5 Festive Experiences to Brighten your Holiday Season in Austin

Written by: Enjoli Henderson

The weather outside isn’t too frightful, and the fires are definitely delightful! Grab your cup of hot cocoa and your favorite people, because we are sharing our top 5 ways to brighten up your holiday season right here in Austin, Texas!

 

Peppermint Parkway

                           

Photo credit: Peppermint Parkway

Make your Peppermint Parkway visit truly unforgettable! Add a track lap to your ticket and cruise COTA’s iconic F1 track, ride Austin’s only tilt coaster, enjoy kiddie rides, or try your hand at mini golf. Wander through the dazzling Christmas lights that line the parkway, and customize your experience with a variety of ticket packages to fit the whole family. There’s something for everyone, making it the perfect spot for festive fun and holiday memories.

 

Trail of Lights at Zilker Park

                           

Photo Credit: Cindy Widner

Whether it’s your first visit or a classic holiday tradition, the Trail of Lights at Zilker Park is a must this season. With thousands of sparkling displays and endless photo ops, it’s the perfect place for families, couples, and festive friend groups. Enjoy holiday treats, take a spin on the Ferris wheel, and soak in the live music that fills the park each night. Visit their website to explore the full lineup and secure your tickets in advance.

 

Ice Skating at the Long Center

 

Photo Credit: The Long Center

A winter freeze isn’t the only time you should be seeing ice in Austin! If you are looking for a date night or even a place to bring the kiddos for a wonderful winter experience head over to the Long Center where you can ice skate with one of the best views of downtown Austin. Be sure to purchase tickets here ahead of time, as sessions often sell out quickly.

 

Luminations at the Wildflower Center

 

Photo Credit: The Tribune

For a truly magical Austin experience, Luminations at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center transforms the gardens into a glowing winter wonderland. Stroll along illuminated pathways, wander through immersive light installations, and enjoy the peaceful beauty of the native Texas landscape after dark. It’s the perfect mix of festive and serene. Be sure to grab tickets here ahead of time, as this event tends to fill up quickly.

 

Mozart’s Lake Austin Festival of lights

 

Photo Credit: Mozart’s

This year’s theme, “Heaven and Nature Sing,” brings the magic to life with a fire dancer, a waterfront battle scene inspired by The Nutcracker, and a limited-run Broadway-style Christmas concert. Sip on a warm Mozart’s coffee or hot cocoa while you take in the show. Whether you’re cozied up on land or enjoying the view from the water, you’re sure to be dazzled by the festive displays!

Conclusion

Even without snow, Austin knows how to bring the holiday magic. Whether you’re hosting friends, entertaining family, or exploring the city with your favorite people, these festive experiences are sure to fill your season with joy. Here’s to making memories that feel merry, bright, and perfectly Austin.

Hosting Out of Towners? Your Ultimate Hosting Guide This Holiday Season.

Written by: Enjoli Henderson

November in Austin brings cooler air, holiday buzz, and a calendar full of things to do which makes it the perfect time to host family and friends. Whether your guests are in town for Thanksgiving, a long weekend, or just chasing that Austin weirdness, here’s how to show them the best of the city.

Morning Movement with a View

                           

Photo credit: Becca Youngers

Start everyday with intention. Whether it’s a sunrise jog on Ladybird lake, a yoga class at Wanderlust, or a hike at Barton Creek, movement clears your mind and sets the tone for the day. After your morning activity, stop by Codependent for a perfectly brewed coffee and sample their cozy seasonal menu. The kind of slow, mindful start that’ll make your guest fall in love with Austin mornings.

 Austin Food + Wine Festival

                           

Photo Credit: Charles Reagan

Indulge in the crisp fall air while it lasts and soak in the best of Austin’s outdoor scene.This month marks the 14th annual Austin Food + Wine Festival (Nov. 7-9). Give your guests a true local experience by bringing them to Friday night’s Made in Texas event at the Long Center. This is a new addition to the festival where top chefs will serve Texas-inspired dishes alongside music and cocktails. It’s the ultimate blend of flavor, culture, and that easygoing Austin energy.

Tickets available here: https://www.austinfoodandwinefestival.com/

 Austin Studio Tour

Photo Credit: @thegoldcurrent

The Austin Studio Tour is a free, city wide, self guided art event taking place over two weekends in November.  It’s one of the best ways to show your friends and family first hand how Austin keeps its creative spirit alive. Step inside local studios, meet the artists, and see firsthand how they bring their visions to life. Discover the stories behind each piece, purchase unique works of art, and celebrate the incredible talent that makes Austin’s art scene so vibrant and of course a little weird.

Dates:

November 8-9 & 15-16 

-12pm – 6pm daily

 New and Improved Rainey Street 

Photo Credit: Becca Youngers

Check out Rainey St. 3.0, where Austin’s charm meets the city’s energy. What started as a strip of laid back bungalow bars has turned into a go to spot for great food, live music, and creative cocktails all in one walkable stretch. Start on one end of Rainey at Tomalo and enjoy a frozen margarita and some of the best fajitas in town. Make your way down to the other side and top off your Rainey Street trip at Anthem for yummy sharables and a night cap.

