Kristy’s Top Ten - November 2015
November's to-do list from 365 Things To Do In Austin, Texas.
1. Austin Celtic Festival
Nov. 7–8, Fiesta Gardens, 2101 Jesse E. Segovia St.
austincelticfestival.com
Calling all Austin Celts, or those who just want to sing, dance, eat and celebrate all night at an awesome festival! It’s a weekend full of Irish dance, Scottish games, history and Celtic animals. This is an extremely family-friendly event. The Austin Celtic Festival is $18 day, or $30 for the weekend.
2. Sweet Berry Farm
Through Nov. 8, Marble Falls, Texas
sweetberryfarm.com
It doesn’t get much more fall than finding your way out of a massive Texas-shaped corn maze ($7 per person ages 6 and older). Sweet Berry Farm is your go-to place for all that fall fun that’s part of the season. Think hayrides ($3.75 a person, except Saturday mornings from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., when one ride is free with purchase of another), pumpkin picking (The pumpkins, gourds and jack-o'-lanterns are individually priced, from 75 cents to $45.), scarecrow stuffing ($16.50 per crow) and more. Come make sweet memories at Sweet Berry Farm.
3. East Austin Studio Tour
Nov. 14–15, 21–22
east.bigmedium.org
East Austin Studio Tour, better known as E.A.S.T., showcases local artists, galleries and the city’s creative side. This event allows you to see a variety of work: photography, sculpture, clay work, visual art and more. One of the great things about this week is that it lets you get a behind-the-scenes look at some of the studios. The best way to experience this would probably be on foot or riding a bike. There will be more than 150 venues, plus countless exhibits and events going on throughout the week. It will be a weekend of discussions, demonstrations, talks, artists’ markets and more. East Austin Studio Tour is free.
4. Movies in the Park: The Dark Knight
Nov. 5, 6:30 p.m. Palm Park, downtown Austin
austinparks.org/moviesinthepark.html
November officially wraps up the fall series of Austin’s Movies in the Park series. For the best experience, park a picnic and get there early. Dogs, picnics and lawn chairs are welcome. Admission to the viewing of The Dark Knight is free.
5. Bob Schneider and His Moonlight Orchestra
Nov. 28 Bass Concert Hall, E. 24th Street
texasperformingarts.org/event/bob-schneider-2015-austin-texas-bass-concert-hall
December must be right around the corner because it’s time for Bob Schneider’s annual holiday evening. New this year will be an accompanying exhibition of Schneider’s original artwork, which will be featured in the Level 5 gallery space at Bass Concert Hall. Tickets to the Bob Schneider and His Moonlight Orchestra event range from $25 to $55.
6. Architects of Air at The Long Center
Nov. 20–29 The Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Drive
thelongcenter.org/event/architects-air
Architects of Air is a treasure trove of lights and colors. Each luminarium has its own set of paths and domes for a unique experience. The colors are so vivid and brilliant, and look amazing. The entire experience feels as if you are walking through a kaleidoscope. Architects of Air has become world-renowned. This exhibit has had more than 2 million viewers throughout 37 countries. Admission to Architects of Air is $25.
7. Chuy’s Giving Day Parade
Nov. 28, 11 a.m. Congress Avenue from the Capitol to Cesar Chavez Street
chuysparade.com
Who doesn’t love a good parade? It may not be the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, but it is a morning filled with marching bands, Elvis, Santa and his elves, classic cars and a personal favorite, holiday floats! The parade is a fundraiser for Operation Blue Santa, and everyone is encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to the parade. Santa’s helpers will collect them as the parade marches on. This tradition started in 1989 as an effort to raise awareness for the toy drive that was already taking place at local Chuy’s restaurants. It tripled the amount of donations received and continues to grow each year. If you can’t make it to the parade, local Chuy’s locations and other restaurants throughout Austin will accept donations throughout December. Admission to the Chuy's Giving Day Parade is free.
8. Gridiron Glory: The Best of Pro Football Hall of Fame
Through Jan. 3, 2016 Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 Congress Ave.
thestoryoftexas.com/visit/exhibits/gridiron-glory
It's fitting that the most extensive and comprehensive professional football exhibition ever to go on tour will make its first Texas stop at the Bob Bullock Texas History Museum. Featuring visitor activities, audio and video produced by NFL Films, and an extraordinary collection of more than 200 artifacts, Gridiron Glory presents the panoramic story of professional football, from its humble beginnings in the late 19th century, to its current status as a cultural phenomenon. Admission to Gridiron Glory is between $8 to $12.
9. Texas Olive Festival
Nov. 14, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Texas Hill Country Olive Company, 2530 W. Fitzhugh Road, Dripping Springs, Texas
texasolivefest.com
The Texas Olive Festival will feature cooking classes and demos, food and wine tastings from local restaurants and wineries, specialty vendors, orchard tours, kids’ activities, movie nights and live music. Admission to the Texas Olive Festival is $25.
10. New Braunfels’ Wurstfest
Nov. 6–15 178 Landa Park Drive, New Braunfels, Texas
wurstfest.com
The 10-day salute to sausage is here! Wurstfest is a two-week festival celebrating German culture (mostly beer) in the sleepy little German town to the south of us, New Braunfels. Picture an entire German-inspired carnival, complete with games, rides, dancing, music and food. Pro-tip: Come in costume because everyone loves dressing up for this annual event. Admission to New Braunfels' Wurstfest is $10.
Kristy Owen is the event mastermind and blogger behind 365 Things To Do In Austin, Texas. To stay up to date on the best Austin has to offer, visit her blog, 365thingsaustin.com.
1. Photo by Don Mason. 2. Photo by Tami Vaughn. 3. Photo by Donald Mason. 5. Photo coutesy of High Road Touring. 6. Photo by Alan Parkinson. 7. Photo by Kim Maguire. 8. Photo courtesy of Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. 10. Photo courtesyof Wurstfest.
Share