2015-12-06

Happening Daily



Austin Trail of Lights – Opening December 8 and running through December 22, from 7-10 p.m. nightly. Visit the AustinTrail of Lights and take a spin under the Zilker Tree! Kids will enjoy an interactive kids’ area, photo opportunities, visit with Santa, delicious food and more. Zilker Tree on display nightly.  General admission is FREE from December 8-15, and only $3 for ages 12+ from December 16-22. Zilker Park, 2100 Barton Springs Road.

Whole Foods Ice Skating on the Plaza - 10 a.m. – 9 p.m., Tickets are $10 and include skate rental. Whole Foods, 525 N. Lamar Blvd.

Tinplate Trackers’ Holiday Model Train Exhibit (Round Rock) – 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., The Tinplate Trackers is an Austin-based O gauge model railroading club featuring Lionel, MTH, Rail Kind, K-Line, O-27 and O-72 trains. In the past, for a $5 donation, your Junior Engineer could briefly run the trains. Admission is free, but donations are accepted.  Round Rock Area Arts Council, 231 E. Main St., Round Rock.

Mozart’s Light Show – 6 p.m., Gather friends and family to watch one of the best light shows in Austin. The 12-minute long celebration happens on the deck and has holiday music to get everyone into the festive spirit. FREE! Mozart’s Coffee Roasters, 3825 Lake Austin Blvd.

Round Rock’s Rock ‘N Lights  Holiday Light Tour & Christmas Towne – 6-9 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, 6-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.  Experience the fourth annual event featuring all new displays and a bigger and brighter Christmas Towne at the Old Settlers Association and Dell Diamond parking lot. Rock’N Lights is a drive-through light show that features thousands of sparkling lights through Old Settlers Park. With 2 million lights, the 1.5-mile path is the must-see event of the season. The 2015 show features a longer light tunnel.  Cost: $15 per car. Old Settlers Park, 3300 Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock.

Monday, December 7, 2015

Baby Bloomers: Community Helpers (Dentist) – 9-10 a.m., Who helps make sure your teeth are clean and cavity free? The dentist does! Use your artistic skills to paint with toothbrushes, practice brushing model teeth with fun foaming action, investigate how to keep teeth their cleanest and more! Cost: $2.50 (members) and $4.50 (non-members).  The Thinkery, 1830 Simond Ave.

Mr. Will’s Music Class at Whole Foods Kid’s Club (Bee Cave) – 10 a.m., Mr. Will plays classics, covers and original music. Kids can dance and sing to their hearts delight! Come early as seats fill up fast. FREE! Whole Foods, 12601 Hill Country Blvd., Bee Cave.

Storytime with Dr. Candra – 11:00 am. Dr. Candra will captivate your children with stories, songs, dances, and games. FREE! Brilliant Sky Toys and Books, 701 S Capital of Texas Hwy, Ste D-480.

Homeschool Teens: Pop-Up Greeting Cards (Pflugerville) – 1:30-2:30 p.m.,Learn how to make your own pop-up greeting cards. Teens ages 12-18. New members are always welcome. FREE! Pflugerville Public Library – Lantana room, 1008 W. Pfluger Street, Pflugerville.

Crafternoon - 3:30 p.m., Drop by the library and make a craft while you search for books, movies and music. We’ve got paper crafts, easy sewing and more fun projects for the whole family. We provide the supplies; you provide the creativity. FREE! Austin Public Library, Manchaca Road Branch.

Homemade for the Holidays: Sensory Spa Gifts - 3:30 p.m., Teens: Come and Deck the Halls with DIY this winter at one of our gift making programs. Join us at a workshop and delight your BFF (or your mom) with something of your own creation! The Sensory Spa Gifts program will have you get your mad scientist gloves on and start brewing up a batch of bath-time gift delights in this spa-riffic workshop. FREE! Ages 10 and up. Austin Public Library, Pleasant Hill Branch.

Rockin’ Kids Club (Round Rock) –  4:30 p.m., It’s Lego Week at the Round Rock Public Library‘s Rockin’ Kids Club for elementary students. FREE! Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main Street, Round Rock.

Paws & Read (Pflugerville) – 6-7 p.m., Independent readers share a good book with a canine member of the Austin Dog Alliance. Grades K – 2. Free! Children register for a shared 15 minute slot. Two children can register for the same slot. They take turns reading and petting the dog. Registration begins 9/14. FREE! Pflugerville Public Library, 1008 W. Pfluger Street, Pflugerville.