Conclusion

Hosting in Austin this holiday season isn’t about perfection. It’s about bringing your loved ones into your world and being present. Let your guests experience the things that make this city shine. The food, the creativity, the sunshine, and that unmistakable laid back spirit. When you mix thoughtful planning with easygoing Austin Energy, everyone leaves feeling a little lighter, and already planning their next visit!

2023: What’s To Come

Happy New Year from Urbanspace! As we look back on 2022, we could not be more grateful for continued growth and achievements of both our company and Austin as a whole. Between Wine Down Wednesdays, company outings, over 200 closings, welcoming residents to 44 East Ave, and selling out The Modern Austin Residences, and so much more, “work hard, play hard” has taken on a whole new meaning! And for what we are looking forward to in 2023,

BACALAR

Urbanspace and Top Chef’s Gabe Erales will open our new Mexican-inspired restaurant at the ground level of the brand new 44 East Ave Residences in Rainey Street District! This will be Urbanspace’s 2nd hospitality endeavor after the recent opening of the beautiful Codependent coffee + cocktails space. Bacalar, opening in Spring of 2023, will be a Mexican-inspired restaurant specializing in food heavily influenced by the different regions of the Yucatan peninsula, where Exective Chef Gabe Erales’ family’s roots originated. The name “Bacalar” comes from the Pueblo Magico that is located less than an hour north of Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico, and known as the Lake of 7 Colors. Anchoring the ground level of the 44 East Ave condominium tower, Bacalar will offer a prime location proximal to Lady Bird Lake and the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail. The restaurant will transport its guests to Mexico on the shore of Lady Bird Lake.

THE RAINEY STREET TRAILHEAD

With the growth of the Rainey Street District, the connection between the Ann & Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail at Lady Bird Lake and Rainey Street is becoming more vital for transportation and access to nature. The addition of Rainey Street Trailhead to the lake’s network of public spaces will be an integral outdoor resource for many downtown residents. Working closely with The Trail Foundation, a non-profit formed to protect and enhance the lake’s trail system, the design team engaged the local community to define the park’s goals. This public input established three key goals for the project: introduce water access, provide for play, and repair the site’s ecological health. We cannot wait for our 44 East Ave residents to be able to soak up these improvements, set for completion this fall.


Urbanspace Holiday Gift Guide

Happy Holidays from Urbanspace Real Estate + Interiors. As we near the end of a wonderful year, the team at Urbanspace extends the warmest wishes to each and every one of you. 

With the many holiday cocktail parties and gatherings between friends and family that December holds, we understand just how easy it may be to let holiday shopping fall to the wayside; that’s why the team at Urbanspace has curated a collection of our most sought after pieces to gift holiday party hosts, the special someone in your life, or even yourself. We’ve been sure to stock up on these holiday favorites in-store with gift wrapping available. Stop in for a cup of coffee and allow us to handle the rest!

Assouline Travel Books

Outlasting trends and timeless by name & nature, the coveted Assouline Travel Series is no doubt a coffee table essential. From the outside in, the entirety of this collection catches the eye by embodying a bold, lively persona through its colorful hardcovers and culture-highlighting photos within. Each book dives into a new destination, from Mykonos to Palm Beach: making this the perfect gift for the world-traveler in your life.

Ranger Station

First impressions are everything. Whether you’re welcoming guests to your home or meeting someone for the first time, Ranger Station’s offering of beautifully crafted, long lasting fragrances will make any moment memorable. Originating from Nashville by musician Steve Soderholm, this collection of luxury hand soaps & lotions, sultry soy wax blend candles, and intoxicating perfumes was founded under the pretense that “the currency of our lives is in the experiences we have and the memories that sprout from them.”

With a burn time of 30+ hours, Ranger Station’s premium handcrafted 8oz candles are the gift that keeps on giving. 

But why stop there? With a collection of expertly formulated hand & body wash as well as finely fragranced lotions, we make building a Ranger Station gift basket effortless. From earthy and fresh eucalyptus to the iconic deep yet floral scent of santalum, there’s a fragrance for everyone.

 

As we continue to make special memories this holiday season, give the gift of memorable scent by Ranger Station.

Teno by Lumio

The Teno brings a whole new meaning to multifaceted. ‘Cracking’ open this sculpture-esque piece transforms it into both a bluetooth speaker and radiant lamp. Where function meets form, this artful speaker provides a soft glow while delivering crisp treble and deep bass; bringing your favorite songs to life. Mindfully designed, the Teno tabletop speaker is one you’ll love to look at just as much as listen to! *Available in both black & white.

Modern Table Games

Get your head in the game with a wide variety of classics such as tic-tac-toe, jenga, chess, and backgammon. Crafted of eye-catching materials, these are games you won’t want to put away.

 


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