Austin's iconic Moontower in Zilker Park is officially lit, which also officially means the holidays are in full swing in the Capital City.
The tree was supposed to be lit at 6 p.m. but wasn’t lit until 6:30 p.m., so the anticipation was building.
But it was worth the wait, especially for children like Francesca Lavoy.
“I’m going to see the lights!” she said.
After half an hour of bated breaths, waiting for the sight everyone at Zilker Park was there to see - the tree lit up in all its glory.
But there was plenty to enjoy while everyone anticipated the big reveal.
One of the things folks got to enjoy is what you could hear playing throughout the park - a great band playing some of your favorite holiday hits.
Those festive tunes came courtesy of the Austin Civic Wind Ensemble, putting everyone in the holiday spirit, even their own musicians.
“It’s not until I see the tree, and I hear the music with the people I care about that it's so sentimental you start to get the feeling,” said Kalyn Cordova, president of the Austin Civic Wind Ensemble. “This is when I turn from the Grinch into Santa Claus."
The all-treble a cappella group the Austonettes was also responsible for bringing wonderful holiday music to the ears of everyone there.
This tree lighting ceremony is an Austin favorite holiday tradition, helping to get people fully in the holiday spirit, some showing it more than others, like Michelle McDemott.
“The hats are actually for the girls, but they wouldn’t wear them. They would wear the necklaces, but not the hats, so we ended up with them,” she said, as she and her niece donned festive Christmas tree hats. “We have no shame!”
The guest of honor, the Christmas tree itself, stands over 150 feet tall with about 3,300 lightbulbs.
This marks the 56th year that Austin Energy crews have transformed Zilker Park’s Moonlight Tower into the Zilker Holiday Tree.
“Really, really impressed, because that must’ve tooken at least three hours!” said Lavoy.
By the looks of all the faces once that tree was lit, I think it’s safe to say, there’s no better way to kick off the holiday season in Austin.