Austin, TX

What: Barton Creek Tree Lighting and Gingerbread Contest
When: Friday, November 23, 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Where: Barton Creek Resort & Spa Wildflower Atrium, 8212 Barton Club Dr.
$$$: Free
Kick off the holiday season with an evening of caroling, face-painting, hot apple cider, eggnog, and fresh cookies. All are invited to submit edible gingerbread-house creations for the contest, which features categories for kids, tweens, teens, and adults.

What: 13th Annual Victorian Christmas Festival
When: Saturday 11am-8pm & Sunday 11am-7pm
Where: 6th Street Downtown
$$$: Free
Go back in time during this fun festival featuring live performances, vendors, activities, food and a carnival for the kids. Free (but events and food cost) Sixth Street between IH-35 and Brazos

What: City-Wide Under 21 Poetry Slam
When: Saturday, November 24
Where: 3pm. Ruta Maya, 3601 S. Congress Ste. D-200,
$$$: $5

What: Chuy’s Children Giving to Children Parade
When: Saturday, November 24
Where: 11am. Downtown. Free (but bring a toy!).
$$$: Free

What: Hecho a Mano Festival & Artist Market
When: 11am-4pm
Where: Mexican American Cultural Center, 600 River St,.
$$$: See below
This new monthly event features arts and crafts shopping, live music, and more, with special highlights this month including a kids theater performance (2pm; $5, adults; $3, kids), a panel discussion (The Undocumented Worker: To Educate or Deny), and a screening of the documentary “A Tejano Son of Texas,” which chronicles the life of Civil War Texas Ranger Policarpio Rodriquez. The filmmaker will be on hand along with sculptor Ishmael Soto, Rodriquez’s great-grandson.

What: Sunday on the Farm: Heritage Artisans
When: 1 p.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Jourdan Bachman Pioneer Farms, 11418 Sprinkle Cut-Off Rd
$$$: $8 adults, $6 children (group rates available)
Go back in time to the 1880’s with dutch oven cooking, spinning & weaving, blacksmithing, woodworking, farm animals & more!

What: Second Annual Keep Austin Housed Blanket Drive
When: November 23 - December 3, 2007
Where: Ruta Maya will be a collection point for Keep Austin Housed Blanket Drive. A blanket collection bin will be stationed in the cafe.
$$$: Free
The Second Annual Keep Austin Housed Blanket Drive will be collecting winter blankets for Austin Resource Center for the Homeless November 23, 2007 - December 3, 2007. The goal of the drive will be to provide Winter warmth for the local homeless population. All collected blankets will be donated to ARCH and distributed during the winter months to the more than 4,000 Austin area homeless individuals.

What: 11th Annual Empty Bowl Project
Where: ClayWays Pottery Studio & Gallery (5442 Burnet Road)
When: Sunday, November, 18th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Cost: $15 per bowl

Austin, Weekend, Events, November, 11/23/07, 11/24/04, 11/25/07, Victorian, Christmas, Blanket Drive, Hecho a Mano Festival, Barton Creek Tree Lighting, Gingerbread Contest, Poetry Slam, Under 21, Farm, Heritage Artisans, Market, What to do, What’s happening