Holiday lights, festive movie night and local shopping: 7 events Dec. 12-14 in the Austin area

At this screening of “Elf” in the Lakeway City Hall parking lot, families are encouraged to bring lawn chairs to enjoy hot cocoa and write a letter to Santa.

• Dec. 12, 6 p.m.
• Free
• 1102 Lohmans Crossing Road, Lakeway
• www.lakeway-tx.gov/2109/christmas-movie

Holiday activities for all ages will be offered, including writing letters to Santa, shopping at local stores and seasonal snacks from local vendors.

• Dec. 13, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Free (admission)
• Downtown Bastrop
• www.cityofbastrop.org/page/city.mainstreet

Community members can shop for Christmas presents at the market, which will showcase over 30 vendors selling a variety of items made by local artists.

• Dec. 13, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Free (admission)
• 12919 Nutty Brown Road, Austin
• www.austincraftlounge.com/upcoming-events

Select homes in Georgetown will be open to the public for this year’s tour honoring C.S. Belford, a local designer and builder of over 60 homes in Old Town and the Belford Historic District. Architecture, interior design and history aficionados are invited to tour a curated selection of preserved 19th and early 20th century homes designed and constructed by Belford. Tour participants will also be able to see inside the St. John’s United Methodist Church sanctuary, which Belford designed.

• Dec. 13, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Dec. 14, noon.-5 p.m.
• $45-$85 (ages three and up), free (children under two years old)
• Locations TBA
• www.preservationgeorgetown.org

The mastermind of Christmas crime is making his return to Kyle with sweet treats, market vendors, live music, photo ops, free activities for children and Grinch movie screenings. Attendees can bring a nonperishable food donation to get a photo with the Grinch.

• Dec. 13, 5:30-9 p.m.
• Free (admission)
• 3901 Burnham, Kyle
• www.cityofkyle.gov

Hutto’s annual Hippo Claus Crawl will take place in downtown Hutto, where festive beverage stops will be waiting. Participants are encouraged to wear costumes, visit attractions and take photos with Santa.

• Dec. 13, 6-9 p.m.
• $25 (general admission), $50 (VIP ticket)
• East Street, Hutto
• https://tinyurl.com/y9tn6b5t