Quick snapshot for today

  • Weather right now: 58°F, sunny, 0% chance of precipitation, 55% humidity, light 7 mph wind. It's ideal walking weather—plan to park once and enjoy the stroll.
  • Headline changes: The Austin Convention Center is officially in construction mode as of December 2025. Expect periodic lane and sidewalk closures around the center core.

Why this is happening (and why it matters)

  • The UnconventionalATX redevelopment is a $1.6 billion transformation that closed the existing Convention Center in April 2025. Demolition followed in May, excavation in June, and full construction started December 2025. Anticipated completion: Spring 2029.
  • Bigger and greener: The center expands from 365,000 square feet to 620,000 square feet (550,000 indoor + 70,000 outdoor), and is slated to become the world's first net‑zero carbon convention center.
  • Reconnecting the grid: Second and Third streets will be reopened to vehicle and pedestrian traffic as part of the final design, restoring east–west mobility downtown.
  • Economic upside: Projected to add $285 million in annual economic impact and create about 1,600 new jobs once operational.
  • How it's funded: Through the Hotel Occupancy Tax—no new local taxes.

The reality on the ground this month

  • Downtown small businesses have seen a 30–40% drop in sales since construction impacts began. Some restaurants, like Moonshine, report lunch business down as much as 70%. Your dollars matter more than ever this season.
  • Good news: Help is on the way. December brings a 50% rideshare discount pilot through the Downtown Austin Alliance and a citywide push to shop local with the ATX Small Business Passport.

Essential getting-around strategies

  1. Rideshare is king (and 50% off in December)
  • The Downtown Austin Alliance is offering 50% off eligible Uber rides into and out of downtown this month. Check the program page for exact eligibility, hours, and caps before you ride. Tip: Set your drop-off a block or two from the Convention Center footprint to avoid construction staging.
  • Smart meet-up points for smoother pick-up: outside Fareground (Congress Ave at Cesar Chavez), the Austin Visitor Center on 5th Street, or the Central Library's front plaza. These spots typically have clearer curb space and multiple egress routes.
  1. Drive and park once
  • Aim for garages just outside the construction core so you can leave your car and walk:
    • West side: City Hall and Seaholm garages are popular for 2nd Street District, the Library, and Market District.
    • North/west of the site: Austin Central Library garage is convenient if you're heading to 2nd Street, the Warehouse District, or Fareground via a pleasant, mostly flat walk.
    • South and central options near Congress offer good access to Lady Bird Lake trails for a scenic approach.
  • Street parking exists but is limited and impacted by temporary construction zones. Always check posted signs and active closures.
  • Pro move: If you're heading to multiple stops, choose a central garage near your furthest point and walk back toward your last destination.
  1. Transit and micromobility
  • CapMetro's Downtown Station (near 4th Street) and multiple bus corridors remain active. Use the CapMetro app for the latest detours and headways.
  • Scooters and bikes are plentiful. Use designated bike lanes and heed any temporary closures around the site. The City's mobility map shows current facilities and detours.
  1. On foot
  • Expect intermittent sidewalk changes around the Convention Center perimeter, typically spanning Cesar Chavez to 5th Street and Trinity to Red River. Allow an extra 5–10 minutes for detours, and follow posted signs.

Eat, drink, shop: What's new and what's working now

  • Austin Visitor Center on 5th Street: Newly relocated with more space and amenities—ideal for maps, merch, and hyper-local advice before you set out.
  • Atown on 2nd Street: A boutique gift shop brimming with Austin-forward holiday finds. It's walkable from most west-of-Congress garages.
  • Café Crème at the Austin Central Library: The library has become a go-to meet-up spot. Grab a coffee and plan your route with great Wi‑Fi and views.
  • Golden Boy at Fareground: A chef-driven lunch option central to many downtown offices—perfect for a quick, quality bite between errands.
  • TOATS on 4th Street: New EDM nightclub bringing energy to late nights downtown; check their calendar for themed events and guest DJs.
  • Still-love list: Moonshine remains one of the city's most beloved comfort-food institutions—consider shifting your visit to dinner or weekend brunch to help offset that midday slowdown.

