The Downtown Austin Alliance and KUT News 90.5 and KUTX 98.9, The Austin Music Experience, invite you to kick off the holidays on the south steps of the Capitol on Saturday, Dec. 7, during our annual Holiday Sing Along and Downtown Stroll! This event is free and open to the public.
The Sing Along begins at 6 p.m. when KUTX 98.9 "Eklektikos" host John Aielli takes the stage and leads the crowd in singing Christmas carols -- from Frosty the Snowman to Silent Night. Did you forget some of the words? No worries, thanks to our sponsors, we're handing out keepsake songbooks to help everyone sing along.
As the clock strikes 7 p.m., we'll count down to the lighting of the Capitol tree. Once lit, the tree features a programmed light show - set to holiday songs of local Austin musicians - at the top and bottom of every hour.
After the Sing Along and tree lighting, Congress Avenue will come alive with holiday cheer during the Downtown Stroll. Shops, restaurants, galleries and museums will be open late and will feature special activities and offers. The highlight of this year’s event is an aerial dance performance by Blue Lapis Light at 816 Congress, "Love’s Prayer." Additional Stroll activities include classic holiday cartoons at the Paramount Theatre, Santa in an Airstream photo booth, a special holiday Farmers’ Market with Sustainable Food Center and much more.
Support members of our community by bringing non-perishable food or cash donations to the Capitol Christmas tree for the Capital Area Food Bank.
Event lineup:
- 6 – 6:50 p.m.: Holiday Sing Along with KUTX's John Aielli
- 6:50 – 7 p.m.: Lighting of the Capitol Christmas Tree
- 7 – 9 p.m.: Holiday Stroll with Blue Lapis Light performances at 7:40 and 8:25 p.m.
The Sing Along takes place on the steps of the Texas State Capitol (11th St. and Congress Ave.). The tree is at the south gates of the Capitol Lawn. The Stroll will take place along Congress Ave. from 11th St. to 7th St.
A very special thanks to our sponsors making this event possible: Whole Earth Provision Company, Jaya Furniture, Wild Birds Unlimited – Westlake, The Downtown Doctor, The Capital Area Food Bank of Texas and Austin Java.
Still have questions? Shoot us an email.