch)
Thu: Robert Wagner | 6:30-9pm
Fri: Howlin Waters | 6:30-9pm
Sun: Mike Gonzales | 6:30-9pm

WINSTON’S ATX (Spicewood)
Fri: Spicewood Live | 6-9pm

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Where to See the Best Holiday Lights Around Lake Travis. Every December starts with good intentions and ends with one inflatable snowman and a questionable U-turn.

Skip the guesswork this year. The Lakeway Light Up map is built by locals who take their lights seriously. Follow the neighborhood clusters, not one-off houses, and you’ll hit the good stuff. To make navigation a little less daunting, we created the holiday guide below. Bonus tip: save it before heading out - cell service can get spotty at night.

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If the North Pole had lake views, it would look like this. A million lights spread across five glowing acres, Christmas trees for days, Santa on standby, and enough festive drinks and s’mores to keep both kids and adults blissfully sugared up.