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Musicologie is kicking off the new year with an incredible offer for aspiring musicians! New students can experience their first assessment lesson for just $19 - the perfect way to discover how fun music education can be.

Whether your child (or you!) wants to learn piano, guitar, voice, drums, or any other instrument, Musicologie's certified instructors make every lesson engaging and enjoyable. January is the busiest enrollment month, so book now to secure your preferred day and time!

Parents can relax in the comfortable waiting room with complimentary coffee and WiFi, while younger siblings will find books and toys to keep them entertained.

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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.

BEE CAVE ON ICE | Now-Jan 19 | Hill Country Galleria | Cost varies | Info
Lace up your skates as the Galleria turns into a winter wonderland.

POLAR BEAR PLUNGE | Dec 31, 9-10am | Lakeway Swim Center | FREE | Info
Take one last wild slide into 2026 with a chilly plunge, then thaw out with cocoa and good company.

NEW YEAR’S EVE BRUNCH | Dec 31, 9am-3pm | Steiner Ranch Steakhouse | $15-$50 | Info
Because starting NYE with brunch at Steiner guarantees good decisions - at least until sundown.

NEW YEARS EVE PRIME RIB SPECIAL | Dec 31, 11am-9pm | Angel’s Icehouse | $30 | Info
A hearty way to wrap up the year - prime rib, patio vibes, and no dishes to clean.

MERIDIAN 98 NEW YEARS EVE PARTY | Dec 31, 4pm | Meridian 98 @ Sonesta Bee Cave | FREE | Info
Ring in 2026 from the rooftop with live music, a DJ-fueled countdown, and good eats.

NEW YEARS EVE 4 COURSE WINE DINNER | Dec 31, 5-10pm | Sixty-Three Restaurant | FREE | Info
A wine dinner that serves up big flavors and perfect pairings.

NEW YEARS EVE 2026 | Dec 31, 5pm | Beachside Billy’s | FREE | Info
Celebrate NYE on the lake with live music, champagne, and plenty of photo-worthy moments.

NYE 5PM BALLOON DROP | Dec 31, 5pm | Lago Vista Brewing | FREE | Info
A “cheers to 2026” moment for families who love a good brewery and an early bedtime.

GLITZ & GLAM | Dec 31, 7pm | TexARTS | $150 | Info
Ring in the new year with a night that sparkles as much as Lake Travis does at midnight.

2026 NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY | Dec 31, 7pm | Lucky Rabbit Jonestown | FREE
A final Keepers of The Rock show, good company, and a champagne sendoff.

2026 NEW YEAR’S EVE LAKEWAY PARTY | Dec 31, 7pm | SAF Wine Bar | FREE | Info
A DJ, plenty of wine, and a champagne that pairs perfectly with the new year.

BOOTS & BUBBLY: NEW YEARS EVE 2026 | Dec 31, 8pm | The Terrace | $160 | Info
Celebrate 2026 in style with a boots-and-bubbly New Year’s bash.

NYE 2026 | Dec 31, 8pm–2am | Lake Travis Biergarten | FREE | Info
DJ beats, great bites, and a cozy NYE bash capped off by midnight fireworks.

MASQUERADE NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY | Dec 31, 9pm | WakeSurf Saloon | FREE | Info
A mask-on, worries-off NYE party where you trade boots for a little mystery.

DIVE WORLD AUSTIN: POLAR DIVE | Jan 1, 10am | Mansfield Dam Park | FREE | Info
Kick off the year with a plunge that’ll wake up every cell in your body.

HAIR OF THE WOLF | Jan 1, 12-6pm | Iron Wolf Ranch & Distillery | FREE | Info
Recover the only way Texans know how - BBQ, cocktails, and Hill Country views.

BIKES & COFFEE | Jan 3, 9:30-11am | Family PowerSports | FREE | Info
A caffeine-fueled meetup for those who love two wheels and a good brew.

POLAR PLUNGE FUN RUN & FIELD DAY | Jan 3, 10am | Founders Park Dripping Springs | $25 | Info
Shake off the holiday cobwebs with a brisk run and a chilly splash.

HOT CHOCOLATE WITH SOUTHERN SNOW | Jan 5, 2-3pm | Lake Travis Library Lakeway | FREE | Info
Warm up with a sweet treat and some friendly library cheer.

BOOKS & BUBBLY BOOK CLUB | Jan 5, 7-8pm | Lake Travis Library Spicewood | FREE | Info
This month’s read is The Driving Lesson and author Ben Rehder is showing up for the fun.

GARDENING IN DROUGHT CONDITIONS | Jan 6, 11:45am | K Oaks Clubhouse | FREE | Info
Join the Lago Vista Gardening Club in learning how to keep your plants happy when the rain forgets we exist.