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

hole Foods Kid’s Club – 9:30 a.m., Looking for something fun and free to do with the kids? Come to Kids Club every Tuesday at 9:30 am! We’ll have different crafts and/or story time each week.Appropriate for ages 2-5yrs old. Story-time is held in our community room upstairs (to the left of the elevators/stairway) and parental supervision is requested. FREE! Whole Foods Domain, 11920 Domain Drive.

Baby Day at The Alamo Drafthouse –  Movies before 2 p.m. The lights are up a bit, the sound is down a bit so moms and dads can head to the movies without the babies even knowing that they were at the movies. Infants are welcome to these shows, and of course, are allowed in for free. Take some time for yourself, pack up the kids, and head out to the Alamo Drafthouse for some much needed entertainment! Regular admission applies. Please note: Baby day is only on Tuesdays at the Alamo Village, Alamo South Lamar, Alamo Lakeline and Alamo Slaughter Lane.

Free Admission to Contemporary Austin at Laguna Gloria - 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Visit the exhibits and the grounds of the Contemporary Austin at Laguna Gloria for FREE! The Contemporary Austin, Laguna Gloria, 3809 West 35th Street.

Heartsong Music Storytime – 10:30 a.m., Join us this morning for a mellifluous storytime with our friends from Heartsong Music. They’ll be here to lead us in a music lesson intended for little ones aged 0 to 5. Heartsong Music’s mission is to teach music techniques to children from the earliest age so as to coax children’s inherent music ability as well as encourage their cognitive development. FREE! BookPeople, 603 N. Lamar Blvd.

Pottery Barn Kids Storytime: Happy Holidays from the Vader’s - 11-11:30 a.m., Join Pottery Barn Kids for a FREE weekly storytime! This week, storytime includes Vader’s Little Princess and Darth Vader & Son with special coloring pages and a chance to win a tote bag. Pottery Barn, Barton Creek Square, 2901 S. Cap. Tx. Hwy.

Kids Chess Club: Homeschool - 1:30 p.m., Learn to play chess! Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult. All levels welcome. Learn to play chess. Make friends. Beginners welcome!  Bonus – play with our GIANT chess set! FREE! Austin Public Library, Faulk Central.

Lego Lab – 3:30 p.m., Recommended for ages 5 and up. With Legos, you can build anything you can imagine and tell any story you can dream up. Come to the Lego Lab to hear, see, make, and create different stories, all while building with Legos provided by the Library! FREE! Austin Public Library, Twin Oaks and Windsor Park Branches.



Jumping Into the Holidays – 3:30-5:30 p.m., Guests of all ages will enjoy cookie decorating, crafts, and some holly jolly jumping on their trampolines. FREE! RSVP: twarner@springfree.com. Springfree Trampoline in the Domain II, 3220 Amy Donovan Plaza.

Crafternoon – 4 p.m., Drop by the library and make a craft while you search for books, movies and music. We’ve got paper crafts, easy sewing and more fun projects for the whole family. We provide the supplies; you provide the creativity. FREE! Austin Public Library, Terrazas Branch.

Dickens Day (Pflugerville) – 5:45-7 p.m., Everyone is invited to the library’s annual Dickens Day celebration. Enjoy hot beverages and pie courtesy of the Friends of the Pflugerville Library. Storyteller Gary Whitaker will perform Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol, followed by period games. Dressing up in your Victorian best is encouraged! FREE! Pflugerville Public Library, 1008 W. Pfluger Street, Pflugerville.

Riverbend Christmas Sing-Along – 6 p.m. (pre-concert festivities and tree lighting), 7:30 PM sing-along. FREE, but RSVP required. Come and sing along to all of your favorite Christmas music featuring the Riverbend choir and orchestra, plus enjoy visits from Rudolph, Frosty and of course, Santa Claus. Special Guest Vocalist Casey McPherson of Alpha Rev will also be performing. Riverbend Church, 4214 North Capital of Texas Highway.

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

FREE Car Seat Safety Check (Round Rock) –  9:00 am – 12:00p.m., Have your child’s safety seat checked by a nationally certified child passenger safety (CPS) technician on the second Wednesday of every month at BabyEarth, and determine if the seat is safe and being used correctly. Appointments run from 9am – 12pm. Must call to reserve your spot! 512-600-7050. Baby Earth, 106 East Old Settlers Blvd., Round Rock.

