Updated November 2020

The holidays are a special time for drinking and eating our way around Austin with friends and family and for creating memories that will last a lifetime.  This year’s celebrations will be much different with COVID-19 looming in the air.

If you’re up for a socially distant celebration while wearing your mask, several Austin bars, restaurants, and hotels are here for you with festive cocktails, snacks, and sparkling lights to lift your holiday spirits.

*All bars, restaurants and hotels will be adhering to strict CDC and state guidelines to maintain the safety of all their guests, staff and entertainers.  Please wear your mask when visiting all locations.  

JW Marriott Austin

JW’s Edge rooftop will host the Snow Much Fun On Congress which happens Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings from 6pm – 10pm, open to the public.  There is snowfall on the hour starting at 7pm, festive lights, a snow globe, live holiday themed music and holiday cocktails.  Due to COVID-19 and social distancing guidelines, reservations are required and can be made online HERE.

East Austin Hotel

Tis the season for Christmas decorations of festive cocktails!  Join East Austin Hotel for its yearly holiday pop-up.  This year, treat yo’Elf with their Gnome for the Holidays decor at Sixth and Waller.  Cozy up inside with s’mores for two and holiday libations at Sixth and Waller, or snuggle up while holiday movies play on the rooftop patio at The Upside.

Driskill Hotel

While everyone will have to keep their distance this year, that hasn’t stopped us from showing off our holiday spirit with our most treasured Driskill Hotel Tradition. Driskill invites you to join them from the comfort & safety of your home as we celebrate a season with the annual lighting of their stunning, 15-foot lobby tree!

Hyatt Regency Lost Pines

Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa announces the S’mores with Santa holiday experience for resort guests and local residents.  S’mores with Santa will take place every Friday and Saturday leading into Christmas.  The holiday activity will include a special appearance from Santa and Mrs. Claus, followed by complimentary s’mores and hot cocoa.  S’mores with Santa is available for overnight guests, and $10 for local residents who purchase a ticket by visiting https://www.resortpass.com/hotels/hyatt-regency-hill-country-resort-spa. Parking will be validated for local guests.

Bars

Lala’s Little Nugget

Get your jingle bells on, get in the holiday spirit and head over to Lala’s Little Nugget on for the ultimate Christmas party at Austin’s favorite Christmas bar. Bring your ho ho ho’s and wear your ugly Christmas sweater for an ugly sweater contest. Lala’s is a year round Christmas themed bar decked out with holiday décor 365 days a year – perfect for anyone who wants to start celebrating early (or never stop celebrating at all!)

@atasteofkoko at Miracle on 5th st, photo by Hayden Walker

Miracle on 5th

Miracle on 5^th Street will don a different, but still as equally decadent look as a seated dine-in service in a socially-distanced, safe, and sanitary venue. Walk-ins are welcome but reservations are strongly encouraged and the maximum party size is 10 people. For parties over 10 people and longer than 2 hours, an event form must be filled out through the Miracle on 5^th Street website.  Miracle To-Go Cocktails are available for pick-up at the Ski Lodge located next to the entrance each day starting at 4pm. Guests can place their orders using the form on the Miracle on 5^th Street To-Go website.

Red Dragon

Holiday cocktails, laughter, & amazing company.  What more can you ask for?  Visit Red Dragon ATX to see their new Holiday themed pop up bar, open Thursday – Sunday nights 9 PM – 2 AM.  Face mask and social distancing guidelines apply! (Photo: Red Dragon ATX – Facebook)

Scholz Garten

Scholz Garten is inviting Austinites to Jingle Jam, a safe and festive night out to celebrate the holiday season! On December 11 get dressed up in your ugliest holiday sweater, enjoy live music from the Jingleberries, sip warm drinks, and indulge in a turkey dinner.  Guests can give back to the community by participating in the Toys for Tots initiative.  Bring a new and unwrapped toy to Scholz for donation and receive a $5 gift card to Scholz as a thank you!  Additionally, Scholz is offering everyone who purchases a $25 gift card for a loved one, a $5 gift card for themselves in return.

