Austin’s Wowing Winter Wonderland
At Blue Genie Art Bazaar, hundreds of local artists showcase their work in an indoor market that has become a staple of Austin’s creative community. Lani Gonzalez, the managing director of Blue Genie Art Bazaar, explained that the holiday market brings tons of artists and patrons together.
“Blue Genie is an annual holiday art and gift show,” Gonzalez said. “Featuring the work of over 200 artists and artisans, all under one roof.”
Visitors can shop in person and online during the winter season. Blue Genie Art Bazaar has also found a way to give back to the community through working with Make-A-Wish of Central and South Texas.
“We have a long relationship with Make-A-Wish of Central and South Texas, and this year we encourage visitors to round up for Make-A-Wish by rounding their purchase total up to the nearest dollar,” Gonzalez said. “These contributions will enable Make-A-Wish to continue granting life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.”
Mozart’s Lake Austin Festival of Lights brings the Austin community together in a different way by transforming their deck and the lake into a light show. Annie Bowers, the project manager for the show, described how the performance combines musicians, storytelling, and visual effects into a single experience.
“The show includes a performance from a live band, the singer and the host does a retelling of the Nutcracker with popular holiday songs mixed in,” Bowers said. “And then partway through the show, there is a fire performance on the water with the Nutcracker battling the Mouse King. You get a lot of really talented folks and all in one hour performance.”
Bowers said the blend of music and spectacle makes it a favorite for families and visitors from across the city. Mozart’s also decorates its deck with themed displays, offering hot chocolate and holiday treats throughout the night.
The Circuit of the Americas (COTA) also celebrates the season with its own light show, Peppermint Parkway. The event transforms F1 racetrack and plaza into a winter experience filled with activities. Tim Hamilton, vice president of entertainment at COTA, said they bring the entire venue to life during the winter season with millions of lights and numerous activities.
“We are putting all of our three miles of decor and over three million lights onto the plaza of the main grandstand at Circuit of the Americas, so we have all of our decor that everyone has come to know and love throughout the years, plus we’re adding new decor,” Hamilton said. “We have entertainment, we have food, we have games, and we have so many different activities.”
Just like how the Blue Genie Art Bazaar donates to the make a wish foundation, Peppermint Parkway is a tool to give back to the community during the winter season.
“We have so many different events throughout the year, and Peppermint Parkway really feels like a good way to give back to the community,” Hamilton said. “I like the memories that Peppermint Parkway makes for families. When you think back to your holidays with your family when you were young, those are memories that are so special.”
All these winter events have their own festivities and activities that make them stand out, but all bring people together during the winter season. If it’s riding a boat with hot chocolate, looking at floating lights, shopping for gifts at many different unique shops, or driving around the F1 track looking at lights, Austin has so many different ways of getting people ready for the cool air and holiday season.
With people coming from all over Austin to see Mozart’s performance or see the Peppermint Parkway race track, all these events are rooted in Austin’s, and help locals celebrate the winter season. Bowers described how the community loves coming to Mozart’s celebration every year.
“People love it. Normally, your tickets end up selling out. Last year, they sold out every single night.” Bowers said.
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