It’s time to gear up for Christmas. Thanksgiving is done, but the holiday season is just getting underway. It’s the time for giving and sharing. Food drives, fundraisers, bake sales and plenty of goings on abound. It’s also a time for fun.

1.) Festival of lights

As Christmas in the City officially gets underway, it’s really time for people to lighten up. Yogi Bear Park on Interstate 90 east of Austin is going to lighten up, literally. The Austin Festival of Lights opens from 5 to 11 p.m. Friday. To tour the maze of lights costs $15 per car, and the lights aren’t just strewn about, either. A sea monster, perhaps? I’m not sure what that has to do with Christmas, but I will certainly be checking it out.

2.) Christmas in the City

Back in Austin, the Christmas in the City official kickoff begins 6 p.m. Friday downtown. The annual event on Main Street is ready to go. The lights and wreaths are up, and Austin is ready to celebrate in each sector of the city with arts, Santa, food, games, petting zoos and more

3.) The Nutcracker

Jane Taylor’s Academy of dance is ready for the season as well. Her dance crew will perform “The Nutcracker” at the Paramount Theatre (125 Fourth Ave. NE) starting at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Once again, it’s all in conjunction with Christmas in the City, and this event is free.

4.) Black Friday beats

If you’re not into watching others dance but would like to dance yourself, head down to the El Parral Ballroom at 8 p.m. Friday. Box Fan Presents: Black Friday Dub for all the techno-savvy dancers out there. Tickets are $8 at the door, 210 Fourth St. NE.

5.) Time to decorate

After all that Black Friday madness, gear up again on Saturday and get ready to decorate. It’s the annual wreath decorating seminar at 2 p.m. at Berg’s Nursery, 904 First Ave. SW. So don’t just buy a wreath this year, make your own

Other events

Hold on, there are way more than five events happening throughout the next week. There are plenty of musical performances, Christmas decorating events, breakfasts, dinners, fundraisers, games and more.

Look to Reporter Matt Peterson’s column every Friday for more about upcoming events in Austin. For even more, check out the calendar on Page 4 every day in the print edition and the AustinDailyHerald.com homepage.

And don’t forget, check out the Austin Daily Herald’s Christmas in the City tabloid, which features a detailed rundown of all of Austin’s Christmas fun events to come.