KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Wed, Dec 31: Noon Year's Eve Party- My Gym Children's Fitness Center
Wed, Dec 31: NYE Countdown at Foodie Kids
Wed, Dec 31: Noon Years Eve Celebration at Windsor Park Library
Sat, Jan 3: Polar Bear Plunge at Morris Memorial Park - Elgin
Sat, Jan 10: Touch-A-Truck at Buda Public Library
Sat, Jan 17: MLK Kids Event at San Marcos Public Library
Sat, Jan 24: Kirby Hall School Open House
Sat, Jan 24: Brick Convention- Austin
Sun, Feb 1: Georgetown's Health & Wellness Expo
Sat, Feb 7: Madagascar at Central Texas Theatre at Vive Les Arts Societe
Sat, Feb 21: "International Surrealism" at Dallas Museum of Art
Sat, Feb 21: Urban Quest 2026 at ATX KIDS
CLUB
Fri, Feb 27: Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl in Concert at Austin Symphony |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
Peace can come in many textures during the holidays. For some, it’s the energizing bustle of concerts and community events, or the warmth of a crowded house full of voices and motion. For others, it’s the stillness of a walk through snow-covered woods, a soft blanket at home, or the quiet company of someone who understands them. It shifts from person to person, and sometimes even
from one day to the next. Peace can be internal, external, or, at its best, a bit of both: a sense that life makes sense, within and around us. It’s easier to feel when we’re free from hardship, but even in the midst of challenge, it’s sometimes possible to find a quiet kind of peace when we know we’ve done our best with the time and energy we’ve been given. Peace can be elusive for parents; after all, we're the ones in charge of figuring out how to make the
family rhythm and flow work for everyone, and what brings peace to our kids may look nothing like what brings it to us. Maybe your son needs to be out with friends while you crave stillness. Maybe your daughter is hoping to hide in a corner with a book while you're in full-on glitter-and-cookie mode with all the cousins. Parenting is the art of balance, of helping everyone in the family thrive by seeing who they really are and doing our best to honor it. It's not easy, and it's never perfect,
but we try. When kids feel known—when they hear “I see that you love this, that you need this, and I’ll help you find your way to it”—they flourish. That sense of being understood can be its own kind of peace. So as the season winds to a close, I wish you whatever kind of holiday rhythm helps you feel most like you. And I hope you’ll find moments to offer that same gift to those around you. When we make space for each other’s version of peace, it’s more
likely to find its way into the room.
—Debra Ross, publisher
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KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Do more. Connect more. If you like my publisher's column, you can easily scroll through past columns in the "Notes
from Deb" section of our site. |
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Hip-hop is about community — so let’s celebrate together. Join us Sunday, December 28, from 11 AM–4 PM on the LBJ Library plaza for live hip-hop artist and DJ performances as we mark the closing of Hip-Hop America: The Mixtape Exhibit. A full day of music, culture, and appreciation for a movement that changed the world. Don’t forget — the final day to view the exhibit is Sunday, January 4
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Enjoy FREE museum admission all day during H-E-B Free Fourth Sundays, held the fourth Sunday of every month. Explore the story of life in the natural world in Texas from the formation of our planet, through the age of the dinosaurs, into our current environment. See fascinating fossils and examples of Texas wildlife, touch real meteorites, and walk beneath the 33-foot wingspan of a pterosaur and tyrannosaur! The museum is open from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Sundays (last admission is at 4:30).
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The Mutt-Cracker (SWEET!) is Austin's most extraordinarily original holiday event, perfect for the whole family! The production features talented circus dogs, music, dancing, circus acts, and holiday fun!
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The Zilker Holiday Tree stands 155 feet tall and is composed of 39 streamers, each holding 81 multicolored led bulbs - totaling 3,309 lights. A double star at the top of the tree measures 10 feet from point to point with 150 frosted bulbs. The unique spiral pattern of lights was created by City of Austin electricians. At its circumference, the tree measures 380 feet. The diameter is 120 feet. The base of the tree is made up of 19 utility poles, each 14 feet tall, arranged in a circle around the Moonlight Tower.
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Black Families of Hutto invites you to their 5th Annual Community Kwanzaa Celebration. For more information, please visit the event website: https://blackfamiliesofhutto.com/kwanzaa Whether you're familiar with Kwanzaa or new to its traditions, this event is a fantastic way to learn and connect with the community. Free event open to all ages.
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Journey back in time to the holiday season of the late 19th and early 20th centuries! Create your own historic holiday crafts like exciting holiday cosaques (poppers) and pin-pricked holiday cards or family keepsakes like salt dough ornaments. While you craft like you’re back in time (with modern supplies, of course!), you’ll learn the how many of our modern holiday traditions began in the 19th century.
