We can feel the holiday spirit all around Austin these days! And there are tons and tons of fun, family events happening all month long to help you celebrate the joy of the season. Check out what’s going on this week.

On-Going Events:

• Where to See Santa in Austin
• Zilker Holiday Tree
• A Christmas Carol at ZACH Theatre – Review & Giveaway
• Everything to Know About the Trail of Lights
• Gingerbread Workshops at the Thinkery & Giveaway
• Blue Genie Art Bazaar
• Christmas Light Show at Mozarts Coffee Roasters
• Holiday Events at The Domain
• Where to Play in the Snow in Austin

Special Events this Week:

—  Trail of Lights Preview Party @ Zilker Park
Friday, Dec. 4 from 7-10 p.m.
The Trail of Lights will kick off with a ticketed Preview Party that provides an exclusive first look at the Trail with music from Jimmie Vaughan, light bites by Austin’s best chefs and restaurants, free beer and wine, holiday cocktail samples and entertainment throughout the night. Tickets are $75/person, available online here. (Tickets are required for attendees ages 6 and over.) For more info about the Trail of Lights, please click here.

— Christmas Family Night @ Old Settlers Association & Dell Diamond Parking Lot
Friday, Dec. 4, 6:30-10 p.m. 
This free event includes live music, dancers, candle making, game booths, Frosty the Snowman, full-scale Carnival rides, light maze, pedal go kart rides, holiday food, photos with Santa Claus, and more. Children can take photos with Santa (parents are encouraged to bring their own cameras). Plus, enjoy free hot dogs, popcorn, hot chocolate, and other refreshments.

— 35th Annual Christmas Stroll @ Downtown Georgetown Square
Friday, Dec. 4, 5-9 p.m. & Saturday, Dec. 5, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
The Georgetown Square will be transformed into a genuine Christmas card come to life. It’s a magical setting of trees outlined with twinkling white lights, old fashioned lamp poles, Santa in the Christmas tree farm waiting to hear from both naughty & nice. It’s the place to journey back in time as you wonder through Bethlehem Village. You can also find the Grinch and his characters in Whoo-Village. Free admission!

— Ebenezer’s Journey: A Dickens’ Christmas Story @ Pioneer Farms
Friday & Saturday, Dec. 4-5,  7-10 p.m.
Bring the family to Pioneer Farms this holiday season for a most unusual event, “Ebenezer’s Journey.” This is a special interactive program based on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol where various scenes of Dickens’ classic 1843 tale will be recreated. Watch the village come to life with carolers and colorful characters that step out of history. Actors will take you into the story with an interactive theatrical presentation staged in the historic old buildings at Pioneer Farms. Tickets are $12 for ages 3 & up, which can be purchased online here.

— Lights of Love 5K @ Mueller Browning Hangar
Friday, Dec. 4, 6-9 p.m.
Set against a backdrop of twinkling lights, the 8th Annual Lights of Love 5K & Family Fun Run kicks off the holiday season. The fun begins in the Mueller Hangar with holiday festivities for everyone – family, friends, organizations, schools and even four-legged friends. Proceeds from the event benefit families with hospitalized children that rely on Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas. Registration for the Family Fun run is $27.50, which you can do online here.

— Candle Light Trail @ Hancock Recreation Center
Friday, Dec. 4 & Saturday, Dec. 5, 6-9 p.m.
Take a lovely stroll around the Hancock Golf Course in Hyde Park and enjoy the glow from Candle Light Trail. You can stop into the rec center to take pictures with Santa and enjoy holiday refreshments and entertainment. Free.

— German Christmas Market @ German Free School
Saturday, Dec. 5, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Enjoy a visit by both historic American Santa Claus and the traditional German Sankt Nikolas with gifts for the children. The German-Texan Heritage Society offers shoppers hand-made, imported crafts including plenty of Christmas themed decorations such as nutcrackers and ornaments. It is a festival atmosphere with traditional German Christmas music, tables full of handcrafted items direct from the Erzgebirge region of Germany, Glühwein (hot spiced wine), coffee, apple cider and gingerbread cookies, and plenty of German style baked goodies for purchase. Free admission.

