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Countdown to Christmas: Holiday light displays around Austin

Christmas is only seven days away! While some homes chose to opt out of a holiday display this year, many families and neighborhoods are continuing the tradition this holiday season.
So put on your favorite Christmas tunes, grab some hot chocolate and drive to these holiday displays around town for a festive experience.
Spindler Family Light Show, Georgetown
With over 28,000 LED lights, 17 lighted trees and a computerized light show, the Spindler family is continuing the tradition of lighting up their Georgetown home located at 2441 Candle Ridge Trail. The family is celebrating their eighth annual light show, and families around town have made it a priority to attend. Along with the light show, the Spindler family is collecting unwrapped toys for the Williamson County Brown Santa, which gives presents to kids from low-income families.
Tune in to 88.5 FM while driving through the show for the ultimate experience. The show runs everyday from 6-10 p.m., so grab your friends and family and head over to the Spindler Family Light Show. More information can be found on their Facebook page.
Chinati Court, Cedar Park
Despite the pandemic, the Chinati Court cul-de-sac is lighting up the whole street for a safe, socially distanced light experience. The display of lights is a contribution from different families in the cul-de-sac, offering a walk-through or drive-thru experience. The families ask that you socially distance in groups of six if you chose to walk through the displays. The holiday show will also be taking in donations for Brown Santa. More information on the Chinati Court holiday show can be found on their Facebook page.
Rhodes Family Christmas, Cedar Park
The Rhodes Family Christmas will continue lighting up Cedar Park for the 20th year in a row. The family is encouraging people to drive by and enjoy the Christmas spirit after a challenging year. The holiday display is also a collection site for the Cedar Park Area Food Bank. The display will run until Jan. 1 from 5:45-10 p.m. at 2410 Sharon Dr., so drive by for a shiny, festive experience. More information on the Rhodes Family Christmas can be found on their Facebook page.
Maywald Christmas Lights, 10505 Twilight Vista
Maywald Christmas Lights
Over 200,000 lights will illuminate Twilight Vista this year. The Maywalds are continuing a 12-year tradition with this year's display, which is bigger and better than in years past. The display is completely free, but the family asks guests to make a donation to the Make-A-Wish foundation when entering. The event is a walk-through experience, although the family encourages guests to remain socially distant from each other. The display will run everyday until Jan. 3 from 6-10 p.m. More information on the Maywald Christmas Lights can be found here.
Diagon Alley ATX, Slaughter Lane & Bungalow
Have a very Harry Christmas this year by attending Diagon Alley ATX's Christmas show. The display is known in Austin for its Diagon Alley Halloween makeover, but with 2020 being such a tough year, the family turned Diagon Alley into a winter wonderland for a festive holiday experience.
Inspired by the Yule Ball in the fourth Harry Potter book, the display transports you into the wizarding world. The display is free, but donations are being accepted for Foster Angels of Central Texas, Variety Texas and ZACH Theatre. The holiday display runs every half hour Monday through Friday from 5:30-8:30 p.m. and until 9:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. More information on Diagon Alley ATX can be found on their Facebook page.
This is part of a holiday series counting down to Christmas, so make sure to visit Austonia tomorrow, as we reach six days until Christmas.
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Popular
(We Are Blood/Instagram)
Communities are rallying together after an 18-year-old shot and killed 19 students and two teachers at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.
Funds from organizations all around the state–including from Austin’s own Los Verdes–are being raised to support families affected by the tragedy. Here's how you can help.
Donate blood
If you are looking for ways to help, please consider donating blood. Your donation can help ensure we have supplies immediately available for the victims of this tragic shooting.
— University Health (@UnivHealthSA) May 24, 2022
Our donor room has availability the rest of the week. Please schedule online: https://t.co/0F2lKDqYzO
Austin-area residents can donate blood with We Are Blood.
South Texas Blood & Tissue was able to send a total of 25 units of blood both to the school and local hospitals to support treatment. After an emergency blood drive on Wednesday, the blood center is hosting a Memorial Day blood drive and should have appointments opening the following week.
The largest blood transfuser in the San Antonio area, the University Health System, is also asking members of the community to donate blood. Appointments may be scarce due to demand.
Donate
The Los Verdes community is heartbroken at today's senseless act of gun violence in Uvalde that ended 15 lives too early. We are currently raising funds to support the families who lost loved ones today, and you can join by donating here. https://t.co/52L1ZtbSND
— Los Verdes (@LosVerdesATX) May 24, 2022
There is a growing list of verified fundraisers through GoFundMe, where almost $2 million has been raised so far for families and victims of the tragedy.
- The VictimsFirst fundraiser is raising $2 million to provide “100% of what is collected” to the victims’ family members.
- Austin-based Los Verdes Supporter Group is raising $100,000 for the families “affected by the horrific school shooting at Robb Elementary.”
- Allison McCullough, the aunt of victim Makenna Lee Elrod, is raising $50,000 for her family.
- The Alithia Ramirez funeral fund is working on raising $8,000 for the young girl’s funeral.
- More are being added by the hour.
Additionally, both Rushing-Estes Mortuary Uvalde and Hillcrest Memorial Funeral Home are offering free services to families of the victims.
Other fundraisers
An official account with First State Bank has been set up for donations through UCISD to assist the families of this tragedy.
— Uvalde CISD (@Uvalde_CISD) May 25, 2022
Please know that the FSB account, is the only verified location to make any monetary donations. No other source is currently recognized. pic.twitter.com/psQb6fD6Ls
Uvalde CISD has opened an account to support families of the victims with the First State Bank of Uvalde. Checks to donate should be made payable to the "Robb School Memorial Fund" or through Zelle at robbschoolmemorialfund@gmail.com.
The League of United Latin American Citizens has created a fund for victims, which it says will donate 100% to families and University Health has also organized the Uvalde Victims Relief Fund to help provide care for victims.
H-E-B has also donated $500,000 to aid victims and is collecting donations for its Spirit of Giving Fund, which supports philanthropic efforts in the wake of Texas tragedies. Starting Wednesday, shoppers at H-E-B, Central Market, Joe V’s Smart Shop and Mi Tienda can donate at checkout or online.(Sergio Flores/The Texas Tribune)
By Patrick Svitek
Beto O'Rourke caused a dramatic scene on Wednesday when he angrily confronted Gov. Greg Abbott at his news conference about the Uvalde school shooting, yelling, "This is on you."
After Abbott was done giving his initial remarks, O'Rourke approached the stage and told Abbott he was "doing nothing" to combat gun violence. He said the Uvalde massacre, in which a gunman killed 19 children and two adults, was "totally predictable."
Some of the Republican officials onstage with Abbott quickly denounced O'Rourke, telling him to go away. Another man onstage used expletives to criticize O'Rourke for interrupting the event. O'Rourke was eventually escorted away amid the unruly scene.
“I can’t believe that you’re a sick son of a bitch that would come to a deal like this to make a political issue,” Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin told O'Rourke at one point.
.@BetoORourke just showed up and shook things up. @statesmanpic.twitter.com/Z1FtBwUEdJ
— Luz Moreno-Lozano 🦇 (@LuzMorenoLozano) May 25, 2022