CATHERINE PARKER Special to the Press
GEORGETOWN— Draped in green garland and bright with ruby-red bows, the historic Williamson County Courthouse has turned on the holiday charm and looks like a Hallmark movie came to town.
Up and down Austin Avenue and Main Street, the trees have taken on a seasonal glow, with close to 750,000 lights twinkling each night during the holidays.
After lighting the Courthouse Square on Thanksgiving weekend, December’s signature event is the Christmas Stroll, celebrating its 42nd year.
As the centerpiece of Georgetown’s historic core, Charles H. Page of Austin designed the courthouse in 1909. Rich in beaux arts details, the structure includes elements such as Ionic columns, porticoes, a classic pediment and balustrade, all of them made more beautiful during the holidays.
Flanking the Courthouse Square, merchants hope shoppers slow down and see the unique wares during the Stroll.
Everyone is welcome, organizers said.
“This free, familyfriendly holiday festival, sponsored by the Downtown Georgetown Association, is from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 1, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2,” said Ashley Whitt, a spokeswoman for the Georgetown Downtown Association.
Friday night festivities open the stroll For many residents, the Christmas Stroll is a holiday tradition. It caters to all, from family fun at the Snow Hill to girlfriends out sipping and shopping.
Live music rings the air, starting 5 p.m. Friday. The Main Stage will feature 40-minute acts kicked off by Natural Act, a four-part harmony group. The music continues nonstop at Eighth Street and Austin Avenue and ends the night with Blue Vibe featuring Timeca Seretti, an Austin-based group playing blues, soul, rock and funk.
At Sixth and Main streets, Friday night’s the “Groovin’ with Grinch Street Dance” features a DJ from 6-8:30 p.m.
On the north courthouse steps, carolers will be sharing the season’s favorites, from the sweet voices of the Village Elementary Showstoppers Choir to hymns with the Georgetown Church of Christ Chorus.
At the Bethlehem Village, actors and live animals will share the story of Jesus. The stage at Tenth and Main streets in the Keller Williams Lot will also feature live music.
Friday evening, families can gather in the Kids Zone on Seventh and Eighth streets between Austin and Rock Street.
Faith in Action will host a story time on Seventh at the top of the hour.
The Greater Austin Comic Con Characters will be at the Christmas Stroll on Friday, too.
Some come for the fun, while others carry a list for serious seasonal shopping.
The two-day Christmas Stroll features 150 pop-up vendors in an outdoor market, featuring local arts, crafts and jewelry, among other items.
It can’t be a festival without food, so visitors will find Maine lobster, juicy burgers and sweet treats sprinkled around the shopping.
Drinkers of wine and spirits will find several storefronts on the square with options for gifts and holiday meals.
Saturday’s Christmas Stroll
On Saturday, the Christmas Stroll Parade gets the party started at 10 a.m. The Georgetown Fire Chiefs ride in on the Georgetown Fire Department’s finest, one of 52 parade entries.
This year’s parade will feature an all-time favorite movie theme.
Parade participants will see both of Georgetown Independent School District’s high school bands: the Georgetown Eagle Band and the East View Patriot Band. The Austin-based Dragon and Lion Dance Group will bring a dazzling, neon-colored dragon and lion to wow visitors up and down the parade route.
The Christmas Stroll Parade starts on Church Street, turns on Ninth and continues down Austin. Following the parade, the annual classic car show will be on Austin between Seventh and Ninth.
Live music and entertainment
Like Friday night, live music and performances are a central part of the Christmas Stroll. On Saturday, the entertainment starts at noon on its two stages.
The Main Stage at Austin and Eighth will feature The Dance Gallery, Coleton Wilcox and finish off the night with Memphis Kee, an Austin-based band.
The Small Stage at Sixth and Main will feature musical acts from noon to 6 p.m. Starting with Morgan Obenhaus, an indie pop singer, the tunes will continue with Dan Duevara, a local Georgetown singersongwriter.
Whoville Hair Salon
With hairspray, ornaments and a bit of spray-on color, people line up for the Whoville Hair Salon. After some hair magic, clients are transformed into Whos from the Christmas classic, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” by Dr. Seuss.
“Who Hair is an annual family tradition loved by the whole community,” Whitt said.
The downtown association partners with Supercuts and a local high school cosmetology department to give visitors a new look for the annual Christmas Stroll.
Look for the Whoville Hair Salon on the west side of the courthouse from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will also be face painters in the area.
Just for the Kids
Santa will be on hand to listen to wish lists and photos from 11:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. on the west side of the courthouse in Santa’s Village.
Train rides will roll up and down Austin between Sixth and Seventh from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Snow in the Park will feature a snow hill for those yearning for the white stuff (remember those gloves). Mulled wine and hot cocoa will keep the hands warm and live music will keep the cheer bright.
Letters to Santa will also be available for the kids. Snow in the Park is hosted by Sweet Lemon Kitchen and City Post Chophouse and located in Founder’s Park.
The Williamson Museum
The Williamson Museum along Austin will serve free cookies and cocoa with its cowboys on Saturday from 6-8 p.m. On Saturday, Dec. 9, the museum will be celebrating holidays around the world in a come-andgo event, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Williamson Museum is located at 716 S. Austin Ave. It is open Wednesday to Friday from noon to 5 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.
Shows at The Georgetown Palace Theatre Since 1926, The Georgetown Palace Theatre has been a destination for entertainment. Now a thriving nonprofit dedicated to the arts and education, the palace offers a yearlong line-up of theatrical productions.
For the holiday season, theatergoers can enjoy the classic “A Christmas Carole: The Musical” playing on its Springer Stage. Ebenezer Scrooge learns the true meaning of Christmas after visiting his past, present, and future in this Charles Dickens favorite.
The Georgetown Palace’s Stringer Stage is located at 810 S. Austin Ave.
“A Christmas Carole: The Musical” is open through Dec. 30, 2023.
Tickets are available online from $37 for adults and $18 for kids. Visit https://www. georgetownpalace.com/ buy-tickets-3/.
