The 2nd Annual Odd World Formal

7pm @ Moving Picture House (formerly Vulcan Video), FREE!

Celebrate Odd World's 21st screening with the ultimate '80s fever dream: Mac and Me, the gloriously unhinged McDonald's commercial masquerading as an E.T. knockoff. This free screening includes complimentary beer and champagne courtesy of Lazarus Brewing, so don your finest formal attire and toast to small boys, small aliens, and the most absurd storytelling the '80s had to offer.

Holiday Doormat Workshop

6:30pm @ Inner Diva Studios

Create your own custom holiday doormat in this hands-on DIY workshop that's perfect for welcoming guests in style or crafting unique gifts. Channel your inner crafter while making something actually useful for your home this holiday season. Leave with a personalized creation that screams festive cheer every time someone steps to your door.

A Dandy Holiday: A Giving Tuesday Experience by Measure

5:30pm @ George Washington Carver Museum, $20

Step into an elegant Giving Tuesday celebration inspired by Dandyism, Martha's Vineyard charm, and Gilded Age glamour. This stylish evening features live music, poetry, curated cocktails, and a chance to support Measure's Free Data Support Program, which helps community organizations tell their stories through data and strategy. Don your finest velvet, pearls, and pocket squares for a night where refinement meets purpose.

Elf Pub Run + Screening

5:30pm @ Paramount Theatre, $15+

Baby, there's elves outside! Run to Scholz's Garten with a merry group of costumed elves, enjoy caroling and elf shenanigans, compete in a costume contest showcasing North Pole fashions, then watch ELF at the Paramount. Includes two drink tickets at the theater and a beer at Scholz's, or upgrade to the VIP Holiday Hijinx package for a party bus ride with complimentary drinks and reserved seating.

512 ATX Short Film Festival

7pm @ AFS Cinema, $15

Austin's celebration of local filmmaking talent becomes a full-on party with comedy, horror, and heartfelt films from Texas creators. Each genre block kicks off with fun original interludes, plus you'll get a drink ticket, access to the charcuterie spread, and entry into the AFS Gift Card Raffle. Awards for Best Story, Acting, Editing, Screenplay, and three Audience Choice winners announced after the fest.

Austin Womxn Group Skate Holiday Edition

6:30pm - 8:30pm @ Clover + Maven

Bust out your ugly sweaters for this festive skate session combining holiday shopping from local female and queer artisans, DJ beats, BYOB hot cocoa vibes, and ramp skating action. Potential ugly sweater skate fashion show makes this the quirkiest holiday gathering in town.

Golden Mean Austin Holiday Party

6pm - 9pm @ Golden Mean Austin, FREE!

Ring in the season at Golden Mean's final 2025 celebration with a 1960s Mad Men-inspired soirée featuring DJ Grossyall, tastings from Redeemer Small Batch with a special MCM cocktail, a grazing cheese board by Spread & Co, and the unforgettable Hot Santa photo op. RSVP for this free evening of bold spirits, dancing, and mid-century modern vibes. Optional vintage dress code encouraged for maximum retro flair.

Bob's Burgers Trivia

7pm - 9pm @ The Brewtorium Brewery & Kitchen, FREE!

Test your knowledge of the Belcher family at this themed trivia night perfect for superfans who can quote every Linda song and debate burger-of-the-day puns. Free to play with prizes for top teams while you enjoy craft brews in a relaxed brewery atmosphere.

Prince of Darkness Karaoke - Ozzy's Birthday Edition

9pm - 1am @ Hotel Vegas & The Volstead Lounge, FREE!

Celebrate Ozzy's 77th birthday by belting out your favorite metal anthems all night long! Hosted by Michael Reyes, this no-cover karaoke extravaganza lets you unleash your inner rock god with Sabbath, Ozzy, and all things heavy metal in one of Austin's coolest dive bars.

