Kickoff Activities

Meet at First Avenue and Main Street at 5:30 p.m. and accompany Santa and Mrs. Claus, the Austinaires, Merry Elf Elfson, and other holiday characters to Town Center stage to light the downtown Christmas displays.

• Photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus: Bring your camera and take your picture with Santa and Mrs. Claus in the Town Center Building. Free candy cane treats for the kids.

• Live Entertainment: On stage performances including the Austinaires, Taylor Bliese and emcee Paul Pruitt. Sound provided by Imagery Sound. Take in free Kaptain Kirby Train Rides, horse-drawn wagon rides and magic by Jim Jayes.

• Musical Entertainment in Town Center: Hear the Ecumenical Bell Ensemble, AHS Flute Choir, and Dan Ulland on the keyboard.

• Free Face Painting: Provided by Matchbox Children’s Theatre and located in the Austin ArtWorks Center basement (elevator accessible).

• Austin Fire Department: The AFD will have a ladder truck on Main Street. Sparky may even make an appearance.

• Jane Taylor Academy of Dance: The Jane Taylor Academy of Dance will perform scenes from “The Nutcracker” and other holiday dances at 7:30 p.m. at the Historic Paramount Theatre. Free will donation.

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In-Store Activities

• B & J Bar and Grill: Stop by for Christmas treats.

•  Bendixen Jewelry: Warm up with hot apple cider and Christmas treats. Twenty percent off all in-stock merchandise.

• Coffee House on Main: Check out our flavor of the day.

•  George’s Pizza: Kids stop in for your red or green glow necklace.

• Hastings Shoes: Enjoy treats during the open house. Ten percent discount storewide.

• Innovision Eyecare: Stop by for cookies and apple cider.

•  Lou’s Forever Framing: Stop in for photos with “life-size” elf cutouts, plus ping pong games for children ages 2-13. Receive Christmas mug with treats.

•  Novedades Cristal: Come in and enjoy a free cup of “Ponche” and tamale. Browse our store for those special Chirstmas items.

• Piggy Blues BBQ: Free samples of holiday gelato flavors. Register for prizes.

• Rydjor Bike Shop: Stop in to decorate your own Christmas cookie.

• Salvation Army: Make a difference by donating to the red kettle.

• Salvation Army Canteen: Stop by on Main Street for free hot chocolate.

•  Spam Museum: Come down and get your letter off to Santa. There will be cookies and face painting by Austin Positive Action Coalition.

• Sweet Reads: The Polar Express comes to Sweet Reads. Experience the Polar Express with a visit by the conductor, a craft and a polar treat.

•  Twice is Nice: Check out three floors of shopping paradise all decorated for the holiday. Twenty percent off all home décor and gifts.

• Zonta Club of Austin: “Helping Hands” at the On Track Building. Stop in to place your hand to form a Christmas tree on the wall or window. Treats for kids.