Each year since 1975, the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar has been open for fun, live music, and art shopping. My wife and I try to go every year, and we usually find a few "treasures" there that we can't live without. 
In a nutshell, the Bazaar provides an opportunity for local (and not-so-local) artists to showcase their work. Yes, you can buy stuff, too! There is live music during most hours of the event, which is typically open every day for 12 hours for about two weeks leading up to Christmas.
One year, we purchased a beautiful painted photograph of archways which now hangs in our entry near the stairs (see photo at right). Other years, we have purchased watercolor original pieces, hand-painted notebooks, jewelry, and decorative scarves.
My mom was in town to celebrate with us again this year, so she came along. She bought several small, old-fashioned toys for our kids. We picked up some very cool ceramic tile coasters with pictures from around Austin, including the front of the Driskill Hotel downtown, which is where we had our first date!
This is a cool place to shop for gifts for those who have everything. Be forewarned - you may have to spend some time looking around to find the more "affordable" gift items. I saw an amazing painting of the 360 bridge with metal work integrated into the piece, but it was $1800, so I passed on it, for obvious reasons. That being said, if I could have afforded it, I might have purchased this, too.
They moved the event from the Austin Music Hall to the convention center this year, which made it much more comfortable (read: not as hot and crowded feeling). The Armadillo Christmas Bazaar is well worth the trip, and it's one more reason that we love living in Austin.
If you want more information about this annual event, you can visit their primary website here:
Here are a few other pictures that I took with my iPhone when we were there. The quality is not the best, I suppose, but it will probably give you a feel for things.
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Hi Jason! Merry Christmas! This is an awesome post for Localism and looks like it's right up my alley! Austin is much like Charlotte--rich in arts. I love the arches photo and I'm sure you found many cool pieces this year too!
Merry Christmas, Jason!
Bill & Brenda
Sounds like a fun time. you never know what you might find.
It looks like you guys had a grand old time from the pictures!
Jason,
We always try and make this event (just didn't get there this year) and wondered how it turned out being moved to the convention center. They have such unusual things and yes some are pricey but others are affordable. Your pictures caught the essence of this event. Thanks for sharing!