It’s almost time to deck the halls, wrap the gifts and plan the menu – but, hey, first things first. Austin is the Live Music Capital of the World, you know. We can never get too much of a good live music thing around here – especially at Christmastime!
So, if you’re really looking forward to what Austin offers in the world of its live holiday music, check out this list that will help you hold that note – and stretch 12 Days of Christmas into 15.
With everything from jazzy vocals to symphonic instrumentals, there’s a lot to choose from in this list.
Some are totally free, and others require buying a ticket. Links for more info and ticket purchases are included with the details of each event.
Photo – Downtown Austin Alliance
Date: Saturday, December 2, 2017
Time: 6:00 p.m. (come early for live music and pictures with Santa)
Place: Texas State Capitol Building, South Side
Purchase Tickets: FREE – no ticket required
Description: Check the website for a complete schedule, including food from The Sustainable Food Center, live musicians, activities for the kids, and an appearance by Santa.
Photo – The Fresh Find
Date: Sunday, December 3, 2017 (Bells of Joy)
Sunday, December 10, 2017 (The Gospel Stars)
Sunday, December 17, 2017 (River City Christianettes)
Sunday, December 24, 2017 (Disciples of Christ)
Time: Doors open at 10:30 a.m. Seatings at 10:30 and 12:30
Purchase Tickets: To reserve – call (512) 480-8341 ext. 4 or email gospelbrunch@stubbsaustin.com ($26.95 w/view of band; $22.95 No Band View; $9.95 Kids 10 and under)
Description: Enjoy first-class live gospel music while you fill your plate with Southern-style brunch favorites, including Stubb’s famous BBQ brisket.
Photo – Texas Early Music Project
Date: Friday, December 8 / Saturday, December 9 / Sunday, December 10, 2017
Time: 7:00 p.m. (Friday and Saturday) 3:00 p.m. (Sunday)
Place: First English Lutheran Church, 13001 Whitis Avenue, Austin, Texas 78705 (Friday & Saturday); First Presbyterian Church, 8001 Mesa Drive, Austin, Texas 78731 (Sunday)
Purchase Tickets: Here ($25 – $30)
Description: If you like classical music, you’ll love this performance from artists who are dedicated to preserving their art form through involvement with the Texas Early Music Project.
Photo – Ballet Austin
Date: Friday, December 8 – Saturday, December 23
Time: 7:30 p.m. (Evenings) 2:00 p.m. (Matinees)
Place: The Long Center
Purchase Tickets: Here ($27 – $98)
Description: This is Ballet Austin‘s 55th annual production of The Nutcracker! Hundreds of dancers take the stage to bring this traditional story to life as The Austin Symphony performs Tchaikovsky’s magical score.
Photo – The Vintage 15
Date: Sunday, December 10, 2017
Time: 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Place: Hill Country Galleria, 12700 Hill Country Blvd., Bee Cave, Texas 78738
Purchase Tickets: FREE – no ticket required
Description: Bring a blanket and enjoy singing along with the very popular classic jazz band, Vintage 15.
Photo – Butler School of Music
Date: Tuesday, December 12, 2017
Time: 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Place: Bates Recital Hall, 2406 Robert Dedman Drive, Austin, TX 78712
Purchase Tickets: Here ($10 – $25)
Description: This annual concert features combined choirs and symphony orchestra from the University of Texas’s Butler School of Music.
Photo – Austin.Com
Date: Tuesday, December 12, 2017
Time: 8:00 p.m.
Place: Hyde Park Baptist Church, 3901 Speedway, Austin, TX 78751
Purchase Tickets: Here ($15 – $60)
Description: Hyde Park Baptist Church is the perfect setting for this classic musical production, with stained glass windows and traditional church pews. If enjoying Handel’s Messiah is a Christmas tradition for your family, hearing it performed inside one of Austin’s most beautiful sanctuaries will knock your stockings off.
