Downtown Austin Alliance

Get your holiday shopping done while keeping your children entertained with a free wreath-making workshop (12pm-2pm) while you support the local economy and get handcrafted jewelry, paintings, ceramics, arts and crafts and traditional Mexican clothing made by local Latinx artisans, from 10am-4pm on December 7, 14 or 21 at the DASA Space at 506 Congress. Enjoy free coffee and cookies while you shop, and get a free sterling silver pendant or ring if you spend $50 or more. The Mercado will stay open until 8pm for Holiday Stroll on December 7! #supportsmall #shoplocal #shopsmall #supportlocal #lovelocal #shopsmallfortheholidays #dtatx #dasa #xoxo

Shop Small Saturday is almost here! Support your favorite local businesses and discover a few new ones this Saturday. We encourage you to continue shopping at the local businesses you discover throughout the year to Keep Austin Weird and make our neighborhoods thrive. According to the American Express 2022 Small Business Economic Impact Study, 68 cents of every dollar spent at a small business stays in the local community. Here are a couple of bonus opportunities to shop locally this holiday season in addition to the market at our Holiday Sing-Along & Stroll on December 7: The Jones Center will host Rooftop Sessions: Holiday Stroll Market from 6:30pm – 8:30pm. Shop at a holiday market on the festive Contemporary rooftop with local vendors, family-friendly activities, holiday-themed drinks and music to start the holiday cheer. Wild About Music has partnered with local non-profit Spaceflight Records to create a store-inside-a-store experience. Celebrate the grand opening during Holiday Stroll with live music, hot chocolate and fudge!

This Thanksgiving we are thankful for you and good food! The 34th Annual Turkey Trot with Thundercloud Subs begins at the Long Center early on Thanksgiving morning and goes around downtown on the five-mile run or the one-mile walk, all to benefit our friends at Caritas of Austin. Parts of Caser Chavez, Lavaca, Colorado and the 1st Street Bridge will be closed for the trot. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/gVzikhU4

This month, The Kitchen joined the ranks of Downtown Austin restaurants, opening their first location in Austin in mid-November. The food is bold and easy to enjoy with their smokey drinks.

Red River Cultural District is excited to expand its partnership with the Downtown Austin Alliance as the two local organizations work together to tell the story of downtown Austin, while highlighting the contributions of diverse cultures, communities, and artists who shaped the district’s identity. To accomplish this goal, the Red River Cultural District and Downtown Austin Alliance are actively requesting proposals from qualified consultants to document and showcase the Red River District’s history, music, and artistic traditions. Dubbed Cultural Currents, this new project will include a comprehensive and detailed look into the area's early history including cultural history inclusive of the German immigrants and early Black Texans, with the focus and depth of the project dedicated to the years of history of Red River as a center for music and entertainment. The deadline to apply is 5:00 PM CST on December 30, 2024. More information on the project can be found at? https://lnkd.in/gFw2q6kp.?

Want the latest update on our State of Downtown statistics? From foot traffic to downtown development pipeline updates, learn more about what's been happening in Downtown Austin in our State of Downtown 2024 Quarter 3 Report. https://lnkd.in/gFE-98gm

Check out Las Calaveras at Republic Square, painted by four local artists, before the installation is moved on December 6! Mexic-Arte Museum and the Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation worked with Mexico City-based Colectivo última Hora to create four large-scale fiberglass skulls that have been painted by four Austin-based artists: Ruben Esquivel, NIZ, Carmen Rangel, and Ryan Runice. The artists created imagery inspired by Republic Square’s rich history, a central point for the city’s diverse communities. Honor tradition and creativity through vibrant art! ??

Stop by our 40+ local artisan vendors in our holiday shopping village to find gifts for everyone on your nice list at our 30th Annual Holiday Sing-Along & Stroll on December 7 from 3pm-8pm on Congress Avenue. Vendors include: - Esscential Jewelry - Piel Morena Imports - Honeywood - Lublu Candles & Co. - House of Amao - AKINYI - September Magic - The Porcelain Pigeon - All Black Made - Happy Mama Designs - Sweet Honey Creates - Kailex Boutique - Zoee Xiao Artworks - LaurenLeau - Lyzz Lynx LLC - Xtao’ - Latisha’s Theory - Sin Miedo Market - Xolo Sarapes - Cara Bella Designs - New Origin Shop - To The Moon Bus LLC - ELLA by Anto - Fulanas Accessories - Geek and Maker - Mahina Designs - Out There Goods - Espacio Handmade - SoleMate Sox - Alchemies Child - Pink Flamingo Candle - iluxir - Remedy Design Shop - Pride Socks - The Little Gay Shop - Buenas Vibes - Temazcal Life - Pet Obsessed People - Rosse & James Jewelry - Blue Jay Vintage ATX - Not Nice - Oovay's WunderBar - Black Makers Market Find the links to learn more about the vendors at: https://lnkd.in/ghfcKrVA

Our President & CEO, Dewitt Peart has been given the honor of playing Mother Ginger in the 62nd Annual Production of The Nutcracker with Ballet Austin at the Long Center on December 6 at 7:30pm. We are excited to see him onstage and would love for you to join us. Get your tickets now: https://lnkd.in/gtcF7MqG Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gjQtSTvt

We unveiled Las Calaveras, a temporary art installation at Republic Square, with Mexic-Arte Museum inspired by the rich history of the park on November 9. See Las Calavera at the park before it leaves on December 1! Mexico City-based Colectivo última Hora created four large-scale fiberglass skulls, painted by four Austin-based artists. This skull, Echoes of Guadalupe Park, was painted by Ruben Esquivel. He is a fifth-generation Austinite with deep roots in the local community. Specializing in works that celebrate and preserve cultural heritage, Ruben draws inspiration from the vibrant stories and traditions of Mexican and Indigenous communities. Artist Statement: This calavera, embodies the spirit of celebration and community central to the history of Republic Square Park, once known as Guadalupe Park. On one side, a mariachi guitar player serenades with lively tunes, evoking the vibrant musical heritage of Mexican gatherings. On the other side, a folklórico dancer, adorned in a traditional dress painted in purple, yellow, red, and white, twirls gracefully, symbolizing joy and tradition. The front of the calavera is detailed with intricate traditional Mexican patterns in warm tones of yellow, orange, and red, tying together the artwork with a nod to festivity and culture. https://lnkd.in/dV3_CnVu