November 19 - December 20

Laughter on the 23rd Floor

The City Theatre

Thursday - Saturday 8:00pm and Sunday 5:30pm $15 - $20. Front Row Reserved $25. Thursday all seats $10 Perfect for the holidays, this Neil Simon fast-and-furious comedy will keep you in stitches all night. Experience the hilarious, behind-the-scenes look at the making of a 1950s television variety show. You will laugh until it hurts!

November 20 - November 21

Conspirare Symphonic Choir

Long Center for the Performing Arts, Dell Hall

Performance begins at 8:00pm - $19 - $48 - 100 members of Conspirare’s Symphonic Choir join the ASO to bring you an all-time favorite by Mendelssohn coupled with an engaging new work by the American composer Cary Ratcliff, based upon a Spanish text by Nobel poet Pablo Neruda. Featuring sopranos Amy Mathews-Muttwill and Kimberly Gerber as the 1st and 2nd Fairies. Conducted by Mr. Peter Bay.

November 21

ARTreach Fair Trade Art Festival

Westover Hills Church of Christ

10:00am - 4:00pm - ARTreach is an international gift fair featuring gifts that give twice. The festival also includes interactive, multicultural kids activities,live music performed by local refugee groups and weaving demonstrations. It is a fun way to spread the spirit of the holiday season to those in need.

November 27 - January 10

The Santaland Diaries

Zachary Scott Theatre

8:00pm - $39 - Our little Macy's elf knows a thing or two about faking the Yuletide spirit. But you won't be faking a good time when your sides split during David Sedaris' wickedly funny The Santaland Diaries. Sedaris' comedy tells the real-life story of Sedaris' tour of duty as the elf Crumpet, and what it takes to juggle tots and tottering Santas during a painfully festive time of the year. A laugh 'til you cry evening of merrily subversive entertainment to delight adult audiences.

November 27

Lighting of the Square

Historic Downtown Square - Georgetown, TX

6:00pm - Free - Come experience the magic as we kick-off the holiday season with our annual Lighting of the Square! Come sing along with the Austin Carolers to your favorite holiday tunes and warm your tummy with cookies and hot chocolate!

November 27 - December 27

Rockin' Christmas Party

Zachary Scott Theatre

8:00pm - $42 - Austin's rock-n-soul holiday spectacle, Rockin' Christmas Party, celebrates a sweet sixteen years reigning as one of our town's longest-running traditions! Bigger, brighter and merrier than ever, our award-winning cast sure knows how to put the Christmas spirit in your heart -and your booty- as they shake, rattle and roll down Santa Claus Lane! Featuring some of ZACH's all-time greatest vocalists, this year's edition has a brand new set design. It's great fun for the whole family, but get your tickets early because seats go fast for this wildly popular holiday shindig.

November 28

Chuy's Children Giving to Children Parade

Downtown Austin

11:00am - Free - A procession of giant balloons, marching bands, vintage cars, celebrities and floats usher in the season of giving.

November 28

Austin Bead Society Holiday Show

Hyatt Regency Austin

11:00am - 6:00pm - Free - Come to the Austin Bead Society Holiday Show to see and purchase unique hand-crafted jewelry by Austin area artisans. Get one-of-a-kind gifts for the holidays. Participate in the hourly, free raffle for credit to use with the vendors.

December 01 - December 20

Sister’s Christmas Catechism

Long Center for the Performing Arts, Rollins Theatre

Friday & Saturday 7:30pm and Sunday 3:00pm or 7:30pm - $79 - $94 - Retelling the story of the nativity as only Sister can, this hilarious holiday production uses “scientific tools” and a choir, as well as a gaggle of audience members, to create a living nativity scene unlike any you’ve ever encountered. This sequel to the smash hit Late Nite Catechism brings gifts galore and bundles of laughs!

December 04 - December 06

Wild Ideas Shopping Event

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Friday & Saturday 9:00am - 5:30pm and Sunday 12:00pm - 5:00pm - Free - The annual holiday shopping extravaganza features ornaments, jewelry, photography, pottery and more.

December 04

Holiday Tree Lighting in Heritage Oak Park

Heritage Oak Park in Cedar Park, Texas

6:30pm - 8:30pm - Free - The holidays begin with the Holiday Tree Lighting in Heritage Oak Park. Over 50,000 lights illuminate the largest live oak in Cedar Park. Enjoy an appearance by Santa Claus, caroling, free carriage rides and the Yule fire.

December 04 - December 20

I'll Be Seeing You

Kam and James Morris Theatre

Friday & Saturday 7:30pm and Sundays 2:00pm - $30-$60 - I'll Be Seeing You weaves the narratives of two now-grown neighbor children of World War II with letters to and from the home front, with slides, videos and popular holiday tunes of the era in a sparkling and warm family show that is sure to become a tradition for the Austin region. This union production weaves Austin's great musical theater talents as well as youth performers from TexARTS's acclaimed music, theater and dance academy program with great holiday cheer and reminiscence.