Storytime at Whole Foods  – 9-10 a.m., Bring the little ones, it’s story time! Each week we will feature a different story, interactive craft and healthy snack. FREE! Whole Foods, 4301 W. William Cannon.

Music with Mar (Round Rock) – 9:15 – 10:15 am. Music with Mar. is a class where a caregiver and child (ages birth through preschool)participate together in musical activities. These classes are focused on the four main areas of development – cognitive, social, motor and language. Classes are drop-in. Baby Earth, 106 East Old Settlers Blvd., Round Rock.

Whole Foods Kid’s Club – 9:30 a.m., Join us each Wednesday for Kids Club with Kiely! She’ll be reading a different story and hosting crafts each week. FREE! Whole Foods, 525 N. Lamar Blvd.

All Ages Storytime – 10:15 a.m., Recommended for children aged 5 and under. Storytime featuring stories, songs, fingerplays, rhymes, and crafts. FREE! Austin Public Library, Terrazas Branch.

Ms. Staci Storytime – 10:30 a.m., Ms. Staci is back in the store this morning to read some of her favorite stories and to sing some of your favorite songs. Kids, don’t forget your dancing shoes today! FREE! BookPeople, 603 N. Lamar Blvd.

Story Time with CJ the Explorer – 12:30 p.m., Join CJ. the Explorer for her Award Winning Story Time, featuring songs and sign language. Then stay and play in our free Play Zone full of hand-picked toys from around the world! FREE! All Things Kids @ The Domain, 3220 Feathergrass Court.

Lego Lab – 3:30 p.m., Recommended for ages 5 and up. With Legos, you can build anything you can imagine and tell any story you can dream up. Come to the Lego Lab to hear, see, make, and create different stories, all while building with Legos provided by the Library! FREE! Austin Public Library, multiple branches.

Bilingual French Storytime – 3:30 p.m., Children of all ages are welcome. Bonjour and welcome to this très special French/English dual language storytime! Join us, s’il vous plait, on the second Wednesday of the month at 3:30 PM for stories, songs and crafts in French and English. FREE! Austin Public Library, Hampton Branch at Oak Hill.

Community Night at The Thinkery - 4-8 p.m.,  Admission is by donation only. Entry is based on a first come, first served basis. The Thinkery, 1830 Simond Avenue.

Everything Art! – 5 p.m., Recommended for youth ages 7 and up. Parents and older siblings are welcome to join. Explore different art techniques and art media using Caldecott winning titles and other awesomely illustrated children’s books. FREE! Austin Public Library, Ruiz Branch.

Krispy Kreme Family Night – 6-8 p.m., Kids can decorate one FREE doughnut each, plus enjoy crafts and more. Krispy Kreme, 701 E Stassney Lane and 12586 Research Blvd, Austin.

A Christmas Carol at ZACH Theatre – 7:30 p.m., The most popular show in ZACH’s history returns to rock in the holidays! ZACH’s fresh take on A Christmas Carol features three soulful Ghosts making a joyful noise, while moving our hearts with the Cratchit family’s love and Ebenezer Scrooge’s miraculous transformation. New hit songs and reimagined carols create an infectious spirit that has you dancing in the aisles. ZACH’s inspired adaptation of Charles Dickens’ beloved classic juxtaposes a traditional Victorian setting and gorgeous period costumes, with a modern musical score that spans genres and eras. ZACH Theatre, 202 S. Lamar Blvd. –> Read Nicole’s review here.

Thursday, December 10, 2015

The Signing Connection: Baby Sign and Play (Round Rock) – 9:30 am. Baby Sign & Play Classes provide an interactive learning session for child and parent to begin the path to learn basic sign language communication skills. Research has shown how pre-verbal children, who learn ASL, have reduced frustration and stress by being able to convey their needs and feelings. Learning Sign Language is a fun way for the whole family to learn a second language.  Baby Sign & Play is designed for children ages 0-3. Cost: $7 per class. Baby Earth, 106 East Old Settlers Blvd., Round Rock.

Free Admission at The Blanton – 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Thursdays are free to the public. FREE! Blanton Museum of Art, 200 E Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Austin.

