Holiday traditions of all kinds adorn Austin
The City of Austin flipped the switch on a holiday tradition.
The Trail of Lights stretches throughout Zilker Park and eventually ends near the base of the Zilker Tree.
Dancers, musicians and all kinds of entertainment will be on hand while the trail is open.
Even hot chocolate and Yule log fires are ready to go for the really cold nights.
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Even Santa Claus has dispatched some of his elves to have a good time.
Trail-goers said the Austin tradition is special in many ways.
"It really brings back what Christmas is all about. The theme has really set the emotion for everybody to really think about what Christmas is," first-time visitor Dora Schultz said.
The Trail is more than a mile long.
This year, there are 41 displays, including a fan favorite -- the post office -- where children can write letters to Santa.
The Trail of Lights is on each night through Dec. 23.
The lights will be lit nightly from 7-10 p.m. and admission is free.
Though admission is free, on site parking will be very limited for the Trail of Lights. It will cost you $15 a car to park at Zilker Park. Parking is available beginning each night at 5:30.
For answers to all possible questions surrounding the Trail of Lights, click here.
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Chanukah celebrations have already started in many parts of Central Texas.
The Jewish Community Center of Austin spares no expense when it comes to their annual party.
Music, food and lots of friends and family were at the center to enjoy the holiday Sunday.
Organizers said the event just keeps getting better every year.
"It's wonderful because we get all our community organizations together with various synagogues and community groups the Austin Jewish Academy and they all pull together to put on a really nice event,” Shelly Prant of the Jewish Community Center said.
Organizers said the get-together is a way of reaching out to the Jewish community.
This is the fifth year for the Chanukah celebration.
Chanukah is Dec. 22 - Dec. 29.