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.

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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.

Learn to Shape Beautiful Script at the Intro to Brush Lettering Class at The Craft Studio

If you've always wanted to learn how to create stunning script, the Intro to Brush Lettering class at The Craft Studio is an opportunity that you won't want to miss. The instructor will demonstrate how to shape beautiful letters using a paintbrush in lieu of a pen, then allow students to try it themselves.

Register for the class ($54), and then come ready to learn on Saturday, October 28th at 2 p.m. The instructor will provide all of the materials that you need for the class, including the paper and the paintbrush, and begin with the basics: the proper way to hold the brush. Once you master that, you'll move onto scrawling shapes, then letters, and finally words. Each person's penmanship will look a bit different, but the brush lettering techniques you learn will certainly up your handwriting game. The class is expected to last until about 3:30 p.m.

Start Your Holiday Shopping at Art at The Domain

The Domain takes the best parts of Austin and concentrates them along a single boutique-lined street. The outdoor shopping venue plays host to Art at The Domain, a bi-annual festival held once in the spring and once in the fall. This autumn, the fest returns to The Domain on October 14th and 15th.

Eighty artists from around Austin, the U.S., and the globe will flock to the city for this weekend-long event. The artists work with all different materials to create their one-of-a-kind pieces. Some craft unique and colorful ceramics. Others used colored pencil and paper to create their masterpieces. Then there are those who shape jewelry and wood to create pieces that you can wear or use every day. Check out the assortment of artwork, and start your holiday shopping a little early at Art at The Domain.

Take in the Best Acts in Music at the Austin City Limits Music Festival

Get ready for two weekends of incredible performances, because the Austin City Limits Music Festival is coming up on October 6th. Dozens of the best talents in music will descend on Zilker Park for what is sure to be a special edition of this yearly gathering.

As always, the lineup for ACL is stacked. The headliners are massive names, including Jay-Z, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Killers, and Chance the Rapper. Indie veterans Spoon and Ryan Adams will take the stage, too, as will up-and-coming acts like (Sandy) Alex G and Car Seat Headrest. Hip-hop will be well represented here, with a diverse array of sounds coming from the likes of Run the Jewels, Skepta, Danny Brown, and Ice Cube. Don’t worry about missing any of these musicians to eat, because food vendors like Chi’Lantro, Mmmpanadas, and Wholly Cow Burgers will be on hand to keep you satisfied. Tickets start at $100.

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Taste Austin’s Best Asian Eats at Far East Fest on October 1st

Thirty Austin eateries are already locked in for this year's Far East Fest, a celebration of authentic Asian cuisine and many different types of Asian-fusion fare. CHO Sushi, Korean Komfort, Phonatic Vietnamese Cusine, and Bun Belly are a few of the eclectic restaurants that will represent Asia's extensive menu on Sunday, October 1st at the Austin American-Statesman.

Every guest who comes to Far East Fest will enjoy unlimited samples of food from the various vendors, so come hungry. VIP tickets ($100) get you into the Far East Fest at noon, whereas general admission tickets ($55) entitle you to enter at 1 p.m. General admission includes food but not drinks. However, drinks will be available for purchase.

Fantastic Fest 2017 Brings Sci-Fi, Horror, and Fantasy Films to the Alamo Drafthouse

Tim Burton, Bill Murray, Keanu Reeves, Paul Rudd, and Kevin Smith are just a handful of the celebs who have made appearances at previous Fantastic Fests in Austin. With a star-studded lineup like that, you can expect to meet and greet with many other high-profile actors and directors at the Fantastic Fest 2017, which is running from September 21st to the 28th.

In a city that prides itself on keeping things weird, Fantastic Fest invites extra oddness in the form of sci-fi, horror, fantasy, and action movies. The indie flicks are screened at the Alamo Drafthouse and complemented by live panels of the actors who star in them and the people who produced and directed them. Ticket and badge prices vary, so decide which parts of the festival appeal to you, and then check out the ticketing options that fit your needs.

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Give Homeless Pets a Paw Up When You Attend the 2017 TRIO for Paws Lawn Party and Silent Auction

The Austin Humane Society, Austin Pets Alive!, and Emancipet all work tirelessly to ensure that the animals of Austin have safe, happy homes. But they need your help in order to continue with their charitable efforts. The 2017 TRIO For Paws Lawn Party and Silent Auction is a great opportunity to give back and enjoy a night of fun with your pet in return. It's slated for Wednesday, September 20th from 6 to 8 p.m. at TRIO at Four Seasons.

The event raises funds not only through the sale of tickets ($35 in advance) but also via a silent auction. Items up for bid include gift cards to local eateries, stays at Four Seasons hotels, and services and products for your pup or cat. Sip on a drink and enjoy live music as your furry friend partakes in the Pupper Supper. It matches the humans-only apps being served with pup-friendly treats like peanut butter banana cookies and apple bacon oatmeal biscuits. After a snack, take your dog to the photo booth and snap some sweet shots with him to commemorate the evening. Don't miss this cool event!

Spend Your Holiday at the Film Family Labor Day 2017

Instead of going to a barbecue, spend your Labor Day learning all about Austin's local arts scene at the Film Family Labor Day 2017 on Monday, September 4th. The Texas Capitol building is slated to host this free, all-ages event from 12 to 3 p.m., no RSVP necessary.

All different players in the local film and theater industry, from stage actors to crew members on major films, will come together to shed some light on what goes on behind the scenes of their respective productions. In between meet-and-greets with film professionals, you can play lawn games or take part in many other fun activities. There will be plenty of fun to keep you entertained all afternoon long, so don't miss this year's Film Family Labor Day celebration.

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