Here's the line-up for fun things to do throughout the holidays - whether it's last minute shopping or keeping the kids entertained. There's multi-media fun downtown - everything from music and comedy on stage to discount pricing at Downtown galleries - for the perfect, one-of-a-kind gift of original art.

Then you have plans for New Year's Eve - you'll be a part of the spectacular, first ever - First Night in Austin - which has something to sizzle all appetites for celebration.

The Downtown Austin Alliance wishes and yours the happiest of Holidays and a most prosperous and contented New Year.

Through Dec 23 Trail of Lights
Zilker Park, 6100 Barton Springs
ci.austin.tx.us/tol

In 1967, the Zilker Tree - the "World's Largest Man-made Tree" - made its first appearance at the festival. Through the years the festival has continued to grow in fun and sophistication.

Today's Trail of Lights is a mile long display of 42 lighted scenes, US Post Office (display
only- mail will not be processed through the U.S. Post Office), Santa's House, the Yule Log, and an entertainment stage.

The Zilker Tree stands 155 feet tall, is 180 feet diameter lighted tree consisting of 3,309 bulbs on 39 streamers strung from Austin's historical Moonlight Tower.

The Trail of Lights is open daily starting at dusk through the 23rd. Take the kids, family, friends, guests - because it's a blast.

Please visit ci.austin.tx.us/tol/parking.htm about shuttle service you'll want to use and parking.

The photo shown is by Chris Staefe.

Dec 31 Your New Year's Eve Plans - First Night Austin
2:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. (Saturday, January 1, 2006)
Congress Avenue to Auditorium Shores
firstnightaustin.org

On Saturday, December 31, 2005, a new tradition will be launched in downtown Austin, Texas - an annual New Year's Eve Celebration of the Arts called First Night Austin. This event is unique in that it programs and commissions artists to create works "in" and "on" the fabric of the city, i.e. outdoor plazas, sidewalks, hotel ballrooms, museums, building facades, lobbies, storefront windows and more.

First Night Austin also provides a festive and exciting new way to greet the New Year without the provision or promotion of alcohol.

Outdoor events - and there will be plenty of them - are free and designed to be open and accessible to everyone in our community.

A First Night Austin 2006 Button, purchased for $8 before the event at Austin H-E-B stores or $10 at the event, will serve as a contribution to First Night and as an access pass for indoor venues.

What a terrific way to bring in the New Year. Please plan to join us downtown on New Year's Eve!

Look for more details next week or go to right now to firstnightaustin.org to learn more about this fabulous community-wide event.

Last-Minute Shoppers - Here's the Perfect Gift!
Arts Sampler of Three Shows
(512) 472-5992, balletaustin.org

Ballet Austin, The Austin Symphony & Austin Lyric Opera have come together to offer the 2006 Austin Arts Sampler Package - Celebrating 100 Years of Shostakovich.

The Austin Arts Sampler is a three-in-one ticket package for:
Austin Lyric Opera presents Lady MacBeth of Mtsensk: January 7, 9, 13, 15
The Austin Symphony presents Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg: January 20, 21
Ballet Austin presents Director's Choice/Evolution: March 31, April 1, 2

Sampler packages are $75 and $120 will only be available for the holiday season until Jan. 1. All shows will be held at Bass Concert Hall and the sampler package will give patrons the same seats for every performance.

For more information, or tickets please call (512) 472-5992, or visit The Austin Lyric Opera Box Office at 901 Barton Springs Road, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday.

Dec 22, 23 Last Performances of Ballet Austin's The Nutcracker
Bass Concert Hall,
(512) 469-SHOW, balletaustin.org

Tickets are still available for this magical, mystical tour through Christmas. Call (512) 469-SHOW or go to startickets.com to get your tickets for the last performances of this year's smash performance.

Dec 22 Bah Humbug!
Doughtery Arts Center, 1110 Barton Springs Rd.
(512) 963-8499, thecompanytheatre.org

Bah Humbug! Back by popular demand for a 3rd year, it's Dickens' A Christmas Carol with a magical twist - one actor plays all the roles in an amazing and powerful tale of hope and redemption! Award-winning stage actor J. Damian Gillen transforms before your eyes and ears into all the beloved characters in this imaginative re-telling of the holiday classic! A powerful tale of hope and compassion. Great fun for the whole family! Call(512) 963-TIXX (8499) for reservations for the 7:00 p.m. show

Dec 30 George Carlin - Will He Make it?
Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress
(512) 472-5470, austintheatre.org

He's tried two times before to make it to Austin - let's hope this time George gets here. This insightful, and sometimes stout funny man has always pushed the envelope with his observant, angry and sarcastic stand-up comedy routines about everyday life. Now catch his act live! Two shows, Dec. 30. Tickets purchased for the September 24th date will be honored for these two shows at 8:00 and 10:00 p.m. Purchase tickets online or call (866) 4GET-TIX.

