The arctic blast has come, but it hasn’t taken away the holiday-themed fun for families happening this weekend. Check out just some of the things happening this weekend, and as always, plan ahead for next week in the weekly calendar that appears on austin360.com/raisingaustin on Saturdays.
Friday
Explore Asia: Holiday Storytime and Crafts. 1-3 p.m. Friday. Free. Asian American Resource Center, 8401 Cameron Road. austintexas.gov/aarc
Parents’ Night Out at Candy Land Castle. Stories, treats and crafts while parents get a night out. 6-10 p.m. Friday. Hancock Recreation Center, 811 E. 41st St. austintexas.gov
Thinkery. Tinkering Tots: Let’s Create a Soundscape. 9:45 a.m. Fridays for 2-year-olds; 10:45 a.m. Fridays for 3-year-olds through Jan. 27. $20 a class. Thinkery, 1830 Simond Ave. thinkeryaustin.org
Texas Museum of Science & Technology Star Party. Every Friday in December, look at the stars in the parking lot. 8 p.m. Fridays. Texas Museum of Science & Technology, 1220 Toro Grande Drive, Cedar Park. txmost.org
“Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” began the book and movie series.
Barnes & Noble Events: Harry Potter Magical Holiday Ball. Dress as your favorite Harry Potter character. 7 p.m. Friday, all locations.
Music & Movement. 11 a.m. Friday, Milwood Branch of the Austin Public Library.
Friday-Sunday
Tapestry Dance Company’s “Of Mice & Music.” See “The Nutcracker” in tap. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. $34-$13.50. The Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Drive. thelongcenter.org
“Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella.” 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday, 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday. Bass Concert Hall, 2350 Robert Dedman Drive. $30-$125. broadwayinaustin.com
Elgin Christmas Tree Farm. Hayride, pick your own tree, crazy maze, playground and more. Open 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. through Dec. 21. 120 Nature’s Way, Elgin. elginchristmastreefarm.com
Evergreen Christmas Tree Farm. Cut your own tree and play old-fashioned games or roast marshmallows. 10 a.m. to dark through Dec. 24. 242 Monkey Road, Elgin. evergreen-farms.com
Ballet Austin’s “The Nutcracker.” 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Dec. 16-17 and 20 and 2 p.m. Saturday, Sunday, Dec. 17-18 and 20-23. $15-$89. The Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Drive. thelongcenter.org
Saturday
Tatyana Lubov and Hayden Stanes dance in “Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella.” Carol Rosegg
Holiday on the Farm. Watch “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” with Alamo Drafthouse Rolling Roadshow, go on a hayride, enjoy hot chocolate and more. $20 adults, $7.50 children, free younger than 3. 3-6 p.m. Saturday. Johnson’s Backyard Garden, 4008 River Road, Garfield.
Family Day at Mondo Gallery. See the new exhibit featuring prints of work from Nickelodeon shows “The Ren & Stimpy Show,” “SpongeBob SquarePants,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” “Rocko’s Modern Life,” “Aaahh!!! Real Monsters” and “Avatar.” There will be slime making, face painting, doughnuts and more. 10 a.m. to noon Saturday. 4115 Guadalupe St. mondotees.com
“Charlotte’s Web” is at Zach Theatre through Dec. 3. Winnie Hsia from Sky Candy plays Charlotte. Kirk Tuck
“Charlotte’s Web.” Aerial artists Sky Candy bring the spider to life. 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday. $16-$21. Zach Theatre’s Kleberg Theatre, 1421 W. Riverside Drive. zachtheatre.org
Thinkery. Baby Bloomers for kids infant to 3. Study Nature this month. 9 a.m. Mondays and Saturdays. Special guests throughout the month. $4.50. Thinkery, 1830 Simond Ave. thinkeryaustin.org
Contemporary Austin. Families Create! Art Car Derby. Make a model art car and race it, plus check out art cars parked on the grounds. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. Free. Laguna Gloria, 3809 W. 35th St. thecontemporaryaustin.org
The Trail of Lights opens this weekend. American-Statesman
Barnes & Noble Events: 11 a.m. Saturday story times at all locations: “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie,” Saturday.
Winterfest. Crafts, treats, book sales and more. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Yarborough Branch of the Austin Public Library.
Annual Holiday Celebration. 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Pleasant Hill Branch.
Holiday Fun. 1 p.m. Saturday, Carver Branch.
Badgerdog Creative Writing Workshop: Songwriting. 2 p.m. Saturday, Twin Oaks Branch.
Perler Bead Palooza. For ages 5 and older. 2 p.m. Saturday, Faulk Central Library.
P. Terry’s Giving Back Day. Head to any P. Terry’s Burger Stand on Saturday and 100 percent of the profits go to Statesman Season for Caring program.
Saturday-Sunday
Trail of Lights. See Zilker Park all lighted up. 7-10 p.m. Saturday through Dec. 23. Free Saturday through Dec. 16, $3 Dec. 17-23 for ages 12 and older. $15 parking passes or ride the shuttle for $5, which includes admission, Saturday, Sunday and Dec. 16-23. Shuttles leave from Burger Center, 3200 Jones Road, and Republic Square Park, 422 Guadalupe St. austintrailoflights.org
Teddy Bear Tea at the Four Seasons. Enjoy a traditional tea service, reading of “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” and a visit with Santa. Bring an unwrapped new teddy bear for Dell Children’s Medical Center. $45, must make reservation at 512-685-8300. Noon and 3 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Dec. 18. Four Seasons, 98 San Jacinto Blvd. fourseasons.com/austin
“Snow Queen 2: Riddle of Eternity.” This new musical from Laura Freeman tells the story of when Gabby steps into the video game of “Snow Queen 2” to reclaim her best friend Kyle. 11 a.m and 1 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Dec. 17. $12-$18. Scottish Rite Theater, 207 W. 18th St. scottishritetheater.org
Thinkery. Chemistry Gingerbread Workshop. For ages 7 and older. 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 17-23. $12 per person plus $30 per kit. Tech Gingerbread Workshop. For ages 8 and older. 2:30-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 17-23. 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 24. $12 per person plus $30 per kit. Traditional Gingerbread Workshops and Tot Gingerbread Workshops (for ages 5 and younger). 9:30 a.m., 9:45 a.m., 10:45, a.m. 11 a.m., 2:45 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 17-18, Dec. 19-23, Dec. 24, plus noon Dec. 19-23, and 1:30 p.m. Dec. 19-23. $12 per person plus $20 per kit. Thinkery, 1830 Simond Ave. thinkeryaustin.org
Sunday
Afternoon With Santa. Meet Santa and enjoy cookie decorating, crafts and snacks. 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday. $30. Driskill Hotel, 604 Brazos St. driskillhotel.com
