Austin’s Still Bursting with Christmas Celebration

Have you tightened the laces on your skates and gracefully flitted across the ice yet this holiday? Or thrown out your arms and spun under the Zilker Park Tree? Still looking for that special Christmas gift for the hard-to-buy-for one on your list? Looking to close out the season steeped in some culture? Fear not, the city of Austin still offers a plethora of Christmas celebration to keep your holiday spirit burning bright.

Annual Holiday Lights & Ice

Photo: Facebook/Omni Barton Creek

Maybe you’d like to don your skate apparel and take a couple of turns around a festive ice rink. The Omni Barton Creek Hotel and Spa keeps the bad weather out by brining the ice rink indoors. Don’t fret over lack of atmosphere, though. The ice rink overlooks miles of the gorgeous Texas Hill Country. Decorated in twinkling lights and planned activities for the whole family, you won’t miss the cold at all. Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa, 8212 Barton Creek Drive; now thru January 1. Omni Resort Lights & Ice

Austin Trail of Lights & Zilker Christmas Tree

Photo: Facebook/Austin Trail of Lights

Since 1965 Austinites have wandered the trails of Zilker Park experiencing a night of Christmas magic. Memorable holiday scenes coupled with a kaleidoscope of over two million lights make this stroll through the park a joyful occasion for the whole family. Start or end your visit with the traditional spin under the Zilker Tree. A sky high old moon tower stands repurposed as a giant Christmas tree. Stick around for food and nightly performances from holiday dancers and singers. Even the Los Angeles Times agrees it’s one of the best light shows in the nation. Trail of Lights, Zilker Park, 2100 Barton Springs Road; now thru December 23. Trail of Lights

Blue Genie Christmas Bazaar

Photo: Facebook/Blue Genie Art Bazaar

Since 2001 the Blue Genie Christmas Bazaar has helped artists and shoppers connect offering original art and gifts for a unique shopping experience. Stroll through thousands of pieces of art from the serious to the whimsical and everything in between. Price points run the gamut making Blue Genie the perfect place for anyone to find a gift. One of a kind gifts sure to soften even the biggest Grinch’s heart. Blue Genie Christmas Bazaar, 6100 Airport Boulevard; now thru December 24. Blue Genie Christmas Bazaar

The Nutcracker

Photo: Facebook/Ballet Austin

What’s Christmas without catching the visual beauty and moving music behind Ballet Austin’s “The Nutcracker”? This family favorite touts 54 years of leaps and spins across the stage in the capital city featuring the talented dancers of Ballet Austin’s professional company and the students of the Ballet Austin Academy. The Austin Symphony Orchestra accompanies the dancers. Tickets are still available for performances on December 21 and 22. Get yours before they’re gone. The Nutcracker, The Long Center, 701 West Riverside; December 21 and December 22. Ballet Austin’s The Nutcracker