Austin, TX

What: CEDAR PARK TREE LIGHTING
When: Friday, 30 Nov, 6:30-8:30pm.
Where: Heritage Oak Park, 875 Quest Parkway, Cedar Park, 512/401-5500
$$$: Free.
The holidays begin with the Holiday Tree Lighting in Heritage Oak Park. Over 30,000 lights illuminate the largest Live Oak in Cedar Park. Enjoy caroling, carriage rides and the Yule fire.

What: MUELLER TOWER LIGHTING CELEBRATION
When: Friday, 30 Nov, 6:30pm
Where: Mueller Central, off Airport Boulevard, between Manor and I-35
$$$: Free
Bring the whole family for live entertainment and holiday treats as you commemorate the the re-lighting of the old Noel sign on the former airport control tower, and decorate a few trees to be donated to Dell Children’s Medical Center, the Ronald McDonald House, and the Austin Children’s Shelter.

What: CAPITOL TREE LIGHTING & CONGRESS AVENUE STROLL
When: Saturday, Dec. 1st, 6-9pm.
Where: Texas state Capitol, 1100 Congress, 305-8400
$$$: Free
Keep Austin Christmasy with the annual sing-along hosted by Eklektikos host John Aielli, followed by the lighting of the 40-foot tree at 7pm. After that, you can join in on the holiday stroll, featuring special activities hosted by the shops, museums, and restaurants along Congress as well as performances from the Austin Clickity Cloggers, Ballet Austin, Invincible Czars, Super Sonic Soul Squad, and others. (don’t forget to bring nonperishable food or cash donations to place under the tree for those in need this holiday season)

What: MAN FEST
When: Sat. Dec 1st, 2-7pm
Where: Birds Barbershop, 2110 S. Lamar, 442-8800
$$$: Free
Give your testosterone a workout today with a little gentlemanly arm-wrestling competition, some pictures in the lumberjack photo booth, and a good old-fashioned shoe shine to make your father proud. The Confidettes and Golden Bear will keep you entertained while the wieners and free manly drinks will keep your chest hairs growing.

What: SUSTAINABLE SHOPPER’S BALL: HAVE A GREEN, GREEN CHRISTMAS
When: Sat. Dec 1st
Where: On the site of the Sunset Valley Farmers Market
$$$: Free
The Sunset Valley Farmers Market plays host this weekend to Austin’s favorite all-local, all-green Sustain-a-Ball marketplace, featuring 60 vendors of environmentally sustainable products and services, kids activities, solar-powered live music, and more. Don’t miss Brandi Clark’s presentation on Easy Ways to Green Your Holidays, Bee Moorehead’s talk on Connections between Faith & Environmentalism, or Randy Jewart’s panel discussion What Does a Sustainable Community Look Like?

What: REINDEER RUN
When: December 1, 2007, Race Start (runners) 8:00 AM, Race Start (walkers) 8:10 AM
Where: Life Time Fitness, North Austin
$$$: Race Day Registration Members - $25 Non-Members - $25 Kids - $15
The Reindeer Run is a 5K (3.1 miles) “fun run,” so no race times are recorded. New this year is the Fisher-Price Kids K, so bring the little ones! It’s also one of the only events you’ll ever enter to feature a start by Santa with thousands of costumed runners. Help the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots program by bringing a new, unwrapped toy for a child in need. Toys for teens and infants are especially appreciated.

What: BROWN SANTA 5K
When: Sunday, December 02, 8:15 AM, kids start at 10am
Where: Travis County Expo Center, 7311 Decker Lane
$$$: Chipped - $22, Walk/Run non-chipped - $20, kids - $10
Run a hilly and challenging 5K to benefit Travis County Sheriff’s Brown Santa which provides assistance to families in Travis County who live outside the geographical city limits of Austin.

What: WHEATSVILLE ARTS FESTIVAL
When: Sat.-Sun., Dec. 1-2, 10am-5:30pm
Where: Wheatsville Co-op, 3101 Guadalupe, 478-2667
$$$: Free
This annual arts & crafts fair features two days of live music and shopping among the handmade goodies of 60 local artists.

What: CHANUKAH IN THE ROUND
When: Sunday, Dec. 2nd, 3-5pm.
Where: Brushy Creek Community Center, 16318 Great Oaks Dr.
$$$: Free
Join the Jewish Community Association of Austin, Congregation Shir Ami, and Hadassaha this afternoon for a multigenerational candle lighting ceremony with performances by the Congregation Shir Ami choir and guitarist Carol Rubin, plus arts and crafts, face-painting, and dreidel games. Bring an unwrapped gift for donation to Austin State Hospital’s Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Services.

What: DISCO WONDERLAND GALA
When: Sunday, Dec. 2nd, 5:30pm.
Where: Renaissance Hotel, 9721 Arboretum, 735-8350.
$$$:
Dance the night away and take home a few luxury items from the silent auction tonight to raise money for Austin Jewish Academy scholarships and programs.

Click here for a list of Christmas Bazaars and Holiday Craft Markets.

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