— Breakfast with Santa @ Dittmar Recreation Center
Dec. 5, 9 – 11 a.m.
The weather may be chilly outside, but the weather is always warm & welcoming at Dittmar Recreation Center. Come hang out for some warm breakfast, sing-a-long songs, crafts and don’t forget to bring your cameras for pictures with Santa! Free and all ages welcome!

— Breakfast with Santa @ The Domain
Saturday, Dec. 5, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Enjoy breakfast, live music, character appearances, games, crafts and a visit from Santa! Free.

— Holiday in the Park @ Cat Hollow Park
Saturday, Dec. 5, 12-3 p.m.
Santa arrives on a firetruck at noon! Bring your camera for picture opportunities with Santa and Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer at this fun-filled Family Holiday Festival and Craft Fair.  There will be tons of fun and activities for all ages. Craft vendors, activities, live music and dance performances.

— Snow Day @ Hill Country Galleria
Saturday, Dec. 5, 12-4 p.m.
Located outside of the Bee Cave Library, you’ll find real snow being delivered to the Hill Country Galleria. Toss a snowball, build a snowman, make a snow angel, and take family photos. Enjoy live holiday music, holiday carolers, and more. Free!

— Snow Day in Fisherman’s Park in Bastrop
Saturday, Dec. 5, 12:30 p.m.
Enjoy the annual Snow Day event. Try the 12 foot snow slide then get messy in the large snow play area. Make Christmas ornaments and snow people to take home. “The Santa Clause” movie will start at dusk (around 6 p.m.). There will be approximately 30,000 lbs. of shaved ice as snow. Bring extra clothes, shoes, socks, etc. Tubes will be available on site for the slide. Free!

— 5th Annual Window Walk @ 2nd Street District
Saturday, Dec. 5 , 1-7 p.m.
Window-walkers can stroll the 2ND Street District and enjoy a special appearance by the one and only Santa Claus, while taking advantage of the in-store specials at 2ND Street District shops. Deck the District is a free event.

— Pfestival of Lights and Christmas Parade @ Downtown Pflugerville
December 5, 5 – 8:30 p.m.
Check out this event from Railroad Avenue to Main Street in Pflugerville. Free photos with Santa Claus (you bring the camera). Free arts & crafts, hot chocolate, apple cider, cookies, glow sticks and a bonfire to warm up.

— Holiday Sing-Along & Downtown Stroll @ Texas State Capitol
Saturday, Dec. 5, 6-9 p.m.
6 p.m., you can meet at the steps of the Capitol to sing songs of the seasons, led by John Aielli of KUTX 98.9. As the clock strikes 7 p.m., the crowd will countdown to the lighting of the Capitol tree, and then from 7-9 p.m., everyone can enjoy special activities on Congress Ave. for the Downtown Stroll. Free & family friendly! Click here for a schedule & more details.

— Trail of Lights Fun Run @ Zilker Park
Saturday, Dec. 5, 7:30 – 10 p.m.
The Trail of Lights Fun Run presented by Humana allows people of all ages to participate in an evening run/walk event while enjoying Austin’s spectacular Trail of Lights. You can register for the Fun Run here.

— Community Chanukah Celebration: Into the Future @ Dell Jewish Community Center
Sunday, Dec. 6, 12-3 p.m.
“Into the Future,” a free community Chanukah celebration, will feature Latkepalooza, with free tastings from local celebrity chefs including Shawn Cirkiel of Olive & June, libations and festive noshes, a menorah lighting, fun for all ages.

— Holiday Art Market with Farmer Santa @ HOPE Farmers Market at Plaza Saltillo
Sunday, Dec. 6, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
This is a great opportunity to support your local farms, food, art, & music while you shop local. There will also be a visit from Farmer Santa! You can visit with him and have your photo taken by Alex Fitch Photography. Farmer Santa will also be handing out fresh, local produce to all of the good girls & boys (of every age) + dogs, too!

— 4th Anniversary Party @ Big Frog Custom T-Shirts
Sunday, Dec. 6, 1-4 p.m.
You are invited to take your picture with Santa in-store and get your photo printed on a FREE white T-shirt! You can also enjoy free food & holiday music from a saxophone quartet.

–> Fore more holiday events, please check out our listings of Holiday Family Fun on our calendar.