Smart Opera Presents: Opera Cat – 10:15 a.m., Opera Cat and Encore, Opera Cat! by Tess Weaver:  Alma the cat lives with Madame SoSo, an opera diva. When Madame rehearses, Alma softly sings along. Madame doesn’t know Alma’s secret—in fact, she doesn’t pay Alma much attention at all. But on the night of the big performance, Madame comes down with laryngitis . . . and at last Alma is given a chance to prove she is no ordinary animal. Smart Opera performances includes operatic singing by the performer, and some may include participation by the children. These programs are recommended for ages 3 and up. FREE! Austin Public Library, Windsor Park Branch.

Christmas Around the World – Noon. Want to take a holiday trip around the world? No bags or passports necessary! Celebrate the season’s manifold musical melodies, and explore “Christmas Around the World” with the Austin Handbell Ensemble at one (or all) of our concert events Thursday, December 10th through Monday, December 14th. Enjoy holiday handbell concerts full of cross-continental carols & classics! FREE! Central Presbyterian Church, 200 E. 8th Street.

Lego Lab – 3:30 p.m., Recommended for ages 5 and up. With Legos, you can build anything you can imagine and tell any story you can dream up. Come to the Lego Lab to hear, see, make, and create different stories, all while building with Legos provided by the Library! FREE! Austin Public Library, multiple branches.

Explorer’s Club: Holiday Puppet Show (Cedar Park) – 3:30 p.m., Kids in grades K-5 will enjoy a puppet show at the library.  FREE! Additional dates and times available here. Cedar Park Public Library, 550 Discovery Blvd., Cedar Park.

Crafternoon – 4 p.m., Drop by the library and make a craft while you search for books, movies and music. We’ve got paper crafts, easy sewing and more fun projects for the whole family. We provide the supplies; you provide the creativity. FREE! Austin Public Library, Terrazas Branch.

Christmas in the Community: Brass – 6:30 p.m., Christmas in the Community is a series of ten concerts held throughout the city of Austin featuring different ensembles of the Austin Symphony Orchestra playing familiar holiday music. FREE! George Washington Carver Museum, 1165 Angelina Street.

Pajama Storytime – 6:30 p.m., Recommended for children 5 and under. Feel free to wear pajamas to this family storytime in the evening featuring stories, songs, rhymes, games, crafts, and other activities. FREE! Austin Public Library, Manchaca Road Branch.

A Christmas Carol at ZACH Theatre – 7:30 p.m., The most popular show in ZACH’s history returns to rock in the holidays! ZACH’s fresh take on A Christmas Carol features three soulful Ghosts making a joyful noise, while moving our hearts with the Cratchit family’s love and Ebenezer Scrooge’s miraculous transformation. New hit songs and reimagined carols create an infectious spirit that has you dancing in the aisles. ZACH’s inspired adaptation of Charles Dickens’ beloved classic juxtaposes a traditional Victorian setting and gorgeous period costumes, with a modern musical score that spans genres and eras. ZACH Theatre, 202 S. Lamar Blvd. –> Read Nicole’s review here.

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas (Round Rock) – 7:30 p.m.,  “‘Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.” But wait! A mouse IS stirring – because Santa missed his house last year. Before you can say, “Merry Chirstmas!” you’re off on the wild adventures of a mouse, an elf and a spunky little girl who just won’t take no for an answer. Don’t miss this joyful tribute to the holiday season! Tickets: $13. Sam Bass Community Theatre, 600 N. Lee Street, Round Rock.

A Christmas Carol Classic Radiocast (Round Rock) – 8 p.m., After putting their signature spin on holiday stories from the golden age of film, the players of the fictional KPNF radio station are reaching further back in time for Dickens’s much cherished masterpiece, “A Christmas Carol”. Ebeneezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchet, the Spirits and dozens of others are brought to life by a small company of virtuosic voice actors and live foley sound effects reminiscent of “A Prairie Home Companion”. Together, they tell the heartwarming story of an ice-hearted miser who is given a last shot at redemption one miraculous Christmas Eve night! Ages 5 and up. Tickets: $25. Old Settlers Hall, 3300 Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock.

Friday, December 11, 2015

Christmas in the Community: Strings – 10 a.m., Christmas in the Community is a series of ten concerts held throughout the city of Austin featuring different ensembles of the Austin Symphony Orchestra playing familiar holiday music. FREE! Gus Garcia Recreation Center, 1201 E. Rundberg Lane.

