Kick off the Holiday Season with a family fun event in downtown Austin this Saturday, December 1, 2012. The 9th Annual Holiday Sing-Along and Downtown Stroll kicks off on the steps of the Texas State Capitol at 6pm with a sing-along of beloved Christmas Carols. The goose-bump chill factor is set at high with the thousands of voices blending together to sing favorites like Deck the Halls and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
There is a countdown to 7:00 pm, when the lighting of the Capitol Christmas Tree takes place. The 40 foot tree has lights that are programed to 10 different carols sung by local artists.
Once the caroling is completed and the tree is bright, the fun begins down Congress Avenue. Stores and restaurants are keeping their doors open later and offering fun specials. Corners are filled with live music and decorations and the town comes to life. There are a ton of fun events happening all over downtown in conjunction as well:
SFC Holiday Farmers Market: Over 40 vendors offering local food and art
Bike Zoo: A menagerie of bike creations and free face painting for the kids
Cookie Decorating at Old Bakery: Family friendly cookie decorating
Activity Zone at Austin Children’s Museum: Gingerbread Crafts
Live Performances by Austin School for Performing & Visual Arts
Art at AMOA-Arthouse
Christmas Cartoons at Paramount Theatre
Santa at the State Theatre: Photos with Santa
Arts & Crafts at Mexic-Arte Museum
for a full schedule of events, click here
The Holiday Sing-along and Downtown Stroll is sponsored by the Downtown Austin Alliance, KUT, Austin American Statesman, and FOX 7 Austin. You are asked to bring $3 or 3 canned goods to help fill the Capitol Area Food Bank. As the event is free, seems like the least we can do to give back to this awesome event!
There is to be an expected crowd of up to 10,000 people, so it is a very popular event. And it goes on rain or shine. Reguardless of the crowd, it sounds like a FUN event to start the Holiday season with.
Don’t forget about the Chuy’s Children Giving to Children Parade Saturday morning at 11am too!