Austin, TX

Central Texas holiday events kicking off soon

Published

1 year ago

November 27, 2024

Central Texas holiday events kicking off soon

Holiday season events happening in Central Texas

The holiday season is here with some events kicking off in Central Texas, and we’re getting a behind-the-scenes look at more that are set to roll out in the next couple of weeks.

AUSTIN, Texas – The holiday season is here with some events kicking off in Central Texas, and we’re getting a behind-the-scenes look at more that are set to roll out in the next couple of weeks.

“That’s generous and very kind of them, sweet of them to do it. God’s going to bless them for doing this,” says Maria, who attended the H-E-B Feast of Sharing dinner.

Thanksgiving came early with the 35th Annual H-E-B Feast of Sharing dinner at the Palmer Events Center. Free meals were passed out by volunteers, flu shots were made available, as well as free transportation to and from the event.

“We do 35 dinners across the state, and we serve over three. Over 300. Meals across the state and in Mexico. So today in Austin, we’re looking to serve 10,000,” says H-E-B Public Affairs Manager Tamara Jones.

While meals were being served, preparation started for the Christmas season in Austin.

This Friday, more lights are coming to the city with Mozart’s Lake Austin Festival of Lights. Celebrating four decades, the festival will operate for nearly six weeks.

The dazzling light displays last two and a half hours from 5-10 p.m., and it ends on January 4. Ticket prices are $5 for those ages 12 and up.

The countdown is also underway for the 60th year anniversary of the city of Austin’s Trail of Lights. Gates open on December 10 and close on December 23.

There are more than two million lights, 90 holiday trees and more than 70 holiday displays along the nearly one-mile stretch.

“We have got some new things this year as well for our opening night. We have got a drone show, that will happen four times on opening night. We have got a lot of new photo activations that are happening as well throughout the trail that you will be able to see,” says Executive Director of Trail of Lights Foundation James Russell.

The first seven nights are free, and the remaining seven nights will cost $8 per ticket. Those ages 11 and under are free. The trail opens from 7-10 p.m. with a line-up of live entertainment and activities.

“We have a ferris wheel, a carousel, and plenty to eat, so bring an appetite we have different vendors. You can buy Trail of Light merch,” says Trail of Lights Foundation Board member Enrique Duran.

This holiday season, the Kyle Police Department is warning residents to watch out for porch pirates with a popular Christmas character, the Grinch.

It’s the third year of the public service announcement, and the first year the department will host a Grinch on the Green event with live music, vendors, a Grinch movie screening and photos with the Grinch.

The Grinch on the Green event is free and will be held Saturday, Dec. 7, from 5:30-9 p.m. at La Verde Park.

The Source: Information from interviews conducted by FOX 7 Austin’s Tan Radford

Source link

Click to comment

Austin, TX

Billy Strings at Moody Theater in Austin, TX – Loud Hailer Magazine

Published

5 hours ago

December 21, 2025

Press Room

Billy Strings at Moody Theater in Austin, TX – Loud Hailer Magazine

Bluegrass musician Billy Strings sold out Austin’s iconic ACL Live at The Moody Theater, where Strings closed his headlining North American tour.

Billy Strings, born William Apostol, is an American singer and songwriter from Michigan. Music has always been a big part of Strings’ life, but he started his music career seriously in 2012. He took on the name Billy Strings after his Aunt saw his talent on various traditional bluegrass instruments. Today, Strings tours with a handful of bluegrass musicians, including Royal Masat (bass), Alex Hargreaves (fiddle), Jarrod Walker (mandolin), and Billy Failing (banjo).

This past year, Strings and his band have been touring North America, concluding their tour with two shows in Austin, TX. The first being at the Moody Center and the second and final being at ACL Live at The Moody Theater. Billy Strings is no stranger to ACL Live and has previously recorded multiple episodes of the venue’s famous series. His debut aired in 202,1 and he went on to record another taping in 2024. In 2024, Billy Strings released his most recent album, Highway Prayers. The album explores themes of personal reflection, identity, and family.

Billy Strings didn’t have an opener and began his set at a little after 8 PM. He opened his set with a few classic bluegrass covers, some being “Riding the Midnight Train” by The Doc Watson Family and “Big Spike Hammer” by The Osborne Brothers. He also performed originals like “It Ain’t Before” from his latest album, Highway Prayers. The song is about feeling disadvantaged by societal systems that don’t work in your favor. The song blends traditional and modern bluegrass sounds, featuring a mouth harp in the original recording.

The band sped through some more classics while the audience on the floor cut up a rug. He performed a few more originals, such as “Gone a Long Time” from Highway Prayers and “These Memories of You” from his 2017 album Turmoil & Tinfoil. The latter was recorded with his stepfather, the one who introduced Strings to the genre. The song reflects on their sustained relationship.

Fans were surprised and delighted when Strings began “Cora Is Gone,” by Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs, and The Foggy Mountain Boys. Strings and his band haven’t performed the cover since 2020. Ultimately, Billy Strings closed his set with Patty Griffin’s “We Shall All Be Reunited,” clearly implying that Strings will be back to commune with the locals of Austin.

Billy Strings will be back on tour soon enough. In February, he will kick off a tour in Georgia and finish towards the end of April in Indiana. Billy Strings has successfully kept an exceptional genre alive by sharing his and his band’s talent with the world.

BILLY STRINGS
Website Facebook X

MOODY THEATER
Website Facebook X