As Christmas gets closer it is time to reflect on the meaning of the season and to celebrate the joys of living with our families in the Texas Hill Country.As many of you know, there are a wide variety of family events that you won’t want to miss this season. here are a few of the highlights:
The 33rd annual Armadillo Christmas Bazaar will once again be at the Austin Convention Center. It remains the same truly Austin honky-tonk bar shopping experience that has made the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar one of the region’s most beloved holiday traditions – just a bigger venue.
This year it will once again be from 11 am to 11 pm every day from December 12th to December 24th.
Operation Blue Santa was started in 1972 by officers with the Austin Police Department who saw a need to provide assistance and share the Christmas experience with less fortunate residents of Austin. The first year, 20 families were provided Christmas dinner and gifts for the children. Today, Operation Blue Santa is a non-profit organization led by the Austin Police Department with the support from the Austin Fire Department, Austin Parks and Recreation and The Texas National Guard. Their goal is to serve over 3500 Austin families this year which is approximately 15,000 children.
Named in the Top Ten Holiday Lightings by USA Today, the Trail of Lights Festival is a wonderland of light painted on the canvas of nature.
This annual holiday tradition is celebrated in Austin’s beloved Zilker Metropolitan Park, 2100 Barton Springs Road.
The 2008 Trail of Lights opens Sunday, December 14th and runs nightly through December 23rd, 7pm – 10pm.
For more information, look for the Trail Guide in the Austin American Statesman on December 4th or call (512) 974-6700.
For ADA accommodations call (512)974-4038. For inclement weather closures call (512)477-5335 for a recorded message.
The Trail of Lights is generously supported by hundreds of volunteers, City of Austin staff, and sponsors.
