Happy Holiday Happenings In Austin

Austin is a happy place any time of year but the holidays are really special here. Below you will find some Happy Holiday happenings to brighten up your days:

Congress Avenue: The Holiday lights will be all ablaze along Congress Avenue on Saturday (December 6). The City of Austin is going green this year. All the lights on Congress Avenue are new eco-friendly LED lights. The new LED lights use about 85% less energy than the old incandescent lights of the past. The new lights have the added benefit of being able to glow in several colors with blinking and fading features. So that everyone can enjoy the lights special features without any obstruction, there will be no garland this year.

The Zilker Tree Lighting: The Zilker Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held at Zilker Park on Saturday (December 6) at 6 p.m. hosted by the Austin Energy and the Austin Parks and Recreation Department. The Zilker Tree stands 155 feet tall and is topped by an 10 foot star. It is quite a sight to behold. Be sure to look for the Blue Santa tent. Blue Santa will be there to visit with children and to accept donations of unwrapped toys for Austin 's needy children 12 years and under.

Candlelight Christmas Tours: (December 5 - 13) will be held at the Pioneer Farm. Here you can truly enjoy an old-fashioned (19th century style) Christmas. There will be entertainment, games, crafts and much more. You can hear stories around the fire at the German Immigrant's cabin, string popcorn at the kitchen table and sing Christmas carols in the Homestead Parlor. On December 13^th, only you can experience an 1860's Christmas at the Commercial Cotton Farm. Special entertainment is scheduled on Saturday and Sunday evenings for the next three weekends.

Make You Own Holiday Ornaments at the Wells Branch Community Library on Sunday (1 p.m.). There is a fee of $11 and all children under 8 must have an adult with them. This is a great way to spend some quality family time as well as create some very special memories.

Hop n Shop: (December 11, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.) You will be able to board (not ride) a Capital Metro light rail train car at the "Hop 'n Shop" being held at the Brush Square . A 'Dillo will be decked in Christmas garb and lights. This event will feature music and merchant booths to promote the Austin downtown area as a shopping alternative and to remind everyone of the changes to the Dill routes and schedules. It's also a great way to promote the new train service, Capital Metro, arriving soon.

Armadillo Christmas Bazaar: (December 12 - 24) An Austin favorite is the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar. It is a great place to find a unique gift or a piece of fine art for those on your shopping list. The bazaar also features live entertainment. The Armadillo Bazaar is held at the Austin Convention Center opening each day from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Trail of Lights: (December 14 - 23). The Austin 's famous Trail of Lights is recognized as one of the top ten holiday light displays in the nation. The trail features 41 lighted scenes. The display route is 1.25 miles long. As you walk along the trail, you can enjoy hot chocolate and yule log fires in two different locations. There will be a holiday train for those who prefer to ride the trail. The Trail of Lights also offers a wide variety of entertainment on two different stages. Train rides, food booths, entertainment and fabulous lights all in one place nightly from 7 - 10 p.m.

No holiday season would be complete without a performance of the Nutcracker, Texas ' longest running production now in its 46th year. Ballet Austin will be performing in the new Performing Arts Center December 6 - 23. Each performance will feature a very special Mother Ginger who will be played by a different local celebrity.

Rockin' Christmas Party is another Austin tradition and will be performed once again at the Zackary Scott Theatre . The Zachary Scott Theatre offers several holiday shows including the popular Holiday Heroes for children 7 years of age and younger.

The Biscuit Brother's will be performing a special holiday show at Pioneer Farms' Sprinkle Corner on Friday, December 19th. The Biscuit Brothers film their Emmy Award winning TV series for PBS at Pioneer Farms. In addition to the performance, there will be cookies, hot chocolate and hayrides.

The traditional favorites "A Wonderful Life" and "White Christmas" will be shown on the big screen at the Paramount Theatre on Sunday, December 7 and 12. The Paramount will be hosting several other holiday performances as well.

Well, if your holiday calendar was not already full, it should be now. Have fun everyone and don't forget to spin! Spinning under the Zilker tree while looking up at the lights is a unique Austin tradition.

Shay