Article by: Jane Ko, atasteofkoko.com

Not only has the temperature dropped in Austin, we also got snow! How crazy was that?! With the cooler weather and the year coming to a close, there are so many festive events to attend in Austin. As a Texan, I don’t do well with cold weather and would be hiding at home under a mountain of blankets but there are so many activities going on.

I’ve been staying cozy with my new Bearpaw Koko boots from 6pm. No, I didn’t come out with my own boots but that would have been super cool! When I saw that Bearpaw had a pair of boots called Koko, I had to get them and I LOVE them. They’re super cozy and soft on the inside while stylish enough for both day and night. I’m wearing them right now in Germany where it’s 30F and my feet are still cozy and warm!

Check out my round up of the 9 top things to do in Austin this winter.

ARMADILLO CHRISTMAS BAZAAR

Armadillo Bazaar is an 11-day art and music festival. Come buy yourself art, gifts for your loved ones, and listen to live music while you’re at it! There will be food from Southside Pizza and Chi’lantro and a full bar to make your time extra merry. Check out the music lineup here.

Dates: December 12 – 24

Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Austin, TX 78704, armadillobazaar.com

TRAIL OF LIGHTS

Fun for all ages and an iconic Christmas tradition, Trail of Lights invites Austinites each year to take in more than 40 displays and 2 million lights! Trail of Lights has been an Austin tradition for 53 years and have grown to be quite an awe-inspiring production. Local food trucks will make sure you don’t go hungry as you walk through the magical displays.

Dates: December 9– 23, open from 7:00pm to 10:00pm nightly

2400 Barton Springs Rd, austintrailoflights.org

BACKYARD AT WALLER CREEK

Come enjoy live music at Austin’s newest outdoor hotspot — backYARD! backYARD features beer-garden seating, a food truck, a full bar, and assorted YARD games. Their space features a fully restored 1960 Airstream Overlander. Sip on winter cocktails like the Russian Gingerbread while you listen to live entertainment!

Dates: December 13 – 18, 2017

701 East 11th Street, backyardbaraustin.com

MOZART’S LIGHT SHOW

Sip hot drinks at Mozart’s Coffee while gazing at thousands of LED lights in a dazzling and immersive light show! This year’s light show will also feature singing from local choirs. Visitors can relax and arrive at any time to get their over-the-top dose of Christmas magic along with a hot cup of coffee or cocoa.

Dates: December 1 – January 1, 2017, except for Christmas Day, 6 – 11p

3825 Lake Austin Blvd, mozartscoffee.com

HOLIDAY CLASSICAL GUITAR AT NEW CENTRAL AUSTIN LIBRARY

Enjoy Holiday Classical Guitar Central featuring the Austin Community Guitar Ensemble at the new Central Austin Library. Explore the newly built and expansive library while you’re at it!

Date: December 17, 2017

710 W Cesar Chavez St, library.austintexas.gov

ICE SKATING ON THE ROOFTOP PLAZA AT WHOLE FOODS

For 10 dollars a person, you and your family can go ice skating on the rooftop plaza at Whole Foods Market Lamar! Enjoy holiday concessions while you skate with your friends! Please double check hours of operations before you go.

Dates: November 24 – January 15, 2017

525 N Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX 78703, wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/lamar

COTA WINTER WONDERLAND

Circuit of The Americas created a Winter Wonderland, a magical world illuminated by millions of lights and includes a petting zoo, a skating rink, camel rides, holiday movies on the lawn, singing trees, and even a human snow globe! Food and shopping are available and they have a tunnel of lights!

Dates: December 8 – 30, 2017

9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd, circuitoftheamericas.com/winter-wonderland

MIRACLE CHRISTMAS BAR

There’s a Christmas popup bar at the Eleanor called Miracle. Come sip on festive boozy drinks like Christmopolitan and Muletide. The cocktails are served in custom Miracle glassware from Cocktail Kingdom®, which includes kitschy Christmas mugs, coupes, highballs and rocks glasses. Their glassware is available to purchase, with 10% of all sales donated to Action Against Hunger.

Dates: November 24 – December 31, 2017

307 W. 5th St. – Unit A
, theeleanoratx.com

DESERT DOOR

Desert Door is 100-proof and is an ultra-premium spirit with a unique flavor profile that is herbaceous, gentle, and slightly floral. It is cooked, fermented, and distilled in Driftwood, Texas, and this extremely versatile spirit is made with wild-harvested Texas sotol plants, pure water, and yeast. You can visit their 6,500 sq. ft facility, and enjoy craft cocktails and curated goods available in their desert-modern tasting room which features a cozy fireplace and work by regional artists.

Original Link: https://www.atasteofkoko.com/things-to-do-in-austin/this-winter