NOV. 27-DEC. 24 | Donate pet food
Tomlinson’s Feed is hosting its annual pet food drive, Pound4Pound, to feed 35 local animal rescues through 2021. Donations are accepted at any Tomlinson’s Feed location; there are two locations in Cedar Park and Leander. The company and six food suppliers will match donations per pound. www.tomlinsons.com
DEC. 4-6 | Vintage Market Days
Shop for vintage goods, antiques, original art, clothing, jewelry, plants and more at Vintage Market Days of Greater Austin. There will also be a food truck area. Tickets from any 2020 Vintage Market Days of Greater Austin event will be accepted. Tickets are valid for re-entry all weekend. Social distancing measures will be in place, and masks are required. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (Dec. 4-5), 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (Dec. 6). $15 (Dec. 4) $10 (Dec. 5-6). Free for children 12 and under. H-E-B Center, 2100 Avenue of the Stars, Cedar Park. https://vintagemarketdays.com/market/greater-austin
DEC. 4-JAN. 3 | Take photos with Santa's sleigh
The city of Cedar Park will have photo opportunities at Heritage Oak Park with a lit tree and Santa’s sleigh. Visitors can come and go throughout the day, but photos are recommended at night. Free. Heritage Oak Park, 875 Quest Parkway, Cedar Park. www.cedarparktexas.gov
DEC. 5 | Old Town Leander Christmas Spectacular
A tree lighting, Christmas marketplace, choir performances, 5K race and community demonstrations will be part of the annual Old Town Leander Christmas event. The Rudolph Run race will begin at 9 a.m., and a drive-thru parade will begin at 6 p.m. Free. Old Town Leander, 100 N. Brushy St., Leander. 512-259-1907. https://visitleandertx.com
DEC. 5 | Smooth Village Christmas Festival
The weekly farmers market at Smooth Village will sell items for your Christmas gift list and offer live music and food trucks throughout the day. The farmers market opens at 9 a.m. Smooth Village, 203 W. Broade St., Leander. 512-698-1839. www.smoothvillage.com
DEC. 5 | Skate with Santa
Ice skate with Santa and his helpers during an all-ages public skate at Chaparral Ice. The two-hour skate starts at 4:30 p.m., and tickets include skate rental and admission. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door. $17. 4:30-6:30 p.m. Chaparral Ice, 1717 Scottsdale Drive, Cedar Park. 512-252-8500. https://cp.chaparralice.com
DEC. 5-6 | "Follow the Star"
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church has turned its annual live Christmas production into a televised production with three viewing times. It will be televised on KXAN, The CW Austin, and KBVO on Dec. 5 at 5 and 9 p.m. and on Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. Free. Virtual event. https://gstx.org/follow-the-star-fts
DEC. 5-6 | Canned food drive
In connection with the "Follow The Star" performances, a canned food drive will be held for two days at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church to benefit Hill Country Community Ministries’ food pantry. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 700 W. Whitestone Blvd., Cedar Park. 512-258-6227. https://gstx.org/follow-the-star-fts
DEC. 7-11 | Grab-and-go holiday ornament
Pick up a paper holiday ornament kit from the Leander Public Library and watch an instructional video Dec. 11 to learn how to make it. Pickup days are Dec. 7-11. 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Free. Leander Public Library, 1011 S. Baghdad Road, Leander. 512-259-5259. www.leandertx.gov/library
DEC. 11-12 | The Nutcracker on Ice
Watch a cast of 60 skaters perform The Nutcracker on Ice. There are performances over two nights. Guests ages 3 and up must wear masks and be temperature checked upon entry. Seating is socially distanced. $15-30. Chaparral Ice, 1717 Scottsdale Drive, Cedar Park. 512-252-8500. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-nutcracker-on-ice-tickets-129751717881
DEC. 12 | Pancakes & PJs
Dress in your Christmas pajamas and visit the Leander Public Library for a hot breakfast, crafts and a visit from Santa. Ready-made breakfast plates and craft packs will be provided. There will be three ticketed sessions hosted by the city’s parks and recreation department. Masks are required. 8-11:30 a.m. $5 (per child), free (adults). Leander Public Library, 1011 S. Baghdad Road, Leander. 512-528-9909. https://secure.rec1.com/TX/city-of-leander-tx/catalog
DEC. 12 | Blue Santa donation collection
Donate toys and bikes to the Leander Police Department’s Blue Santa program and have fun at a festival with food, music, raffles and a petting zoo. Donations are accepted for admission. This is hosted by BeeZee Prime Properties and Nameless Farm. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Nameless Farm, 14307 Round Mountain Road, Leander. 512 817-4284.
DEC. 13 | Virtual chocolate experience with Santa
Decorate a chocolate ornament and listen to Santa read a holiday story at a virtual chocolate experience with Delysia Chocolatier. Tickets include a chocolate molded ornament, two edible chocolate markers, and a virtual chocolate experience with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Chocolates will be shipped to you. $25. 4-5 p.m. Virtual event. 512-413-4701. https://delysia.com
DEC. 18-JAN. 8 | Winter reading club
Join the Cedar Park Public Library in its Winter Reading Club program. Activities will begin Dec. 18, and participants will earn a virtual prize drawing ticket for each completed activity. Children, teens and adults may register for the program at any time. Virtual event. 512-401-5600. http://cedarparktexas.beanstack.org
DEC. 19 | Hill Country Flyer
Take a trip through the Hill Country in Christmas-decorated cars for the December Hill Country Flyer ride. The trip is six hours, including a two-hour layover in Burnet. $30-$60 per ticket. 9 a.m. Austin Steam Train Association's Cedar Park Depot, 401 E. Whitestone, Ste. C-100, Cedar Park. 512-402-3830. www.austinsteamtrain.org
To submit a December holiday event in Cedar Park or Leander to be added to this list, please email [email protected].
Editor's note: This article has been updated with additional details and events. The Drive 'N Drag Saves Christmas event has been canceled.
