Winter event guide: Holiday fun is around the corner
Thanksgiving this Thursday, November 27, kicks off the holiday season, and the Georgetown area has a plethora of winter activities scheduled for the next month for adults and children alike.
Disney’s Frozen
In the regional premiere of the Broadway musical based on the feature film, join Princesses Anna and Elsa as they make new friends, learn about sisterhood and find the true meaning of love. This will be playing on the Springer Stage with an ASL night on November 29.
November 21-February 1
ThunderCloud Sub’s 35th Annual Turkey Trot
Kick off Thanksgiving with ThunderCloud’s annual Turkey Trot. Potential runners can either walk the 1-mile, run the 5-mile course at the LongCenter in Austin or participate virtually. All proceeds for this event are donated to Caritas of Austin, a nonprofit aimed at ending homelessness in Austin. ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot’s sole beneficiary since the beginning in 1991. Runners can register at www.thundercloud.com/event-info/.
November 27, 7 a.m.
Fleet Feet Turkey Trot
Celebrate Thanksgiving morning with a turkey trot in Round Rock. The run will be 3.3 miles and proceeds from the race will benefit The Round Rock Serving Center, Operation Blue Santa, and the Play for All Abilities Park. The race will start at 2008 Harrell Parkway in Round Rock. It is $25 to register, and registration can be found at https://tinyurl.com/2acc4yz2. The Round Rock Serving Center and Operation Blue Santa will be accepting non-perishable food items and children’s toys, respectively.
November 27, 8 a.m.
Georgetown Community Thanksgiving
Celebrate Thanksgiving with your Georgetown neighbors at the annual community Thanksgiving that will take place in the Community Center at 445 East Morrow Street. Everyone is welcome to partake in traditional Thanksgiving fare.
November 27, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Lighting Of The Square
The Christmas spirit comes to Georgetown each year the day after Thanksgiving during the city’s Lighting of the Square. After Black Friday shopping on the Square, evening holiday festivities include live entertainment, snacks, carolers, a visit from Santa and a ceremonial tree lighting by local officials. A flip of the switch gives life to decorations around the courthouse.
November 28, at sundown
Dashing Through the Snow
In the four days leading up to Christmas in the tiny town of Tinsel, Texas, an eccentric group of guests arrive at Snowflake Inn to bring in some holiday hilarity. This play will be shown on the Playhouse stage.
November 28-December 3
Coffee and Cocoa Crawl
Enjoy some warm drinks in conjunction with Small Business Saturday. Do some holiday shopping at local businesses while welcoming in the winter season with warm cocoa and coffee.
November 29, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Christmas at Sweet Eats Adventure Farm
This year’s Christmas celebration includes photos with Santa, a candy cane hunt, a cookie palooza and breakfast with Santa. Dates for specific Christmas-themed events can be found at https://tinyurl.com/yc22zjad. The farm is located at 14400 State Highway 29.
November 29-December 24
Sunday with Santa at Garey Park
Santa will take photos with children aged three to 15 at Garey House in Garey Park. Personal cameras must be brought for the photos. There are three time slots: 12:30-2:30 p.m., 1:15-3:15 p.m. and 2-4 p.m. It is $15 per child. In addition to photos with everyone’s favorite toy maker, there will be light snacks and a chance for kids to write a letter to Santa that will deliver straight to the North Pole. Registration can be found at https://tinyurl.com/sewhre56.
November 30, 12:30-4 p.m.
Round Rock’s Hometown Holiday
Round Rock’s Hometown Holiday is a full month celebration of the holiday season, including live music in Prete Plaza, activities and decorative holiday displays every evening. For more information, visit https://downtownroundrocktexas.com/events/hometownholiday
December 1-31
The Georgetown Project Wreath Auction
Celebrate The Georgetown Project and support the organization’s youth programs at a holiday party and wreath auction. The wreaths that are up for auction were crafted and donated by businesses and community members who support The Georgetown Project’s mission. The event takes place at The Embree Group office, 4747 Williams Drive and will include light appetizers, drinks and dessert. There is no cost to attend, but the organization asks guests to RSVP ahead of time online. Visit https://tinyurl.com/ yuyj855m for more information and registration.
December 1, 6:30 p.m.
Giving Tuesday
Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving that takes place the Tuesday immediately after Thanksgiving. Austin-based nonprofit I Live Here I Give Here will serve as the official leader for Central Texas for Giving Tuesday on December 2. Residents can donate to Williamson County nonprofits at the www.amplifyatx.org website. Nonprofits can be filtered by cause or the county served.
December 2
Southwestern’s Candlelight Service
A 110-year-old tradition, Southwestern’s Candlelight Service is a celebration of hope, peace, joy and love. The service is held at Lois Perkins Chapel on the Southwestern University campus. Free admission, with limited seating. There are two service times, 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
December 4, 6 and 8 p.m.
Christmas Stroll
A variety of live entertainment, shopping, dining, a parade and children’s activities are the perfect way to jingle in the Christmas season. The Christmas Stroll will take place on the Square over three days and will provide residents and visitors the opportunity to buy unique gifts and create lasting memories. This year’s stroll will be Candyland-themed.