Storytime Art – Santa - 10:45 a.m., Storytime Art, or StArt! is a great opportunity for your young child to experience art! Storytimes are geared to the 3 – 5 year old preschooler, but some projects could easily translate into a Mommy and Me project for those a little younger. And, of course, anyone older is welcome, as well! Storytimes always include at least one book and a related art project, but often include surprises like songs, poems, and coloring pages. This week, we’ll write letters to Santa Claus and read stories and sing songs about Jolly Ole St. Nick.  Our painting project will be this adorable cookie plate. Cost is $12 per child, or buy a punch-card and get 6 classes for $60! The Art Garage, 11190 Circle Drive.

Music with Mr. Will - 12-12:30 pm. His sing-along style incorporates equal parts of teaching and performing for energetic young audiences. Infectious melodies combined with upbeat lyrics make him beloved among pre-schoolers and early-elementary students, who clap, march, jump and dance along to their favorite songs. Plus, the entire family can enjoy the music. FREE! Brilliant Sky Toys and Books, 701 S Capital of Texas Hwy, Ste D-480.

Story Time with CJ the Explorer – 12:30 p.m., Join CJ. the Explorer for her Award Winning Story Time, featuring songs and sign language. Then stay and play in our free Play Zone full of hand-picked toys from around the world! FREE! All Things Kids @ The Domain, 3220 Feathergrass Court.

Lego Lab – 3:30 p.m., Recommended for ages 5 and up. With Legos, you can build anything you can imagine and tell any story you can dream up. Come to the Lego Lab to hear, see, make, and create different stories, all while building with Legos provided by the Library! FREE! Austin Public Library, multiple branches.

Jedi Training Camp: Join the Rebel Alliance - 4 p.m., Recommended for ages 5 and up. Join us for crafts and activities as we celebrate the epic saga of Star Wars. FREE!  Austin Public Library, Howson Branch.

Invincible Czars 6:30-9 p.m., The band plays The Nutcracker and more. FREE! Central Market, 4001 North Lamar Blvd.

Ebenezer’s Journey: A Dickens’ Christmas Story – 7–10 p.m., This special interactive program based on Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” will recreate various scenes of Dickens’ classic 1843 tale on four nights in December. Bring the family to Pioneer Farms this holiday season for a most unusual event, “Ebenezer’s Journey.” Watch the village come to life with carolers and colorful characters that step out of history. Then experience the classic Dickens tale like never before, as our actors take you into the story with an interactive theatrical presentation staged in the historic old buildings at Pioneer Farms. Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim and the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future will come to life as you witness the joys the sorrows and the chills of the unforgettable experience. Of course, you have an important role to play as well, for you are Ebenezer Scrooge! Pioneer Farms, 10621 Pioneer Farms Drive.

Ballet Austin’s The Nutcraker – 7:30 p.m., From the scrumptious sets and costumes to all of the colorful characters and Divertissements you love, Ballet Austin’s The Nutcracker is the longest-running production of the seasonal classic in Texas. Stephen Mills’ take on this timeless tale features a cast of hundreds of dancers, including the charming and talented students from the prestigious Ballet Austin Academy who share the spotlight with our professional company of artists. Celebrate the magic of the holidays by experiencing this sweet treat with your family and friends. Featuring live accompaniment by Austin Symphony Orchestra. Long Center for Performing Arts, 701 W. Riverside Drive.

Metamorphisis Dance Presents “The Nutcracker: Suite Dreams” – 7:30 p.m., This is the third season the company has performed Suite Dreams, and we never tire of making our story fresh and irresistible to our audience. Come see what has made this ballet a family favorite, but with a new twist on the story. Woven together through its’ characters, this story has something for everyone. Come see how Austin Metamorphosis Dance Ensemble is changing the shape of dance one dancer at a time. Cost: $20/ ticket pre-sale, $25 at the door. George W. Carver Museum Theater, 1165 Angelina Street.

A Christmas Carol at ZACH Theatre – 7:30 p.m., The most popular show in ZACH’s history returns to rock in the holidays! ZACH’s fresh take on A Christmas Carol features three soulful Ghosts making a joyful noise, while moving our hearts with the Cratchit family’s love and Ebenezer Scrooge’s miraculous transformation. New hit songs and reimagined carols create an infectious spirit that has you dancing in the aisles. ZACH’s inspired adaptation of Charles Dickens’ beloved classic juxtaposes a traditional Victorian setting and gorgeous period costumes, with a modern musical score that spans genres and eras. ZACH Theatre, 202 S. Lamar Blvd. –> Read Nicole’s review here.

