Choose your Christmas tree

Through Dec. 15: The Elgin Christmas Tree Farm is open daily through Dec. 15. Check the farm’s Facebook page for open times Dec. 15-23. Customers take a hayride to the cutting fields where they can find their preferred tree.

10 a.m.-2 p.m. (Mon.- Thu.), 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. (Fri.-Sat.), noon-5:30 p.m. (Sun.). $11 (per tree foot; prices increase as season progresses). Elgin Christmas Tree Farm, 120 Nature’s Way, Elgin. 512-281-5016. www.elginchristmastreefarm.com

Partake in photos and more at Lakeline Mall

Through Dec. 24: Santa Claus will be available for photos at Lakeline Mall. Special events include a sensory-friendly opportunity Dec. 8 for children across the spectrum of needs to take photos with Santa and a Disney Junior Play Date on Dec. 14, featuring crafts and games.

Various times. Free. Lakeline Mall, 11200 Lakeline Mall Drive, Cedar Park. 512-257-8501. www.simon.com/mall/lakeline-mall

Peruse a holiday bazaar

Through Dec. 24: The Blue Genie Art Bazaar includes more than 200 artists with a full bar. Ten percent of profits each Monday are donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central and South Texas.

10 a.m.-10 p.m. daily. Free (admission). Blue Genie Art Bazaar, 6100 Airport Blvd., Austin. www.bluegenieartbazaar.com

Celebrate the holiday season with carols and cider

Through Dec. 24: The Hill Country Galleria Holiday Village features 20 local vendors, and guests can listen to carolers, enjoy mulled cider, and take photos with Santa and his reindeer.

4-8 p.m. (Thu.- Sun.). Free (admission). The Hill Country Galleria, 12700 Hill Country Blvd., Bee Cave. 512-263-0001. www.hillcountrygalleria.com

See the Zilker Holiday Tree light up

Dec. 1: The tradition of lighting the Zilker Holiday Tree around the moon- tower in the park returns for the 53rd year. The tree stands 155 feet tall and has 3,309 lights in total with a 10-foot star on top.

6 p.m. Free. Zilker Park, 2100 Barton Springs Road, Austin. 512-974-6700. www.austintexas.gov/zilkerholidaytree

Shop a holiday boutique

Dec. 5: Twin Creeks Country Club hosts a holiday boutique where people can shop for gifts from local vendors.

Noon-7 p.m. Free admission. Twin Creeks Country Club, 3201 Twin Creeks Club Drive, Cedar Park. 512-331-5900. www.twincreeksclub.com

Watch a holiday classic

Dec. 7: The Arboretum invites families to its Holiday Movie Night to watch “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” on an outdoor 25-foot movie screen. Fam- ilies are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs.

6-9 p.m. Free. The Arboretum, 10000 Research Blvd., Austin. 512-338-4755. www.thearboretum.com

Enjoy a holiday craft fair

Dec. 7: Join the Brushy Creek Municipal Utility District for the annual holiday event at Cat Hollow Park. The holiday festival and craft fair will feature Santa Claus, a bounce house, horse-drawn carriage rides, a petting zoo, carolers and local artisans.

Noon- 3 p.m. Free. Cat Hollow Park, 8600 O’Connor Drive, Round Rock. 512-255-7871. www.bcmud.org

Create a craft at the library

Dec. 8: Create wooden signs with vinyl at Austin Public Library’s Holiday Craft-a-palooza event. The library is providing all the supplies needed.

3-5 p.m. Free. Little Walnut Creek Branch library, 835 W. Rundberg Lane, Austin. 512-974-9860. www.library.austintexas.gov

Walk through the Austin Trail of Lights

Dec. 10-23: The 55th annual display of holiday lights in Zilker Park begins with a grand opening Dec. 10 with a count- down ceremony, entry tunnel lighting and more in a free event.

7-10 p.m. nightly. Free (Dec. 10-12, Dec. 15-18), $5 (other nights). 2100 Barton Springs Road, Austin. www.austintrailoflights.org

Social with chamber members

Dec. 11: The Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce hosts a holiday social for people to meet with the members of the board and advisory council. 6-8 p.m. Free (members), $10 (nonmembers who preregister), $20 (nonmembers who do not preregister).

Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce, 8001 Centre Park Drive, Austin 512-407-8240. www.austinasianchamber.org

See 'The Nutcracker' jazzed up

Dec. 12-22: “Of Mice and Music” is a jazz tap version of “The Nutcracker” featuring a version of the original Tchaikovsky score alongside jazz classics. The show, presented by Tapestry Dance Company, features local Austin jazz musicians.

2 p.m., 7:30 p.m. $24-$34. The Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Drive, Austin. 512-474-5664. www.thelongcenter.com

Armadillo Christmas Bazaar

Dec. 13-24: The 12-day market features artisan goods, live music from 36 bands and two full bars.

11 a.m.-10 p.m. (Dec. 13-23), 11 a.m.-8 p.m. (Dec. 24). Free (ages 12 and younger), $10 (one-day pass), $50 (season pass ages 13 and older). Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Road, Austin. www.armadillobazaar.com

Make a holiday card or gift bag

Dec. 14: Austin Public Library is providing supplies for attendees to decorate gift bags and boxes or create holiday cards for friends and family. Light refreshments will be provided.

2-3:30 p.m. Free. Milwood Branch Library, 12500 Amherst Drive, Austin. 512-974-9880. www.library.austintexas.gov

Play in the 'snow' in a winter wonderland

Dec. 14: An interactive, wintry display will be at the Texas Stars game against the Tucson Roadrunners. The event includes photos with Santa, live reindeer and a place for fans to play in the snow.

7 p.m. $22.50-$51. H-E-B Center at Cedar Park, 2100 Avenue of the Stars, Cedar Park. 512-467-8277. www.texasstars.com

Take sensory-friendly photos with Santa

Dec. 14: Children with special needs can enjoy photos with Santa in a calm, sensory-friendly environment. Families have space to relax, make a craft or sit for elf storytime. Families are encouraged to visit the website to reserve a time.

10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Church, 3315 El Salido Parkway, Cedar Park. 512-219-9008. www.selfieswithsanta.org

Watch a winter wonderland on ice

Dec. 20-21: Chaparral Ice hosts two holiday skating shows featuring Chaparral Ice students.

7-9:30 p.m. (Dec. 20), 4-6:30 p.m. (Dec. 21). $12-$27. Chaparral Ice, 2525 W. Anderson Lane, Austin. 512-252-8500. www.chaprralice.com

Watch the circus on Christmas Eve

Dec. 24: The H-E-B Center at Cedar Park hosts Cirque Musica for a night of acrobatics and aerial tricks accompanied live by a full symphony orchestra. Cirque Musica and its circus performers will perform a holiday story.

Doors open at 1 p.m., event starts at 2 p.m. $35-$75. H-E-B Center at Cedar Park, 2100 Avenue of the Stars, Cedar Park. 512-600-5000. www.hebcenter.com

Enjoy Rudolph the musical

Dec. 29: The classic story of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” hits the stage in Cedar Park. The play features characters, including Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius and Rudolph.

3-6 p.m. $38-$68. H-E-B Center at Cedar Park, 2100 Avenue of the Stars, Cedar Park. 512-600-5000. www.hebcenter.com