From Breakfast with Santa to a Nutcracker Market, Bryson residents really know how to ring in the holidays. They also enjoy the many family-friendly activities nearby. Being near Austin allows them to take in the fabulous holiday events the city is known for. Here are some of their favorite ways to celebrate the holidays:
Leander/Cedar Park
Leander Activity Center
7:30 p.m. Saturday & 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10-18
$15-$20
The ghosts of past, present and future visit Ebenezer Scrooge in the hope of making him a better person in this traditional tale.
Leander Public Library
10:45 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20
Free
Kids will enjoy holiday finger plays, rhymes, dancing singing and games.
Leander Public Library
10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 28
Free
Leander Animal Services staff will read stories, sing songs and give participants a chance to pet and interact with animals.
Cedar Bark Park Dog Park
6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9
Free
A pet-friendly event featuring holiday lights and music, vendors, giveaways, treats and Santa Paws. Holiday attire is encouraged.
Heritage Oak Park
6:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10
Free
Take a beautiful family photo with Santa underneath the City of Cedar Park’s 400-year-old heritage oak tree.
Selfies with Santa Holiday Festival
Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Church
10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 10
Free
Children with special needs can visit Santa in a sensory-friendly environment. There will also be a bake sale and craft fair.
Times vary, daily through Dec. 24
Free to visit, photo packages extra
Reservations required
Santa is ready for his close-up. Visit and take home a memory.
Lakeline Mall
6-8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11
Free
Bring Fido to the mall after hours for a photo shoot with the Big Guy. CTSPCA will be onsite with pets for adoption along with merchandise for sale that benefits the shelter.
Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland
H-E-B Center
2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 24
$39.50-$79.50
A musical, holiday journey featuring acrobats, aerialists, clowns and other performers.
6-9:30 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 6-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 28- Dec. 31
Free
Take the kids to see the beautiful annual light display in Cedar Park. The nightly event features 16-foot-tall mega tree, a singing Santa, dancing snowflakes, jumping arches, snowmen, reindeer, giant ornaments, blow ups and tons of wrapped trees. Event benefits CASA of Williamson County.
Austin
Peppermint Parkway
Circuit of the Americas (COTA)
6-10:30 p.m. select days, through Dec. 30
$35-$90 per car
More than 6 million lights greet you as you drive through eight themed displays, dancing elves and more.
Santa’s Ranch
6-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 6-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, through Jan. 1
$35-$70
Drive through over a mile of winding country roads while taking in beautiful lights, and animated Christmas displays. Stop by the concession stand for hot cocoa, kettle corn and other treats.
Zilker Park
7p.m. Monday-Sunday, through Dec. 23
$5 general admission
The annual holiday tradition gets a drive-thru makeover, but still features than 2 million lights, 70 displays and lighted tunnels, 90 lighted trees and holiday magic.