A Christmas Carol Classic Radiocast (Round Rock) – 8 p.m., After putting their signature spin on holiday stories from the golden age of film, the players of the fictional KPNF radio station are reaching further back in time for Dickens’s much cherished masterpiece, “A Christmas Carol”. Ebeneezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchet, the Spirits and dozens of others are brought to life by a small company of virtuosic voice actors and live foley sound effects reminiscent of “A Prairie Home Companion”. Together, they tell the heartwarming story of an ice-hearted miser who is given a last shot at redemption one miraculous Christmas Eve night! Ages 5 and up. Tickets: $25. Old Settlers Hall, 3300 Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock.

Saturday, December 12, 2015

Cherrywood Art Fair – 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Shop for one-of-a-kind gifts ranging from jewelry to ceramics and more. There’s even live music, an art corner for the kids and more! Visit LiveMom on Sunday, December 13, in the art corner where kids can decorate their own snowman or gingerbread person! FREE! Maplewood Elementary School, 381/2 St. & Maplewood.

A Long Winter’s Night – 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.,  Laura Freeman’s original musical is a distinctively Texas tale with echoes of Dickens. Suzi longs for snow in Texas until the night of the Winter Solstice when she gets more than she bargained for. Featuring live music and outrageous performances by Laura Freeman, Robert Deike, Megan Ortiz, and Robert King in Austin’s oldest and dearest theater! Scottish Rite Theater, 2017 W. 18th Street.

Holiday Family Days at the Blanton Museum of Art -  11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Celebrate the holidays with the Blanton. Enjoy musical performances in the spirit of the season, explore the galleries while engaging in fun conversation, and search for creative inspiration in our special exhibitions to make festive art that you can keep for yourself or give to your loved ones as a gift. Children 12 and under are free; program included with museum admission. The Blanton Museum of Art, 200 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Christmas Dreams and Snowy Things (Round Rock) – 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Austin-area families can enjoy “Real Snow” Activities, slides and trains, live music, inflatables and more! Don’t miss a visit with Santa – he’ll be there until 2 p.m. FREE! Chasco Family YMCA, 1812 N. Mays Street, Round Rock.

Capitol Christmas Concert & Community Sing-a-long – Noon. Ring in the Christmas holiday season with A Cappella Texas at the State Capitol Rotunda. Gather all your family and friends, and especially the children, for an afternoon of great singing and Christmas cheer. Join A Cappella Texas, Austin’s premier men’s chorus, for a delightful free all-ages concert and community sing-a-long in beautiful four part Barbershop Harmony. FREE! Texas State Capitol, 1100 Congress Ave.

Festival of Carols – Noon-4 p.m., Get into the holiday spirit at our Festival of Carols! Enjoy festive music performed by local school choirs, holiday crafts, games, and concessions. Some activities and the refreshments may require the purchase of tickets. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, picnic lunches. FREE! French Legation Museum, 802 San Marcos Street.

Hutto Downtown Christmas Fair – 1-5 p.m. – Shop the stores, enjoy a meal at the downtown restaurants, shop vendors featuring: handmade items, unique gifts, home decor, jewelry, toys and delicious fair food and drinks! The YMCA Children’s Area will include crafts, games, inflatables, train rides and… SNOW! Admission to Children’s Area is $5 per child and includes all activities.  East St., Hutto

Ballet Austin’s The Nutcraker – 2 & 7:30 p.m., From the scrumptious sets and costumes to all of the colorful characters and Divertissements you love, Ballet Austin’s The Nutcracker is the longest-running production of the seasonal classic in Texas. Stephen Mills’ take on this timeless tale features a cast of hundreds of dancers, including the charming and talented students from the prestigious Ballet Austin Academy who share the spotlight with our professional company of artists. Celebrate the magic of the holidays by experiencing this sweet treat with your family and friends. Featuring live accompaniment by Austin Symphony Orchestra. Long Center for Performing Arts, 701 W. Riverside Drive.

