Between the city canceling the annual Trail of Lights at Zilker last year and the slow dim of the 37th Street Lights, the holidays have been a bit more humbug these past few years in Austin. Well, fret not, Santa Pants, the Límon clan of East Austin may put the twinkle back in your eye. The Límons have been in Austin since 1889, with the arrival of one dude and his brood. A century and a quarter later, the Límons number in the 2,000s. (Their family reunion last year shut down all of Webberville Park.) So when this crew wants to celebrate the winter holidays with lights, they do it big. Like the Visitation big. Like Hark the Freakin' Herald Angels big. Calle Límon, between Springdale and Airport, is named for the family and – surprise! – is loaded with Límons. Each year, beginning in late November through early January, the fam seems to try to outdo one another in the decorations department. Joy! So, swaddle the babes, roast some chestnuts, pack up the car, and take a drive to your own personal homegrown holiday light show. For tunes, might we recommend popping in a little Little Joe y la (what else?) Fammmmmiiiiiliaaaaaa!
