Grahm's Guide
to Events
Armadillo Christmas Bazaar - Austin, Texas
The History
Since 1976, holiday season shoppers in Austin, Texas have flocked to the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar to find all manner of locally-made arts and crafts. In a city experiencing as much growth as Austin has in the 2010s, that makes the bazaar an “Austin institution.” In fact, the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar is inextricably linked to a former “Austin institution,” the Armadillo World Headquarters (AWHQ), a concert venue that held sway in Austin from 1970 to 1980.
According to legend, the bazaar’s heritage dates to 1975, when musician Lucinda Williams was at the Armadillo World Headquarters in conversation with AWHQ’s Bruce Willenzik. Williams mentioned that a “starving artist” friend wasn’t selling much near the University of Texas campus at an open-air market along a section of Guadalupe Street known as “The Drag.” Her comment, to the effect of “Too bad the artists down on The Drag don’t have a warm, dry place like this to sell their art for Christmas,” provided the impetus to launch the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar the next year.
The Location
The Armadillo Christmas Bazaar is held at the Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704. Tickets are $10.00.
For 2019, the bazaar will be held December 13-23 from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. On December 24 they’ll be open from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
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Shopping
The Armadillo Christmas Bazaar hosts local and national artists with works for sale in varied styles and media, including ceramics, leather work, jewelry, painting, woodworking and much more. In 2019, there are almost 200 artists with works on display. It’s a wonderful event for finding gifts, discovering art, meeting the artists, and perhaps commissioning a special piece.
Music
True to its roots in the Armadillo World Headquarters, the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar also serves as a venue for amazing musicians, some of whom played the AWHQ. The 2019 lineup includes 36 musical acts. For music fans, it’s a terrific opportunity to catch musicians in a well-lighted venue during reasonable hours, and many of the artists have their own merchandise available for sale.
Additional Fun
In addition to shopping and music, the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar touts other fun activities in 2019:
The Wishing Trees: Write down your holiday or New Year wish and tie it to one of the Wishing Trees located in the Sun Radio Bench Plaza.
“Capture the Moment” Corner: Take a selfie or photo with family and friends in the photo booth or at an art activation by local artists.
The Armadillo Shopping Scavenger Hunt: Purchase five or more items on the Armadillo Shopping Scavenger list to win. The more you match, the better the prize. Scavenger lists are available in the program upon arrival and can be redeemed at the Armadillo Store in the foyer.
Kids Coloring Corner: Let the kids get creative and color in the Robo Roku booth.
Art Concierge Service: Schedule a complimentary appointment to have a personal shopper help you select the perfect piece of art or gift for everyone on your list. Email annie@armadillobazaar.com
Having fun in the ZiegenBock photo booth at the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar
Extras
There’s no bad time to catch Ray Wylie Hubbard playing his grungy mix of blues, country and rock, but the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar is the best time to catch him outside of a smoky honky-tonk, so don’t miss it.