Metamorphisis Dance Presents “The Nutcracker: Suite Dreams” – 2:30 & 7:30 p.m., This is the third season the company has performed Suite Dreams, and we never tire of making our story fresh and irresistible to our audience. Come see what has made this ballet a family favorite, but with a new twist on the story. Woven together through its’ characters, this story has something for everyone. Come see how Austin Metamorphosis Dance Ensemble is changing the shape of dance one dancer at a time. Cost: $20/ ticket pre-sale, $25 at the door. George W. Carver Museum Theater, 1165 Angelina Street.

Luminations – 6–9 p.m., Thousands of luminaries and twinkling lights turn the center into a holiday wonderland during Luminations, an Austin holiday tradition. Admission is FREE with two canned food items for the Capital Area Food Bank. (Find their most requested items here.) Activities include live music, children’s activities, visit with Frosty the Snowman and more! Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Avenue.

Ebenezer’s Journey: A Dickens’ Christmas Story – 7–10 p.m., This special interactive program based on Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” will recreate various scenes of Dickens’ classic 1843 tale on four nights in December. Bring the family to Pioneer Farms this holiday season for a most unusual event, “Ebenezer’s Journey.” Watch the village come to life with carolers and colorful characters that step out of history. Then experience the classic Dickens tale like never before, as our actors take you into the story with an interactive theatrical presentation staged in the historic old buildings at Pioneer Farms. Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim and the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future will come to life as you witness the joys the sorrows and the chills of the unforgettable experience. Of course, you have an important role to play as well, for you are Ebenezer Scrooge! Pioneer Farms, 10621 Pioneer Farms Drive.

A Christmas Carol at ZACH Theatre – 7:30 p.m., The most popular show in ZACH’s history returns to rock in the holidays! ZACH’s fresh take on A Christmas Carol features three soulful Ghosts making a joyful noise, while moving our hearts with the Cratchit family’s love and Ebenezer Scrooge’s miraculous transformation. New hit songs and reimagined carols create an infectious spirit that has you dancing in the aisles. ZACH’s inspired adaptation of Charles Dickens’ beloved classic juxtaposes a traditional Victorian setting and gorgeous period costumes, with a modern musical score that spans genres and eras. ZACH Theatre, 202 S. Lamar Blvd. –> Read Nicole’s review here.

A Christmas Carol Classic Radiocast (Round Rock) – 8 p.m., After putting their signature spin on holiday stories from the golden age of film, the players of the fictional KPNF radio station are reaching further back in time for Dickens’s much cherished masterpiece, “A Christmas Carol”. Ebeneezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchet, the Spirits and dozens of others are brought to life by a small company of virtuosic voice actors and live foley sound effects reminiscent of “A Prairie Home Companion”. Together, they tell the heartwarming story of an ice-hearted miser who is given a last shot at redemption one miraculous Christmas Eve night! Ages 5 and up. Tickets: $25. Old Settlers Hall, 3300 Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock.

Sunday, December 13, 2015

Cherrywood Art Fair – 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Shop for one-of-a-kind gifts ranging from jewelry to ceramics and more. There’s even live music, an art corner for the kids and more! Visit LiveMom on Sunday, December 13, in the art corner where kids can decorate their own snowman or gingerbread person! FREE! Maplewood Elementary School, 381/2 St. & Maplewood.

A Long Winter’s Night – 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.,  Laura Freeman’s original musical is a distinctively Texas tale with echoes of Dickens. Suzi longs for snow in Texas until the night of the Winter Solstice when she gets more than she bargained for. Featuring live music and outrageous performances by Laura Freeman, Robert Deike, Megan Ortiz, and Robert King in Austin’s oldest and dearest theater! Scottish Rite Theater, 2017 W. 18th Street.

Children in History – 1-4 p.m., It’s December, the time of the shortest days of the year and the St. Lucia celebration, a winter solstice tradition practiced commonly in Scandinavia. Make a wreath out of grapevines and other natural materials for you or your doll to wear as a headdress and to spruce up your door. Craft pleated hearts to adorn your Christmas tree and to use as gift bags. Tour the Swedish Cabin & explore the Pioneer Village. Admission: $3 nonresident adults/$2 adults/$1 children/seniors. Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Rd.

