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    Armadillo Christmas Bazaar

    3.6 (66 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:30 pm

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    Artist tent
    Karson S.

    What a wonderful surprise! Wasn't sure what to expect at this event, but it was wonderful! The Yelp rating doesn't reflect this event very well since the reviews seem a little dated - 2021 was our first time visiting and we would love to go back next year. The event area was much larger than I thought it would be, wrapping around the center as well as back into the park area (which has a great backdrop of downtown, too). Artists' tents are arranged all over the place and the variety was incredible. From metal art to local art to traditional Japanese painting styles dating back to the year 600 - if you get to speak with the artists and learn about their work, it's so much richer of an experience. Some even go out of their way to teach you without being overbearing in any way. So nice! Live music and a couple drink / snack stands were both very enjoyable. Drink stands had tastings offered throughout the day. We easily spent a couple of hours there and had some nice gifts to takeaway by the time we left. Worth the ticket price because you can make so much out of it. Be aware, most people park in the paid garage right next to the event ($8) but you could also park a little farther for free. Plus it's right by Terry Black's BBQ so you're right in the middle of things for before/after activities.

    People browsing a booth at the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar
    Bonnie B.

    I've been buying one of a kind gifts from the Dillo since the 90's. Always delivers and inspires. I especially appreciate that every booth is unique and something for all price points. I've noticed sons like to bring their moms to pick something special out. It's so sweet!

    A cloudy sky over the outdoor tents, with the Long Center in the background.
    Samantha C.

    I've been to the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar for years, and this was easily my favorite year. Being outdoors added to the holiday festive feel as we went on a crisp winter day (one of the few rare ones in Austin). The outdoor venue also allowed for more space between the booths, so while there were likely the same amount of people shopping it felt much more spacious. We spent more time perusing the booths as a result, and were able to get a better sense of all that was on offer from the bazaar. Compared to other art shows, I find it interesting that very few vendors had anything below $10, even greeting cards. If I find an artist I like my first step is to start with a sticker or a couple cards, while I consider a larger print or original piece purchase down the line. I found one card for $8, one sticker for $3, and otherwise everything was above $10, which seemed steep, particularly for greeting cards. All told, only 4-5 vendors even had cards available, so you are definitely looking at more pricy commodities at this bazaar than you might find elsewhere. Having been almost every year I was also a little disappointed to find 85-90% of the vendors were the same that I recognized from previous years. I would love to be exposed to new artists in the community. Several vendors were also from out of state, and I would definitely feel more comfortable supporting local artists. I do recognize most of the comments above might be unique to me and my preferences, but hopefully knowing these things will help you make your own informed decision. The star of the show was a live performance by Ruthie Foster, whose beautiful voice carried all throughout the outdoor shopping area. I sat and watched a couple songs and then wandered around some more, and was thrilled that the music still carried without being overwhelming near the stage. Hats off to the coordinators of the musicians. All the other artists performing looked interesting, but definitely glad to get to experience Ruthie Foster live. I will be back as the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar has become tradition in my family. If it were not tradition I would say come for the music, not the shopping.

    Marianne L.

    The bazaar is a family tradition and we really missed it last year. This year the bazaar is being held outside and was fabulous. There was a wide variety of vendors and the stage was perfectly placed. I often feel cramped when the musicians perform, but not this year!! My only critique is that I wish there more food options. Otherwise it was a beautiful experience, and I found unique gifts for family and friends, while enjoying a cocktail and Gina Chavez!

    Eliza Gilkyson performing at the 2018 bazaar.
    Carolyn A.

    When I lived in Austin years ago, I remember this was a fun and funky festival. But now that I have returned to Austin some 20 years later, I find this event has become quite a bit more sophisticated. It is well organized and the vendors are of high quality. I love wandering around and then being able to sit down and listen to local music (which goes on throughout the festival). Anyone traveling to Austin during the holiday season should put this on their schedule. Really.

