AUSTIN (KXAN) — Need to plan a getaway this weekend? Below is a list of events happening Saturday and Sunday in Austin and Central Texas.
Saturday, December 9th:
lost pines christmas
The Bastrop Lost Pines Christmas Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will feature Christmas carols, hot cocoa, popcorn, hot dogs, s’mores, window decorations, letters to Santa, and more.
The 2023 Lost Pines Light-up Christmas Parade is also scheduled to take place in Downtown Bastrop at 6 p.m. The city said the parade will feature floats, fire trucks, unicycles, vintage cars, dancing, Santa and more. He is scheduled to appear.
“This tradition literally enlivens Bastrop’s Christmas festivities,” the city said.
YMCA Snow Event
The CHASCO Family YMCA’s Christmas Dreams and Snowy Things celebration in Round Rock begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. Santa is expected to arrive between 10:45 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
The YMCA said the CHASCO Family YMCA will be blanketed in celebration with Christmas spirit and 100,000 pounds of snow.
“The incredible amount of snow transforms the CHASCO Family YMCA into a winter wonderland, creating memorable experiences for children and guests of all ages,” the YMCA said.
Organizers say there will be a variety of holiday-themed games, interactive booths, food, music and more.
“The snowy paradise provides the perfect setting for a special appearance by Santa Claus himself to share the spirit of giving and creating lifelong memories with children and families,” the YMCA said.
The event is free and open to the public.
Sunday, December 10th:
Texas State Capitol Menorah Lighting Ceremony
Gov. Greg Abbott is scheduled to speak at the menorah lighting ceremony at the Texas State Capitol at 4:30 p.m.
The ceremony will be held at the Texas State Capitol near the South Lawn.
Abbott will be joined by Rabbi Yosef Levertov, Rabbi Mendy Levertov and other local faith leaders in lighting the menorah shamash during the ceremony.
Jewish South Austin Hanukkah Celebration
The annual Hanukkah celebration will be held in Jewish South Austin from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Rabbi Mendel Hertz said the celebration, which is a cornerstone of the community, will be held at the South Austin Rec Center.
“At a poignant moment during the event, we will honor Holocaust survivors by inviting them to light the menorah,” Hertz said.