Dec 31 New Year's Eve Cruise Ship Crime
Spaghetti Warehouse, 117 W. 4th
(512) 404-9123, capcitymystery.com

New Year's Eve can always be murder - at least it can with the Capital City Mystery Players at Spaghetti Warehouse! The Capital City Mystery Players will perform an audience interactive comedy whodunit with dinner on on New Year's Eve - 7:00 and 10:00 p.m. The show is A New Year's Eve Cruise Ship Crime, set in the luxurious restaurant on board the largest luxury ship afloat, the fabulous Titanium, under the flag of Carnivore Cruise Lines. As with all our mystery dinner shows, the audience is enlisted to solve the crimes. And the super sleuth of the evening wins a fabulous prize! The package price per couple is only $119 (including tax and gratuity) for the dinner and show. Dinner includes salad, dessert, a choice of delicious entrees, plus a bottle of wine. The early show begins at 7 p.m. and the late show starts at 10:00 p.m. and goes right up to midnight, with a champagne toast. The reservation number is (512) 404-9123. It's a great way to celebrate the new year.

Still on Stage Downtown...

To 12/23: The Nutcracker, Bass Concert Hall, balletaustin.org
To 1/1: Rockin' Christmas Party, Zach Scott's Kleberg Stage, zachscott.com
To 1/8: The Santaland Diaries, Zach Scott Theatre, zachscott.com
To 1/20: The Polar Express in 3D, IMAX Theatre, thestoryoftexas.com
Ongoing: Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D; Pulse: a STOMP Odyssey, Texas the Big Picture, Fighter Pilot, IMAX® Theatre and The Star of Destiny in the Texas Spirit Theater, thestoryoftexas.com

Dec 23, 28 Texas Holiday Favorities
Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 N. Congress
(512) 936-8746, thestoryoftexas.com

Listen to Holiday Favorites from many rich Texas traditions as you walk through "The Face of Texas Exhibit" gallery. There will be live music provided by Dua Corelli, a violin and piano ensemble. Let your eyes enjoy the pleasure of great photography, and let your ears enjoy the pleasure of great music. 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Free with exhibit admission.

Dec 30-31 ASO + Five by Design's Radio Days
Palmer Events Center, Barton Springs Rd.
(512) 476-6064, austinsymphony.org

Join the Austin Symphony and ride the airwaves through the early 1940's when Five by Design takes you on a sentimental journey to a simpler time jam-packed with Big Band sounds and hot rhythms. You'll reminisce to such hits as "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," "Chattanooga Choo-Choo," and many others. Ring in the New Year with a look back at one of the best musical decades of the 20th century. Concert time both days: 8:00 p.m.

Still Looking for the Perfect Gift?
What could top original artwork?

Shop the Art House's 5 x 7 Holiday Sale going on through December 31 and/or Mexic-Arte's Latino Art Sale through December 31.

There are also several exhibits that are about to close such as the Ansel Adam's exhibit so it is sort of a "last chance thing." Take the kids!

Dec 31 New Year's Even Balloon Drop
Austin Children's Museum, 2nd & Colorado
(512) 472-2499, austinkids.org

Celebrate New Year's Even at the Austin Children's Museum. Enjoy Balloon drops at Noon and 2:00 p.m. There will be party hats, crafts, snacks and fun exhibits. $5.50 per person, $3.50 ages 12-24 mo., 0-12 mo. are FREE, Members are FREE. Call 472-2499 to pre-pay for admission or pay at the door. (Members, please call to reserve you spot.) The cost of admission applies for a whole day of FUN!


Still On Display Downtown...

To 12/21: Gingerbread Workshops, Austin Children's Museum, austinkids.org
To 12/23: Stitch in Time, Women & Their Work, womenandtheirwork.org
To 12/30: Eastern European Video, Arthouse at the Jones Center, arthousetexas.org
To 12/31: Ansel Adams: A Legacy, Harry Ransom Center, hrc.utexas.edu
To 12/31: The Fourth Season, f8 Fine Art Gallery, f8fineart.com
To 12/31: Collecting Latino Art, Mexic-Arte Museum, mexic-artemuseum.org
To 12/31: 5 x 7 Holiday Art Sale, Arthouse at the Jones Center, arthousetexas.org
To 12/31: Temporary Dividers, ars ipsa gallery, arsipsa.com
To 12/31: Holiday Punch, Studio 107, studio107.com
To 1/2: Jerry Uelsmann & Maggie Taylor, Oswald Gallery, oswaldgallery.com
To 1/7: Critter Art, Art on 5th, arton5th.com
To 1/13: Andrew Anderson/John Pavlicek - New Work, Spazio Interiors, spaziointeriors.com
To 1/15: Reflecting Time, Scarbrough Building, thanksgivingimage.com
To 1/15: The Art of Dr. Seuss, Austin Museum of Art, amoa.org
To 1/15: A Tom Lea Retrospective, Austin Museum of Art, amoa.org
To 1/21: Sydney Yeager, d berman gallery, dbermangallery.com
To 1/27: Japan & Nature, Austin Children's Museum, austinkids.org
To 2/06: Courtesy, Service, Protection, Texas Capitol Visitors Center,
TexasCapitolVisitorsCenter.com
To 2/7: Photography Showcase, Shoreline Grill, oswaldgallery.com

You Have a Lunch on January 31!
Four Seasons, 98 San Jacinto
(512) 469-7166, rsvp@downtownaustin.com

Mark your calendars and plan to join us for a presentation by one of the nation's most provocative urban voices, Roberta Gratz, author of "The Living City," during the Speakers Series and Luncheon on Wednesday, Jan 31. This event is co-sponsored by the Downtown Austin Alliance, the Heritage Society of Austin and Preservation Austin. RSVP by 1/27. Prices are $35 each or $35/table of six. Please plan to be with us for this fascinating presentation.

