AustinTalks (http://austintalks.org/tag/christmas/page/2/)
The Austin Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring their annual holiday parade and tree lighting festival Friday Dec. 3. The parade starts at Unity Fellowship Church at Cicero and Madison, with the tree lighting at 6 p.m. in front of the 15th District police station, 5701 W. Madison st.
Watch for the CTA’s holiday train and bus, which will be traveling throughout the city in coming weeks. The tradition – in its 30th year – is sponsored by Allstate. The holiday train will be traveling through Austin on Nov. 30, and Dec. 16-18. The holiday bus will be in Austin Dec. 7-9.
AustinTalks wishes you and your family a happy, healthy holiday season, and a safe and prosperous 2021. Thank you for supporting AustinTalks, as we begin our 11th year of providing news and information to the Austin community.
The telethon, organized by the new nonprofit group Renew 312, will feature singalongs, book readings and an appearance by Santa Claus to raise money for Austin. Tune in on Facebook Live from 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday.
Mothers Ona Mission28, an Austin group that provides support to survivors of violent crime, will be collecting toys for families that have been affected by violence or COVID-19. Bring unwrapped toys and gifts from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Dec. 19th to the Michele Lark High School parking lot at 5101 W. Harrison Ave. The toys and gifts can be dropped off from the safety of your car.
The tree displayed outside the 15th District police station at 5701 W. Madison St. was donated by ComEd after a city forester noticed several spruces planted a few miles away on the utility’s property. The tree that was donated was growing too close to power lines and could have at some point caused power disruptions.
See Christmas trees decorated in different cultures and meet others celebrating life on the West Side. The socially distanced event will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 11 at 622 and 623 N. Lorel – two vacant lots that have been transformed into community gardens with the help of Block Club President Dollie Sherman. Refreshments will be served. Please, wear a mask.
The 30th annual event – which will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 12th at Columbus Park Refectory – will include Christmas gifts for children 12 and under. Space is limited to the first 200 families; the deadline to register is Monday, Dec. 7.
Tickets for the Dec. 21 concert are free. Doors open at the Kehrein Center, 5628 W. Washington Blvd. at 5 p.m. The performance is from 6 to 8 p.m. and features Rachel Washington.
The visit with Santa event will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Dec. 14 at Columbus Park Refectory, 5701 W. Jackson Blvd. Christmas stockings stuffed with goodies and a picture with Santa will be available to children 12 and under accompanied by an adult.