Where to see Christmas lights in Austin and Central Texas in 2023
We are officially leaving the frights. It's the season for lights.
Like all things in Texas, the Christmas lights displays will be big this year across Austin and Central Texas. Here is a list of must-see activities that will brighten your season with thousands of twinkling lights and starting as soon as this month.
Map: Christmas lights around Austin and Central Texas
Austin Trail of Lights
The iconic trail in Zilker Park claims to be the longest-running holiday tradition of its kind in Austin. Featuring more than 2 million lights, 90 lighted holiday trees, and more than 70 holiday displays, there is no shortage of lights to marvel at.
The lights will open from Dec. 8-23. Tickets start at $8 for general admission and free for kids 12 and under. However, there are dates when admission will be free for seven of the 14 nights.
More information: austintrailoflights.org/calendar
More: Trail of Lights returns to Zilker Park for its 59th year
Zilker Holiday Tree
The 155-foot-tall structure is a moontower made to look like a tree with hundreds of lights adorning it and a 10-foot double star at the top. It is a tradition to spin and take photos under the massive structure, and there is more than enough room to spin without bumping into anyone.
The tree lights up at 6 p.m. nightly starting Nov. 27 and closes at 10 p.m. Drive-up access to the nearby parking lots will be available only on nights when the Trail of Lights is closed. Visit their website for a full schedule of when the tree is accessible to the general public.
More information: austintexas.gov/department/zilker-holiday-tree
Mozart's Lights Show
The popular lakefront coffee shop at 3825 Lake Austin Blvd hosts an hourly holiday light show with hundreds of lights that twinkle to the tune of holiday music. The shows begin on Nov. 9 and run through Jan. 6. Shows occur every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas. A Bavarian market will take place alongside the show. There will also be a silent disco running through December with bottomless hot chocolate included with ticket purchase.
Reservations are required and start at $40 for a four-person table and $60 for six people. Silent disco tickets are $21.35.
More information: mozartscoffee.com/pages/annual-christmas-light-show
Peppermint Parkway
Peppermint Parkway at Circuit of the Americas is a mile-long drive-thru full of lights, with music, carnival rides, and food onsite. Currently, their website does not specify a date, but in previous years, it opened on Nov. 25 and ran through Dec. 30. Tickets cost $40.
More information: peppermintparkway.com
Bright fight: Should you go to Austin Trail of Lights or Peppermint Parkway?
37th Street
The street is a perfect example of holiday solidarity and cheer as neighbors coordinate to string hundreds of lights and big decorations on this strip of houses. Take part in this local tradition by going to the start of the walkway at Guadalupe and 37th Street. It's an all-volunteer event, and donations of money and lights are accepted. See their Facebook page or website for a list of accepted lights.
The grand opening will be on Dec. 8. and the lights will stay on from sunset to 10 p.m. nightly until New Year's Day. (This story has been updated to correct the opening night date for 37th Street lights.)
Holiday Window Walk in the 2nd Street District
If you want to mix some shopping and sightseeing, then the 2nd Street District downtown is where you want to go. Starting Nov. 25, storefronts along the street will feature windows decorated with holiday scenes.
Domain Northside Holiday Display
Want even more shopping-related lights? The Domain Northside's Tannenbaum will be lit on Nov. 18 at 5:30 p.m., and you can see the hourly show from 5 to 9 a.m. Monday-Friday, noon to 9 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, as well as Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The tree is found across from the Apple Store.
A Grinch meet and greet will occur before the tree ceremony at 3 p.m.
More information: domainnorthside.com/events
Downtown Austin Holiday Stroll and Tree Lighting
Join KUT, KUTX & the Downtown Austin Alliance for their 29th Annual Tree Lighting, Sing-Along and Stroll . The free, family-friendly event is on Dec.2 from 5 p.m. to 9, Congress Avenue between 9th and 11th streets. There will also be aritsan vendors, food trucks, photos with Santa and more.
More information: downtownaustin.com/holiday-stroll/
Santa’s Ranch in New Braunfels
No need to travel up to the North Pole; head down to New Braunfels for a self-guided driving tour with 2.5 million holiday lights and many displays. They will open from Nov. 3 through Dec. 31, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Santa's Ranch also offers homemade hot cocoa, kettle corn, and snacks.
Tickets cost $37 and are redeemable for any of the nights they are open.
More information: santasranch.net
Bastrop River of Lights
Lighted displays with various themes will line Bastrop's serene June Hill Pape River Walk across half a mile. The display opens every night from dusk to 10 p.m. starting Nov. 24 through Jan. 2. To get to the walk, go down the stairs west of the intersection of Main and Pine Streets or use the fully accessible entrance at Fishermans Park on Farm Street.
More information: visitbastrop.com/event/bastrop-river-of-lights/4/
Budafest Parade
The parade is a time-honored tradition tracing back to the first Budafest 43 years ago with twinkling lights during the night. Families, businesses, and organizations will meet on Main Street in Downtown Buda on Dec. 2, starting at 6:30 p.m.
If you want to join the parade yourself, then you're in luck, as Buda is inviting people to register on their website.
More information: airtable.com/app3dI5DMLsizusY5/shr4NT0GWVIIWehGO
Christmas on Mercer in Dripping Springs
Known as the wedding capital of Texas, Dripping Springs celebrates Christmas with a dusk tree lighting on Dec. 1 in downtown Dripping Springs on Mercer Street. A holiday movie follows. There will be a holiday festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. the next day where kids can meet Santa.
More information: cityofdrippingsprings.com/christmasonmercer
Lights Spectacular in Johnson City
The "Twinkliest Town in Texas" is only about a 50-minute drive from Austin and decorates its downtown area with millions of lights, which NASA could reportedly see from the International Space Station, according to the city. The event starts on Nov. 24 and runs until Jan. 6 from dusk until midnight.
Johnson City encourages people to come before sundown to walk their historic downtown and enjoy local food, beer, wine and festivities.
More information: johnsoncitytexas.info/lights-spectacular.html
Lakeway Trail of Lights
The free trail opens Dec. 1 through Jan. 1 and is a self-guided cherished tradition with no vendors or attendants. It will be open from 6 p.m. to midnight nightly.
More information: lakeway-tx.gov/721/Trail-of-Lights
Marble Falls Christmas Light-up Parade
On its 33rd year of Christmas activities, Marble Falls hosts multiple events throughout December. This year, their Christmas light-up parade will occur on Dec. 1 through downtown starting at 6 p.m.
They encourage anyone to join and participate in the parade with powered floats, vehicles, horses, and marching and walking groups, but they must be lit and include family-friendly music. There will be a competition for the best float.
More information: visitmarblefalls.org/event/christmas-light-up-parade
New Braunfels Downtown Lighting & Santa's Arrival
Kick off the holiday season in New Braunfels on Nov. 17 with a performance by the New Braunfels Community Band, followed by a countdown to flip the switch that will turn on thousands of lights in the Main Plaza. Afterwards, Santa will arrive on a firetruck and make his way to the plaza where families can take pictures with him.
The program starts at 6 p.m. and will end at 9 p.m.
More information: newbraunfels.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=7839
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Map: Christmas lights and events in Austin and Central Texas in 2023
