Check out these five events happening near Southwest Austin and Dripping Springs that will start off the holiday season. This list is not comprehensive. Find more events happening in December here.

Zilker Holiday Tree lighting

The 57th tree lighting ceremony in Zilker Park will feature local entertainment by the Austin Civic Wind Ensemble and the Austonettes. The Zilker Holiday Tree will be lit by winners who submitted original artwork of the Zilker tree as young as 5 years old. The ceremony will take place on the south side of the park and will include food vendors. The event is family-friendly.'The Nutcracker'

The Central Texas Youth Ballet is performing "The Nutcracker" at the Dripping Springs ISD Performing Arts Theatre. All proceeds benefit the Arts Alliance of Central Texas, a nonprofit that increases the presence of the arts in Central Texas. The Dripping Springs Choir Jazz Cats Ensemble will perform before the show.Christmas on Mercer Tree Lighting

The Christmas on Mercer Tree Lighting will take place at dusk at Veterans Memorial Park and will be followed with a showing of a holiday movie after. The event is family friendly and kicks off the Christmas on Mercer celebration.Christmas on Mercer


The annual Christmas on Mercer event will include arts and crafts, food vendors, live music, photos with Santa, and children’s activities.The Austin Trail of Lights

The Austin Trail of Lights will consist of 2.3 miles of lights, a ferris wheel, a carousel, live entertainment and Santa Claus. The annual Austin event began in 1965 as a small gathering around a yule log and has since become a celebration of 2 million lights, 96 lighted trees, and over 70 displays and tunnels across Zilker Park.