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Kick off 2026 with intention, creativity, and a little bit of fun! Drop by the library anytime during open hours to take part in our Family New Year’s Resolution passive program. Families can work together to dream up goals, hopes, and “we-can-do-this!” resolutions for the year ahead. We’ll provide the supplies—colorful cards, markers, prompts, and inspiration. You bring the ideas! Once you’ve created your family resolution, add it to our Resolution Wall, a growing display of community goals and shared dreams. It’s a simple and meaningful way to set intentions, bond, and start the new year with positivity. Perfect for all ages. Come create something thoughtful together and leave motivated for the year ahead!
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Austin Japan Community presents a dual language Japanese-English storytime with picture books and songs introduced in Japanese and English. Participants will also learn about seasonal events in Japan and its history. Make & Take crafts will follow the storytime. All ages welcome
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The winter ice skating rink in Marble Falls offers a delightful experience for all ages, with smooth ice perfect for gliding and festive music adding to the seasonal charm. In addition to skating, visitors can enjoy the thrill of ice bumper cars, providing a unique and exciting twist to traditional winter fun.
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On select dates throughout the year, the Garden offers free days where no admission is charged. Parking is always free and available via our main parking lot, which can be accessed through the front entrance of the garden. If overflow parking is needed, our overflow lot at 2300 Stratford Drive will be open. If you park in the overflow lot, you can enter directly across the street through the Hartman Gate at the back entrance. This is a highly ornamental gate and is easily recognizable.
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Fortlandia aims to connect people of all ages to the environment by evoking a sense of childhood play and wonder. Get ready to explore a brand new lineup of custom designed forts in our Family Garden this fall. Your secret hideout awaits!
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The beloved holiday classic comes to life on stage! A Charlie Brown Christmas follows Charlie Brown as he searches for the true meaning of Christmas, with a little help from Snoopy, Linus, and the whole Peanuts gang.
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- Free mini photo session with Shoott! - Austin - Shoott - Shoott, Broadway, New York, NY, USA, 12/26/2025 - 12/28/2025, See link for times
- Free Day - Zilker Botanical Garden Conservancy, 2220 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX, 12/26/2025, 9 am- 5 pm
- Live Music at The Domain - The Domain, 11410 Century Oaks Terrace, Austin, TX, 12/26/2025 - 12/28/2025, Fridays: 6–9 pm Saturdays: 2-5 pm & 6–9 pm Sundays: 3–6 pm
- Weekly Tree
Lightings - Hotel Viata, 320 S Capital of Texas Hwy, West Lake Hills, TX, 12/26/2025 - 12/27/2025, 5-7 pm
- Special Storytime: The Polar Express - BookPeople - BookPeople, 603 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX, 12/27/2025, 10:30-11 am
- Dual Language Japanese-English Storytime by Austin Japan Community - Austin Japan Community - Milwood Branch, Austin Public Library, 12500 Amherst Dr, Austin, TX, 12/27/2025, 2-3 pm
- Family New Year's Resolution Wall - Dripping Springs Community Library, 501 Sportsplex Dr, Dripping Springs, TX, 12/27/2025, all day
- Family Game Day - Elgin Public Library, 404 North Main Street, Elgin, TX, 12/27/2025, Every Saturday from 1-5pm
- Chess Club
- Lake Travis Community Library, Lohmans Crossing Road, Lakeway, TX, 12/27/2025, 10:30- 12 pm
- Caturday
Saturday - San Marcos Public Library, 625 E Hopkins St, San Marcos, TX, 12/27/2025, 12:30 - 1:30 pm
- 5th Annual Hutto Kwanzaa Celebration - Hutto Discovery United Methodist Church, 350 Ed Schmidt Boulevard, Hutto, TX, 12/27/2025, 4 pm
- H-E-B Free Fourth Sunday - Texas Science & Natural History Museum - 2400 Trinity St, Austin, TX 78712, 12/28/2025, 1-5 pm
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Take out your calendar - you have a lot of scheduling to do to fit in all the incredible Holiday Break camps taking place in and around our area! If we're missing a camp that should be on this list, please email us to let us know.
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EXPERIENCES create memories much more than stuff does. As you're considering gifts for family and friends, consider giving the gift of a family membership to one of our local attractions. Here are local organizations that offer memberships.
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Ring in the New Year with a little help from KidsOutAndAbout! Our Big List of family-Friendly celebrations is just what you need to find ball drops, fireworks displays, NOON Year's Eve fun, activities, parties and more! If your favorite isn't on the list be
sure to send us an email and we'll add it pronto.
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KidsOutAndAbout's 2025 holiday events list for the Austin area-101 ideas for local holiday fun. Christmas concerts, lights, trees, nativities, and more. . . plus activities for Chanukah, Kwanzaa, and New Year's Eve.
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Planning a kids birthday party in the Austin area? Here are lots of ideas for where to have it! If there is a resource that we have missed, please email us to let us know, and we'll add it promptly.
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Enjoy the weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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