Gibson Street Bar

Known for its elaborate décor and holiday-themed month-long takeovers, Gibson Street Bar will transform into Gibson Wonderland for the entire month of December.  This year, Christmas is taking over at Gibson Street Bar for the second annual Gibson Wonderland. The “Christmas Takeover” includes signature winter cocktails and festive decorations that will leave you and your fellow elves feeling warm and toasty all December long.

Kitty Cohen’s

Kitty Cohen’s will be taken over by “Get Lit”, a concept dreamed up in 2019 by Kitty Cohen’s owners Josh Brownfield and Jeremy Murray.  “I love all the holiday pop-up bars this time of season and I thought Hanukkah deserves one as well.” Brownfield said. “In the spirit of Kitty Cohen’s this Hanukkah pop-up will be all about fun.”  The pop-up will start Dec 8th this year and will run till the end of the month.  Brownfield and team will take over the bar with lively decorations and feature a special menu with Hanukkah inspired cocktails, though the regular drink menu will still be available. Some examples of cocktails on the menu are; Manischewitz Spritzers, Slivotinis and Latke Punch, a play on the traditional Hanukkah potato pancake dish, made with potato vodka, apple cider, lemon, ginger liquor, cinnamon and bitters, available as a single drink or get a whole punch bowl for your group.

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Restaurants and Cafes

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Mozart’s Coffee Roasters

For locals and visitors alike, a highlight of Austin’s Christmas season is the spectacular annual light show at Mozart’s on Lake Austin Boulevard, where for eleven years awestruck crowds have gathered at the city’s favorite lakeside city bakery and global coffee roastery—which remains a major destination year-round during SXSW, ACL and for people from every corner of the globe.  This year is unique in myriad ways, because in 2020 health and safety are at the top of everyone’s wish list. For months now, Mozart’s innovative owners Stacey and Ken Leonard and Katrine and Bill Formby have worked with State and City governments and their own technology, production, and service teams to create a glorious and safe 2020 “COVID Cautious Christmas Light Show” which runs November 11, 2020 – January 6, 2021 nightly.

Geraldine’s

This holiday season, Geraldine’s is treating Austin to some TexMas hospitality—South Pole-style.  The South Pole celebration presented by Geraldine’s, happening every Friday and Saturday evening in December, up until Christmas week. Want to make a weekend out of it? Book the South Pole Presidential Suite at Kimpton Van Zandt, where you can keep the fa-la-la-ing going all night long.  This year, to ensure the safety and well-being of their guests and staff, limited tickets are available here and must be purchased in advance. Ticket price includes cocktail tasting and carts. Tables of 2-10 will be socially-distanced, and masks must be worn at all times unless seated.

Lucky Robot Japanese Kitchen

Lucky Robot Japanese Kitchen will be celebrating the holidays this year with a holiday-themed pop-up installation, featuring over 2,200 origami cranes and Christmas trees suspended from the ceiling, along with hand-strung lights and ornaments. Slated to run from November to January, this festive display will offer Austinites a unique, family-friendly way to get into the spirit of the holidays! 

Photo Credit: P Terry’s

P. Terry’s

Barton Springs Road looks brighter than ever! P. Terry’s has lit up its original burger stand to get everyone in the holiday spirit. Fun for everyone (including Fido!), the festive lights will remain up for the entire month of December. Stop by for a photo, a burger, an all-natural dog treat from Barkin’ Creek Dog Kitchen & Bath, and a chocolate peppermint shake — P. Terry’s December Shake of the Month.

EVO | Holiday Flashback Pajama Parties

This screening of the beloved book-to-film adaptation from childhood invites guests to  show up to EVO in their coziest pajamas. Classic hot chocolate will be offered for $5 at all locations and peppermint, vanilla and white chocolate flavors will be available for $7 at the Starplex location. At Schertz, Kyle, Creekside and The SPOT at San Marcos, spiked options will also be available from behind the bar for $7 featuring a shot of peppermint Schnapps, chocolate liqueur, or vanilla vodka to really warm up.  Movie tickets will be regularly priced.