Photo – One World Theatre
Date: Friday, December 15, 2017
Time: 7:00 (Early Show) 9:30 (Late Show)
Place: The One World Theater, 7701 Bee Cave Road, Austin, Texas 78746
Purchase Tickets: Here ($25 – $98)
Description: These four accomplished musicians know how to put the smooth in jazz, each bringing an essential element, rounding out the sounds of Christmas with their multi-instrumental talents and vocals.
Photo – Paramount Theatre
Date: Saturday, December 16, 2017
Time: 8:00 p.m.
Place: The Paramount Theatre, Austin, Texas 78701
Purchase Tickets: Here ($30 – $58)
Description: This very talented husband/wife duo sells out their holiday shindig every year. Along with their list of country, bluegrassy Christmas songs, they will also delight the audience with a surprise guest, like last year’s Lee Ann Womack.
Photo – LifeAustin Amphitheatre
Date: Sunday, December 17, 2017
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Place: LifeAustin Amphitheatre, 8901 W Hwy 71, Austin, TX 78735
Purchase Tickets: FREE – no ticket required
Description: Part of a series of 12 free performances around the city, The Austin Symphony presents big band music in an amphitheatre setting on the campus of LifeAustin church on Hwy 71. Bring your own mug of hot cocoa, but there may also be a food truck or two onsite.
Photo – EventBrite
Date: Tuesday, December 19, 2017
Time: 6:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Place: Riverbend Church, 4214 North Capital of Texas Highway, Austin, Texas 78746
Purchase Tickets: FREE – ticket required – available here
Description: Live nativity, hot chocolate, goodies and tree lighting on the Plaza at 6:00, followed by the Sing-Along in the auditorium, with a full orchestra and 100-member choir. Christmas music at its sing-along best!
Photo – Celtic Cultural Center of Texas
Date: Thursday, December 21 and Friday, December 22, 2017
Time: 7:30 – 10:00 p.m.
Place: St. Mary’s Cathedral, 10th & Brazos, Austin, Texas
Purchase tickets: Here at $31.50 each (includes online processing fee)
Description: Irish and Scottish music come together in this beautiful performance produced by the Celtic Cultural Center of Texas. This beloved event sells out quickly, so don’t dilly dally on purchasing tickets. In other words, heid doon arse up!
Photo – Tuba Christmas
Date: Friday, December 22, 2017
Time: 12:00 noon
Place: Texas State Capitol Building Steps, South Side
Purchase Tickets: FREE – no ticket required
Description: TubaChristmas celebrates its 44th year of gathering tuba players around the country for a Christmas concert. The first TubaChristmas was conducted by Paul Lavalle in New York City’s Rockefeller Plaza Ice Rink on Sunday, December 22, 1974. Enjoy your lunch on the grounds of the Texas State Capitol Building while enjoying this one-of-a-kind event in Austin.
Photo – Denver & the Mile High Orchestra
Date: Saturday, December 23, 2017
Time: 6:00 p.m.. (Doors open at 5:00)
Place: LifeAustin Amphitheatre, 8901 W. Hwy 71, Austin, Texas 78735
Purchase Tickets: FREE – no ticket required
Description: A “band for the American family,” Denver Bierman and his 10-piece modern horn band brings the sounds of groups like Chicago and Earth, Wind & Fire to the LifeAustin Amphitheatre for an unforgettable night of candles, communion and carols under the Texas sky.
Photo – The Long Center
Date: Friday, December 29 – Sunday, December 31
Time: 8:00 p.m. (Friday) 11:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m. (Saturday) 1:00 p.m. (Sunday)
Place: The Long Center for the Performing Arts
Purchase Tickets: Here ($26 – $86 with discount for 4 pack)
Description: The classic 1983 movie is brought to the musical stage in this production at the Long Center, and it’s the only Texas production this season.
May your days be merry and bright, and may all your Christmases be white – or at least filled with the beautiful live music of Austin.
Encouraging intentional adventure as you fa-la-la-la-la through the glorious days of Christmas,
PS: What about you? Do you have a favorite Christmas CD that you play in the car, favorite songs included on your playlist, or maybe a musical performance you attend every single year?
