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The Armadillo Christmas Bazaar is closing out its 50th season with the ultimate slice of authentic Old Austin weirdness: the National String Off Competition. Held this weekend at the Palmer Events Center, the Bazaar blends fine art, live music, holiday shopping, and a proudly offbeat performance contest that has become one of Austin’s most enduring traditions.
Palmer Events Center – Armadillo Christmas Bazaar
$THE ESSENTIALS
• Dates: Saturday–Sunday, December 20–21, 2025
• Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm
• Location: Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd – see the venue’s maps and access info if you’re planning your route.
• Cost: Tickets start at $12 (check current pricing and buy ahead via the official Armadillo tickets page).
• Signature Event: National String Off Competition (December 21 around 3 pm)
Buy tickets through the official Armadillo site before you go so you can head straight into the Palmer Events Center without slowing down your arrival window.
WHY THE STRING OFF MATTERS
The String Off began decades ago as a playful, free‑form performance showdown that captured the spirit of the Armadillo World Headquarters. Today, it remains the Bazaar’s most “keep Austin weird” element—a knot‑throwing, music-adjacent spectacle that’s equal parts competition, comedy, and community performance art, echoing the history laid out on the Bazaar’s about and history pages.
WHAT TO EXPECT THIS WEEKEND
• Nearly 200 curated artists offering fine art, handmade gifts, and one-of-a-kind Austin originals, all showcased on the 2025 artists roster.
• Three live music performances each day, with Austin favorites like Jackie Venson, Gina Chavez, Shinyribs, and Gary P. Nunn featured on the official 2025 music lineup.
• Full bars, food vendors, and photo ops throughout the venue—preview the full experience on the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar homepage.
• The official opening and closing each day with “London Homesick Blues,” honoring the Bazaar’s Armadillo World Headquarters roots and long-running 50-season legacy.
INSIDER INTELLIGENCE
• The String Off fills up early—arrive by 2:15 pm on December 21 if you want a front‑row view; general what-to-expect details are also covered in the event FAQs.
• Evening shopping (after 6 pm) is historically less crowded and ideal for browsing high-end art.
• Rideshare is the easiest access strategy; use the dedicated circle drive directly at the entrance as recommended by both the Palmer Events Center and the Visit Austin listing.
• Many artists debut exclusive final‑weekend inventory—ask about “last-day” or “late run” pieces and cross‑reference your favorites with the 2025 artist directory.
• Veteran attendees recommend exploring the music stage first, then looping the art booths counter‑clockwise to avoid early bottlenecks; for more logistical and vibe intel, the Bazaar’s info hub is a helpful pre-trip read.
The String Off crowd builds fast—if a close view of the competition matters to you, treat 2:15 pm on December 21 as your latest arrival time for snagging a good spot.
Plan your art browsing for after 6 pm when the aisles tend to thin out—this is the sweet spot for taking your time with the higher-end booths.
Skip the parking hunt by using rideshare to the Palmer Events Center’s circle drive entrance; it’s the most straightforward drop-off for this busy final-weekend event.
Use the 2025 artist directory ahead of time to mark must-see booths—then follow the suggested counter‑clockwise loop to dodge early bottlenecks and cover the whole floor efficiently.
RELATED AUSTIN INSIDER GUIDES
• Inside The Mutt‑Cracker (SWEET!): Austin’s Wildest Holiday Tradition Returns With Rescue Dogs, Circus Arts, and True Keep Austin Weird Energy
• Inside Austin’s Hidden Holiday Pop‑Ups: The Secret December Experiences Locals Are Just Now Discovering
• Inside Austin’s La Pastorela Play: The Insider Guide to the City’s Most Underrated Holiday Tradition
• Austin’s Insider Guide to Every Nutcracker Production This December
• For more big December spectacles with lights, music, and family‑forward energy, check out Inside Peppermint Parkway 2025: Austin’s Outdoor Holiday Wonderland With New Wellness‑Forward Experiences.
• If you’re planning holiday dining around your Armadillo visit, pair this guide with Austin’s Insider Guide to Christmas Eve & Day Dining: The City’s Best Holiday Feasts and Last-Minute Reservation Intel.
PRIMARY SOURCE LINKS
• Armadillo Christmas Bazaar Official Site – core overview plus links to tickets, artists, music, and FAQs.
• Palmer Events Center – venue maps, parking, rideshare, and accessibility details.
• Visit Austin Event Listing – additional visitor info and downtown travel tips.
The final weekend of the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar is always special—but this year’s String Off, closing out the event’s 50th anniversary, promises one of the most authentically Austin holiday moments you can still experience in 2025.
Related Austin Data
Inside the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar’s National String Off: Austin’s Weirdest Holiday Tradition Returns
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