Enjoy Live Music During Free Week in Austin Through Jan. 7

A mechanic's shop turned three-stage concert hall. A tent-shaded stage out on the open-air patio. An indoor stage embellished by billowing white curtains. During Free Week in Austin, these are the settings where live musical performances unfold. And, true to the event's name, admission to every show is free.

From New Year's Day through January 7th, more than 20 different venues around the city will play host to nearly 200 local bands. Come out and enjoy the cover-free concerts all across Austin, from the Empire Control Room (the aforementioned former mechanic's shop) to Cheer Up Charlies, a bar with a beautiful patio out back. Hit up a few shows a night and enjoy a cocktail or a pint of beer while Free Week in Austin is in town!

Public Domain/Pixabay/sweetaholic

Sip Coffee, Listen to Live Jazz at Cactus Café

An Austin fixture since 1979 and nestled on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin, the Cactus Café is a spot to where everyone is invited to get a drink and take in the live music. In 2010, when the university planned to close the place, local radio station KUT 90.5 took it over so that it could remain open.

During the day, this restaurant/bar resembles a typical coffee shop. People sit and do work or read while sipping their beverage of choice. Along with coffee, the Cactus Café serves shakes during the day and alcoholic beverages in the evening. At night, the place turns into an intimate jazz concert venue.

In addition to jazz music, the Cactus Café hosts speakers knowledgeable on a variety of topics including sports, politics, arts, and popular culture. Since seating is limited, it is recommended that you purchase tickets in advance to ensure that you can get a seat.

Public Domain/Pixabay/dlohner

How to Ring In the New Year in Austin

Have you been wondering how you and your friends will greet 2018? Since you live in Austin, you have many options right at your fingertips. In fact, this roundup of local NYE bashes calls out 20 of them, including a handful of kid-friendly events. So no matter what you're looking for in a New Year's Eve soiree, you should be able to find it somewhere in your neighborhood.

Do you love craft beer and Mexican food? Then come to the Barrow Brewing Company for the countdown. Local band Blessed Union of Blues provides the tunes and Henho en Queso dishes out the Mexican fusion food to enjoy with your brew. Tickets are $30 and include all food. If you're looking for a slightly more glamorous NYE experience, snag a ticket to Gatsby's House at the Omni. Dress up in your finest flapper garb and dance the night away at this 20s-themed gala ($169+ per person, which includes a five-hour open bar).

Public Domain/Pixabay/Gellinger

Visit P. Terry’s Burger Stand For All-Natural Fast Food

With 14 Austin-area locations, P. Terry’s Burger Stand is a go-to restaurant for burgers and milkshakes. The burger shop serves only all-natural food and drinks where the source of the meat, dairy and veggies are known.

The beef used in the black angus burgers is all-natural, hormone-free and preservative-free; the potatoes used for the french fries are made from Idaho potatoes from a family farm; chicken burgers are made with antibiotic-free chicken; veggie burgers are made by the chefs at P. Terry’s Burger Stand; and the lemonade is made only with lemons, water and sugar.

While the restaurant prides itself on its fresh ingredients, the prices are still low. Single burgers cost less than $3 and more complex burgers (chicken burgers, double burgers, veggies burgers) cost less than $4. Combo meals, that come with fries and a soda, cost around $6 to $7.

Public Domain/Pixabay/kendallpools

Find the Perfect Holiday Gifts at the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar From December 14th to 24th

Locally hammered jewelry featuring matte metals. Artisan-made flasks wrapped in leather. Hand-poured soy candles that smell like the "Seaside." These are just a few of the unique, handcrafted gifts that local artisans offer up at the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar. More than 160 Austin-area vendors will take over the Palmer Events Center from December 14th to the 24th, and shoppers are invited to come check out what they're selling between 11 a.m. and 10 p.m. each day.

From the functional and wearable works of art to the offbeat conversation pieces, this collection of gifts boasts something for everyone on your list—which is probably why more than 40,000 shoppers come to the bazaar each year. In addition to shopping, you can also enjoy live music provided by locals and award-winning artists alike, ice-cold brews and cocktails, and authentic Austin bites at the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar. Grab your ticket for $8.

