Austin Christmas Tree Shopping: A Comprehensive Guide for 2023
As the festive season approaches in Austin, Texas, finding the perfect Christmas tree becomes a top priority for many families. The city offers a range of options for buying a tree, ensuring residents can find one that suits their specific needs and preferences. From downtown lots to cut-your-own tree farms, Austin has something for everyone seeking that ideal festive centerpiece.
One popular choice for Austinites is visiting tree farms, such as the Great Outdoors on South Congress Avenue, which provides an easy and convenient way to select a tree. However, for those seeking a more immersive and traditional experience, a visit to a cut-your-own tree farm, offers an enjoyable family-oriented outing.
For those who prefer a hassle-free option, some businesses offer fresh, high-quality trees delivered directly to your door. This ensures you obtain a beautiful tree without having to navigate crowded lots or farms.
Exploring Austin for Christmas Tree Shopping
When the festive season begins, residents of Austin, TX, might be eager to find the perfect Christmas tree for their homes. Fortunately, the Austin area offers a variety of options to choose from, catering to everyone's preferences and supporting local businesses.
One notable event is the Junior League of Austin's A Christmas Affair: Night of the Nutcracker market. More than 200 retail merchants from across the country will gather at this annual event, providing a unique shopping experience that supports small businesses from Texas and beyond. In addition to finding a beautiful Christmas tree, attendees can participate in a silent auction and explore five days of shopping opportunities.
For those who prefer a more hands-on approach, Evergreen Christmas Tree Farm located at 242 Monkey Road, Elgin (30 minutes from Austin), guarantees a true "Texas-sized" dose of holiday spirit. Opening on November 24, 2023, this farm has been cultivating seasonal charm for over 30 years, giving visitors the opportunity to select and cut down their own tree, embodying the Austin Christmas experience.
For a comprehensive list of options in and around Austin, consider visiting these top ten Christmas tree lots and farms:
The Great Outdoors - 2730 S. Congress Ave.
Brungot Farms at Twin Lakes YMCA - 204 E Little Elm Trail, Cedar Park, TX
Optimist Club of Austin - 2813 San Gabriel St, Austin, TX
Elgin Christmas Tree Farm - 120 Natures Way, Elgin, TX
Papa Noël Christmas Trees - Multiple locations throughout Austin
Austin Optimist Club - St. Mark United Methodist Church, 601 W Braker Lane, Austin, TX
Waterloo Christmas Trees - Tree recycling program available for Austin area residents
Evergreen Farms Christmas Trees - 242 Monkey Road, Elgin, TX
French Christmas Trees - 2300 E State Hwy 71, Del Valle, TX
Whether searching for pines or firs, tall or short trees, the Austin community has something for every holiday enthusiast. Keep in mind to consider the tree type, transportation, and recycling options when choosing the perfect tree. By exploring these various options, residents can feel confident and knowledgeable when traversing the Austin area for their ideal Christmas tree.
Popular Christmas Tree Farms in Austin
Brungot Farms
Located just north of Austin city limits, Brungot Farms offers a variety of trees from North Carolina at the Twin Lakes YMCA in Cedar Park. Known for their quality and freshness, Brungot Farms provides a memorable tree-shopping experience for the whole family. This popular Christmas tree farm provides the closest service you will get to a choose and cut Christmas tree farm.
Elgin Christmas Tree Farm
Elgin Christmas Tree Farm is a local favorite in the Austin area. With a wide selection of trees to choose from, visitors are sure to find the perfect tree for their home. The farm also offers various activities and events during the Christmas season, making it a fun destination for all ages.
Evergreen Farms
Evergreen Farms in Elgin is renowned for their Christmas tree variety's. Open every day from the Friday after Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve, you can visit the farm to choose and cut your own tree from their vast selection. Their hours of operation are from noon until dusk. Evergreen Farms ensures a delightful tree-shopping outing for the entire family.
Papa Noël Christmas Trees
Offering an assortment of high-quality trees, Papa Noël Christmas Trees is a popular choice for Austinites looking to spruce up their homes during the holiday season. Though the trees may be on the pricier side compared to other tree farms and lots, the beautiful trees and excellent customer service make for a captivating experience.
When it comes to finding the perfect Christmas tree in Austin, these four farms stand out as top choices. Whether you're looking for a pre-cut tree or want to create memories by cutting your own, these farms offer a variety of options and festive atmospheres to make your tree-shopping experience unforgettable.