December 04 - December 20

Gingerbread Workshops

Austin Children's Museum

Times and Prices vary - See AustinKids.org for details - Parents and kids can build and decorate their very own gingerbread houses with candy and icing, using real, soft gingerbread baked here in Austin. Continue this holiday tradition without the worry of a messy clean-up!

December 05 - December 23

The Nutcracker

The Long Center for the Performing Arts

Friday & Saturday 7:30pm and Sunday 2:00pm $12-$70 Ballet Austin presents this holiday favorite for the 47th year, making it the longest-running production of The Nutcracker in Texas. Make your holiday a little sweeter and save $3 on each ticket to The Nutcracker when you purchase online. Go to www.balletaustin.org and click on the ticket icon. When prompted for the promo code, use ACVB as your code. Happy Holidays from Ballet Austin!

December 05

Home Slice Carnival-O-Pizza

Home Slice Pizza on S. Congress

Carnival-O-Pizza features live music, food, raffles and games such as pizza tossing, eating and box folding contests. Proceeds from the event will benefit Austin Pets Alive!

December 07 - May 24

Chiquitito's Spanish Workshop

Austin Children's Museum

10:00am - 10:50am - See AustinKids.org for ticket details - At this series of 50-minute workshops children can learn at their own pace through sing-a-longs, physical games like Simon Says or charades, artistic projects and other games like memory, bingo and dominoes. Advanced registration required. Dates vary per month.

December 08

Handel's Messiah

Riverbend Centre

8:00pm - $15.00 - $35.00 - The Austin Symphony Orchestra presents Messiah, Handel's musical masterpiece that elevates and enriches the soul.

December 11 - December 24

Armadillo Christmas Bazaar

Austin Convention Center

11:00am - 11:00pm - Weekdays $3 and Weekends $6 - Shades of old Austin are reflected at this market of eclectic gift items and local entertainment.

December 11 - December 13

Luminations

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

6:00pm - 9:00pm - Free - The gardens of the Wildflower Center are aglow with thousands of luminarias and twinkle lights. Dec. 11 is for members only; Dec. 12-13 are open to the public.

December 12

Santa's Workshop

Heritage Oak Park in Cedar Park, Texas

6:00pm - 8:00pm - $1-$2 - Join us for Santa's Workshop and enjoy music, games, yule fire, arts & crafts and of course, Santa Claus. Hot cocoa will also be available for $1 and you can get your picture taken with Santa for $2. Bring an unwrapped toy for Blue Santa and receive a free cup of hot cocoa. Bring the whole family for what promises to be a festive evening. Free to the public.

December 12

Sara Hickman - Christmas Show

One World Theatre

11:00am & 1:00pm - $9-$12 - Sing along as multi-award winning singer/songwriter, tireless humanitarian and marvelous mom Sara Hickman takes the stage for a holiday musical performance that offers fun and appeal for children and adults alike. Sara's gifted musical abilities and joyful, sonorous vocals make this a must see; Christmas season concert with songs for the whole family to enjoy.

December 13 - December 23

Trail of Lights and Zilker Christmas Tree

Zilker Park

The pedestrian Trail of Lights transforms a mile-long stretch of Austin's beloved park into a wonderland of lights.

December 18 - December 21

Keep Austin Bizarre Christmas Bazaar

Fiesta Gardens

Friday & Saturday 11:00am - 12:00pm and Sunday & Monday 11:00am - 10:00pm - Free - An additional 40 artists will be outside on vendor row selling unique gifts and fine, handcrafted items. There will be tribal, improvisational and yogic dance performances, fire spinners, circus acts and resident musicians who play while patrons shop. Gourmet foods from around the world will be offered by some of the best local eateries, as will libations from local microbrews. Also, enjoy a Winter Wonderland walkabout.

December 29 - January 03

A Texas Christmas Carol

The Long Center for the Performing Arts, Dell Hall

Showtimes vary; visit theLongCenter.org for details - $10-$60 - The holiday variety show features performances by Amazing Grace Gospel, Austin Lyric Opera, Ballet Austin, River City Brass Quintet, Tapestry Dance Company, Tish Hinojosa and The Biscuit Brothers.

December 30 - December 31

Duke Ellington Orchestra with Freda Payne

Palmer Events Center

12/30/2009 to 12/31/2009 8:00pm - $30 - Duke Ellington is best remembered for the 3,000 plus songs that he composed during his lifetime. Hear your Austin Symphony and the Duke Ellington Orchestra with Freda Payne perform such hits as "It Don't Mean a Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing," "Sophisticated Lady" and "Mood Indigo."

December 31 - January 01

HEB Presents First Night

Downtown Austin

3:00pm - 12:00am - Free - HEB Presents First Night is an annual free, family-friendly, inter-generationally programmed, non-alcoholic New Year's Eve celebration in Downtown Austin. The 5th Anniversary theme is "Illumination: Celebrating Austin's Best."