Public Domain/Pixabay/StockSnap

Witness the Splendor of the Austin Trail of Lights From December 9th to 23rd

Fifteen nights. Forty displays. Two million twinkling lights. These stats sum up the Austin Trail of Lights, a dazzling display of holiday cheer that dates back to 1965. Back then, it was known as the Yule Fest, and it was a much smaller event. But in the 50-plus years since it debuted, the Austin Trail of Lights has become a yuletide tradition of epic proportions.

From December 9th to the 23rd, the Trail takes over Austin's iconic Zilker Park. It brings tunnels lined with glowing lights, massive holiday trees decked out to the nines, and more than 40 different displays that showcase everything from childhood books (see Winnie the Pooh Corner) to tiny train sets. With four bars, live music, and more than 20 food trucks, it's virtually impossible to get bored at the Austin Trail of Lights. Admission is free on select dates and $3 on others. Click here to buy tickets.

Enjoy Vietnamese Fare at Van’s Banh Mi

Van's Banh Mi stands out in a crowd of unique Austin eateries for a few reasons. For one thing, it dishes out classic Vietnamese sandwiches, not your standard American fare. For another, its chef flame-grills all meats to order so that they're hot and fresh when they land in your sandwich. The kitchen team also bakes its baguettes in-house each morning to make sure that the banh mi is extra fresh.

Come to Van's Banh Mi to try the Vietnamese sandwiches, stuffed with your choice of flame-grilled beef, chicken, or pork and all of the traditional fixings. Van's also offers rice bowls with shrimp, beef, chicken, or pork and eggrolls on the side. So when you're craving something different than your typical sandwich for lunch, check out Van's Banh Mi.

Skip the Kitchen This Year and Head to The Carillon’s Thanksgiving Brunch

From eggs Benedict to freshly carved turkey, the Thanksgiving Brunch buffet at The Carillon will be loaded with the perfect balance of breakfast classics and Thanksgiving favorites. This makes it an ideal option if you don't feel like spending all day in the kitchen this year. For $68 for adults and $30 per child, you can dig into a Thanksgiving feast and then head home and relax, no clean-up necessary.

Reserve your spot in advance and then come to The Carillon between 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Thanksgiving day. Its special buffet boasts a breakfast hash and omelet station where guests are welcome to build their own customized creations with the help of a chef. You can also snack on charcuterie and cheese, as well as roasted root veggie salad and soups such as butternut squash bisque. Save some room for entrees like turkey and prime rib sliced right in front of you at the carving station, as well as lamb and grilled swordfish. There will also be an assortment of sides (think cornbread dressing and green bean casserole) and desserts such as pumpkin cheesecake.

Public Domain/Pixabay/nutmarketca

Calling All Foodies: Don’t Miss the Texas International Food and Wine Roundup on November 18th

The Texas International Wine Competition was such a hit in its inaugural year that it's coming back for round two on November 17th and 18th. After the vino victors have been crowned, the fun doesn't end. It continues on with the Texas International Food and Wine Roundup on the 18th at 6 p.m., in Ironwood Hall where the competition also takes place.

This bash helps to cap off the festival with sips of some of the top wines from the competition. Along with glasses of the award-winning wines, you can also expect snacks inspired by cuisines from all across the world. Local bands and performers provide the live music for the evening. Ticket proceeds go to the Whole Planet Foundation, an organization that's committed to alleviating poverty around the globe.

The Austin Celtic Festival Celebrates Irish and Scottish Culture This November

Austin is a hub for culture and music, which is what makes it the perfect place to celebrate Irish and Scottish traditions. The Austin Celtic Festival has been doing this for two decades. This November 4th and 5th, the fest returns to Pioneer Farms with a lineup of live music, dancing, and other forms of educational fun.

When you come to the festival, bring family or a group of friends along to enjoy the live Celtic music played by both international and local artists. Check out the Scottish country dancing, the Irish step dancing, and other quick-paced performances. Take part in the Highland Games, which include everything from strongman competitions to the caber toss, or just watch while other athletes face off. Of course, there will also be ample opportunities to learn about Celtic culture at the Celtic Village, and you can grab some authentic Irish or Scottish food between activities, too.

Pin It on Pinterest