Varieties of Christmas Trees Available
In Austin, shoppers can find a diverse selection of trees to suit their preferences for Christmas. The varieties available include a range of popular choices, such as Fraser Fir, Leyland Cypress, Nordmann Fir, Noble Fir, Virginia Pine, Arizona Cypress, Douglas, and Grand Fir.
The Fraser Fir is highly prized for its beautiful pyramid shape, straight trunk, and sturdy branches. Its soft, dark green needles retain their freshness throughout the festive season. For families in Austin, Brungot Farms offers fresh Fraser Firs grown in the mountains of western North Carolina.
Leyland Cypress trees are popular not only for their lovely, light green foliage and pleasing aroma but also because of their allergy-friendly attributes. These trees are known to be great alternatives for individuals who experience allergic reactions to traditional Christmas trees.
For a unique choice, the Nordmann Fir offers excellent needle retention, with dark green, glossy needles that don't easily shed. This tree also has a symmetrical, pyramidal shape, making it a desirable option for many shoppers.
Noble Fir trees are known for their appealing bluish-green needles and layered, strong branches, providing ample space to hang ornaments. The spicy fragrance of these trees adds a pleasant touch to any home during the festive season.
Those looking for locally grown trees might consider a Virginia Pine. This species boasts dark green needles with a twisted appearance, as well as dense foliage and a pleasant aroma, perfect for creating a traditional holiday atmosphere.
An alternative to classic firs and pines, the Arizona Cypress provides a lovely silvery-blue hue and a unique, citrus-like scent. The branches are sturdy, and the tree boasts a beautiful conical shape.
Finally, the Douglas Firs and Grand Fir trees offer distinct features to consider. The Douglas Fir has dark green to blue-green needles and a full, bushy appearance, while the Grand Fir boasts lustrous, dark green needles and a distinctive, two-tone look due to the white on the needle undersides.
Christmas Tree Shopping Experience
Tree Lots Visit
Austin offers various tree farms and lots known for their high-quality trees and welcoming environments. One popular option is Montana Fresh Christmas Trees, praised for their fresh, beautifully shaped trees organized by kind and size. Another fantastic choice is the Optimist Club of Austin's Christmas tree lot, a community service project located in West Campus.
Hayride and Farm Animals Encounter
For an enjoyable day out, visit some Christmas tree farms around Austin that offer a full-fledged tree shopping experience. Hop on a hayride for a fun family trip around the farm, providing a festive and relaxed atmosphere while searching for the perfect tree. Take some time to visit the farm animals residing there and get a taste of the countryside charm.
Christmas Shop Tour
In addition to tree shopping, don't miss out on the opportunity to tour local Christmas shops to find charming ornaments and decorations. The Armadillo Christmas Bazaar held at the Palmer Events Center in mid-December features goods from nationally and locally recognized artists, making it a fine art shopping destination.
Concession Stand and Games
Add more excitement to your tree shopping experience by visiting the on-site concession stand for a delicious range of snacks and refreshments. Enjoy some cookies and hot chocolate to warm yourself while exploring the tree farms and lots. Farms may also offer interactive games and activities for families, making the trip even more memorable and fun. Choose to gather around a cozy campfire to share stories and relax during your tree shopping adventure.
Quality and Availability of Christmas Trees
When shopping for a Christmas tree in Austin, Texas, it is essential to consider both the quality and availability of the trees. One of the most popular options for a high-quality Christmas tree is the Fraser fir. Grown in the cool temperatures and abundant rainfall of the western North Carolina mountains, Fraser firs are coveted for their beauty, aroma, and needle retention.
Another popular option is the Noble fir, known for its symmetrical, full shape, and sturdy branches. While the availability of quality trees such as Fraser and Noble firs may vary, there are plenty of locations in Austin where you can find fresh and beautiful trees for Christmas.
Some reliable sources for purchasing fresh Christmas trees in Austin include:
Austin Optimist Club: This tree lot has been around for nearly seven decades. Its wide selection offers a range of choices, with over 4,000 trees available at 2813 San Gabriel St. However, please keep in mind that external factors such as fires, droughts, and shipping costs have led to increased prices.
Realty Austin: Located at the corner of San Gabriel and North Lamar on 2813 San Gabriel, the Optimist Club of Austin has been selling beautiful trees since 1952. All profits from the tree lot go towards local youth charities.
Brungot Farms: Specializing in Fraser Fir Christmas trees, Brungot Farms offers trees grown in ideal conditions. With summer temperatures in the 70's and rainfall at over 20 inches per year, these trees thrive in their North Carolina environment.
Cedar Elm Tree Farm: Located at 204 E Little Elm Trail, Cedar Park, this farm focuses on delivering a high-quality choose-and-cut tree experience for families in the Austin area.
