Early November temperatures may have belied the fact, but we are on the verge of celebrating the holiday season. And in Austin that can mean only one thing: It’s time for Christmas in the City.

This year marks the 27th anniversary of a holiday tradition that started in the heart of our community, downtown Austin. The Christmas in the City Kickoff remains the first of what has become a series of events that spans from the day after Thanksgiving through Dec. 20. All told, over 80 businesses are now involved from all across our community.

And they’re all inviting you to join in the celebration.

We have four major events in the Christmas in the City lineup, this year, starting with the Kickoff downtown, Friday, Nov. 27. Christmas in the Northwest will be held the following Tuesday, Dec. 1 and Christmas in the Southwest is Thursday, Dec. 3.

Austin’s east side has joined the holiday parade by organizing Christmas in the East, Wednesday, Dec. 2. Eleven businesses are offering a variety of entertainment along 11th Street Northeast (near Jim’s Market Place Foods), 10th Drive Southeast and near the airport. Santa Claus will fly in to the Austin Airport for that event and visit with children at the Mower County Humane Society.

You can’t have a holiday celebration without Santa Claus, sleigh rides, music or holiday treats. Christmas in the City has all that and much more. There’s a time, place and date that works into everyone’s schedule. So join in the fun, bring the family down and see what’s in store for you.

And be sure to come back, and do all your holiday shopping right here at home in Austin. These stores have what you need. They’re people you know, your friends and neighbors. They support our community.

A complete calendar of all Christmas in the City activities is available in printed form at the Chamber office, 329 N. Main St., and is also posted on the Chamber’s website at www.austincoc.com.