Here are 18 things to do with holiday visitors in Austin this year, from barbecue to hikes

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If your loved ones are headed to Austin for the holidays — and hours of overly competitive board game battles, awkward family dinners and poorly sung renditions of "All I Want for Christmas Is You" are replaying in your head from past years — Austin360 is here to lend a hand.

Here's a list of things to do in and around town that will give your visitors a good taste of the city. Check individual websites for COVID-19 safety protocols and holiday hours.

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The past year was no waltz; now Austin City Ballet's 'Nutcracker' returns for 20th year

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Austin City Ballet dancers have longed for a return to dazzling sugar plums, warring mice and a lively toy Nutcracker. This holiday season, their wishes are about to come true.

After being canceled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ballet's production of "The Nutcracker" is set to return from Dec. 17-19 at the Boyd Vance Theater.

This is also the company's 20th anniversary. Established in 1991 as the Austin Conservatory of Dance, Austin City Ballet is a nonprofit for dancers between ages 7 and 18 who perform 12 to 16 theater productions each year.

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'Their smiles just melt us': Gov. Abbott joins Meals on Wheels for Thanksgiving meal distribution

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In the central kitchen of the Meals on Wheels distribution center, 350 packages filled with warm and savory Thanksgiving dishes were packed and ready to land in the hands of Austin seniors Thursday morning.

Between the turkey breast and gravy, cornbread stuffing, green beans and peppers, and carrot cake, every item was garnished with the love and support of community volunteers like Mike Prochoroff.

Prochoroff, who has worked at Meals on Wheels Central Texas for nearly 30 years, said the organization's mission is one the world should embrace — to create conversation and smiles every Thanksgiving.

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CAPA adopts free health verification app Bindle for patrons to use for entry to events

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To speed up the health screening process for those attending local performances, the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts has adopted a free health verification app.

Starting Oct. 25, patrons will be able to upload their full vaccination status or negative COVID-19 test information to Bindle, a free health verification app, which will generate an event entry pass on their mobile device.

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Short film featuring families of those killed in Columbus police shootings screened at OSU

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The names of Tyre King, Julius Tate Jr., Henry Green and others resonate soundly across the Columbus area.

For many, their deaths speak to an issue that's grown more conspicuous in Ohio's capital city: people — most of them Black — who have been killed by local law enforcement officers.

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Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium only a month away

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While central Ohio has embraced the hallmarks of the autumn season, many are already gearing up to celebrate the beautiful magic that comes with each Columbus winter.

The falling of snowflakes and brewing of hot chocolate will be illuminated by the millions of lights set to fill the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium during this year's Wildlights Season.

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Ohio ranks No. 1 as scariest state for Halloween attractions, according to new study

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Congratulations, Ohioans. We're living in the most terrifying state in the country.

If you're eerily excited about the Halloween season, you may crow in delight knowing the Buckeye State is considered the spookiest in the nation, according to a new study by My Baggage.

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Greater Columbus Arts Council now accepting 2022 Aminah Robinson Fellowship applications

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The Greater Columbus Arts Council has announced the opening of applications for the 2022 Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson Fellowship.

Launched in 2020, the fellowship celebrates the legacy of the late Columbus artist Aminah Robinson, who was known for channeling the experiences of her African ancestors through drawings, woodcuts and complex sculptures.

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