This weekend you can take photos with Santa, shop local at a holiday craft show, head downtown for a big parade, dance your own Nutcracker, check out model trains, watch Buddy, Frog & Toad dance & sing, spin under the lights of the Zilker Holiday Tree and much more!

Other stuff:

• Enter our Keep Austin Thankful Photo Contest
• Holiday Happenings Around Austin
• Top 5 Holiday Craft Shows in Austin

Here are our Top 10 Austin Family Events…

 

 

— Take the kids to the Long Center’s City Terrace from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. to snap a free photo with Santa overlooking the best view in Austin! And even better, Buddy the Elf (from Elf: The Musical) will be on hand to say hello, too! Free event, but you might want to bring cash for hot cocoa & treats from food trucks.

— Need to work off some Thanksgiving calories? Try the Turkey Glow Jump at Pump It Up Austin from 11:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. There will be black lights and special effects lights. Kids are encouraged to wear neon or white to really show the glow. $8 per child, glow necklace included for each paid child. For more info, visit their website.

— Check out this year’s Christmas Light Show at Mozart’s Coffee Roasters where music and lights are choreographed in a most entertaining display. The light show will run through Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015. Shows last about 15 minutes, start at 6 p.m. and run every hour on the hour until midnight. Free!

— Skip the Black Friday crowds, and shop from local artists at the Blue Genie Art Bazaar. Head to the Marchesa Hall & Theatre for handmade items by more than 130 local and regional artists. You can expect to find: paintings, photography, prints, sculptures, jewelry, clothing, accessories, glassworks, ceramics, and more you can’t find anywhere else. Free admission! Open from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.

 

 

— Join the community downtown at the 25th Annual Chuy’s Children Giving to Children Parade benefiting Operation Blue Santa. The parade begins at 11 a.m. by the Texas State Capitol at 11th & Congress Avenue and moves south along Congress Avenue toward the bridge. Enjoy marching bands, giant inflatable balloons, classic cars, costumed characters, dancers and festive floats. Free, but bring an unwrapped toy to donate for a child in need.

— Take the kids for an afternoon of dancing at the Invincible Czars 11th Annual Dance-It-Yourself Nutcracker at 2 p.m. at the Museum of Human Achievement. Admission is on a “pay what you can” sliding scale from $5-20. You can purchase your tickets in advance online here.

— This is the LAST day to see  A Year with Frog and Toad at ZACH Theatre. It is a “must see” show for kids! Take the whole family to this high-quality musical production at 11 a.m. or 2 p.m. where the characters from Arnold Lobel’s books come to life on stage! Tickets start at $15 and can be purchased online here.

 

 

— Go see your favorite overgrown elf, Buddy, on the Long Center stage this holiday season in Elf: The Musical. Based on the popular movie, Elf: The Musical is a hilarious show featuring big song & dance numbers sure to entertain audiences of all ages. Catch this performance at 1 p.m. Tickets start at $29 and can be purchased online here.

— Make plans to visit the Holiday Model Train Exhibit at ArtSpace in Round Rock. The Tinplate Trackers will have trains on display from through Saturday, Jan. 3. on weekends at 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Wednesdays – Fridays from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Free!

— The Zilker Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. Come out for music by the Austin Civic Wind Ensemble and the Barton Hills Choir. Enjoy getting dizzy under those fabulous lights. Free event, but bring cash for treats from the food trucks on site.

Have a fun weekend!