EVENT: The Downtown Austin Alliance and KUT News 90.5 and KUTX 98.9, The Austin Music Experience, invite the community to start their holidays downtown on Saturday, Dec. 7, during the annual Holiday Sing Along and Downtown Stroll! All events are free and open to the public.
The evening starts at 6 p.m. when crowds gather on the south steps of the Capitol to sing the songs of the season during KUTX 98.9 "Eklektikos" host John Aielli’s Holiday Sing Along.
As the clock strikes 7 p.m., the countdown to the lighting of the Capitol tree begins, featuring a programmed light show at the top and bottom of every hour, set to holiday songs of local Austin musicians.
From 7 to 9 p.m. Congress Avenue 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. The highlight of this year’s event is an aerial dance performance by Blue Lapis Light at 816 Congress, "Love’s Prayer."
Additional Strollactivities 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.
Visitors are asked to support fellow members of the community by bringing non-perishable food or cash donations to the Capitol Christmas tree for the Capital Area Food Bank.
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 7, 2013
- 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.
WHERE: The Sing Along takes place on the steps of the Texas State Capitol (11th St. and Congress Ave.). The tree is stationed at the south gates of the Capitol Lawn. The Stroll will take place along Congress Ave. from 11th St. to 7th St.
SPONSORS: Austin Java, The Capital Area Food Bank of Texas, The Downtown Doctor, Jaya Furniture, Whole Earth Provision Company and Wild Birds Unlimited – Westlake.
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Media contacts: Erin Geisler, KUT News 90.5 and KUTX 98.9, (512) 475-8071 or (512) 422-1886 (mobile); or Julie Weaver, Downtown Austin Alliance; (512) 381-6267 or (512) 777-9925 (mobile)
Note to editors: Representatives from the Downtown Austin Alliance, KUT/KUTX and the Capital Area Food Bank are available for interviews before, during and after the event.
Photos from previous year's events are available on the KUT Flickr site or by contacting Julie Weaver at the DAA.