Holiday boost: Use the ATX Small Business Passport

  • The Passport turns your shopping into a citywide scavenger hunt: browse participating stores, get stamped, unlock perks, and redeem for local rewards. You'll find unique gifts while directly supporting the businesses weathering the construction window.
  • Pick up a Passport at the Austin Visitor Center or participating shops along 2nd Street, East Sixth, and the Warehouse District.

Your December perks checklist

  • Claim the Downtown Austin Alliance 50% Uber discount before you book rides.
  • Stash a Small Business Passport in your tote.
  • Park once, plan a walking loop, and build in a coffee stop.

Insider intelligence

  • Time your arrivals: If you're driving, aim outside peak commuter windows (avoid 8–9:30 a.m. and 4:30–6:30 p.m.). Late morning and mid-afternoon are the smoothest.
  • Choose your cross-streets wisely: When headed toward Rainey or the east side of downtown, set your drop-off west of Trinity, then walk east. For 2nd Street District and the Library, approach via Cesar Chavez or West 2nd to avoid core closures.
  • Make your pick-up work for you: Move one block away from construction fencing before you request a ride. You'll get a faster match, and your driver won't be forced into a detour.
  • Build a micro-itinerary: Cluster your errands—Visitor Center for gifts, walk to Atown on 2nd, lunch at Golden Boy in Fareground, sunset photos by the lake, then a nightcap before your discounted Uber home.
  • Weather edge: With today's 58°F and sun, it's a perfect day to skip a second car trip. Layer up, take the lake trail for part of your walk, and re-enter downtown near Congress or the Library.

What's next for the project (and why optimism is warranted)

  • Expect visible progress throughout 2026 as the superstructure rises. The finished center will restore east–west connections by reopening Second and Third streets to vehicles and pedestrians, ease circulation, create new outdoor public spaces, and anchor conventions that feed nearby businesses.
  • Net-zero design means a marquee downtown destination with world-leading sustainability—something Austin can market on the global stage.
  • The expansion is funded through Hotel Occupancy Tax, not new local taxes, and it's projected to bring a significant boost in long-term jobs and annual economic activity.

Safety and etiquette near construction

  • Follow all posted detours and only cross at marked locations.
  • Keep scooters at walking speed in crowded areas and dismount where signage requires.
  • Expect occasional noise, dust, and temporary fencing close to the site perimeter; businesses are still open nearby—step inside and say hello.

Plan like a local: Sample half-day routes

  • Gifts + lunch loop (car-free): Start at the Austin Visitor Center on 5th, walk to Atown on 2nd for gifts, grab Golden Boy at Fareground, and finish with espresso at Café Crème in the Library before your ride home.
  • Date night detour: Park near City Hall garage, stroll the 2nd Street lights, dinner near Congress, then dance at TOATS on 4th. Request your rideshare pick-up two blocks off the club to avoid late-night congestion.

Official information and updates

  • Track project milestones, renderings, and timeline: UnconventionalATX (unconventionalatx.com) and Austin Convention Center (austinconventioncenter.com).
  • Downtown deals and the Uber discount: Downtown Austin Alliance (downtownaustin.com).
  • Day-of travel conditions: Use the City of Austin transportation resources for lane closures, detours, and mobility maps.

Internal resources to go deeper

  • Where to Park Downtown Right Now: /guides/downtown-austin-parking
  • Fareground Dining Guide: /food/fareground-austin-guide
  • ATX Small Business Passport: How to Maximize Perks: /shopping/atx-small-business-passport
  • Nightlife Navigator: Warehouse District After Dark: /nightlife/warehouse-district-guide

External primary sources

  • UnconventionalATX project hub: https://www.unconventionalatx.com
  • Austin Convention Center official site: https://www.austinconventioncenter.com
  • Downtown Austin Alliance (discounts, events, updates): https://downtownaustin.com

Bottom line Downtown is absolutely doable this December—and with the rideshare discount, the Small Business Passport, and mild weather, it can be delightful. Park once, plan a simple walking loop, support the businesses showing up every day, and keep an eye on official channels for construction updates. You'll navigate like a local and help the heart of the city thrive through the rebuild.