If you know anyone who lived and played in Austin in the ‘60s, they’d probably recognize the name Don Dean. He was a popular host and performer who emceed in the space where Dean’s One Trick Pony now resides. When its owners debuted the chic bar at The Line Hotel last October, they felt it was only fitting to pay homage to the illustrious Austin personality in its name.

The bar exudes whimsy from its decor to its drink menu. Try the signature Pink Pony, frozen pink lemonade infused with Aperol, or the Captain Fantastic with rum, pineapple, mango, lime, and a dash of spicy habanero. Pair your drink with one of the snacks or sandwiches on the creative menu, such as the Disco Fries smothered with country ham gravy or the crispy chicken banh mi sandwich. The kitchen also dishes out slices of seasonal pie and a special Smoked Pie for Two, an apple pie infused with bacon and cheddar and seared over pecan wood.

If you love the city of Austin almost as much as you love running, you won’t want to miss the 3M Half Marathon on Sunday, January 20th. This annual marathon highlights the best aspects of the city since its course slices right through downtown, starting on Stonelake Boulevard and ending around the University of Texas and the Texas State Capitol.

The path in between the starting line and finish line is great for relatively new runners because it’s mostly downhill or flat, so you can run the course faster than your average half-marathon. Join approximately 7,000 other runners at the starting line at 7:30 a.m., and push your way through the 13.1-mile race. There will be water stations along the way, as well as a festival at the finish line with food, drink, and even a live DJ. Registration costs $125.

A swing embellished with faux flowers and big enough for an adult. A make-believe bathroom filed to the brim with giant rubber duckies and inflatable “bubbles.” A mock children’s classroom complete with a massive game of M.A.S.H. splashed across the wall. These are the kinds of scenes that await you at The FOMO Factory, an immersive art exhibit that’s popped up in Austin until January 27th.

The entire goal of the art installation is to transports adults back to their favorite childhood memories in an all-encompassing way. That’s why you can actually step into the art exhibit and interact with its components. Snap a photo with the disco ball in the sparkly school dance room, go for a swim in the ball pit, or join a friend on the grown-up-sized seesaw that sits in the faux playground. Tickets are $23 and selfies are encouraged.

Fifty years. More than 300,000 annual guests. A whopping two million lights. These are the stats that describe the Austin Trail of Lights, a local tradition for more than half a century. The massive light display takes over Zilker Park every December with a collection of glowing scenes—this year, it consists of more than 60 distinct displays.

Grab a group of friends and family and head to Zilker Park any night between now and December 23rd to take in the dazzling display. It’s free most weeknights with a modest fee of about $4 charged Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Meander the sprawling light display, exploring every corner, before you stop for some grub at one of the food trucks (there are more than 30) or enjoy live entertainment, courtesy of local bands and performers. You can also get some holiday shopping done at the Austin Trail of Lights’ artisan marketplace.

Little Big Burger isn’t your average fast food eatery. A new branch of Little Big Burger just opened in Austin in July with a menu that’s both succinct and complex. Instead of dishing out generic, greasy burgers, it offers quarter-pound patties of 100% Angus beef loaded with gourmet ingredients.

Take, for example, the cheeseburger. Forget the measly slice of cheddar, these cheeseburgers come smothered with a mix of goat cheese, blue cheese, Tillamook sharp cheddar, Swiss cheese, and pepper jack. The hamburger is a bit simpler, topped with lettuce, onion, and tomato, but it still features 100% all-natural Cascade beef and comes tucked inside of a freshly baked brioche bun. You can also skip the meat and try a locally crafted veggie burger instead. Don’t forget to add an order of the popular truffle fries and, perhaps, a root beer float.

Art comes in many forms at the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar. There are traditional works of art, like paintings and sculptures, and some unique masterpieces, such as hand-shaped wooden salt and pepper shakers. Performance art also factors largely into the celebration, as evidenced by the many musicians who take the stage, and chefs and bartenders craft edible and sippable art.

The Armadillo Christmas Bazaar began more than four decades ago as a holiday market, a pop-up art gallery, and a food festival, and still plays all of these roles today. It will return to the Palmer Events Center from December 13th to 24th, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., with a roster of more than 175 artists from around Austin and all over the country. Peruse their handcrafted, one-of-a-kind gifts while you enjoy live music, sip on artisan cocktails, and nibble on creative bites. Tickets are $10, and you can buy them online or at the door.

If you can’t quite picture a “Tex-Asian pub,” head to new Austin restaurant Anthem. It opened in September to serve its unique genre of Texan comfort food with Asian and Latin twists. The vibrant, convivial atmosphere makes Anthem the perfect spot to grab a happy hour margarita and guacamole or buffalo cauliflower with Tahitian sangria.

Stick around for dinner to savor one of the specialty entrees, like the Aloha burger. The chef crowns its Angus beef patty with spicy jalapeno Spam, bacon, gruyere, grilled pineapple, sake-braised onions, miso aioli, and grilled pineapple, as well as a few other fixings. Skip the meat and devour the Vdog, a house-smoked vegan hot dog infused with the flavors of curry and topped with Korean sauerkraut, sesame seeds, and spicy vegan aioli. These are just a handful of the inventive options on the menu at Anthem, so make regular repeat visits to try new eats.

Hiatus Spa + Retreat is perfectly named. It invites guests to take a hiatus from their regularly scheduled day and treat themselves to some self-care. That self-care comes in many forms, from a classic mani-pedi to a lavish massage or body treatment. Regardless of the service you choose, the calming atmosphere and warm employees at Hiatus will set clients at ease.

The Epic Mani-Pedi makes use of seasonal ingredients to exfoliate, moisturize, and refresh your fingers and toes. The nail technician enlists hot stones to assuage aches and pains in your legs and feet, then refreshes the nail polish on your fingertips and toes. If your entire body suffers from aches and pains, try the Signature Massage. The massage therapist lavishes long, flowing strokes on bodies inspired by Swedish massage techniques. The gentle massage helps to promote blood flow and rejuvenate wearied bodies.

Black Friday signals the beginning of the traditional holiday shopping season around the country. But it Austin, it also signals the opening of a favorite seasonal shopping destination: the Blue Genie Art Bazaar. On the day after Thanksgiving, Blue Genie debuts each year for its month-long stint—it closes on Christmas Eve.

That’s more than enough time to explore the inventory at Blue Genie Art Bazaar if you put your mind to it. More than 200 local and regional artists undergo a challenging selection process to earn a spot on the shelves at Blue Genie, so every item is handcrafted. Paintings and sculptures, jewelry and clothing, prints and photos—they’re all part of the lineup at the annual bazaar. So, when you need a unique gift for a picky recipient, you’ll be able to find something one of a kind at Blue Genie.

The ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot has been an Austin tradition for almost three decades, and in that time, it has raised approximately $3.5 million. That money is contributed directly to the cause of Caritas of Austin, a local charity that provides safe, supportive environments to people afflicted by homelessness. As a way of giving thanks for the roof over your head and the food on your table this Thanksgiving, why not support that goal?

Sign up for the ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot ($27+) and start training for the five-mile run. Runners embark from The Long Center on the morning of Thanksgiving at various times, depending on which wave they join. Then they enjoy a relaxing run around the city of Austin with their fellow athletes before tucking into a Thanksgiving feast.