Austin, TX

8th Annual Lighting of the Peace Tree
When: Tue., Dec. 2, 6:30-8:30pm
Where: University Hills Library, 4721 Loyola, 929-0551.
$$$: Free

Families are invited to celebrate the eighth annual Lighting of the Peace Tree, an event featuring music, poetry, dance, and tree decorating. They’ve had seven years of trial and error, so expect arboreal greatness.

Kyle’s Santa Arrival & Tree Lighting
When: Wednesday, Dec. 3rd, 5pm
Where: City Square Park, Downtown Kyle
$$$: Free

Watch the lighting of the Christmas tree, listen to the local school choirs and see the arrival of Santa Claus!

Driskill Tree Lighting
When: Thu., Dec. 4, 6-8pm.
Where: Grand Lobby, The Driskill Hotel, 604 Brazos, 391-7121.
$$$: Free

Our holiday celebration begins with the lighting of more than 10,000 lights illuminating the 16-foot tree in the Grand Lobby. Our guests can also enjoy live music, along with holiday cookies, apple cider, hot chocolate and coffee. Tree lighting by Austin Mayor Pro Tem Brewster McCracken. Come out to ogle the 16-foot tree in the middle of the Driskill lobby. The 1886 Cafe & Bakery will have holiday treats for sale if you need a break from staring at all the lights.

Holiday Tree Lighting in Heritage Oak Park
When: Friday, December 05 2008, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Where: Heritage Oak Park, 875 Quest Parkway, Cedar Park, TX
$$$: Free

The holidays begin with the Holiday Tree Lighting in Heritage Oak Park. Over 50,000 lights illuminate the largest Live Oak in Cedar Park. Enjoy caroling, carriage rides and the Yule fire.

A coloring contest for kindergarten and first grade students determines who lights the tree. Choose the following link to download the coloring contest entry form and instructions. Entries are due by noon on December 1, 2009.

Capitol Tree Lighting & Holiday Sing-a-long
When: Saturday, December, 6th, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Where: Capitol South Steps, Congress Avenue and 2nd Street District
$$$: Free

Just as Austinites trade their shorts for scarves, our city’s downtown is also gearing up to don its seasonal attire. As the clock chimes 7 p.m., the countdown begins to the lighting of the Capitol tree – a Juniper beauty rising nearly 40 feet – and the brand new Congress Avenue Holiday Lights, brought to you by Austin Energy! Revelers can view the tree and new lights from every vantage point during the Congress Avenue Stroll from 7-9 p.m. Congress Avenue shops, restaurants, galleries and museums will be open late, offering special activities, offers and refreshments to visitors. A diverse array of Austin musicians, including Golden Arm Trio, The Invincible Czars, McCallum Fine Arts Academy Orchestra and the Super Sonic Soul Squad will entertain shoppers.

Zilker Tree Lighting
When: 6pm, Sunday, December 7th
Where: Zilker Park, 2201 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78746
$$$: Free

The Zilker Tree Stands 155 feet tall and is composed of 39 streamers, each holding 81 multicolored, 25 watt bulbs, totaling 3,309 lights. At the top of the tree, a double star measures 10 feet from point to point. The double star displays 150 frosted bulbs. This unique spiral pattern of lights was created by City of Austin electricians. At its circumference, the tree measures 380 feet. The diameter is 120 feet. The base of the tree is made up of 19 utility poles, each 14 feet tall, arranged in a circle around the Moonlight Tower.

Each year the Parks and Recreation Department and Austin Energy hold a lighting ceremony to officially light the tree. This year the ceremony will be at 6pm, Sunday, December 7th. The public is invited to attend the celebration and participate in the lighting ceremony. Parking is available in Zilker Park.

I’ll keep adding to this list as I hear about more tree lighting ceremonies. Please let me know if you hear of any.