Annual Christmas parade, tree lighting takes place Friday in Austin

The Austin Chamber of Commerce’s 18th annual community Christmas tree lighting and parade will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2. The holiday parade will start at 5 p.m. at the corner of Madison Street and Laramie Avenue and end at the 15th Police District, 5701 W. Madison Ave., where the tree lighting will be held at 6 p.m.

Also Friday night, there will be a “Christmas around the world” event held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the 600 Block of Lorel Community Gardens. The event, which will include free refreshments, is sponsored by the 600 Block of Lorel Book Club and Austin Coming Together.

Toy, coat drive Sunday in Austin

The second annual drive-by giveaway will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 19 at 5932 W. Lake St. The event is sponsored by the Upsilon Sigma and Iota Nu Sigma chapters of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity.