The City of Round Rock rings in the season with the annual Christmas Family Night celebration on Friday, Dec. 11, on historic East Main Street downtown.

The event kicks off at 6:30 p.m. with a welcome from Round Rock Mayor Alan McGraw, followed by the illumination of the streets, the downtown Christmas tree and the historic water tower. Then Santa makes his grand entrance in a horse-drawn sleigh.

During Christmas Family Night, historic Main Street is decorated with small wooden houses which host various free games and activities.

This free event includes activities for the entire family including live music, candle-making, carriage rides, game booths, Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus and more. Children can bring their wish lists for Santa Claus (Polaroid pictures with Santa are only $1. Residents may bring a camera to take their own photos.) Plus, enjoy free hot dogs, popcorn, hot chocolate, and other refreshments, activities and snacks. 

Enjoy performances throughout the evening from Kinderdance, Ballet Folklorico, Greater Austin Dance Company, Round Rock ISD Trombone Choir, Jingle Jam from Hill Country Bible Church, Vocal Zone Voice Studios, Penfold Theatre, Music Staff Studio and songs and stories. Numerous booths will feature activities and crafts for children from cookie decorating to candle-making.

The Round Rock Public Library will be presenting the Christmas puppet show “That’s Not Santa” in meeting room C. The shows will take place at 7:00, 7:45 and 8:30 p.m. The puppet show is based on two children’s books, “That’s Not Santa” by Leonard Kessler and “Claude the Dog” by Dick Gackenbach. Other library activities will include crafts for children.

Christmas Family Night is organized by the City of Round Rock Parks and Recreation Department and made possible thanks to the help of community groups and organizations that donate their services to offer this fun and free event to the community. Free parking is available in the city hall parking garage, at the Round Rock Public Library and along side streets.

Schedule
6:30 p.m. Welcome by the Mayor and tree lighting ceremony
6:35 p.m. Santa arrives

Performance Area 1 (next to Yule Log)                                
7:00 Kinderdance Austin
7:30 Cedar Park Dance Company
8:00 Round Rock Ballet Folklorico
8:30 Greater Austin Dance Academy

Performance Area 2 (near the Cowboy Bunkhouse)
7:00 Vocal Zone Voice Studios
7:30 Music Staff Studio
8:00 Penfold Theatre Company
8:30 Round Rock ISD Trombone Choir

Performance Area 3 (near the courtyard)
7:00, 8:00 Hill Country Bible Church “Jingle Jam”
7:30 Hill Country Bible Church Youth Band

Christmas Family Night will be held rain or shine unless severe showers exist at 6 p.m.