Dec 26-Dec 27 Candlelight Tours of
Governors Mansion
Texas Governor's Mansion, 1010 Colorado
(512) 463-5516, txfgm.org

A piece of Texas history is showcased during Candlelight Tours of the Texas Governor's Mansion. The event is free to the public Gov. Rick Perry and First Lady Anita Perry have announced the Texas Governor's Mansion will open again this year for a special holiday tour. Candlelight walk-through tours will be given at the mansion December 26, 27 from 5:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. All visitors must be in line prior to 8:30 p.m. for admission.

You'll see the Perry's Dachshund, Lucy, throughout the mansion along with the 15-foot-7-inch Christmas tree is decorated with thousands of white lights and needlepoint angels made by Texas artisans.

The Perrys selected the angels from stitched canvases submitted last year by needlework guilds statewide. The mansion is also filled with floral arrangements donated by local florists, sweeping garland on the mantels and staircase, festive ribbons and winter fruit.

The tours are free to the public. Parking is available at the Capitol Visitors Garage at the corner of 12th and San Jacinto streets. Visitors will not be allowed to bring bags, backpacks or purses on the tour.

For more information regarding the tours, call 512-463-5516 or visit txfgm.org for details.

Through Jan 31 Community Cultural Planning Survey
(512) 974-7860, surveymonkey.com

The City of Austin's Cultural Arts Division of Economic Growth & Redevelopment Services
Office is studying and developing a plan for the cultural arts development of downtown Austin. Your input is needed. The group wants to talk to and hear from non-profit, for-profit, community-based arts, culture and creative organizations, business, individual artists and arts workers.

Learn more about the project and take the survey at surveymonkey.com. For questions about the project, please contact Janet Seibert, who is managing the project at (512) 974-7860 or janet.seibert@ci.austin.tx.us.

Dec 23, 28, 30 Run with the Austin Toros
Throughout the Holidays
Austin Convention Center, 500 East Cesar Chavez
austintoros.com

Great courtside action as the Toros take to the court. All these home games are played at the Austin Convention Center and start at 7:00 p.m.

12/23: Arkansas
12/28: Tulsa
12/30: Albequerque

Run with the Toros!

Through December 23 Zilker Trail of Lights
Zilker Park, Barton Springs Rd.
www.ci.austin.tx.us/tol

Each day, from 6:00 p.m. to midnight, there will be several closures:

• Barton Springs, between Robert E. Lee. and Rollingwood
• Stratford, between Barton Springs and Zilker Clubhouse
• Sterzing, between Barton Springs and Toomey
• Robert E. Lee, between Barton Springs and Lund

A shuttle to the Trail of Lights will pick up near Waterloo Park. Two streets will be closed from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. in that area:

• Trinity, between E. 12th St. and E. 14th St.
  
• San Jacinto, between E. 12th St. and E. 15th St.
  
• 
  

12/26-27 Holiday Tour of the Governor's Mansion
Texas Governor's Mansion, 1010 Colorado
(512) 463-5516, www.txfgm.org
From 3:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. on both days, Colorado will be closed between W. 10th St. and W. 11th St.

12/31 First Night Austin
Congress to Auditorium Shores
firstnightaustin.org

Several roads will be closed from noon until 1:00 a.m. for this New Year's Eve celebration:

• W. Riverside, between S. 1st St. and Dawson
• W. 9th St., between Congress and Lavaca
• Colorado, between W. Cesar Chavez and W. 3rd St.
• W. Cesar Chavez, between San Antonio St, and Colorado St.
• San Antonio, between W. Cesar Chavez and W. 3rd
• W. 2nd St., between San Antonio and Colorado
  
• The Drake (S 1st St.) Bridge

Additionally, beginning at 5:30 p.m., there will be a procession down Congress, from 9th St. to 2nd St., and west on 2nd St. to City Hall. The procession will last approximately one hour and traffic on cross streets will be diverted until it has passed.

BEST OF DOWNTOWN
KLRU TV, klru.org

Emmy-award winning DOWNTOWN celebrates Austinism - asual, cosmopolitan, techie, hippie, artistic...Words used to describe Downtown Austin are as diverse as the people, who live, work, play and develope here. Catch the "Best of DOWNTOWN as it profiles the special people, places and stories that make DOWNTOWN: As Austin As It Gets.TM

Showtimes:

Dec 22, 2005, 7:30 p.m.
Dec 23, 2005, 9:00 p.m.
Dec 29, 2005, 7:30 p.m.
Dec 30, 2005, 9:00 p.m.