Spinning under the Zilker Christmas Tree
We always spin under the Zilker Christmas tree at least once between early December, when the lights are turned on, and New Year’s Eve, when they go off.
Even before we had kids, my husband and I would take a spin. Since they were born we’ve made it an annual tradition to go to Chuy’s on Barton Springs Road around 4 pm, park on the street before it gets crowded, enjoy a decadent Tex-Mex dinner surrounded by the loudest decor in Austin, and then walk across Barton Creek and up the hill to the tree.
This year we made it to the Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 7th. I love the lighting ceremony for its sweet, small-town feel. There’s always a manageable crowd of happy people of all ages; a band playing Christmas tunes; a yule-log bonfire (even when it’s warm, like this year); and tented booths selling paper bags of savory Kettle Korn, paper plates greasy with deep-fried, sugar-dusted funnel cakes, and corn dogs. The tree is so large that everyone mills around inside the perimeter of lights.
Elementary students who won a Zilker-tree coloring contest are applauded as they hold their framed masterpieces on stage. The young winner gets the honor of helping the mayor flip the switch that turns on the tree.
10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1! Yea! The tree comes to life, and everyone cheers. Oldest to youngest, clasping hands in a circle of friends, or holding tight to a child on one’s shoulders, or orbiting solo, all gazing up at the underside of the tree—nearly everyone starts spinning.
In a moment your eyes are spinning too as dizziness takes over. You stop spinning and stagger, laughing, trying not to fall down.
Last year Annie in Austin wrote a song about spinning under the tree, and her lyrics played in my mind as I spun this year.
I noticed that the tree’s star and the moon neatly lined up. If only Jupiter and Venus, so bright in the sky right now, had been higher, I’d have really had a picture.
I’m sure the man in the moon must have been gazing down with delight to see all the happy faces under the Zilker Tree this evening.
All material © 2006-2008 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
Wonderful experience. It makes you feel like a kid again. I’ve never been to something like that but would love to. I especially like the little children who won a chance to turn on the tree with the mayor. They will never forget that.
Yes, the winner and the mayor flip a gigantic light switch together. What fun for the lucky kiddo! The Zilker Tree is a yearly treat for all Austinites and visitors. Maybe you’ll get to spin under it too one day, Anna. —Pam
Hi Pam, so you actually physically are spinning while looking up at the tree? I am feeling ill just thinking about it! 🙂 Really, must close my eyes! This certainly qualifies as a keeping Austin weird post. Chuy’s looks really fun, but then there is that stomach full of Tex Mex as you are spinning, yikes! Sorry for these Don Rickles remarks, he is on the loose today.
Frances
Yep, that’s the way it’s done, Frances. And believe me—you get dizzy very fast. For those who don’t have a stomach full of greasy Tex-Mex, there’s always the funnel cakes and corn dogs. —Pam
Hi Pam, Chuy’s is one of my favorite places to eat when I visit my best college friend; she’s in Hong Kong now but will be moving back to Austin this spring. Love the spinning photo best; but the moon shot is pretty darn neat! Have a good day! gail
Hi, Gail. Chuy’s is one of my family’s favorite places too. Now that I know you have another connection to Austin, I’m hoping that we’ll see you here again one day soon. I trust you’ll make time for a visit with the Austin garden bloggers! —Pam
Pam,
How funny you should mention Annie’s song. That was the first thing I thought of when I saw the tree. The spinning photo is wonderful. I don’t know if you are aware of this or not (since you take such fabulous photos of the moon) according to space.com the moon is suppose to be closer to the Earth than it has ever been before on this coming Friday the 12th.
I did not know that, Randy, so thanks for letting me know. I’ve been blown away the last couple of weeks by bright Venus and Jupiter in the night sky. But I’ll be out on Friday to look at the moon. Maybe we should all post moon photos on the 13th. —Pam
What a wonderful tradition to share with us. It looks like such fun!
It is childlike fun for young and old, Lisa. —Pam
What a fun experience to share with your family each year Pam. I don’t know about the spinning part, just makes me dizzy thinking of it. 😉
Hi, Racquel. Well, you wouldn’t have to spin, of course. But I’d recommend a little spin, just to say you did it. 😉 —Pam
Your photos of the Zilker Park Tree are wonderful, Pam – and it’s so sweet to hear that you and your husband went spinning as a couple, as well as taking the kids after you became parents. Your car really should bear one of those bumper stickers saying, ‘I wasn’t born in Austin but I got here as fast as I could.’