By considering these options, Austin residents can find the perfect, high-quality tree to bring festive cheer to their home during the holiday season.
More Than Just Trees: Extra Services
When shopping for a Christmas tree in Austin, not only can you find the perfect tree, but also enjoy a variety of extra services. Many tree farms and lots in the area offer additional products and amenities that make the experience even more enjoyable for the whole family.
Wreaths and Decorations: Alongside the beautiful trees, you can find handmade wreaths at several locations. These high-quality wreaths can add a festive touch to your home.
Delivery Services: For those who prefer to have their Christmas tree delivered, some lots in the Austin area provide delivery services. Brungot Farms, for example, allows you to pre-order your tree and have it delivered right to your doorstep.
Parking and Accessibility: Most locations, offer ample parking to accommodate their customers. These businesses ensure that their lots are easily accessible, creating a stress-free shopping experience.
Entertainment and Fun: Some tree farms go beyond just offering trees and decorations; they also provide a pleasant day out with family-friendly activities.
Special Events in Austin Around Christmas
Austin, Texas is an ideal destination to enjoy a variety of Christmas events. From North Carolina-inspired Christmas tree shopping to classic holiday markets, Austin is home to many special events during the holiday season.
One of the most popular events in Austin around Christmas is the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar. This annual event showcases various local artisans and their handcrafted goods, making it an exciting spot to find unique gifts for your loved ones. The bazaar typically takes place around Thanksgiving and runs up until Christmas Eve.
Another popular event is the Blue Genie Art Bazaar. Just like the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar, this event features handcrafted goods from local artists. It offers a more gallery-like atmosphere with a wide range of art pieces, home decor, and other gift items. The bazaar generally starts in mid-November and continues up until Christmas Eve.
During the holidays, Austin offers numerous festive activities for the whole family. Here are a few must-see events:
Mozart's Coffee Light Show: Experience a fantastic light show at Mozart's Coffee from November 11th to January 6th. The free show takes place each evening, every hour on the hour, with table reservations strongly recommended.
Christmas Walkway of Lights in Marble Falls: Held from November 19th to January 2nd, it is a favorite holiday event featuring beautiful light displays.
Ice Skating at Whole Foods Rooftop: Despite the warm Texas weather, you can enjoy ice skating at Whole Foods' corporate world headquarters from late November to early January.
For those looking for a unique Santa Claus experience, there are train rides in Austin and the surrounding area during the festive season. Hop on a Santa-themed train ride, where children can enjoy the magical journey and even share their holiday wishes with Santa himself.
In conclusion, Austin caters to diverse interests, providing an array of Christmas shopping options and exciting events for the entire family to enjoy.
Real Austinian Christmas Tree Shoppers' Reviews
Austinian Christmas tree shoppers have a variety of options to choose from when it comes to selecting the perfect tree for their homes. A top choice among Austinites has been Montana Fresh Christmas Trees, known for their fresh, beautifully shaped trees that are well organized in their store by kind and size. With a 4.8-star rating from 22 reviews, customers have praised the store's offerings and their overall tree-shopping experience.
In addition to Montana Fresh Christmas Trees, the Optimist Club of Austin has received positive feedback from local tree shoppers as well. This community service and non-profit organization provides an array of trees and has a 4.5-star rating from 30 reviews. Many Austinite customers appreciate the chance to shop locally while supporting a worthy cause.
Here's a brief comparison of the two popular Christmas tree providers in Austin based on customer reviews:
Provider Rating Prices Notable Features Montana Fresh Christmas Trees 4.8 stars (22 reviews) $$ Fresh, beautifully shaped, well organized Optimist Club of Austin 4.5 stars (30 reviews) $$ Community service, non-profit, local
For those who want to explore more options, Lowe's is another alternative worth considering. The store provides a wide variety of both artificial and real Christmas trees at their multiple locations throughout Austin.
Trees from Washington and Oregon are often preferred by Austin tree shoppers due to their quality and freshness. As Kyle, a Christmas tree enthusiast, has noted in his review, "The trees from Washington and Oregon are among the best I've seen in the area."
The perfect tree tops off the Austin holiday experience. Families select fresh-cut or potted pines from local austin christmas tree farms, then spend evenings decorating their treasured austin christmas tree. Later, many drive through illuminated trails like the city's famous austin trail of lights or take in concerts playing beloved texas christmas songs. Residents also partake in cherished local traditions such as Thanksgiving meals and neighborhood holiday traditions austin. With its mild winters, the season offers the chance to fully embrace festivities or enjoy additional winter activities austin.
