Festive Events Usher In Austin Holiday Season 2018

AUSTIN, TEXAS — For most of us, two things are inevitable during Thanksgiving week: Eating too much and large outdoor gatherings ushering in the holiday season. On the former, you're on your own, but do try to exercise the tactics of moderation.

For the latter, we've compiled some of these large gatherings — parades, races and whatnot. We've also included road closure information (where applicable) via the Downtown Austin Alliance to give motorists a heads up on road closures to accommodate the throngs.

THUNDERCLOUD SUBS TURKEY TROT

Nov. 22 from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

This event that includes a 5-mile run, one-mile run and Kids K is a tradition for Austin-area families wanting to partake in healthy activities. It's scheduled at the Long Center for the Performing Arts, 701 W. Riverside Dr. Price varies.

"Caritas of Austin, the Trot’s beneficiary for the last 27 years, believes that when every person has a stable place to call home, they can realize their full potential and contribute to our community," ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot organizers wrote on the event website. "Caritas builds well being by making sure that people have a safe home, access to healthy groceries, jobs that provide a reliable living wage, and educational opportunities to learn life skills."

Learn more about Caritas of Austin, and how they are working to prevent and end homelessness for people in Greater Austin.

Road closures:

• 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 10th and 11th streets between Congress Avenue and Guadalupe Street.
• 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 12th, 13th and 14th streets between Colorado and Guadalupe streets.
• 15th Street between Lavaca Street and Enfield Road.
• Guadalupe Street between Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and 15th Street.
• Guadalupe Street between Cesar Chavez and 6th streets.
• Lavaca Street between Cesar Chavez and 15th streets.
• San Antonio Street between Cesar Chavez and 2nd streets.
• San Antonio Street between 14th and 16th streets.
• Cesar Chavez Street between Congress Avenue and BR Reynolds Drive.
• Colorado Street between between Cesar Chavez and 5th Streets.

CHUY'S CHILDREN GIVING TO CHILDREN PARADE

Sunday, Nov. 24 starting at 10:45 am.

This hour-long parade starts at the state Capitol at 11th Street and Congress Avenue, moving south on Congress all the way to Cesar Chavez Street, and ending just north of the bridge. Click here for a parade map. The parade benefits Operation Blue Santa so bring new, unwrapped toys to donate. At a designated time during the parade procession, participants will stop to collect the toys from people lining the route. Santa's Helpers will line the parade route and help spectators give their toys intended for needy children to be distributed by Operation Blue Santa Program crews to a child, just in time for the holidays. Highlights include giant inflatable balloons, festive holiday floats, famous children's characters, spectacular marching bands, cool classic cars and, of course, the jolly old elf himself — Santa Claus. To participate, click here.

The parade will involve full and partial road closures beginning as early as 6 a.m. including San Jacinto from East 11th to 15th, the Austin Police Department noted in a press advisory. More details about road closures, alternative routes, and public transportation options are available on City Stage. "Parade attendees are encouraged to park on whichever side of Congress they will be exiting downtown to minimize delays," police wrote. "There are downtown lots, garages and metered spaces near the parade route. Please avoid parking on the route itself or within one block of Congress Avenue as your vehicle will not be allowed to move once the closure is in place and will be subject to tow."

Road closures:

• San Jacinto Boulevard between 11th Street and East 15th Street (closure will go into effect at 2 a.m.).
• East 14th Street between Trinity and Brazos streets (closure will go into effect at 2 a.m.).
• East 13th and East 13th streets between Trinity Street and San Jacinto Boulevard (between Trinity Street and San Jacinto Boulevard; closure will go into effect at 2 a.m.).
• East 11th Street (partial closure) between Trinity and Brazos streets. Note: Eastbound lanes will remain open.
• 11th Street between Lavaca and Brazos streets. This closure will be in effect from 9:00 a.m. until 1 p.m.
• 10th Street between San Jacinto Boulevard and Colorado Street. This closure will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• 9th, 8th, 7th, 6th, 5th, 4th, 3rd, 2nd streets and Cesar Chavez Street between Brazos and Colorado streets. These closures will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Cesar Chavez Street (partial closure) between Colorado and Lavaca streets. Westbound lanes will remain open. This closure will be in effect from around 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.
• Congress Avenue between 11th Street and Barton Springs Road. This closure will go into effect at 9 a.m.

SFC Farmers Market Downtown

Saturday, Nov. 24 from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The popular sustainable food center (SFC) farmers market downtown will be staged as usual in the midst of the Thanksgiving holiday, along 4th Street between Guadalupe and San Antonio streets.

Delicious pastries by Julie Myrtille were among the offerings at the SFC Farmers Market Downtown last weekend. Photo by Tony Cantú/Patch staff. Read more here.

52nd ZILKER HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING

Nov. 25, 6 p.m.

Austin's annual Zilker Holiday Tree Lighting kicks off the season of festivities in Zilker Park the Sunday after Thanksgiving, and its complimentary and open to anyone to enjoy!. Now in its 52nd year, the Zilker Holiday Tree is the largest man-made holiday tree standing 155 feet tall, composed of over 3,000 lights and built upon one of Austin's 17 historic moon towers. Access to the Zilker Tree is totally independent from Austin Trail of Lights admission, but even organizers encourage attendees to come down to Zilker Park and enjoy both. Food vendors and other merchants will operate at the tree throughout the month of December. The Zilker Holiday Tree will be on display each night from 6:00 p.m. to midnight until the end of the year. On Dec. 10, 1967, the first tree was first lighted by Mayor Pro Tem Mrs. Emma Long. In subsequent years, this honor has been awarded to the young winner of a city-wide tree art contest. Find out more info here: https://austintexas.gov/zilkerholidaytree.

HOLIDAY STROLL

Saturday, Dec. 1 from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.

This event staged by the Downtown Austin Alliance takes place from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., yielding a

night of holiday cheer in downtown Austin, including the annual KUT Austin & KUTX 98.9 Holiday Sing-Along and the lighting of the downtown tree. This free, family-friendly event has something for everyone including photos with Santa, a petting zoo, live ice sculpture, holiday arts & crafts, a live mural painting, local food trucks, artisan vendors, and more. Plus, enjoy a full night of live music with performances by the Austin Children's Choir, GirlFriend ATX, Shy Beast, and many others yet to be announced.

Schedule of events:

5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Holiday Stroll along Congress Avenue (an extra hour of fun this year!).

6 p.m. to 7 p.m., KUT & KUTX Holiday Sing-Along with John Aielli and Elizabeth McQueen.

7 p.m., lighting of the downtown tree. "Stay tuned for more details and make sure to mark your calendars now for what’s sure to be a festive and fun night!" organizers tantalizingly wrote on the event website.

Road closures:

• Congress Avenue between 9th and 11th streets.
• 10th and 11th streets between Brazos and Colorado streets.

AUSTIN TRAIL OF LIGHTS

Dec. 10 to Dec. 23

Organized by the Trail of Lights Foundation, an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to continually bringing the spirit of the holidays to the Austin and central Texas community every year. Adopting the Austin Trail of Lights in 2012, the Trail of Lights Foundation is focused on keeping this annual event an authentically Austin event for years to come by focusing on community engagement and support for the long-term sustainability of Austin’s largest community celebration. To get tickets and more information, click here.

Road closures:

• Stratford Drive between Robert E Lee and Mopac.
• Barton Springs Road between Robert E Lee and Columbus Drive.
• Stratford Drive between Barton Springs Road and MoPac Boulevard.
• Barton Springs Road between Azie Morton and Columbus Drive.

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>>> Photos from 2017 Zilker Park Trail of Lights by Tony Cantú/Patch staff