Have a bright, caffeinated Christmas at Mozart’s

Ho-ho-ho and a cup of joe!

Even though we’re all wearing shorts and tank tops (that’s the “royal we’re” — you’ll never catch me wearing those) it’s December. You and your neighbors have flung Christmas lights all over your houses and yards, and are sitting out front on blocks of ice in a desperate attempt to make it feel more like Christmas, aren’t you?

I hate to break it to you, but you’re going to have a hard time beating the display at Mozart’s Coffee Roasters. The 12-minute lights and music show repeats every hour on the hour from 6 p.m. to midnight. It features thousands of lights — including two 17-foot angels; four gigantic presents; a 12foot tall, hat-tipping snowman; and two bright purple and pink hearts — synchronized to the joyous strains of holiday music. www.Mozartscoffee.com Mozart’s has combed the Austin area for other extraordinary lights. Pick up a copy of their map at the venue or download it from AustinChristmasLightsMap. com. Check out a snippet of this year’s show at Youtube.com/ mozartscoffee.

This year’s tunes are “Feliz Navidad,” “All I Want for Christmas is You,” “Hallelujah” and “Wizards in Winter.” A special tribute to the Longhorns includes plenty of burnt orange bulbs and “The UT Fight Song.”

Again this year, in conjunction with Lake Austin Boulevard neighbor Hula Hut, Mozart’s sponsors the statewide All About Texas Christmas Lights Photo Contest, open to amateurs and professionals alike. Prizes include gift cards and an iPad.

Photos will be judged on how unforgettable they are, and shooters must follow only three rules: Your photo must have Christmas lights in it; it must be taken somewhere in Texas; and it must be taken during the 2012 holiday season. More information and submitted photos can be found online at AllAboutTexasChristmasLights. com.

Submission deadline is midnight Tuesday, Dec. 18, and winners will be announced at a Hula Hut/ Mozart’s block party at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 20. The party also features freebies including hot chocolate, drip coffee, cookies and photos with Santa (contestants don’t have to attend the shindig to win).

Mozart’s is at 3825 Lake Austin Boulevard.