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(Nan Palmero/CC)
Thanksgiving is over and the most wonderful time of year has officially begun. Christmas light shows have been a Texas tradition for years—so beloved that not even a pandemic could stop them from shining this year.
Here are some of the best light shows to check out this holiday season.
Domain Northside Holiday Walk-thru Photo Experience
While not a light show, the Domain is working to make your Instagram as festive as the rest of your holidays. From Nov. 13 until Dec. 26, the shopping center will be decked out with all kinds of festive decorations, perfect for a holiday 'gram. Plus, when you tag the Domain and use its hashtags, you'll be entered to win some free Starbucks.
Marble Falls Walkway of Lights
If you're looking for something reminiscent of Christmases past, the Marble Falls Walkway of Lights is still hosting its annual trail event this year. On weekends and holidays, children can even visit with Santa and his elves. With a three-block extension to allow for social distancing, the trail runs from 6 to 10 p.m. from Nov. 20 through Jan. 2. Tickets are $10 for kids and $12 for adults. And be careful to watch for inclement weather, as this event is weather permitting.
Mozart's COVID Cautious Christmas Light Show
Mozart's is taking a different perspective on safe festivities this year, holding an outdoor light show with tables instead of a drive-thru. During the show, guests can enjoy bottomless hot chocolate, coffee and an assortment of holiday treats. The show has been running since Nov. 11 and will continue until Jan. 6, open from 6-11 p.m. nightly. Table reservations start at $10.
Peppermint Parkway
The Circuit of the Americas is turning its racetrack into a festive light show, also drive-thru, with millions of lights, a 60-foot Christmas tree and drive-up concessions. This will be the debut of Peppermint Parkway, running from 6-10:30 p.m., from Nov. 27 through Jan.3. Tickets start at $35 per car.
Trail of Lights
This year, the 56th annual Trail of Lights is making the event as safe as possible for everyone by hosting a drive-thru only show. With lights as far as the eye can see and miniatures of our fair city, the Trail of Lights is something every Austinite must see. The show is running from Nov. 28 through Jan. 3, and tickets start at $25 per car.
So get out there and make some holiday memories!
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Yola performing at SXSW 2019. (Stephen Olker/SXSW)
SXSW Music Festival is back this year featuring a diverse lineup of over 100 artists, including Indigo Sparkle, A Place to Bury Strangers, Francisca Valenzuela, Squid, Grrrl Gang and Darkoo.
<p>This year's SXSW festival will be a completely digital experience, taking place from March 16-20. The complete music lineup can be viewed <a href="https://www.sxsw.com/music/2021/music-festival-announces-2021-lineup-artists-indigo-sparke-seed-ensemble-squid-and-more/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p>The SXSW Music Festival also announced this year it will host world-class showcases and presenters, where pass holders can watch online as artists perform at unique venues in their home country. Presenters include AfroFuture Sounds, Damnably, EQ Austin, FOCUS Wales, Roskilde Festival, Taiwan Beats and more.</p><p>The unique online experience will feature musical performances from artists all around the world, ranging in style. And to add to the excitement, SXSW has released playlists for the 2021 music festival. The playlists are available on Apple Music, Spotify and Quobuz.</p><p>SXSW Online also announced last week keynote and featured speakers, along with conference sessions and headliners of <a href="https://austonia.com/sxsw-first-lineup" target="_blank">SXSW FIlm Festival</a>. </p><p>To attend this year's exclusive digital festival, purchase a SXSW Online pass. The pass will cover the entire festival, including conferences, workshops, SXSW Film Festival, musical performances, online exhibitions and more for $249. You can register online here.<br/></p><p><em>This story has been updated to include more details on the festival. </em></p>
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(Pexels)
Grant Weddle, 23, isn't totally sure how he contracted COVID-19.
"I had this girl, we weren't dating … but we were talking and hanging out and whatnot," he told Austonia. She went out to the bars one night in early December, and after spending time with her, they had both developed symptoms.
<p>Now that Weddle has recovered from COVID, he feels differently. "I don't feel as at risk as before," he said. </p><p>Others feel similarly. </p><p>Lynn, a 23-year-old server who works in North Austin and asked to be identified by her middle name, tested positive for COVID in late December after experiencing mild, allergy-like symptoms. Since then, she has noticed an attitude shift. "It sounds bad to say but I feel kind of invincible," she said. "In my head, I should be free from COVID at least through March." </p><p><strong>Germ theory </strong></p><p>The 20- to 29-age group is less at risk for hospitalization and death due to COVID, accounting for 26% of the confirmed cases in Travis County but only 8% of hospitalizations and 1% of deaths. But local public health officials have stressed that they can easily spread the virus to others and should observe precautions to avoid doing so. </p><p>This concern became especially acute in the wake of the Christmas and New Year's holidays when nearly half of the new cases confirmed in Travis County were in the 20-29 and 30-39 age groups, which officials attributed to social gatherings and travel. They also criticized state-level loopholes that allow <a href="https://austonia.com/austin-bars-stay-open" target="_blank">some bars "masquerading as restaurants"</a> to remain open.</p><p>There is still confusion about how long a person who has recovered from COVID may be immune to it, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.</p><p>Weddle knows this. "I'm not naive in thinking that I'm home free, and I'll never get (COVID) again," he said, adding that he continues to take precautions—such as masking while in public—to avoid acting as a carrier.</p><p>Still, having COVID has changed his outlook. </p><p><strong>Risk assessment </strong></p><p>Weddle, who works as an essential worker and asked that his exact job title not be used, said he has taken the pandemic seriously since it began in March. Because his job puts him in contact with strangers every day, he traded out nights on Sixth Street for board game nights at home. </p><p>But it's not that easy for someone in their early twenties to avoid socializing—especially those who have recovered from COVID and now feel the chances of getting it a second time are almost nonexistent. </p><p>Weddle went out to the bars for New Year's Eve, which he acknowledged was risky. "I guess being locked inside for as long as I was (with COVID), I was cooped up and I needed a release," he said.</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img class="rm-shortcode" data-height="2344" data-rm-shortcode-id="1756f6097ef396e8d00f42e10d92eb7c" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTUzNTMyMS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYxMjAxMzM4Nn0.ovo9QzEag_mKemNZhgc73K5lXzDMkyF5g8jjefXZfbM/img.jpg?width=980" data-width="3509" id="b52ec" type="lazy-image"/>
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">(File photo)</small></p><p>Weddle feels comfortable talking to his friends and posting on social media about his experience with COVID—in part because he feels blameless as far as how he contracted the disease. "I got it because someone else went out and gave it to me," he said. "It's not my fault."<br/></p><p>Lynn, who is also an essential worker, feels similarly. She said her social media feeds are full of people who appear to be taking fewer precautions than she is. "Not necessarily in shoulder-to-shoulder bars but going out to eat, getting brunch with a friend, on Sixth Street," she said. "Because my friend group is just as lax as I am, I'm not necessarily worried about how I'll be received."</p><p>Despite feeling invincible and taking some risks, Lynn feels like she is taking adequate precautions to prevent spreading the virus to other people should she be exposed to it again. When visiting her mom, who lives outside of Fort Worth and works in the medical field, she avoids going out the week or two prior. She is also comforted by the fact that her mom has received the first dose of the vaccine and is regularly screened for COVID at work. "She has way more access to testing than anyone else that I know, so I feel more chill," she said.</p><p>Still, Lynn is eager for more people to get vaccinated, including her. She said wants the vaccine so she can feel more secure working and going out. "As soon as the vaccine is readily available, I will be first in line," she said. </p>
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