Kick-off activities

Meet at First Avenue and Main Street at 5:30 p.m. and walk with Santa Claus, the Austinaires and other holiday characters to the stage to light the downtown Christmas displays.

• Photos with Santa: Town Center Building. Free candy cane treats for the kids.

•Live entertainment: Includes the Austinaires, Taylor Bliese and emcee Paul Pruitt. There will also be free Captain Kirby Train rides, horse-drawn wagon rides and magic by Jim Jayes. See Merry Elf and other characters strolling downtown.

•Musical Entertainment in the Town Center: Here the magical sound of the Ecumenical Bells Ensemble and more.

•Austin Fire Department: Come and see a fire engine on Main Street.

•Free face painting: The Matchbox Children’s Theatre will be located in the lower level of the ArtWorks Center, 5-7 p.m..

•Jane Taylor Academy of Dance Christmas Show: 7:30 p.m. at the Historic Paramount Theatre. The troupe will be presenting scenes from the Nutcracker and other holiday dances. Free will donation at the door.

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In-store activities

•Austin ArtWorks Center: Members gallery show opening, 5-7 p.m. Free.

•B&J Bar: Stop in for Christmas treats.

•Bendixen Jewelry: Warm up with hot apple cider and Christmas treats.

•Bridget’s Dance Conservatory: Enjoy a craft, cookies, hot chocolate and learn a dance with the Sugar Plum Fairy.

•Coffee House on Main: Check out the flavors of the day.

•George’s Pizza: Kids receive a glow-in-the-dark necklace.

•Hastings Shoes: Stop in for holiday treats. Receive 20 percent off all in-stock purchases.

•Home Country Connections Electronics: Stop by for cookies and cider. Ten percent off indoor/outdoor holiday lights, gaming controllers, satellite dish hoodies.

•InnoVision Eyecare: Warm-up with cider, coffee and cookies.

•Life Safety 4-U and Poet’s Heart: Town Center lobby, kids receive faith-related Christmas stickers and register for drawings.

•Lou’s Forever Framing: Photo ops with life-size elf cutouts, plus ping pong ball game for children 2-13.

•Piggy Blues BBQ: Free samples of holiday gelato flavors. Register for gift card drawing.

•Real Deals: Visit the store for candy canes and receive Real Deals Cash to use on Saturday, Nov. 24.

•Rydjor Bike Shop: Stop in for cookie decorating and free ornament.

•Salvation Army Kettle Kick-off: On Track Building. Create and decorate Red Kettles that the community will vote on by making donations in their favorite kettle. Also enjoy free hot chocolate.

•Sew Chic Alterations: Stop in for treats.

•Spam Museum: Write a letter to Santa. Enjoy a treat.

•Sweet Reads: Meet the Polar Express Conductor and make a “Polar Express” book mark craft.

•The Bakery Lounge: Keep warm with hot chocolate or cider with games for kids.

•The Style Lounge: Stop in for the gift card sale, enter to win prizes, have a flash photo session by Not Your Mama’s Photography.

•Twice is Nice: Join us for our 16th Christmas in the City where the store is transformed into Christ Wonderland. Twenty percent off all home decor and gifts Nov. 23 and 24.

•Zone Organization: On Track Building. Enjoy Christmas ornament decorating and treats.

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Holiday Events

Saturday, Nov. 24

• Post Black Friday Stress Reliever, at the Austin Eagles Club. Spend the afternoon playing Bingo or Horse Racing and enjoy a cocktail. Stay to listen to “Milo Savage” from 7:30-11:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 1

• Merry Tuba Christmas Concert, 11 a.m. at the Historic Paramount Theatre. Free annual holiday concert featuring tubas, sousaphones, euphoniums and basses for a fun, festive event for everyone. Audience participation and holiday attire encouraged.

Sunday, Dec. 2

• Rhythmic Circus: Holiday Shuffle, 2 p.m. at the Historic Paramount Theatre, Four hoofers and their swingin’ eight piece band invite you to experience this rapid-fire tap to upbeat holiday classics. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 day of the show.

Wednesday, Dec. 5

• Movie Night at the Paramount – “Muppet Christmas Carol,” 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Historic Paramount Theatre. Tickets arte $5 per person. Rated G.

Friday, Dec. 7

• “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” 7 p.m. at the Historic Paramount Theatre. A Matchbox Children’s Theatre production. Bring the whole family to this delightful holiday musical. Tickets are $10 for adults, $6 for youth 14 and under, and free for ages 2 and under.

Saturday, Dec. 8

•  “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” 7 p.m. at the Historic Paramount Theatre. A Matchbox Children’s Theatre production. Bring the whole family to this delightful holiday musical. Tickets are $10 for adults, $6 for youth 14 and under, and free for ages 2 and under.

Sunday, Dec. 9

• “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” 2 p.m. at the Historic Paramount Theatre. A Matchbox Children’s Theatre production. Bring the whole family to this delightful holiday musical. Tickets are $10 for adults, $6 for youth 14 and under, and free for ages 2 and under.

Wednesday, Dec. 12

• Movie Night at the Paramount – “Elf,” 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Historic Paramount Theatre. Tickets arte $5 per person. Rated PG.
• Faith Church Free Family Christmas Party, 6-7 p.m. at Faith Church. Play together, learn together, grow together. Come celebrate Jesus’ birth as a family with fun for everyone.

Saturday, Dec. 15

• • Christmas Family Fun Night at the YMCA, 6-8 p.m. at the Austin YMCA. Enjoy holiday crafts, cookie decorating, bounce house, photos with Santa and more. Free to members, $20 for non-member families.

Sunday, Dec. 16

• “The Nutcracker Ballet,” 6 p.m. at Knowlton Auditorium, Austin High School. Join Bridget’s Dance Conservatory for this holiday favorite and journey to the Land of the Sweets with the Sugar Plum Fairy. Tickets are $10 per person.

Wednesday, Dec. 19

• Movie Night at the Paramount – “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Historic Paramount Theatre. Tickets arte $5 per person. Rated PG-13.

Sunday, Dec. 23

• Eagles Annual Free Christmas Dinner, 1-4 p.m. at the Austin Eagles Club. Come enjoy a traditional ham and turkey Christmas dinner. Santa will be there with a gift for every child.