Cold Plunge, Dolly Parton and 1,000 Hours Outside

Hello Reader,

Happy New Year! Ready for a fun mix of events, classes and places to visit in Austin, Texas in 2026?

Check out some links below for inspiration.

NEW YEARS DAY

Dive into 2026 with the Polar Bear Plunge at Barton Springs Pool. Brrr! If you prefer to cold plunge any other day of the year - check out these chilly options.

Get out in nature with a First Day Hike at various State Parks. Some locations offer guided hikes; some are self-guided.

Eat some black-eyed peas and greens for luck and money.

JANUARY EVENTS

You could see Hot Wheels Monster Trucks "Glow-N-Fire" at the Moody Center January 9th and 10th. Vroom, vroom.

Shop for new-to-you collectibles at the City-Wide Vintage Sale on January 10th and 11th. And perhaps wear your vintage finds to your next photo session.

Give suggestions to the performers during the Improvised Shakespeare Company performance starting on January 16th.

Buy some new shoes at the SOLED OUT Sneaker Convention on January 17th.

Run into the new year at the Spurs Austin Half Marathon (formally the 3M Half Marathon) on January 18th.

There's the MLK March, Festival and Food Drive kicking off at the State Capitol on January 19th.

Figure out whodunnit at the Agatha Christie "Murder on the Orient Express" show at Zach Scott Theater starting January 22nd.

Dolly Parton's birthday is January 19th. Put on "9 to 5" or play her greatest hits and make your family and friends eat some themed baked goods.

JANUARY CLASSES

Design your dream life with a Vision Board Workshop on January 5th at Make at Rosie.

​Get Crafty: Spa Night Edition at the Howson Branch Library and make some bath salts and scrubs on January 6th.

Make savory and sweet crepes at Central Market North Lamar on January 11th.

Jolene! Jolene! Celebrate Dolly Parton's birthday on January 17th with a Oh Dolly Junk Journal Craft Night class at Figment Creative.

​Forge Horseshoe Hearts on January 28th at the blacksmith smithy at Pioneer Farms. Make a date night of it.

JANUARY CHALLENGE

For the past three years, I've done the Spend 1000 hours outside yearly challenge - and have not accomplished it yet. (I usually manage to get about 2/3s of the way there).

But hope springs eternal (is this the year we take up camping?) - and I plan to try again.

JANUARY PLACES TO VISIT

​Fortlandia at the Wildflower Center is up until Feb. 1st, 2026.

Check out the eight different installations in the family garden before they go away.

JANUARY PHOTO SESSIONS

If you'd like to book a family photos or a senior photo session this month, reach out and let me know.

I'll be back in touch in February for the next monthly list of fun items to do around Austin.

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Take care,

Stephanie