Wolf Connect — A Night of Culture, Connection & Creation

5pm - 10pm @ Assembly Hall Austin, $59

Experience Austin transformed into an immersive playground of creativity and community at Wolf Connect. This five-hour cultural extravaganza blends art installations, collaborative creation spaces, and authentic human connection in ways that push beyond typical networking events into something genuinely memorable and boundary-pushing.

End of Semester Buzzed Spelling Bee

6pm @ The Liberty, FREE!

Back by popular demand, The Liberty hosts another round of tipsy spelling challenges where participants attempt to spell increasingly difficult words while enjoying drinks. This playful end-of-semester celebration combines the nostalgic tension of spelling bees with the loose atmosphere of a bar night, creating a uniquely entertaining competitive experience that's perfect for unwinding after finals.

Side Hustle: part gallery + part exhibition

6pm - 8pm @ SEU Fine Arts Gallery, FREE!

Celebrate the creative rebels who moonlight as artists at this opening reception honoring the passion projects that exist outside the 9-to-5. This exhibition showcases the raw talent and dedication of Austin's side hustlers, offering a rare glimpse into the creative work that emerges when people pursue their artistic dreams alongside day jobs.

Derpy Day

7pm @ 2300 South Lamar Blvd, $35

Celebrate the internet's most famous cat with 70 minutes of sing-alongs, trivia, photo ops, exclusive merch, and—most importantly—20+ rescue cats ready for snuggles. This quirky tribute event combines meme culture with feline philanthropy for an evening that's equal parts absurd and adorable.

2025 World AIDS Day Ball

10pm @ Swan Dive - $5

Step into the ballroom for a night of remembrance, artistry, and fierce competition with a $500 grand prize for the Butch Queen in Drags Realness category. This 21+ celebration features 10 competitive categories, special performances by Lucy Lonestar and Nic the Cig, and a FREE catered dinner by Traphouse Caribbean Cuisine from 10:30-11:30pm. Free HIV testing provided by Kind Clinic, with all category walkers required to carry a red rose as they serve excellence across runway, face, lip sync, and more.

Barter Friday

Friday, November 29th @ Breakaway Records, FREE!

Trade your unwanted items for store credit at Breakaway Records' annual Barter Friday event. Bring in your used vinyl, CDs, DVDs, Blu-rays, video games, and more to exchange for credit toward new treasures in the store. This Black Friday alternative encourages sustainable shopping while helping you refresh your collection without spending cash.

Danny Brown w/ underscores & Femtanyl

7pm (DOORS) @ Emo's, $41.90

Experimental hip hop virtuoso Danny Brown brings his paranoid, hysterical, and uncompromising artistry to Emo's alongside hyperpop breakcore acts underscores and Femtanyl. This genre-bending triple bill merges speedcore chaos with rap wizardry, offering one of the most sonically adventurous nights Austin will see this year.

WWE Friday Night SmackDown

6:30pm @ Moody Center, $51

Professional wrestling mayhem comes to Austin with WWE's Friday Night SmackDown delivering body slams, championship drama, and larger-than-life athleticism. All ages welcome, no experience with spandex required. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just love spectacle, this is pure entertainment chaos.

KRAMPUSNACHT

7pm - Midnight @ the Tiny Minotaur Tavern - $12

Forget Santa. Tonight belongs to his cruel friend Krampus delivering traditional holiday beatings at this tavern throwdown. Features a Krampus Mini Quest, pastry potluck, drink specials, and red & black yuletide attire encouraged. Sleep in hell, naughty children!

Master Pancake OZ FEST

7:30pm @ Alamo Drafthouse Mueller, $17

Master Pancake's legendary comedy riffing tackles The Wizard of Oz in this interactive movie mockery experience. Expect improvised jokes, audience participation, and beer—because everything's better when comedians destroy your childhood classics in real-time.

S'mores & Serves

6pm - 8pm @ Austin Pickle Ranch (Braker), $25

Pickleball meets campfire vibes with two hours of open-play (all levels welcome), a build-your-own s'mores station with creative add-ins, and cornhole between rallies. This perfectly Austin combo of active fun and cozy treats kicks off the holiday season right.