    Just one of the many local artists sell their wares.
    Rubén L.

    Right off the bat it costs $18 just to park and enter ACB. Lots and I mean LOTS of local artists selling their kickass wares. I've been coming to ACB for over 25 years and even remember when it used to be in a warehouse off of 3rd street. Some of the best gifts I bought came from ACB. Food is sold as well as beer, wine and liquor. Of course, you can't go to ACB without hearing local musicians strum their music while you shop. It's a great Austin tradition, so give it a shot and those you gift will love ya forever!

    The great Austin songstress Suzanna Choffel at the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar 2011

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    19 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    7 years ago

    This place is a family tradition. Each year we go and view all of the interesting items. It's a little pricey but always a good time.

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    7 years ago

    The Armadillo Christmas Bazaar is a great place to get holiday gifts, listen to wonderful music and have a drink or two.

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    7 years ago

    This is fun holiday tradition! Live music, art and gifts, not to mention food and drinks!

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    Page 2 of 2

    Ask the Community - Armadillo Christmas Bazaar

    Review Highlights - Armadillo Christmas Bazaar

    The Dillo Bazaar is an Austin tradition and I for one am glad it's still rolling after all these years.

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    Elephant Room - Sit in the front so you can really appreciate the vibes.

    Elephant Room

    4.1(601 reviews)
    0.7 miDowntown
    $$

    First off, for a jazz club in Austin, it has all the ambience. Good conversation, pretty solid…read morecocktails and of course, great music. It is a very lively atmosphere that's accompanied with dim lighting after a long day. I really like how it's never too crowded since they control the amount of patrons allowed. However, service is not great. I hope it's a fluke, but consistency is present on how the waiters and bartenders interact with paying music enjoyers. Could not have begged more to order drinks or get a couple waters to a full table. I suggest tipping the musicians before being met with the lack of friendly service. Or even service for that matter.

    The Elephant Room is one of Austin's most widely known jazz venues. It is located below street…read morelevel on Congress Avenue. If you are claustrophobic, this might not be the best place for you. From the street level, you walk down steps to enter the club. This basement club delivers an authentic jazz experience. The dim lighting, narrow long room, and close seating create an intimate atmosphere. Live jazz musicians are hosted every night of the week, often with multiple sets, featuring a mix of local musicians, rotating house bands, and visiting musicians. Because of the tight space, you are always close to the stage. Tonight's headliner was the Concept Orchestra. Cover tonight was $7. Cocktails range $14-16. The room was pretty tightly packed creating positive vibes.

    Photos
    Elephant Room - We had a very enjoyable jazz-filled evening at Elephant Room.   IG: @coreyd123

    We had a very enjoyable jazz-filled evening at Elephant Room. IG: @coreyd123

    Elephant Room - Stage

    Stage

    Elephant Room - Looking out from stage left. IG: CoreyD123

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    Looking out from stage left. IG: CoreyD123

    Continental Club

    Continental Club

    4.0(412 reviews)
    0.7 miSoCo (S. Congress Ave.), 78704 (South Austin)
    $$

    A friend asked me was I interested in listening tosome live music tonight. Absolutely! First stop…read morethe Continental Club on S. Congress. This place is an Austin institution and one of the best places in the city to experience live music. This historic venue has been a local hangout for great music since the 1950s. The club was dimly lit with lots of stickers, graffiti, neon signage, paintings and interesting artifacts. While it has been a long time since I have been to the Continental club, it still felt truly Austin and very unpretentious. In the Continental Club you are literally I feet away from the live music. A dog was sleeping on stage, which made the place feel homey. The club is small and intimate, exuding a super personal persona. In addition, the sound quality is excellent for such a small venue. Tonight we listened to Hot Club Cowtown...they sounded folksy and a bit country western yet enjoyable to listen to. Folks were boot scooting, so maybe more country western. Mike the doorman was super personable and helpful. He happily provided the WIFI password and was super engaging. In addition, it is important to note the cover was free until 9 pm. The crowd was a mix bag...locals, tourists, and musicians who love live music. Austin is affectionately known as the "Live Music Capitol of the World". Great music...great time!

