This weekend you can kick of the season with an abundance of family events packed with holiday cheer! See the annual Chuy’s Parade, visit Santa at the Long Center, take a train ride on the North Pole Flyer, see the lighting of the Zilker Holiday Tree — and much more!

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Top Austin Family Weekend Events…

— Bring the kids for a free photo with Santa overlooking the best view in Austin! Santa will be on the Terrace at the Long Center starting at 10 a.m. Enjoy some holiday treats with all sorts of fun entertainment for the whole family.

— See the annual holiday Model Train Show featuring the Tinplate Trackers O-Gauge Model Train Club at ArtSpace in Round Rock. Free to see! This opens today and will be running Wednesday-Sundays, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. through January 6, 2017.

— Take the family to watch the annual Holiday Light Show at Mozart’s Coffee Roasters. In this exciting light display, music and lights are choreographed in a most entertaining way. The light shows run last about 15 minutes, start at 6 p.m., and run every hour on the hour until midnight. Free, running daily through through January 8, 2017.

— Take the fam to the Hill Country Galleria for their 10th Annual Tree Lighting & Santa’s Arrival event! The fun starts at 6 p.m. with the first look of the all new Central Plaza and face painting for the kids. The program will begin at 7 p.m. with dance performances, Santa, the lighting of the holiday tree, fireworks and live music by Andy Grammer. Free event.

— Oooh and ahhh at the Chuy’s Children Giving to Children Parade today at 11 a.m. At this fun, family-focused parade that travels from the Texas State Capitol down Congress Ave., you’ll see GIANT character balloons, marching bands, vintage cars, dancers, choirs, costumed superheros & princesses, and lots of big smiles from kids of all ages. Bring an unwrapped, new toy to new toy to donate to the Operation Blue Santa Program.

— Ride the rails with Santa on the Austin Steam Train‘s North Pole Flyer! This special 2.5 hour excursion on a real train features a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, all-you-can-drink hot cocoa and a holiday cookie. Each car is decorated for the season, and Santa will spend time in each car to “check your list twice” and pose for photographs before handing out a gift to each child. Tickets start at $38 and can be purchased online here.

— Leapin’ Lizards, Annie is at the Long Center this weekend! See this iconic musical today at 2 p.m. or tomorrow at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $29 and can be purchased online here.

— Austin’s most rockin’ holiday tradition is back at ZACH Theatre. See A Christmas Carol featuring new hit songs and reimagined carols. It’s a fresh and inspired adaptation of Charles Dickens’ beloved classic. You can see the show today at 7:30 p.m. (Runs through December 31.) Tickets start at $29 and can be purchased online here.

 

— Enjoy one of Austin’s favorite holiday traditions — its the 50th Anniversary of the Zilker Holiday Tree! Head over to Zilker Park for the Tree Lighting Ceremony today at 6 p.m. This free, festive event includes local entertainment, food, novelties and live music from the Austin Civic Wind Ensemble and the Barton Hills Choir. Take note that the Zilker Holiday Tree will be lit through December 31 from 6 p.m. – 12 midnight.

— Help support the Make-A-Wish-Foundation at the The Harlien Family’s Christmas Light Spectacular. This year will be the 22nd year that the Harlien Family has decorated their home in Georgetown, TX to bring joy to kids and families. Nightly from 6-10 p.m., through the entire month of December, you can see 80,000 lights synchronized to 64 channels of animation. Multiple lit trees, arches, Christmas features, and Santa.

These are just some of the fun events happening in Austin this weekend. For more, browse our daily calendar of events!