New Year Edition 🎉

Hey Austin friends—

Happy New Year! Whether you rang it in with fireworks, a backyard hang, or fast asleep by 10, we’re officially stepping into another year of living, loving, and wandering around this weird little city together.

This week around Austin is full of fresh-start energy, comfort food, outdoor joy, and the kind of community moments that remind us why we’re lucky to call this place home.

Let’s get into it.

AUSTIN NEWS

Austin is heading into the new year with a mix of reflection and forward motion. The City of Austin continues rolling out upgrades to Project Connect, with visible progress along the Orange Line corridor and new community meetings planned for early 2026.

Austin Energy also announced expanded rebates for home efficiency upgrades—welcome news as winter bills roll in.

On the green front, Travis County approved additional funding for parkland preservation, helping protect creeks, trails, and urban green space as the metro grows. A good reminder as we start the year: growth doesn’t have to mean losing what we love.

EVENTS THIS WEEK

• Live music nights at ACL Live at the Moody Theater
Start the year with a show—big-name acts and intimate performances alike.

• Armadillo Christmas Bazaar (final days)
Last call for local art, live music, and gifts you didn’t know you needed.

• Stand-up comedy at Moontower Comedy Club
New year, same need to laugh at least once a week.

• Drive-in movies at Blue Starlite Mini Urban Drive-In
Cozy, nostalgic, and perfect for easing into 2026.

FOOD & DRINK

New year, same appetite.

• Soup season is officially ON—pozole, ramen, and vegan chili are popping up all over town.
• Taco crawls remain a valid lifestyle choice, resolutions be damned.
• Coffee shops are leaning into seasonal lattes with Mexican chocolate, cinnamon, and orange peel.

Local tip: January is a great time to revisit an old favorite spot or finally try the place you always “mean to.”

NEW BUSINESSES & OPENINGS

New year, new ideas.

• A new East Side coffee shop is quietly soft-opening (early buzz says the pastries are worth it).
• A South Lamar boutique focused on local makers is welcoming shoppers.
• Weekend pop-up markets are testing concepts before making the leap to brick-and-mortar.

Showing up early helps shape what sticks around.

ONE LAST THING

As we step into a new year, here’s your reminder: you don’t have to reinvent yourself overnight. Take a walk. Eat something good. Watch the sky change colors. Austin has a way of meeting you where you are.

Happy New Year, Austin.
Here’s to curiosity, kindness, and keeping this city weird in all the right ways.

Stay curious—and see you next week. 🦇✨