    The Continental Club is one of those places that never disappoints. If you love live music and a…read moreclassic Austin vibe, this spot is a must. You can check out who's performing on their website, and tickets are easy to grab through Eventbrite. You can also buy tickets at the door, but it's cash only. Shows fill up fast, so plan ahead. We came to see The Peterson Brothers for an 8pm show, arrived about 15 minutes early, and snagged the last couple of seats. Any later and we would've been standing. The venue gets packed quickly, which just adds to the energy. Street parking only in the area, so give yourself a little extra time to find a spot. Bartenders were friendly and efficient, even with a full house. No food menu, just great drinks! I decided to have a sober night and the bartender made a tasty mocktail! If you want a great live music experience, arrive early, bring cash just in case, and settle in for a fantastic night. This place is a staple for a reason!

    Photos
    Continental Club
    Continental Club
    Continental Club

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    Antone's Nightclub

    Antone's Nightclub

    4.1(173 reviews)
    0.8 miDowntown
    $$
    Live music
    Established in 1975

    I understand why some say Antone's is the best nightlife in town! It was actually just my speed ~…read moregood music vibes and chill light dancing among some while I did my signature chair dancing. I saw some great music Saturday night and was lucky to get a chair up close. The seating did fill up and the standing room area was pretty full, so keep that in mind for show times. I was also very lucky to grab their last 5mg delta-9 Tejas Tonic ($12) and a Topo Chico ($4). Cheers to Austin carrying happy drinks without the alcohol. It was perfect but I wish they had more in stock, we were ready to sip on that sizzurp. Great staff at the bar though! They do have a cover but keep an eye out for deals! We got bogo tix for $25 through ticketmaster. Overall great time at Antone's! I had so much fun and it is within walking distance of so much so great place to see a show.

    Came here for a jazz concert. What a wonderful time with live music and a good crowd…read more I truly enjoyed the mix of beautiful sounds of the instruments and the singer was fenomenal. Getting to downtown on that area is just getting harder with construction and difficulty to find good available parking. The homeless are scattered in that area as well. However, thankfully the show was early in the day and the place made it to be enjoyable at least inside you transfer to the world of music. I didn't stay long to have experience any service, but I did see staff being attentive and ready to clean up tables. The place looks clean and well kept. The darker atmosphere makes it very relaxing and intimate.

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    Antone's Nightclub
    Antone's Nightclub
    Antone's Nightclub - Photo by Daniel Cavazos

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    Photo by Daniel Cavazos

    The Eleanor

    The Eleanor

    4.6(75 reviews)
    0.6 miWarehouse District, Downtown
    Private events
    Full bar

    The Eleanor is right next door to The Roosevelt and is its sister bar…read more It's mainly an event space with a concrete floor, a cool curved bar, exposed ceilings, and exposed brick and wood walls. Similar in design to The Roosevelt. If you want to go The Roosevelt without reservations and waiting for space to open up, this is a great way to pass the time until then. Just like The Roosevelt, they offer N/A cocktails, classic cocktails, and house creations. The N/A espresso martini is primo. The French 75 is one of the best I've had in the U.S. House creations, Show Business, Estatua Verde, and Standing Ovation are my faves! Show Business: Hendrick's Gin, Witch Hazel, Lavender, and other flavors Estatua Verde: White rum, sherry, lime juice, and more including smoke Standing Ovation: Campari, rum, bourbon, espresso, and more. So. Much. Goodness. They get pretty busy too and service can take a bit but never so long that it's bad. In fact, it's good, especially since you're getting high-end cocktails made by talented mixologists.