Thank you for linking to my Spinning Under the Christmas Tree song, and thank you even more for thinking about it as you spun!
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
How could I not think of your song, Annie? It’s the perfect accompaniment to a spin under the tree. Thank YOU for sharing it. I hope you and Philo get to take a spin this year. —Pam
I’m smiling so much I can’t think of anything to say! 🙂
I’m glad you dropped by, Jean! —Pam
I’m dizzy just looking at the picture. Some people think I’m dizzy all the time (or ditzy).
I didn’t get that impression at the Spring Fling, Bill. But this tree will certainly make you so. —Pam
Great traditions! How wonderful — I miss the days when our boys were young enough to go with us to these things! (
Cameron
Kids can make it more fun, all right. Although ours did a good deal of bickering this night. It would have been more peaceful as a romantic outing. 😉 —Pam
I hope I get to do that one Christmas. I think we’re going to make a day trip to Austin next week but we’ll need to leave before it gets dark. I think it would be best if I go spinning before eating and not after!
I don’t know if the spinning will work in the daytime, Cindy, but you can try. —Pam
Pam I love your nighttime photography! What kind of camera do you have? Awesome post!
Thanks, Cheryl. I use a Canon Powershot S3 IS. I didn’t bring my tripod, but it would have been helpful for the moon photos. Instead I used my husband’s shoulder. —Pam
Great images, Pam! I haven’t spun under the tree in a few years now, and you’ve made me want to go this year! thanks!
Oh, you need to, Robin. It keeps us young. —Pam
I love places like this, there was similar where I grew up.
How wonderful. I’m glad you’ve had a similar experience, Kristi. —Pam
Your moon photo is amazing! We have a similar lighting tradition we attend in Chickasha, Oklahoma. You can check it out here: http://www.chickashafestivaloflight.com/
It’s really a beautiful, magical night. We, too, spin under the giant Christmas tree on our way to get a cup of hot cocoa.
Thanks for sharing your tradition and your fantastic photos.
Wow, that tunnel of lights in your link is spectacular. And how cool to know that spinning under a Xmas tree is a tradition in your town too. Thanks for your comments, One Acre. —Pam
Love the spinning photo! What a great tradition for your family!
I hope the kids will always have fond memories of it, Robin. —Pam
The lights are beautiful and the kettle corn looks great! I can almost smell it.
Mmm, it’s tasty, isn’t it? I didn’t always like sweet-flavored popcorn, but it’s grown on me since moving to Texas. —Pam
Thanks for sharing. I can’t wait to get there — it’s on our calendar along with the Trail of Lights for the weekend of the 20th, after the big party and before company arrives. I sure hope it’s warm that weekend!
But not too warm! I like to go when there’s a nip in the air, the better to enjoy the bonfire and a feeling of Christmas. Have a great spin, Diana! —Pam
This reminds me of the “moon tower” in the movie Dazed and Confused, which I believe is set in Austin. Does that tower really exist?
I love the idea of spinning under this “tree” – it’s a modern tradition, obviously (lightbulbs not being that common in Pagan times) but I get the impression it has a very authentic, built-into-our-DNA kind of feel to it.
You bet, Sarah—the moon towers are beloved in Austin, and the Zilker Tree “trunk” is one of them. I really need to see Dazed and Confused again. I saw it before moving to Austin, but now that I know the city it would be fun to see it again. —Pam
What an absolutely wonderful tradition, Pam! Thanks for sharing!
I’m glad you enjoyed the vicarious spin, Kathryn. —Pam
Thanks Pam for this wonderful taste of an Austin Christmas. Love all the twinkling lights! It’s the kind of tree that I’d like to go spinning under too.
You’d love it, YE. It’s a fun, very Austin tradition. —Pam
I thought of this post after the giant full moon Friday nite! Thought you might have gotten a glimpse…wasn’t it magical?!
I did see it, and it WAS magical, Cheryl. On Saturday night I saw it hanging over downtown Austin, so big and bright. —Pam