City Cast Austin
🎶 Who’s playing Free Week?
December 10, 2025 · Kelsey Bradshaw
🫶 Happy Wednesday, y’all! Here’s what I know: If you read this newsletter, you know we’re all about getting you connected to life in Austin. But I want to help you take your relationship to our city even further in 2026.
City Cast Austin is declaring 2026 as the Year of Local, and we need more of you to support us. When you become one of our members, you’re not just supporting me and the work I do on this newsletter, you’re also deepening your relationship with Austin.
For just $10 a month, you’ll be invited to members-only events where we explore Austin and meet other like-minded people in real life! News nerds unite! If you’re looking for a way to get more involved in 2026, City Cast Austin Neighbors is the perfect place to start.
Don’t forget, join this week and get our limited-run City Cast beanie, the hottest trend happening this winter!
And if you become a member today, you’ll be entered to win tickets to two Paramount Theatre shows! We’re giving away tickets to the Dec. 21 Rebecca Havemeyer and Stanley Roy show and Bob Schneider's Great Big Spectacular New Years Eve Party!
What's CITY Talking About
🎶 Free Week Lineup Is Out
Red River Cultural District’s lineup for its annual Free Week includes acts like Chancla Fight Club, Billy King & the Bad Bad Bad, Suxxy Puxxy, and more. The free music festival runs Jan. 9-10 downtown. [Red River Cultural District]
- In other music news, presale tickets for Austin City Limits Music Festival 2026 go on sale today at noon. [ACL Fest]
💭 What Austin Got Right and Wrong This Year
We’re nearing the end of a big year for Austin – the city got a new logo, the Yogurt Shop Murders were solved, and Texas Democrats fled the state to stop a vote on new congressional maps. We’ve rounded up our favorite hits and misses Austin saw this year for you! [City Cast Austin 🎧]
📰 Texas Leaders Want Charlie Kirk’s Org in High Schools
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has pledged $1 million of his campaign funds to help set up chapters of Turning Point USA, a conservative youth organization that was co-founded by Charlie Kirk, at high schools across the state. [KVUE]
🏅 Austin Ranked Best for Gen Z Workers in New List
A new report from Checkr, an HR technology company, ranks Austin as the 7th best U.S. city for Gen Z workers. [CNBC]
Sponsored Content
Do Downtown for the Holidays
Happy Y'allidays! Downtown Austin Alliance’s holiday hub is your free resource for very merry pop-ups, seasonal shows, 80+ deals from local bizzes for holiday shopping, and all things festive fun.
Text “ATX HOLIDAYS” to (512) 890-3099 or visit https://xoxodowntown.com/ for updates + happenings sent directly to your phone.
See you downtown!
What To Do
Wednesday, Dec. 10
- 👠 Sorting Hat Drag Bingo at Punch Bowl Social | The Domain
- 🎤 The Moth at Paramount Theatre | Downtown Austin
- 🌟 Grand Opening: Austin Trail of Lights (through Dec. 23) at Zilker Metropolitan Park | Barton Hills
- 🍿 “The Grinch” at St. Elmo Brewing Co. - Springdale | LBJ
Thursday, Dec. 11
- 📚 Jan Brett Speaking and Signing at BookPeople | Downtown Austin
- 💃 Holiday Party at Mexic-Arte Museum | Downtown Austin
- 🎶 Christmas Crush with DragonnQueen at Volstead Lounge | East Austin
- 🪩 Birth-Tay Par-Tay at Empire Control Room & Garage | Downtown Austin
- 👠 The Jigglewatts Burlesque: Agents of T.E.A.S.E. at 29th Street Ballroom | Central Austin
- 🎄 A Prairie Home Companion at ACL Live at The Moody Theater | Downtown Austin
👂 By the way, did you know City Cast Austin members get to listen to our podcasts ad-free?! That’s worth every penny if you ask me!
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