It’s never too early to start planning your holiday travels—especially if you have plans with a large group! And whether you’re coordinating an end-of-year office get-together, an excursion with your church group, or ways to entertain the extended family while they’re in town, Austin has no shortage of events and attractions to fill up your calendars this 2022 holiday season.

Not sure where to start? Here are just a few of the group-friendly festivities within driving distance of downtown! Let Longhorn Charter Bus provide a seamless minibus or charter bus rental service to every must-see holiday destination in Austin:

The German-Texas Christmas Market

Every year, the German-Texan Heritage Society throws what they say is the most authentic German Christmas market you’ll find in Texas—and we’re hesitant to argue! Stop by the German Free School campus in early December, and you’ll see the grounds have been transformed into a traditional vendor fair filled with twinkle lights and good cheer. Browse through selections of genuine holiday decor imported from Erzgebirge, and be sure to grab a cup of the market’s famous Glühwein (warm spiced wine) before rushing home with your treasures

Address: 507 E 10th St, Austin, TX 78701

Dates:

• GTHS members—November 26th, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; December 1st, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• General public— December 3rd, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Austin Charter Bus Tip: Worried about juggling all your recent purchases? Let a professional bus driver look after your things while you walk around your favorite market! Charter bus rentals boast spacious undercarriage compartments for storing luggage. Still, even a compact minibus shuttle will offer enough in-cabin storage space for personal belongings and any holiday gifts you purchase at an Austin market!

 

Armadillo Christmas Bazaar

It’s not an Austin event without live music! And you’ll find plenty of fan-favorite tunes and new music to accompany your walk through the Christmas market at this yearly art and music festival. Originally started in the 70s as a way for local artists to sell their art for the holidays, the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar is still going strong—bringing in 160 artists and nearly a dozen performers to showcase their crafts every year. Pick out a handcrafted gift from one of the local vendors, peruse the art collections for your next favorite masterpiece, or sip a cocktail and dance along to live music from local acts at this beloved Austin holiday festival.

Address: 900 Barton Springs Rd., Austin, Texas 78704

Dates: December 17 – 23, 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

 

Ballet Austin’s Nutcracker

Need a fun outing with your art class, afterschool group, or simply a group of art enthusiasts? Catching this Tchaikovsky classic is a must! Every year, Ballet Austin dances to live accompaniment from the Austin Symphony Orchestra, bringing in hundreds of patrons to see the colorful costumes and nostalgic music of this favorite Austin holiday tradition

Groups of 20 or more patrons can receive a 10% discount on Nutcracker tickets when purchasing directly through the Ballet Austin Box Office. Group ticket orders must be paid in full at the time of purchase, and it is recommended to reverse admission as early as possible to ensure availability.

Address: 701 W Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78704

Dates: December 3 – 23 (performance times vary)

Austin Charter Bus Tip: It may be tempting to fill your evening out with plenty of activities to keep your group entertained, but be sure to allow enough time for your patrons to disembark your Austin bus rental, hit the restroom before the show, and find their seats. When you rent a bus with Longhorn Charter Bus, you’ll always have total control over where and when your motorcoach arrives—so running late will be the least of your worries when a professional bus driver is at the wheel.

 

Puerto Rican Cultural Center’s Las Octavitas & Sembrando Herencia

No one celebrates the Christmas season quite like the Puerto Rican community—no one else celebrates the holidays well into January! And if your friends, family, or local organization are looking for a group to celebrate Las Octavitas with, look no further than the Puerto Rican Cultural Center here in Austin! Los Tres Reyes Magos will visit the center with gifts and treats for the kids, and local performers will be leading the aguinaldos and dancing tunes all evening long.

While not strictly a holiday-themed performance, the cultural center’s annual Semrando Herencia show is also well worth adding to your group’s calendar! Every year, the Puerto Rican Folkloric Dance group debuts a musical based on oral traditions—this year, the history of San Mateo de Cangrejos will come to life through original music, dance numbers, and cocobalé (machete and stick fencing).

Address: 900 Chicon St, Austin, TX 78702

Dates:

• Sembrando Herencia: December 10 – 11
• Las Octavitas: January 22, 2 to 5 p.m.

Zilker Park’s Trail of Lights

Throughout most of December, much of Zilker Park’s walkways are transformed into a maze of 2 million twinkle lights and over 70 holiday-themed displays. While the merriment is open to everyone most nights, some spaces and catering vendors can be reserved for private groups of 20 or more—perfect for office holiday parties and festive shindigs for all organizations. And if you’re celebrating the season with a running group, active adult community, or a local sports team, you won’t want to miss out on the Trail of Lights Fun Run, a 2-mile, family-friendly run that lets participants peep the lights before the general public!

Address: 2207 Lou Neff Rd, Austin, TX 78746

Dates:

• Trail of Lights Fun Run: December 3
• Trail of Lights: December 8 – 23

 

Ease Your Holiday Travels with an Austin Bus Rental

Whenever you’re ready to start planning your group’s next holiday outing in Austin, Longhorn Charter Bus will be here to help. Our network of bus rentals big and small—as well as our premium array of amenity options—make it easy to book the perfect group transportation solution that ticks every box on your passengers’ “must-have” list. From free WiFi and DVD players to reclining seats and an onboard restroom, our 24-hour reservation team will work around the clock to ensure you have the ideal ride.

Get in touch today by calling 512-827-0540 to receive a fast and free bus rental pricing estimate that’s tailored to your Austin charter bus rental needs!