    Came by for a drink while waiting for a spot next door at the Roosevelt, and the drink itself was…read moregood. The vibe is definitely calmer and more relaxed. It's a chill spot to hang out for a little bit. I probably wouldn't intentionally come out to this spot, but it's worth checking out if you're on the waitlist somewhere else.

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    The Eleanor
    The Eleanor
    The Eleanor

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    3TEN Austin City Limits Live

    3TEN Austin City Limits Live

    3.9(39 reviews)
    0.5 mi2nd Street District, Warehouse District, Downtown
    $$

    Seeing Jon Batiste live at Austin City Limits was one of those nights you just can't ever forget,…read moreeven if time has passed and things have changed with whom you've experienced it with. So let me make sure to give ACL its due props! I was encouraged by my ex to put my name on the RSVP list for this exclusive experience and I hesitated at first. I tend to avoid all things in downtown. But I'm glad I didn't ignore this. Jon Batiste is not just hype. He is the real thing. Pure talent, fully present and full of joy, he is poetry in motion. Being able to experience a performance like that at ACL, free of charge, felt special in a way that's hard to explain. As my baby used to say, it was COSMIC. Austin City Limits ran the event flawlessly. The staff was kind, organized, and they clearly knew what they were doing. Our seats were super high up, but the view of the stage below was very good. We missed part of the intimate opening set down below right in front of the VIP section (an intentional special treat for them), but it was easy to appreciate why special donors were treated to that moment up close. What really stood out was the second half of the show. Jon Batiste and his band turned the venue into a New Orleans style second line, moving through the crowd, singing/dancing/playing music, eventually making their way up to the upper levels by us. It was thoughtful, inclusive, and joyful. No one was left out of the experience. The night itself was bittersweet in hindsight, but the music and talent was undeniable. The memory stands on its own. Thank you, Austin City Limits, for a night I'll always remember.

    3 ten is conveniently located downtown. There are tons of restaurants and shopping around. The…read moredoorman were very friendly and inviting and the bartenders were very quick and helpful. This place has such a cute vibe with an outdoor area and open air feels so people can hear the bands from the street. The sound was great and such a fun venue. We will definitely return for another show

    Photos
    3TEN Austin City Limits Live - Marker out front

    Marker out front

    3TEN Austin City Limits Live
    3TEN Austin City Limits Live

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    Clive - Outside entrance

    Clive

    4.0(302 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    Clive is one of those bars where you can go with your friends, or your bachelor / bachelorette…read moreparty, or just go alone and meet someone new. My friend and I sat at the bar, ordered our drinks. Bartender was awesome. Red Sox game was playing inside on the TV. We chatted a little then walked around. The patio was playing a different baseball game on the big screen. The DJ was playing music. The couches had a couple people sitting and watching the game. Bathroom area had a written mural. Was a great night to be outside. Wasn't windy even though the patio was open. Dos have walls to cut the wind down. I believe there is an upstairs area too, but it was roped off. But it is a pretty large bar with an upstairs area. L

    Clive is a one of the better bars in the area. It's a house that has been converted into a bar. Few…read moreyears back, they added a third level to the place which is where I spend most of my time. Each floor has a different vibe and plays different music. It gets chiller the higher you go. The bottom floor is definitely more DJ / House / Clubby type vibes. I dont think they host live bands (never seen any but could be wrong. Their outside area would be great for it) but they'll definitely have the occasional live DJ. I've been here a few times and each time they have a semi different menu each time. Drinks cost around 10 dollars. They do have happy hour starting as soon as you open and last until 8pm and you can save a few dollars. The back area is chill. They have some picnic style tables. I like coming here and people watch when I had enough of the music inside. Its definitely a chill dancing bar and always a place I swing by when I'm in town. The line does get pretty long on bigger nights, so expect a wait.

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    Clive
    Clive
    Clive

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    Armadillo Christmas Bazaar - artsandcrafts - Updated May 2026

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