Ballet Austin’s The Nutcraker – 2 p.m., From the scrumptious sets and costumes to all of the colorful characters and Divertissements you love, Ballet Austin’s The Nutcracker is the longest-running production of the seasonal classic in Texas. Stephen Mills’ take on this timeless tale features a cast of hundreds of dancers, including the charming and talented students from the prestigious Ballet Austin Academy who share the spotlight with our professional company of artists. Celebrate the magic of the holidays by experiencing this sweet treat with your family and friends. Featuring live accompaniment by Austin Symphony Orchestra. Long Center for Performing Arts, 701 W. Riverside Drive.

Metamorphisis Dance Presents “The Nutcracker: Suite Dreams” – 2:30 p.m., This is the third season the company has performed Suite Dreams, and we never tire of making our story fresh and irresistible to our audience. Come see what has made this ballet a family favorite, but with a new twist on the story. Woven together through its’ characters, this story has something for everyone. Come see how Austin Metamorphosis Dance Ensemble is changing the shape of dance one dancer at a time. Cost: $20/ ticket pre-sale, $25 at the door. George W. Carver Museum Theater, 1165 Angelina Street.

A Christmas Carol at ZACH Theatre – 2:30 p.m., The most popular show in ZACH’s history returns to rock in the holidays! ZACH’s fresh take on A Christmas Carol features three soulful Ghosts making a joyful noise, while moving our hearts with the Cratchit family’s love and Ebenezer Scrooge’s miraculous transformation. New hit songs and reimagined carols create an infectious spirit that has you dancing in the aisles. ZACH’s inspired adaptation of Charles Dickens’ beloved classic juxtaposes a traditional Victorian setting and gorgeous period costumes, with a modern musical score that spans genres and eras. ZACH Theatre, 202 S. Lamar Blvd. –> Read Nicole’s review here.

Afternoon with Santa – 3-6 p.m., Meet Santa & capture photos at this family event while enjoying cookie decorating, crafts and hors d’ourvres. RSVP required. To make a reservation, please call 512-439-1234. $25 per person plus tax. The Driskill Hotel, 604 Brazos Street.

Gustafer Yellowgold at Scottish Rite Theater – 4 p.m., Gustafer Yellowgold’s Show is a multi-media performance of live music, colored-pencil animations and storytelling. With its unique crossover appeal, the show has been the wild-card opening act for Wilco and The Polyphonic Spree. Gustafer has appeared off-Broadway in his own productions of Gustafer Yellowgold’s Mellow Sensation and Gustafer Yellowgold’s Infinity Sock. Gustafer the character is a friendly creature who came to Earth from the sun and is living out an explorer’s life in a slightly psychedelic version of the Minnesota woods. Joining Morgan and Gustafer for the show will be John Wesley Coleman, a prolific Austin-based garage pop singer-songwriter whose interactive, kid-friendly tracks touch on topics from the surreal to the mundane, and who frequently looks to his (almost) two year old daughter Zoe for inspiration. Tickets: $7 in advance, $9 at the door. Scottish Rite Theater, 207 W. 18th Street.

Luminations – 6–9 p.m., Thousands of luminaries and twinkling lights turn the center into a holiday wonderland during Luminations, an Austin holiday tradition. Admission is FREE with two canned food items for the Capital Area Food Bank. (Find their most requested items here.) Activities include live music, children’s activities, visit with Frosty the Snowman and more! Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Avenue.

Chaparral Ice Holiday Ice Show: A Hollywood Christmas – 6:30-8 p.m., This year, Chaparral Ice’s annual holiday ice show features your favorite Christmas movies! Figure skaters will bring holiday classics to the frozen stage, from “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” to “Home Alone.” We invite the general public to see characters like Jack Skellington and Buddy The Elf perform their amazing skating tricks! All audience members will need a hard ticket to enter Chaparral Ice for the show. Chaparral Ice, 2525 W. Anderson Lane.

Christmas Around the World 7:30 p.m., Want to take a holiday trip around the world? No bags or passports necessary! Celebrate the season’s manifold musical melodies, and explore “Christmas Around the World” with the Austin Handbell Ensemble at one (or all) of our concert events Thursday, December 10th through Monday, December 14th. Enjoy holiday handbell concerts full of cross-continental carols & classics! Cost: $5/child, $10/adult. St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 11819 S IH-35.

Looking for more holiday tunes? Check out the special Holiday Edition of Austin Music Mama.

Austin Theatre Mama is packed with shows you won’t want to miss in December!

The post Weekly Planner: December 7-13, 2015 appeared first on LiveMom.com - Dedicated to building a better village.

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