Juicy Tidbits

New York Times doing things in Austin, plus more things to know right now

Outdoor Voices CEO Tyler Haney appeared in the July 14 edition of the New York Times.

Editor's note: Covering a boomtown like Austin means we often pick up juicy tidbits that don't always warrant a full story, but we still think are worth sharing. Here are the five things we learned about Austin this week(ish).

Outdoor Voices is making big moves. The July 14 Sunday edition of the New York Times followed OV's CEO Tyler Haney for a week of #doingthings, uncovering her favorite places to eat (Veracruz, Maudie's) and her favorite recreational activities (jogging around Lady Bird Lake, knockout in the parking lot). Haney also reveals that Outdoor Voices will soon be opening a new West Austin flagship shop (a "flagshop?") on the corner of Lake Austin Boulevard and Atlanta Street and a new editorial site called The Recreationalist.

Speaking of this week's Sunday edition, the NYT also interviewed Holden Madagame, a transgender opera singer. Madagame, who lives in Germany, spent the past spring performing in Austin, and was photographed by Austin-based artist Jackie Lee Young for the feature. The story weaves together the history of opera and the trans community's modern fight for civil rights, and is a can't-miss piece.

Speaking of can't-miss pieces, we did miss this piece on Austin's Juneteenth celebration when it was published in Vogue in mid-June. Using black-and-white imagery, photographer (and native Austinite) Rahim Fortune captures the spirit Juneteenth, a celebration of emancipation that takes place every year on the east side.

If Austin ever tires of calling itself the Live Music Capital of the World, may we suggest The Top Top 10 City in Top 10 City Lists? The latest is Travel + Leisure's The 15 Best Cities in the United States. Austin comes in at No. 9, ahead of San Antonio (No. 11), San Francisco (No. 14), and Washington, D.C. (No. 15). The list was compiled from votes by Travel + Leisure readers.

A new Austin-based, breastfeeding-friendly clothing line has recently made its debut, and we cannot get enough. Chapter Goods is designed in Austin, made in Brooklyn, and features chic designs crafted from natural fabrics. Each piece is designed specifically for breastfeeding mothers, making sure women always look good — and feel comfortable, too.

city-news-roundup

Lights Up

Top holiday tradition Trail of Lights illuminates Zilker Park for 2024

Trail of Lights/austintrailoflights.org

One of Austin's top events is coming back soon.

For a city that barely has seasons, Austin really has its seasonal traditions on lock, and none as strongly as the Trail of Lights. This holiday happening, which features more than two million lights in festive displays along a driving and walking trail at Zilker Park, is returning for its 60th year from December 10-23.

Half of the 14 nights will be free to the pubic, and children under 12 will get in for free every night. Although the light show was temporarily drivable during pandemic shutdowns, it is back to being a walking trail only. That means visitors can stroll along the 1.25-mile path (or 2.5 miles total, an FAQ estimates, with all the meandering factored in).

The lights are spread across 96 trees and 70 "festive displays" including the famous tunnel draped in lights and stars that visitors love to take photos in.

Trail of Lights tunnel This light tunnel is a popular place for a photo op.Trail of Lights/austintrailoflights.org

Besides enjoying the visual effects, trail-walkers will also have plenty of other entertainment. There's Candy Cane Lane, which includes food and beverage vendors, restrooms, and the ZIP Lounge, which is like a VIP lounge with complimentary cookies, cocoa, and more but...at the end of the alphabet. Then there's also the North Pole at the center, featuring Santa's House and Santa's Workshop, plus more festival attractions like food, carnival rides (a ferris wheel and carousel), shopping, and live music.

Food vendors haven't been shared yet, but will eventually be listed on the event's website. Musical artists: applications are open now to play during the 2024 season.

Trail of lights fanatics have other options for getting involved, like an exclusive Night Lights Preview Party ($100) on December 6, which will feature food from Austin restaurants, complimentary beverages, and free rides. There's also a Fun Run the next day, December 7. (Okay, fine, holiday lights do make running sound fun.) Finally, guests can even book private events including, for the first time, weddings.

Tickets (free, or starting at $8) are available at austintrailoflights.org. An interactive calendar makes it easy to see which days include free entry. Some proceeds and donations support the Stars at the Trail program, which divvies up funds to nonprofits around Central Texas.

trail of lights holidays