Weekend Event Guide

Here are the top 5 things to do in Austin this weekend

Holiday happenings and entertainment events take center stage in Austin this weekend. Celebrate the season at A Magical Cirque Christmas or be among the first to check out the debut ZGallery by Austin Creative Art Center. For a full list of events, visit our calendar.

Thursday, November 29

ZGallery presents Grand Opening featuring Gareth Maguire
Austin Creative Art Center debuts its first-ever art gallery, ZGallery, with a special exhibition from local artist Gareth Maguire. Viewers can study Maguire’s work as they sip Tito’s Handmade Vodka and Pedernales Cellars vino while snacking on Ranch 616 bites. Proceeds from the ticketed event will be donated to The Settlement Home for Children. Following the opening reception, the exhibition will be on display through January 10.

Keith Kreeger Studios presents 2018 Porcelain Lounge opening party
Find the most unique and festive home goods at the 3rd annual Porcelain Lounge. This special in-store holiday pop-up features the complete Keith Kreeger Studios holiday collection including limited edition works hand-thrown by the artist. Opening party provisions will be provided by Andrew Cullen of ELM Restaurant Group. Following its opening, the Porcelain Lounge will be open through January 31.

Friday, November 30

Paramount Theatre presents Butch and Turk: “On Their Own”
Butch Hancock and Turk Pipkin come together at Stateside at the Paramount for another rendition of their two-man show. Thirty years after a sold-out run of their original act, the West Texans turned Austinites return for an evening of music, storytelling, and "deeds of visual and verbal daring." Select tickets still available.

Saturday, December 1

Downtown Austin Alliance present Holiday Stroll
The Downtown Austin Alliance hosts a night of holiday wonder for the entire family at the Texas State Capitol and along Congress Avenue. Highlights of the Holiday Stroll include a downtown tree lighting, a sing-along with KUTX's John Aielli and Elizabeth McQueen, photos with Santa, festive shopping, live music, and more. Admission is free.

Sunday, December 2

A Magical Cirque Christmas
Breathtaking circus acts, incredible magic, and angelic Christmas carols combine at ACL Live at the Moody Theater. Part circus act, part Christmas show, this show is an unforgettable experience. Audiences are transported to the golden age of entertainment through intricate costumes, set designs, comedy, from some of the world’s most talented acrobatic performers. Select tickets are available.

Kick off the season with the entire family at the Downtown Austin Alliance Holiday Stroll on Saturday.

Downtown Austin Alliance presents Holiday Sing-Along and Downtown Stroll

Photo by Michael Knox

Kick off the season with the entire family at the Downtown Austin Alliance Holiday Stroll on Saturday.

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Hot Headlines

UT's grade as a top 10 university leads this week's 5 hottest Austin headlines

UT Austin, University of Texas at Austin, top Texas schools, best public universities, best colleges

Photo by Alexander Williams on Unsplash

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Editor's note: A lot happened this week, so here's your chance to get caught up. Read on for the week's most popular headlines. Looking for the best things to do this weekend? Find that list here.

1, UT Austin books top-10 spot among best public universities in America. Among all 1,517 U.S. schools evaluated by Niche, UT Austin shines at No. 41 nationally, and as No. 2 in Texas. It's also the 14th best "big college" in America.

2. Glam club's closure and beer passport map out Austin food and drinking news. Buckle up, Austin. Hope you're ready for a lot of food news, since it seems like restaurants were holding out until Labor Day to make big announcements.

3. Here's how Texas' new car inspection law affects end-of-year stickers. Beginning January 1, 2025, Texas vehicle owners will no longer be required to obtain a safety inspection prior to vehicle registration.

4. Artists bring 7,500 carved pumpkins to historic Austin trail. Pumpkin Nights is back at Pioneer Farms from September 19 to October 31, and it's announced some theme nights to up the semi-spooky ante.

Pumpkin Nights transforms these glowing gourds into an amazing art experience.Pumpkin Nights/Facebook

5. Riverside development plans venue 10 times the size of neighboring Emo's. Developers working on a longterm project in Austin's Riverside neighborhood have unveiled the idea for the first phase's "anchor": a mid-size, indoor entertainment venue.