2012 Holiday Sing Along, Tree Lighting & Downtown Stroll
KUT 90.5 and the Downtown Austin Alliance invite the community to kick off the holiday season downtown on Saturday, Dec. 1, during the annual Holiday Sing Along and Downtown Stroll!
The festivities begin at 6 p.m. when crowds gather on the south steps of the Capitol and join KUT “Eklektikos” host John Aielli in singing songs of the season. Rusty on the lyrics? No problem! KUT volunteers will be handing out free keepsake songbooks featuring the lyrics to 23 of your favorite holiday songs.
As the clock chimes 7 p.m., the crowd will sing “O Christmas Tree” and the countdown to the lighting of the Capitol tree begins.
From 7-9 p.m. Congress Ave. will be abuzz with holiday cheer during the Downtown Stroll. Shops, restaurants, galleries and museums will be open late and will feature special activities and offers, as well as refreshments. Performances from The Austin School for the Performing and Visual Arts, unique art installations, holiday cartoons at The Paramount and an engaging kids’ area will get you in the holiday cheer. Santa will be on hand at the State Theatre for photos with kids of all ages.
All events are free and open to the public. Through our partnership with the Capital Area Food Bank, we invite you to bring $3 or three canned goods to help our neighbors struggling to feed their families. Collection barrels will be located at the base of the Christmas tree and along Congress Avenue. Did you know that the Capital Area Food Bank can turn every $1 donated into $5 worth of nutritious food?
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012:
- 6:00 – 6:50 p.m.: Holiday Sing-Along with John Aielli
- 6:50 – 7:00 p.m.: Lighting of the Capitol Christmas Tree
- 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.: Downtown Stroll and Performances along Congress Avenue
WHERE: The Sing Along takes place at the south steps of the Texas State Capitol (11th Street and Congress Ave.). The tree is stationed at the south gates of the Capitol Lawn. The stroll takes place along Congress Ave. from 11th St. to 2nd St.
PARKING: The Downtown Austin Alliance encourages you to use public transportation. Plan your trip using Capital Metro’s Trip Planner.
Downtown has more than 43,000 parking spaces. Metered parking is available on the street for $1 per hour. You can also find a spot in a garage by downloading our map of downtown garages near Congress Ave. Prices range from $5–$10 per vehicle.
Photos from 2011 Sing Along
Thank you to our Sing Along sponsors:
