AUSTIN, Texas — The weekend is here and, as always, there are a ton of things going on in the Austin area! This weekend, there's no shortage of holiday fun planned across Central Texas.
Parades, festivals and tree lighting ceremonies
In the Capital City, the Downtown Austin Alliance will host its Holiday Sing-Along & Stroll on Saturday!
Families will walk Congress Avenue between Ninth and Eleventh streets from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Kids can get their pictures taken with Santa Claus, ride on The Polar Express Bus and decorate ornaments and cookies. There will also be vendors, food trucks and live music.
The Texas State Capitol tree lighting is part of the event as well and will take place at 7 p.m.
But isn't just Downtown Austin. A number of Central Texas cities and Austin neighborhoods will be holding holiday events this weekend. Here's a rundown of just a few:
- Santa's Arrival – Friday starting at 4 p.m. at Mary Kyle Hartson City Square Park in Kyle
- Merry & Bright Street Fair + 18th Annual Control Tower Lighting Ceremony – Friday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Mueller Lake Park
- Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony – Friday from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Heritage Oak Park in Cedar Park
- Light the Night Christmas Parade – Friday starting at 6:30 p.m. in Fredericksburg
- Trail of Lights Preview Party – Friday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Zilker Park
- Light Up the Lake – Friday and Saturday from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Old Settlers Park
- Downtown Georgetown Association Christmas Stroll – Friday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Downtown Georgetown
- Trail of Lights Fun Run – Saturday from 5:45 pm. to 10 p.m. at Zilker Park
- Austin Chamber Music Center: "A Charlie Brown Christmas" – Saturday at noon at the Paramount Theatre
- Pfestival of Lights – Saturday from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in Downtown Pflugerville
- Home for the Holidays – Saturday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at The Arboretum
- Yule in the Garden with Austin Camerata – Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at Zilker Botanical Gardens
- "The Muppet Christmas Carol" – Sunday at 12:30 p.m. at the Bullock Texas State History Museum
- BudaFest 2023 – Friday through Sunday in Downtown Buda
If you're looking for something a little different, there's also Horror for the Holidays, set up at the Palmer Events Center this weekend.
This "biggest holiday-themed horror market in Austin" will feature art, home décor, clothing, jewelry, collectibles and more from dozens of vendors. The event will also feature a stage show, a silent auction, story time for kids, a Krampus parade and, naturally, an appearance by "Evil Santa."
When: Saturday and Sunday
Where: Palmer Events Center, located at 900 Barton Springs Road
Other, non-holiday events happening this weekend:
- Liz Phair – Friday at ACL Live at the Moody Theater
- Jeff Rosenstock – Friday at Empire Control Room & Garage
- St. Elmo's 7th Anniversary Party – Saturday at St. Elmo Brewing Co.
- Black Pumas – Sunday through Wednesday at ACL Live at the Moody Theater