Den of Wolves: Infinite Domain Megagame

10:30am - 5pm @ Game Kastle, $36.42

Humanity has been nearly wiped out, and survivors struggle as a nomadic flotilla of ships in space—but hidden among them are those seeking to obliterate humanity entirely. This immersive megagame combines role-playing, strategy, and social deduction in an epic sci-fi scenario where trust is scarce and survival uncertain.

HoliGAY Market

11am - 5pm @ Distribution Hall, FREE!

Shop and support 100+ LGBTQIA+ artists, businesses, and organizations at Austin's gayest holiday pop-up. This festive, queer-centered shopping extravaganza is free and open to all, offering everything from handmade goods to local art in a vibrant, inclusive atmosphere that celebrates community creativity.

The Reindeer Run: A Corgi Race

4pm @ The Jackalope (South Shore)

Turn the patio into a tiny holiday racetrack for Austin's chunkiest, fastest, silliest corgis in this absolutely chaotic and adorable event. Watch stubby legs fly in competition, enter your pet in the all-breed sweater contest, and enjoy drink specials while proceeds benefit Austin Animal Center—it's the perfect blend of ridiculous and heartwarming.

Austin Trail of Lights Fun Run

6pm - 10pm @ Zilker Park, $20+

The early look at the Trail returns with a fresh route around the Zilker Tree plus sneak peeks at Santa's Workshop, Letters to Santa, and the H-E-B Read3 Train. Conducted in waves starting at 6pm, this festive run brings improved flow and maximum holiday cheer before the main Trail opens to the public.

Band Baaja no Baarath

7pm @ 10203 Old Manchaca Rd, $57

Experience an exclusive Indian pre-wedding celebration with all the music, dancing, and color of a real sangeet—just without the wedding. This immersive cultural event lets you participate in the joyous traditions of a South Asian wedding party, complete with elaborate costumes, Bollywood beats, and vibrant festivities open to everyone.

Mahjong and Matcha

10am - 12pm @ Daydreamer Coffee on Rainey - $50

HowWeSweat and So Bam Fun unite for a uniquely Austin morning: learn the ancient tile game of mahjong while sipping ceremonial matcha at the trendy new Rainey Street cafe. This fusion of East Asian traditions with modern wellness culture creates the perfect Sunday reset with a cultural education twist.

Coquito Holiday Market

12pm - 5pm @ Ani's Day & Night, FREE!

Celebrate Latin American holiday traditions with Coquito, Rompope, Atole, food vendors, live music, and artisan gifts at this family-friendly fiesta. This cultural celebration brings festive drinks and joyful vibes together for an authentic holiday experience beyond the typical Christmas market.

Joseline's Cabaret Tour: Baila Conmigo

8pm - 12am @ 412 Congress Avenue - $77

Puerto Rican Princess Joseline Hernandez and her Season 6 Cabaret Ladies take over Austin for one provocative night only. Expect bold performances, dance-floor energy, and the unapologetic flair that made the reality show a cultural phenomenon—this is late-night entertainment that doesn't hold back.

Sunday Night Football with Comedians

7pm @ Buzz Mill, FREE!

Watch the NFL game with comedians Martin Henn and Chandler Rhone providing absurd real-time commentary, plus Buzzmill Bingo for free drinks and gift cards. At halftime, raffle winners compete in the Football Toss for a $25 Fanatics gift card—football meets chaos meets free wings with drink purchase.

KRAMPUS PARTY & Toy Drive

7pm @ Mohawk Austin, FREE!

The dark side of Christmas comes alive with the Austin Witches Market, Missfits performances, DJ Baja Blaster, burlesque by The Lady M and Sweet Nothings, plus holiday drink specials and free gift wrapping. Toy donations benefit SAFE Alliance, so you can celebrate the season's mischievous anti-Santa while doing good.