It’s almost December. And, that can mean only one thing. The arrival of Christmas and Santa Claus is just around the corner. But, so are a ton of area holiday events to warm your heart and keep you busy through the end of the year. Yes, folks, even before you finish the last morsel of your Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas festivities begin the very next day. But, here’s a word of caution. Be prepared to be dazzled. The Austin area is all aglow this holiday season with a variety of Christmas tree lighting ceremonies and light shows. After all, there’s nothing like an old-fashioned traditional tree lighting. Almost every town has one. And, they are all different. Like all Christmas celebrations they all have one thing in common—a gianormous multi-lite tree. Carolers, the anticipation of Santa, and lots of little children with joyful faces round out these great family-oriented celebrations.
But, it doesn’t stop there because there’s so much more. Get ready for nonstop activities and festivities, and a whole lot of merriment for the next six weeks. We did our homework and searched far and wide for area Christmas tree lightings. And, guess what? We found some great family-friendly celebrations sure to put a smile on everyone’s face. But, first, here’s a little advice. The best way to navigate your way to these events is to look up and follow the lights. So, not to delay, here we go…
The Driskill Hotel holiday tree lighting extravaganza
On Tuesday, November 27 the iconic Driskill Hotel starts off the holiday season with the lighting of their tree in the hotel’s grand lobby. It starts at 6 p.m. and continues throughout the evening with a variety of time-honored holiday musical selections and carolers. This stately landmark located in the heart of downtown Austin is infamous for its grand columned lobby with marble floors and stained-glass dome. After the event, stick around and take a photo with the family for a picture perfect Christmas memory. Or, put the photo on your Christmas card. Either way, you’ll come out a winner. The tree is simply gorgeous! The event is free and open to the public.
Community holiday celebrations close to home
The Leander Chamber of Commerce is spreading holiday cheer this year during the Old Town Leander Christmas Festival on Saturday, December 1. The entire town comes alive with holiday spirit during this day-long free community celebration beginning at 9 a.m. with the third annual Old Town Rudolph 5K Run. Other highlights include a snow zone, children’s activities, photos with Santa, local performances and entertainment, a food court, the Christmas Marketplace, and the Leander Light Parade at 6 p.m. The event ends at 7:30 p.m. with the lighting of the town’s Christmas tree as the grand finale. Check out the Chamber’s website for a complete schedule of events.
The Cedar Park Parks and Recreation Department hosts the city’s annual Tree Lighting and Santa’s Workshop on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Heritage Oaks Park. This free event features carriage rides, games, prizes, crafts, photos with Santa, inflatables and live music. Food concessions will be available.
Holiday lights in Austin
The city of Austin kicks off the holiday season during the 52nd annual Zilker Tree Lighting on Sunday, Nov. 25 at 6 p.m. in Zilker Park. This granddaddy of holiday trees stands tall at a towering 155 feet and is comprised of over 3,000 lights. And, it’s on display from 6 p.m. to midnight every night preceding the ceremony through the end of the year. The city also is inviting the public to this year’s Trail of Lights, a time-honored Austin tradition. This spectacular light show features 40 lighted displays through 1.25 miles of the park. Food trucks, nightly entertainment, vendors, and children’s activities, too. The grand opening ceremony on Dec. 10 officially opens the Trail to the public which includes a countdown ceremony and entry tunnel lighting. The event is free to the public on opening night. Check their website for ticket information.
For something a little unusual and a whole lot of fun check out the 9th Annual Joyous Light Show Celebration on the deck of Mozart’s Coffee Roasters. This downtown coffee emporium has put itself on the map because during the holiday season they decorate their deck with over 1 million lights. Then, they sync their favorite holiday tunes to the lights for one spectacular show. This year the shows begin at 6 p.m. every evening starting on November 16 through January 1. And, they run every hour on the hour for approximately 15-20 minutes until closing time. It’s free and open to the public. While soaking up the spirit of the holidays at Mozart’s you might find it hard to resist the smell of deliciously roasted coffee and freshly-made luscious desserts. Don’t forget to grab some for the ultimate holiday treat.
A holiday event worth the trip
All aboard the Holiday Model Trains Exhibit at ArtSpace in Round Rock. Though this event is a detour from the others ones listed above, it’s worth mentioning especially if you have a model train buff in the family. The event runs from November 23 to December 31 Wednesday through Sunday from Noon to 5 p.m. Round Rock Arts hosts this annual event featuring displays intricately put together by the Tinplate Trackers O-Gauge Model Train Club. The three-rail display takes “passengers” through landscapes, cityscapes, and the magical world of model trains. Grab lunch before you go and make an afternoon of it. And, it’s budget-friendly because it’s free.
During the holidays explore our amazing community
Travisso is a place to explore; a place to relax; a place to call home. We offer homebuyers over-the-top amenities, fabulous home designs, natural beauty, premier custom builders and a 30-minute drive to downtown Austin. Oh, but, there’s so much more such as rolling hills and spectacular views. Visit us today to see our new construction homes, readily available inventory homes, or our builder model homes currently for sale. For additional details call our Information Center at 512-243-8583.
