Welcome to December!

December is here, and the holiday season is in full swing! If your house is anything like ours, it’s already a mix of tangled lights, half-eaten advent chocolates, and endless to-do lists.  

As parents, we know this season is equal parts magical and chaotic, which is why we’ve rounded up the best local festive events and activities to help you make the most of this most wonderful time of the year!

In this week’s newsletter:

• 🗓️ Local upcoming & ongoing events

• 🫶 Ways to give back this holiday season

 🔴 🟠 🟢 

BEE CAVE HOLIDAY MARKET
Shop a rotating lineup of local vendors offering festive handmade goods. Stick around for ice skating, holiday music, and family-friendly fun in the Central Plaza.

📅 Various dates and times from December 6-21
💵 FREE
📍 Hill Country Galleria, 4000 Galleria Parkway, Bee Cave, TX 78738

LIGHTS ON
Lakeway’s annual Christmas celebration is filled with live music, festive treats, fun activities, and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus - all leading up to the magical lighting of the Trail of Lights!

📅 Friday, December 6th, 6pm
💵 FREE
📍 Lakeway City Hall Parking Lot, 1102 Lohmans Crossing, Lakeway, TX 78734
ℹ️ More info 

LAKEWAY TRAIL OF LIGHTS
Experience the magic of Lakeway’s beloved tradition with a festive stroll through the brilliantly lit trail.

📅 December 6-January 1, 6pm-Midnight
💵 FREE
📍 Lakeway City Hall Parking Lot, 1102 Lohmans Crossing, Lakeway, TX 78734
📍 Lakeway Activity Center (lower parking lot), 105 Cross Creek, Lakeway, TX 78734
ℹ️ More info

JINGLE BELL 5K & KIDS DASH
Stay active with this fun-filled event supporting Central Texas non-profits. Enjoy costume contests, amazing swag, and festive fun for all ages and abilities.

📅 Saturday, December 7th, 5K @ 8am, Kids Dash @ 8:45am
💵 $25 for 5K, $15 for Kids Dash
📍 Hill Country Galleria, 12700 Hill Country Blvd, Bee Cave, TX 78738
ℹ️ More info

PANCAKES WITH SANTA
Start the day with pancakes, Santa, and firetrucks! Spread holiday cheer by bringing an unwrapped toy for Travis County’s Brown Santa Toy Drive.

📅 Saturday, December 7th, 10am-12pm
💵 FREE
📍 Pedernales Fire Station 802, 21311 W Hwy 71, Spicewood, TX 78669
ℹ️ More info

MERRY MAKING SATURDAY
Bee Cave Library’s annual celebration is a sweet dance party with musician Staci Gray, Storytime, and festive crafts and activities for all ages.

📅 Saturday, December 7th, 2-4pm
💵 FREE
📍 Bee Cave Library, 4000 Galleria Pkwy, Bee Cave, TX 78738

LAKE TRAVIS LIGHTED BOAT PARADE
Bring the whole family for this breathtaking spectacle, with boats adorned in dazzling lights gliding across the waters of Lake Travis.

📅 Saturday, December 7th, 6-10pm
💵 New, unopened toy for Travis County’s Brown Santa for entry
📍 Crosswater Yacht Club, 1505 Hurst Creek Rd, Austin, TX 78734
ℹ️ More info

HOLLY JOLLY FESTIVAL
Shop small business vendors, enjoy festive crafts, Santa photo ops, live music, a ferris wheel, charm bar, specialty cocktails, food trucks, and so much more! 100% of profits go to Saint Louise House.

📅 Saturday, December 7th, 6-10pm
💵 $35/person
📍 Star Hill Ranch, 15000 Hamilton Pool Rd, Bee Cave, TX 78738
ℹ️ More info

LAKEWAY SINGALONG CHRISTMAS SHOW
Lakeway SingAlong presents their 2024 Christmas show, "Sing We Now of Christmas," with two family-friendly performances.

📅 Sunday, December 8th, 2pm & 4pm
💵 Price of admission is an unwrapped toy benefitting LT Lov’s Green Santa for children of local needy families
📍 Lakeway Activity Center, 105 Cross Creek, Lakeway, TX 78734

LAKE TRAVIS LIBRARY HOLIDAY CELEBRATION
Join in caroling with Lakeway's Nipped in the Bud quartet, get creative with festive crafts, play holiday games, and enjoy tasty refreshments.

📅 Tuesday, December 10th, 6:30pm
💵 FREE
📍 Lake Travis Community Library, 1938 Lohmans Crossing, Lakeway, TX 78734

 🔴 🟠 🟢 

ELF THE MUSICAL | Now-December 22nd | TexARTS | $45-$75 | Tickets | Support local artists in this comedy musical based on the beloved holiday film.

PHOTOS WITH SANTA | Now-December 24th | Hill Country Galleria | FREE (no professional photographer) | Dates & Times

BEE CAVE ON ICE | Now-January 5th | Hill Country Galleria | $15 Mon, Wed-Sun; $10 Tues | Reservations

 🔴 🟠 🟢 

What better way to spread holiday joy than by giving back to our local community? We’re highlighting several incredible local organizations and non-profits that could use a little extra cheer. Whether it’s donating toys to brighten a child’s Christmas morning, volunteering your time to help families in need, or supporting unique causes that make Lake Travis special, there are so many ways to get involved. Let’s turn the season of “getting” into one of giving and show our kids what the true holiday spirit is all about.

Travis County’s Brown Santa: This 501(c)(3) non-profit provides gifts and food to families and elderly residents in need across Travis Country - a true “for the community, by the community” effort.

• Runs from November 12-December 12

• Pancakes with Santa & Lake Travis Lighted Boat Parade are accepting toys for their events

Bee Cave Arts Foundation: Since 2010, this non-profit has been on a mission to enrich the community by bringing art to life in public spaces through awareness, education, and creative integration.

• Stop in Wednesday through Saturday from 1-5pm (through January 7th) for their Holiday Show featuring 45+ local artists

Lake Travis Education Foundation: LTEF is a non-profit dedicated to raising funds to support and enhance education for students in the Lake Travis Independent School District (LTISD).

• The Hill Country Turkey Trot raised $80,000 for Lake Travis schools last year!

LT Lov: Since 2007, they’ve been uplifting families in the Lake Travis community with impactful programs and the power of generosity.

• Their Green Santa Program collects toy donations and accepts monetary contributions for families in need.

• Lakeway SingAlong Christmas Show proudly benefits LT Lov.

A Kind Hart Foundation: A Kind Hart is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the greater Lake Travis community with compassion and care.

• The foundation partners with Lake Travis High School’s CAV Lounge, providing shoes and other essentials for students to “shop” for necessities and school supplies.

PAWS Shelter: A no-kill shelter committed to caring for animals in need and giving them a second chance.

• Dripping Springs Campus Wish List