NOON YEAR’S EVE BALLOON DROP | Dec 31, 10am | Pikopye’s Town | 39 | Info
A countdown where the little ones can celebrate without staying up way past bedtime.

MUSIC & MOVEMENT | Jan 2, 10:30-11am | Lake Travis Library Lakeway | FREE | Info
A lively toddler dance break to burn off that leftover holiday sugar.

TWEENS & TEENS Y2K CRAFT | Jan 2, 1-2pm | Lake Travis Library Spicewood | FREE | Info
A throwback craft session bringing back the glittery Y2K chaos.

TEEN ADVISORY BOARD | Jan 3, 2–6pm | Bee Cave Library | FREE | Info
8th-12th graders dream up projects and plan cool stuff for the library.

LIL ANGEL’S CRAFTS & COCOA | Jan 5, 12–2pm | Angel’s Icehouse | FREE | Info
Bring the kiddos for crafts and warm cocoa.

AUSTIN’S NEW YEAR | Dec 31, 7pm | Auditorium Shores | FREE | Info
Austin’s ultimate New Year’s bash with music, food trucks, art installations, and fireworks over Lady Bird Lake.

MIDNIGHT MASQUERADE | Dec 31, 10pm-2am | Hotel Zaza Austin Downtown | $180 | Info
Mask up with cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, live entertainment, and a sparkling midnight toast.

BOB SCHNEIDER’S GREAT BIG SPECTACULAR NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY | Dec 31, 8pm | The Paramount Theater | $47+ | Info
Start the new year with a hometown legend setting the vibe.

SPEAKEASY’S NEW YEAR’S EVE BASH W/ SPAZMATICS | Dec 31, 8pm-2am | Speakeasy | $45+ | Info
Ring in the new year at a blowout full of live music, DJs, and balloon drops.

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LT CORNER PUB (Lakeway)
Thu: Tylor Brandon | 9pm-12am

LUCKY RABBIT (Jonestown)
Fri: Mr. Bullavard | 7-10pm
Sat: JD Casper 2-5pm | Chris Max Band 7-10pm

POODIE’S ROADHOUSE (Spicewood)
Fri: Craig Marshall Band | 8pm-12am
Sat: The Greers 8pm | The Shufflehawks 10:30pm
Sun: Pearl Snaps 4pm | Tasmin & Tim 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

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Guess Who’s Back? We’ve been eagerly waiting, and A One Noodles & Dumpling Bar is finally back open as of December 21. Tip: Order the Peking duck.

Your Tree Had a Great Run. If your tree has officially shed its last needle, Lakeway residents can check out these curbside and drop-off recycling options. Not in Lakeway? Check out these other free drop-off locations.

Fitness Resolutions. Lakeway Activity Center is offering Fit for Life and Mat Pilates classes for the month of January to help you reset after the holidays.

A Juicy Matchup. Texas faces Michigan in the Citrus Bowl on New Year’s Eve. Longhorns are favored by around 7-7.5 points.

Adopt Me. Geezer is a tiny Shih Tzu with a huge heart, and he’s looking for a family who appreciates good cuddle sessions.

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Our final poll of the year gave us the clearest road map we could ask for. You told us what you want to see more of in 2026 - food that makes you leave the house, gatherings that make you stay awhile, Hill Country adventures worth the drive, and a whole lot more connection.

Here’s the State of the Current:

RESTAURANTS TAKE THE CROWN
Local eats absolutely dominated the poll. You want openings, specials, hidden gems, new menus, and “does this place even exist yet?” updates.
As one reader put it: “So few restaurants…and I want to know the moment one opens.”

COMMUNITY GATHERINGS (LOTS OF THEM)
Parents, long-timers, newcomers - everyone wants more ways to show up and meet the people who live around them. More events. More connection. More reasons to leave the house for something other than errands.
One reader said it best: “Love this newsletter. We're young parents in Steiner looking to build community in 2026.”

EVENTS BEYOND LAKE TRAVIS
Plenty of you asked for Hill country festivals, day trips, and the good stuff beyond our bubble. Consider it added to the rotation.

REAL ESTATE…WITH BALANCE
Some of you want the intel on market trends, neighborhood developments, new roads, proposals, growth updates. Others said, boldly, “please no real estate listings!” We hear both sides, and we’ll thread that needle carefully.

LOCAL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHTS
Shoutout to the reader who said: “What about local small business promotions? Discounts? Services besides restaurants?”
A fantastic idea. More of that is coming. Did you see what Musicologie is offering?

THE BIG PICTURE
What you really want is what every great community thrives on: more ways to learn, gather, eat, explore, and stay connected.

Here’s to a year where neighbors become friends, inboxes turn into meetups, and this little newsletter grows right alongside the community it serves.

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