December 5-7
Kiwanis Holiday Home Tour
As part of the 24th home holiday tours by the Sun City Kiwanis Club, five homes will be in the spotlight with Christmas decorations galore to raise funds for scholarships for Georgetown high school seniors and Key Clubs. This year’s holiday home tour will take place the first weekend of December. Kiwanis Club of Sun City members sell and distribute tickets. The club’s website is https://k15211.site.kiwanis.org.
December 5-7
The Nutcracker in Austin
One of Austin’s favorite holiday traditions — Ballet Austin’s The Nutcracker — is back for the winter. The curtain rises at the Long Center December 5 and will run through December 23 for its 63rd annual run. Visit https://balletaustin.org for tickets and schedules.
December 5-23
Light up the Lake
The annual Light Up the Lake, a two-day holiday festival around the lake and festival area at Old Settlers Park, will feature giant balloons hovering over Bright Lake, a light show, live music, holiday displays, holiday food and refreshments, crafts, family activities, yule log and more. This is a walking event where pathways will include sidewalks and grass terrain – please plan accordingly.
December 5-6
Cocoa with Cowboys
Warm up during the Christmas Stroll at the Williamson Museum at Cocoa with Cowboys! This is a free event, open to all.
December 6, 6-8 p.m.
Taylor’s Christmas Parade
The City of Taylor’s annual Christmas parade and tree lighting takes place downtown. A vendor village will be set up from 3-9 p.m. The parade — which runs along Main Street from 12th to Third Street and will end west on Third Street to Vance — takes place at about 6 p.m, with a tree lighting at Heritage Square Park immediately following the parade.
December 6, 3-9 p.m.
The Nutcracker presented by East Side Performing Arts
The Palace Theatre will host an hour-and-a-half production of Christmas classic The Nutcracker featuring professional, pre-professional and youth dancers. This production also highlights Central Texas talent. Tickets can be found at https://tinyurl.com/7p62ybvf.
December 6-7, 3-4:30 p.m.
A Baroque Christmas
The San Gabriel Chorale, under the direction of Dr. Bruce Cain, invites the community to a festive holiday concert at Southwestern University’s Alma Thomas Theater. A Baroque Christmas will feature selections from Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, Vivaldi’s Magnificat and Handel’s Messiah. Tickets are $25 for adults, and students under 18 or with an SU ID get in free. Tickets may be purchased online at www.sangabrielchorale.com or at the door.
December 7, 4 p.m.
A Tuna Christmas
A Texas Christmas classic, A Tuna Christmas, will be held at the Penfold Theatre in Round Rock just in time for the holiday season. This two-person comedic play shows the lives of residents in small town Tuna, Texas, as they prepare for the holidays.
December 12-December 28
Swedish Candlelight Christmas
The Old Settler’s Association and the Williamson Museum are coming together to celebrate Swedish Holiday Traditions and Santa Lucia Day with crafts, living history Julboard tastings and more. The event is located at 3300 East Palm Valley Boulevard in Round Rock.
December 12, 6-9 p.m.
Florence’s Christmas on Main Street
This year’s Christmas on Main Street in downtown Florence will include a parade, live band, vendors, food, and activities such as a petting zoo, snowball fight and visits with Santa.
December 13, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Preservation Georgetown Holiday Home Tour
This tour will show off a selection of Georgetown’s historic homes complete with holiday decor. Proceeds from the tour will benefit the Preservation Grant Fund Program. Tickets can be found on the Preservation Georgetown website.
December 13, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; December 14, noon to 5 p.m.
Very Merry Jarrell Christmas
The City of Jarrell presents a Very Merry Jarrell Christmas. The event includes crafts, food, treats, vendors, a visit from Santa and activities. It takes place on Fifth Street in downtown Jarrell.
December 13, 3-7 p.m.
North Austin Ballet
The North Austin Ballet presents The Nutcracker on December 13-14 at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. in the Liberty Hill Highschool Performing Arts Center. Find tickets at www.thedanceacademytx.com/events.
December 13-14
Round Rock History On Stage
Sam Bass Theatre Association will present “Between The Outlaw & The Rock,” a play steeped in Round Rock history that is written and directed by Georgetown resident and artist Peg Patrone. The plot follows the stories of local legends A.W. Grimes, Sam Bass and other characters that fill the new town at the Round Rock crossing along the Chisholm Trail.Performances are at the Old Settlers Association December 18-20. Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. for all shows, with an additional 3 p.m. matinee on Saturday, December 20. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit
www.sambasstheatre.org.
December 18-20
Breakfast with Santa
Santa will come visit the San Gabriel Community Center at 445 East Morrow Street to have breakfast with all the children and family members who attend. The Georgetown Fire Department will be responsible for griddling and pancakes and cooking the sausage. Photos with Santa will be made available.
December 20, 6:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Central Texas Philharmonic’s ‘Messiah’
Celebrate the spirit of the Christmas season with one of the most cherished holiday traditions—Handel’s Messiah. The Central Texas Philharmonic joins forces with Panoramic Voices for a performance of this timeless masterpiece. Held at the Klett Performing Arts Center in Georgetown. Visit www.centraltexasphilharmonic.org for more information.
December 21, 4-6 p.m.