Community First! Village of Lights

Community First! Village is hosting its Village of Lights on December 4, 5, 11, and 12, from 5:30 to 9:00 PM. It's a free family night, and the main draw is more than 250,000 lights choreographed to holiday music across Hog Eye North, the Village's new expansion property. If you've never been, Community First! Village is an affordable-housing community for people exiting chronic homelessness, and this is their big holiday celebration.

Beyond the lights, there's a Holiday Market where you can buy handcrafted products made by the artists and makers who live in the Village. On-site vendors will be serving food and drinks, and the Community Cinema will be playing classic Christmas movies throughout the evening. Santa makes an early visit, and the rest of the night is filled with winter wonderland activities for all ages. It's the kind of event that works as well for a family with small kids as it does for a couple looking for something low-key.

There are a few practical things to keep in mind before you head out. The Village is located at 9116 Hog Eye Rd, Building 3401, in Austin, Texas. You can't bring pets, and you'll need to RSVP in advance. Parking is at the Travis County Expo Center off Decker Lake Road, Gate #3, with shuttle buses running back and forth to the Village, so you'll be riding in rather than walking from your car. The event is free, and it runs from 5:30 to 9:00 PM on December 4, 5, 11, and 12.