The Junior League of Austin's signature holiday market with more than 200 vendors, where every ticket and purchase supports the League's community initiatives.
A Christmas Affair 2026: Season of Light opens at the Palmer Events Center on Friday, November 13. It's the Junior League of Austin's signature holiday market and their biggest fundraiser of the year, and it's grown into something of a local institution. The market brings together more than 200 vendors from across the country, so you'll find gifts, fashion, home goods, and holiday finds all in one place. It's the kind of spot where you can knock out a good chunk of your shopping list in a single afternoon.
There's some history behind it, too. The market started back in 1976 with just thirty booths at the Driskill Hotel, and it's since expanded into the largest event of its kind in the country, drawing more than 25,000 visitors every year. The Junior League describes it as a cherished holiday tradition built on community warmth and the joy of generosity, and that's a good way to put it—it's as much about the atmosphere as it is about the shopping.
What makes it work, though, is where the money goes. Every ticket and every purchase supports the League's community initiatives across Central Texas, including Coats for Kids, FIT (Food In Tummies), and KICS (Kids In Cool Shoes), along with their mission to empower women. So when you're picking up a gift, you're also contributing to those programs.
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Single-day market passes are sold online, and there are special events running from $50 to $150. If you're bringing the little ones, children 5 and under don't need a market ticket.
