Thanksgiving in Austin With Barbecue, Film and Zilker Trails

4.5 (976)

Mon – Sun, 10:00 – 23:00

434 W 2nd St

At 434 W 2nd St, Violet Crown Austin gives a holiday-week movie plan a downtown setting and an independent-film focus. The cinema screens indie, documentary, and foreign films in compact rooms with reserved seating. An on-site bar and lounge offer menu items, snacks, and cocktails. Drivers can use the attached garage with four-hour parking validation.

4.3 (6,940)

Mon – Wed, Sun, 11:00 – 21:00; Thu – Sat, 11:00 – 22:00

801 Red River St

For a holiday-week detour, Stubb's Waller Creek Amphitheater pairs live music with barbecue at 801 Red River St. The historic downtown complex combines indoor and outdoor seating with an expansive outdoor amphitheater for rock, metal, and hip-hop performances. Order generous barbecue portions, including an all-you-can-eat option, or plan a Sunday stop around the gospel brunch.

4.8 (211)

Mon, Wed, 10:00 – 16:00; Thu – Sat, 07:00 – 10:30

2701 South Lamar Blvd.

On South Lamar Boulevard, 04 Center turns a converted church sanctuary into an intimate listening room for live music. Pristine acoustics and comfortable seating keep the focus on the stage, while the curated bar offers craft cocktails and THC drinks. The venue is all ages, so check the scheduled concert lineup before adding this holiday-week stop.

2.6 (13)

2350 Robert Dedman Dr

Texas Performing Arts hosts touring Broadway shows, comedy, and live theater as UT Austin's main performing arts presenter. Audiences spread across multiple floors. Before buying tickets, consider that the highest balcony seats have tight legroom and a steep view of the stage without video screens. Visitors with scent allergies should also account for plug-in air fresheners throughout the theater.

4.5 (1,251)

Mon – Fri, 08:00 – 17:00

110 Inner Campus Drive

At 110 Inner Campus Drive, The University of Texas at Austin brings a walkable campus, a landmark clock tower, and four museums into a holiday-week city plan. The grounds began with the original 40 acres and now serve more than 40,000 undergraduates. School spirit shapes the setting, while listed campus hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

4.8 (1,578)

Tue – Fri, 12:00 – 17:00

202 South Lamar Blvd

On South Lamar Boulevard, ZACH Theatre is Austin's longest-running professional theater company, with The Topfer and The Kleberg among its performance spaces. Its repertoire spans Broadway-style musicals and intimate plays, pairing detailed costumes with cutting-edge technology. Reviews describe friendly staff, intimate seating, and strong live productions. Check the current production before planning a holiday-week stop, and note that parking outside costs 15 dollars.

801 Red River St

Stubb's BBQ is a historic Austin barbecue restaurant at 801 Red River St. It also serves as a live music venue. Its signature Gospel Brunch draws crowds for food and performances. For a holiday-week brunch plan, call 512-480-8341 for reservations and confirm the schedule before visiting.

6101 Highland Campus Dr Bldg 3000, LL

At 6101 Highland Campus Drive, Austin PBS serves as Central Texas’s public television broadcaster from its ACC Highland studio facility. The site supports regional media operations, live broadcasts, and community initiatives. Check current station information before planning a holiday-week detour.

4.9 (39)

Wed, 18:30 – 20:45; Fri, 19:00 – 22:00; Sun, 08:30 – 15:00

9309 Cameron Rd

RCCG Cornerstone Church Austin, ATX is a Pentecostal place of worship at 9309 Cameron Road in North Austin. Its regular schedule includes Wednesday Bible study from 6:30 to 8:45 PM, Friday gatherings from 7:00 to 10:00 PM, and Sunday services from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Check the schedule before a holiday-week visit.

4.8 (6,298)

Mon – Sun, 05:00 – 22:00

2100 Barton Springs Rd

Zilker Metropolitan Park gives a holiday-week detour room to breathe across more than 350 acres at the confluence of Barton Creek and Lady Bird Lake. Botanical gardens, volleyball courts, disc golf, the Austin Nature and Science Center, and the Beverly S. Sheffield Hillside Theatre share the grounds. Plan trail time around its 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily hours.