Austin Chamber of Commerce’s 23rd annual Christmas in the City

KICKOFF ACTIVITIES

6-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25

• Holiday Parade with Santa: Meet at 5:45 p.m. at the Elk’s Lodge (First Ave. NW and Main St.)

• Free Photos with Santa located in the Town Center Building and candy cane treats for kids.

• Fresh baked cookies while kids wait in line to see Santa provided by the elves from the Cedars of Austin.

• Live entertainment on stage, including the Austinaires, Taylor Bliese and emcee Paul Pruitt.

• Horse-drawn sleigh rides.

• Captain Kirby Train Rides.

• Musical entertainment in Town Center including the Ecumenical Bell Ensemble, The North Star Brass Quartet, The Cedar River Strings and the magic of Jim Jayes.

• Free hot chocolate and cheese samples served by Mower County Dairy Princesses in the Martial Arts building.

• Free face painting by Matchbox Theatre located in the Martial Arts building.

• Relay for Life will sell $5 luminaries along with treats for the kids and other activities in the Martial Arts building.

• Christmas at the Paramount Theatre will take place at 7:30 p.m. with Jane Taylor Academy of Dance “Christmas Show” with scenes from the Nutcracker Suite.

• Merry Elf, a magical, colorful personality will light up the downtown area from 6 to 8 p.m. handing out treats to children.

• Jaycees Christmas for kids, cash and prizes for the top winning chili recipes. Event at Hill, Larson, Walth & Benda office.

 

Participating businesses

• Donut Connection: Stop in for a free scoop of cinnamon ice cream. Register for an in-store drawing of gift certificates.

• B&J Bar & Grill: Free Smores served outside.

• Twice is Nice

• Evenson’s Hallmark: Stop in for treats.

• Bendixen Jewelry: Warm up with apple cider and Christmas treats.

• Coffee House on Main: Stop in and warm up with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate.

• Piggy Blues BBQ: Free sample of gelato (Italian ice cream) and register for prizes, $100 in chamber bucks, $100 Piggy Blues gift card or $100 certificate from Healing Palms spa.

• Novades Crystal: Come in and enjoy a cup of “ponche.”

• Lou’s Forever Framing: Decorate a free photo mat for a picture with Santa.

• Healing Palms Spa: Offering homemade fudge and hot apple cider. There will be free activities for all.

• Belles & Beaus: Watch live models, enjoy free hot cider and donut holes from Donut Connection.

• Ooh La La Handbags & Accessories: Open until 8:30 p.m. with door prizes each hour. Santa’s helper will be out front with candy canes for all.

• Innovision Eyecare: Stop in for cookies, cider and coffee.

• Philomathian Religious Books & Gifts. Open House with sweet treats.

• Austin Fire Department: (across from Rydjor Bike) Ladder unit 308 will be there along with “Sparky.” Also watch fire safety demonstrations.

• ViDeyo Arts: Web-Video Postcards; visitors can come into the studio for a quick, fun, video postcard to use on Facebook or YouTube.

• El Mariachi’s: Christmas treats for kids.

• Rydjor Bike: Serving hot apple cider and kids can come in and decorate their own sugar cookie. $100 gift card drawing to take place at 7:30 p.m. Must be present to win.

• Hastings Shoe Store: Open house with refreshments.

• Flaherty Paint: Holiday open house and holiday treats and prize drawings.

• Refurnish – 2nd Hand Furniture: Open House and holiday treats.

• Bell Liquor: Sign up to win gift certificates.

• The Salvation Army: A taste of Christmas from days of old time costumes and popcorn garland stringing along with snacks.

 

Holiday Events throughout the season

• Now – Dec. 31: A Ho-Ho-Ho Holiday Show, the Austin Area Art Center will be having its annual art and craft sale. Open noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
• Nov. 19-20: The Hardy Geranium, Holiday Open House. Free cider and cookies.
• Nov. 19-20: Berg’s Nursery, Annual open house. Free cookies and cider; come and take a holiday family photo in the holiday vignette. Santa will be there from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday. (Don’t forget a camera.)
• Nov. 25: Community Bank, Enjoy holiday treats and warm cider at the main street office from noon to 5 p.m.
• Nov. 25-27: Berg’s Nursery.
• Dec. 3: Holiday Dodge Chrysler Jeep Open House & Indoor Used Car Sale, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Interstate 90 and West Oakland Ave. Be entertained by the holiday sounds of the Austin Big Band and enjoy hot dogs and chili.
• Dec. 3, 10, 17: The Brickhouse Christmas Tea’s.
• Dec. 4: Austin’s “Merry Tuba Christmas” 2011, Merry Tuba Christmas celebrates its 38th anniversary. Players of the tuba, sousaphone, baritone and euphoniums will perform Christmas carols to kickoff the holiday season starting at 1 p.m., Center Court at Oak Park Mall.
• Dec. 4: Fourth Annual Holiday Tour of Homes, hosted by the Mower County Chapter of the American Red Cross, 1 to 6 p.m.
• Dec. 3-4: Berg’s Nursery, 1 to 4 p.m., Kids can decorate their own ornament.
• Dec. 6: First Farmers & Merchants State Bank Austin Holiday Open House, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Coffee, hot apple cider and other holiday goodies.
• Dec. 6 and 13: Simplified Technology’s, Tech Tuesdays, 4 – 8 p.m. Holiday treats and refreshments for all.
• Dec. 9: Accentra CU Open House, 1 – 5 p.m. Stop in and enjoy our display of nativity scenes and holiday flavored ice cream.
• Dec. 10: Village Co-op Open House, 1 – 4 p.m., Enjoy music and refreshments and visit some of homes.
• Dec. 10: YMCA, Parents Night Out, 5-9 p.m. Parents treat themselves to an evening out while their children enjoy games and crafts. Bring a sack lunch, snacks provided.
• Dec. 13: First Farmers & Merchants State Bank Brownsdale Holiday Open House, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Coffee, hot apple cider and other holiday goodies.
• Dec. 15: US Bank Open House, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Coffee, hot apple cider and other holiday goodies.
• Dec. 15: Home Federal Savings Bank Open House, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Annual holiday open house with hot apple cider, coffee and holiday cookies.
• Dec. 17: YMCA, Christmas family Fun night. Enjoy the YMCA from 6 to 8:45 p.m.
• Dec. 21: The Cedars of Austin Holiday Open House, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Serving a variety of bars, hot apple cider and a holiday punch. Register to win one of three hams to be given away.

 

Paramount Theatre holiday events

• Nov. 26: Historic Paramount Theatre, 7:30 p.m., Katie McMahon returns with her beloved Christmas program. The original soloist of “Riverdance” sings and plays the harp backed by a Celtic band and Irish style dancers.
• Dec. 1: Historic Paramount Theatre, 7:30 p.m., Whitesidewalls. The band plays rock ’n‘ roll from 1954 through 1964.
• Dec. 10: Historic Paramount Theatre, 7 p.m.., A Deer Camp Christmas Holy Bells.
• Dec. 11: Historic Paramount Theatre, 7 p.m., “Lucia Fest.” A memorial performance honoring Darren M. Lewis. Jane Taylor Academy of Dance Christmas Show.
• Dec. 16: Hormel Historic Home and Historic Paramount Theatre, “Radio Holly Days” dinner and show.