THE WEEKEND
Makers, music, and a night at Zilker
I would build this weekend around a concert you want to hear and a light walk you have planned how to reach. Austin gives you plenty to do in between. Leave enough room to enjoy it.
01DAY 1 / AUSTIN
Let the music set the schedule
Armadillo Christmas Bazaar → Armadillo’s music stage
01
Armadillo Christmas Bazaar
Start with the makers.
Go to Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Road, when general admission opens at 11 a.m. The bazaar runs December 12–21, bringing artists and live music together. The 2026 roster includes Dan Grissom, Katie Kismet and Carly Weaver. Choose a few artists to look for and leave room to discover someone new.
On December 12, VIP First Look begins at 10 a.m. and costs $25 plus tax; a one-day ticket is $15 plus tax. Consider the upgrade for extra browsing time, not simply because it says VIP.
Event details ↗2026 artists ↗Official tickets ↗
02
Armadillo’s music stage
Choose your set, then build around it.
December 12: Gina Chavez at 1 p.m., CJ Chenier & The Red Hot Louisiana Band at 4 p.m., and Shinyribs at 7 p.m. Pick the performance you most want to hear; you need not stay all day.
Same-day re-entry is allowed with your wristband. If Shinyribs is your choice, take a break and return. Keep the light walk for tomorrow rather than leave a show early to race to Zilker.
Daily music schedule ↗Re-entry policy ↗
02DAY 2 / AUSTIN
A slow morning, then lights
BookPeople & CoffeePeople → Austin Trail of Lights
03
BookPeople & CoffeePeople
Coffee and the last few gifts.
Start at BookPeople, 603 N. Lamar, at Sixth and Lamar. It opens at 9 a.m.; CoffeePeople serves coffee, breakfast tacos, sandwiches and desserts. Ask a bookseller for a Texas writer or help with someone difficult to buy for.
Keep this north-of-the-river morning separate from your evening arrival. Leave the afternoon loose: eat a proper meal, put purchases away and check the weather before Zilker.
Visitor information ↗
04
Austin Trail of Lights
Choose entry and transport together.
The Trail runs December 10–23, 7–10 p.m. General admission is free December 10–11 and 13–17; other nights cost up to $8. Children 11 and under are free with a ticketed adult. ZIP passes cost $20–$25 and include 6 p.m. entry and a lounge with cocoa and cookies.
Parking is limited, costs $25–$35 and must be purchased online ahead of time. The $10 shuttle from Toney Burger Center runs December 12 and 18–23: it is NOT an option for Sunday, December 13. Use the official arrival instructions for your night; do not assume access straight from Barton Springs Road.
Dates and entry ↗Tickets and transport ↗City access information ↗
MAKE IT YOURS
The swaps I’d make.
A shorter evening: visit the Zilker Holiday Tree on its own. The city lists November 29–January 1, 6–10 p.m. Access changes on Trail nights; do not assume free parking all season.
Choose Armadillo by the music: Ruthie Foster is scheduled December 13 at 1 p.m.; Kelly Willis December 19 at 4 p.m. Confirm the actual lineup and fit the lights around it.
Prefer to avoid opening weekend? Choose a weekday in the overlap instead of paying for upgrades you do not want.
Costs and planning
For one adult, December 12–13 starts at $15 plus tax for Armadillo and free Trail general admission Sunday. Transport, food, drinks and purchases are extra. Armadillo tickets are non-refundable. The main events share the Barton Springs corridor but have different entrances and parking; give each its own arrival plan.
TAKE THE PLAN WITH YOU
Add the day to your calendar.
Save the stops and notes for your day out. Choose one day, or add both on back-to-back dates.
USEFUL DETAILS
Before you go.
Details checked November 5, 2026. Check the linked organizers before setting out: schedules, prices and availability can change. All times are local. Tickets and reservations are separate.
The organizer shuttle does not run Sunday, December 13. Arrange transport before choosing an entry time.
Prices are public prices, not held quotes. Suggested pacing does not guarantee weather, crowds or availability. Check the linked sources before booking.
Self-guided suggestions. No bookings are made by downloading this guide.
Photography credit
That Other Paper · CC BY-SA 2.0. Resized and converted to WebP; no crop. This version is shared under the same license.
