Finding fun, festive, and alcohol-free events during the holiday season isn’t always easy. However, this year, Austin is hosting several exciting holiday events and activities for residents who like to have a good time without all the booze. Here are ten of the top alcohol-free holiday events in Austin, perfect for the person in recovery.
November 27-December 29, 2019
This holiday cult-classic is David Sedaris’ humorous account detailing his personal experience as a Macy’s Christmas elf in Santaland. During this one-man, one-act show that has been adapted for the stage, the ex-elf shares his sarcastic take on the challenges of the holiday season. This humorous adult-oriented show isn’t your regular Christmas classic play, but it will certainly have you laughing and enjoying the fun during your visit to ZACH Theatre.
November 29-December 22, 2019
Spending a day at the Elgin Christmas Tree Farm is a great way to spend quality time with friends and loved ones. During the holiday season, this Austin-area tree farm offers “choose n’ cut” Virginia Pine and Leyland Cypress Christmas trees. The farm also offers fresh Fraser Firs that are pre-cut and shipped from a farm in North Carolina. Other activities include a maze, playgrounds for kids, a train ride, farm animals, and lots of great photo ops.
November 23-January 20, 2020
If you’re looking for a festive way to spend a Saturday afternoon, what better way than to spend it ice skating at Austin’s Whole Foods store downtown. The rink is open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 pm. and offers ice skating and skate rentals for just $10 per person.
Saturday, December 7, 2019
Carol in front of the capitol tree as it comes to life with colorful, sparkling Christmas lights before enjoying the live music, shopping, and art that Congress St. has to offer. Various shops, galleries, restaurants, and museums on Congress will be open late during the Holiday Sing-Along and Downtown Stroll and will feature special activities and sales. This holiday event is free to the public and goes from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Prairie Family Christmas
Saturday nights in December 2019
The Prairie Family Christmas at Pioneer Farms is a fun and historic celebration of the season, featuring music, live performances, hayrides, and Christmas caroling. Take a trip through time back to the 1800s in Texas, with beautiful historic homes decorated for Christmas and horse-drawn wagon rides through the town square.
- Ballet Austin’s The Nutcracker
December 7-23, 2019
Head to the Long Center for Ballet Austin’s 56th Annual production of The Nutcracker. The show will feature live music from the Austin Symphony Orchestra, hundreds of ballet dancers, and breathtaking holiday costumes and sets. With several live performances left in 2018, you still have plenty of time to enjoy this memorable show with friends and family this holiday season.
December 10-23, 2019
Another Austin holiday tradition, the Holiday Trail of Lights attracts 400,000 people annually for a night of beautiful Christmas lights, food, live music, and family-friendly activities. This event is run by the Trail of Lights Foundation and offers free admission on some nights so everyone can enjoy the holiday displays, millions of twinkling lights, some of Austin’s favorite food trucks, and much more.
December 23, 2019
The Texas State Capitol Building is a great place to visit year-round, but during the holiday season, it plays host to Tuba Christmas on the South Steps featuring live traditional Christmas music performed by tuba and euphonium players. Whether you’re heading down to the capitol building for a tour or you’re just in the area, stop by on December 23 at noon for a special live performance.
- City of Austin’s New Year
December 31, 2019
It can be difficult to find an alcohol-free New Year’s Eve event, but the city of Austin is hosting a great one at the Austin Convention Center. A free event for everyone, this New Year’s Eve party offers family-friendly and alcohol-free entertainment and activities. With live music, art, food trucks, and fireworks, there’s a little bit of something for everyone.
Nightly from 6-11 p.m. until January 5, 2020
An annual holiday tradition for many Austin-area residents, the Mozart’s Coffee Holiday Light Show is truly a sight to see. With free admission, more than 1 million Christmas lights, holiday-themed music, and delicious coffee and treats, what’s not to love? Get there before 6 p.m. to grab a seat outside on the patio at Mozart’s Coffee Roasters and enjoy the views overlooking the waters of Lake Austin at night.
Staying sober during the holidays can be a challenge for many different reasons. However, finding fun, alcohol-free events in your local area can fill your free time with enjoyable and memorable activities, fight off seasonal depression in recovery, and provide community activities for residents of sober living homes. If you’re sober in Austin and you’re looking for exciting holiday activities, this list is a great place to start.
If you’ve found yourself overwhelmed by the challenges of sobriety this holiday season, Eudaimonia Recovery Homes can help. We offer transitional housing for men and women in recovery, located in Houston, Austin, and Colorado Springs. We also offer several recovery support services like:
- Peer recovery support program
- Tiered recovery programs
- Employment, volunteer, and education assistance
- Regular drug testing for sober living residents
Although the holidays are often difficult for people in recovery, spending the holidays at a sober living home might be the key to sustaining your sobriety this holiday season. Sober group housing can help you establish a lifestyle and support system that will allow you to maintain ongoing and lasting sobriety.
Call Eudaimonia Recovery Homes today to learn more about our addiction recovery services and how we can help you prevent relapse this holiday season.
