Words Deven Wilson
Locals Know BBQ Tour | Saturdays & Sundays, 11am-2pm
There’s an overwhelming choice in barbecue joints to try around town, and it’s easy to put off sampling some of the best when the lines are long. But for $145 per person, locals and visitors alike can experience the priceless joy of not facing the dreaded “restroom dilemma” of “should I stay or should I go?” while waiting in said lines but skipping them altogether at each spot: Mum’s Foods, KG BBQ, la Barbecue, Micklethwait Craft Meats, Parish Barbecue, and a secret location kept on the down low. Have your brisket and eat it too, as you’re chauffeured from pit to pit learning about the rich history of Texas’s best smoky goodness.
eastsideatx.com/foodtours | Central East Austin
Motown Monday | Every Monday, 7:30pm
Pop by Pershing Hall to shake away those Monday blues with the magic of Motown. Tickets are $7 per person and $115 for a reserved table for four to catch a performance by Matchmaker Band as they sing Motown and groove to R&B classics. thepershing.com/calendar | 2415 E 5th St.
Night Market +Fantasy Karaoke | First Saturdays, 7-10pm
Inside the fantastical Tiny Minotaur Tavern, there’s a magical market with music in the air. Every first Saturday of the month, tavern members get free entry to shop with local swordsmiths, fortune tellers, sculptors, clothiers, and more, while nonmembers pay $5 for entry. As the night market goes on, Miguel the Rogue Bard puts on a costumed karaoke where all serenaders must be dressed up to get on stage and belt medieval melodies.
tinyminotaur.com/events | 2701 E Cesar Chavez St.
Open Canopy | First Saturdays, 1-4pm
Explore all the galleries, art studios, and various shops tucked inside Canopy on Springdale every first Saturday of the month during Open Canopy. Wander around the two floors of art and the trailers on the west side of the property, along with pop-up shops and live DJ sets on the patio. It’s a great chance to grab gifts before the holidays or to kick off the new year with a new piece of local art. canopyaustin.com/happenings | 916 Springdale Rd.
The Lone Star Farmers’ Market | Sundays, 10am-2pm
It’s the perfect place to find that surprise missing ingredient before the holiday dinners or peruse locally-grown produce. Every Sunday, there’s a chance to browse handmade goods and grab fresh food from small batch purveyors before or after window shopping the tenants at Springdale General, such as Paper + Craft, Settle Ceramics, and Zhi Tea. springdalegeneral.com/events | 1023 Springdale Rd.
Opun Mic Night | December 5, 5:30pm
Austinites can get pretty punny, and now on the last Sunday of the month, they can take the stage at Coldtowne Theater and pun their hearts out. Free to attend and open to all, Opun Mic Night is an evening spent cackling at word nerds as they duel one-liners or work together and show why two wordsmiths are better than pun. coldtownetheater.com | 1700 E 2nd St.
Gingerbread Workshop | December 6-7 & 13-14, times vary
Skip making a mess at home and head to Austin’s children’s museum to build gingerbread houses. A workshop ticket ($60 for Thinkery members; $70 for non-members) includes one H-E-B Texan Gingerbread Ranch Kit, two spots to participate in a 60-minute session with a take-home treat, candy chemistry demos, and full access to the candy bar buffet. It’s a sweet setup that’ll easily become a new holiday tradition. thinkeryaustin.org/gingerbread | 1830 Simond Ave.
Joy & Light: Delights of the Season | Dec. 9, 7:30pm & Dec. 10, 3pm
At Redeemer Presbyterian Church, the Texas Early Music Project is putting on a weekend performance of festive holiday music. Featuring joyous carols, sweet Celtic songs, magnificent motets, medieval chants, and exuberant folk tunes for Chanukah, the old world sounds come alive inside the church’s beautiful stained-glass-lined walls. GA tickets are $35. early-music.org | 2111 Alexander Ave.
Noon Years Eve Celebration | December 31, 11am -1:30pm
Get that New Year’s energy out early with this under-the-sea themed children’s party at Windsor Park Library. Free to attend, family and friends can enjoy snacks, crafts, live music by Strawbitty Yops, and a countdown balloon drop at 12 pm to ring in the new year well before bedtime. library.austintexas.gov/events | 5833 Westminster Dr.
The Wolf You Feed | January 15- February 7, times vary
The North American premiere of the play, The Wolf You Feed, by Darcy Parker Bruce will be live at The Vortex. It’s a modern fable inspired by Where the Wild Things Are, and it takes the audience on a journey following Max and her relationship with a pack of chaotic punk wolves. Directed by Chris Fontanes, grab dinner from Patrizi’s for a winter’s evening of pasta and theatrical play. Tickets are $45. vortexrep.org/calendar | 2307 Manor Rd.
Resound & Levitation: Sudan Archives | January 21, 8pm
At Radio East, the accomplished violinist and vocalist, Sudan Archives, is taking the stage. Presented by KUTX, Resound & Levitation, the talented performer blends elements of Sudanese fiddling with Irish melodies and produces a modern string performance worth making the trip to this beloved coffee, taco, and cocktail spot. radiocoffeeandbeer.com/radio-east | 3504 Montopolis Dr.
Winter Cornhole League | February 4,7-9:15pm
Get active in the new year (and in a new way) with this recreational cornhole league hosted at Lustre Pearl East. Open to all skill levels, teams of at least three will compete through tournament games until a champion is crowned. Winners can take home prizes, and all attendees can enjoy drink specials at the bar. Early registration is $65 per person, $175 for team, and registration is open from December 20 to January 17. facebook.com/lustrepearleast | 114 Linden St.
Join the Club (Literally)! | January 26, 7–8pm
Starting in January, EASTside is hosting monthly Book Club Meet-Ups—always the last Monday of the month at 7pm. Expect local coffee, occasional custom cocktails, and discussions over whether fictional characters deserve redemption arcs. Each month features a new book (voted on by you) and a rotating venue—think patios, bookstores, and breweries. The first meet-up takes place at St. Elmo Brewing Co. Springdale to discuss The Measure by Nikki Erlick. eastsideatx.com/bookclub | 8110 Springdale Rd.
