Austin Trail of Lights dates announced for 2024

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin’s Trail of Lights will celebrate its 60th anniversary when it returns to Zilker Park in December 2024.

The Trail of Lights Foundation announced Austin’s “longest-running holiday event” will run from Dec. 10 through Dec. 23, 2024. An estimated 400,000 people attend the festivities every year, the foundation said.

This year’s Austin Trail of Lights Fun Run presented by Chuy’s will be held on Saturday, Dec. 7, organizers said.

Zilker Park will be covered in over two million lights with 65 displays. The event also hosts around 30 food trucks and two entertainment stages.

  • Trail of Lights 2023 (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)
    Trail of Lights 2023 (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)
  • Austin Trail of Lights 2022 (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)
    Austin Trail of Lights 2022 (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)
  • Aerial view of the Trail of Lights in Austin on Dec. 17, 2023. (Courtesy Chris Nelle/Aerial Options Photography)
    Aerial view of the Trail of Lights in Austin on Dec. 17, 2023. (Courtesy Chris Nelle/Aerial Options Photography)
  • Trail of Lights 2023 (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)
    Trail of Lights 2023 (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)
  • Austin Trail of Lights 2022 (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)
    Austin Trail of Lights 2022 (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)
  • Trail of Lights in December 2022 (KXAN Photo/Jake Sykes)
    Trail of Lights in December 2022 (KXAN Photo/Jake Sykes)
  • (Photo courtesy: Austin Trail of Lights)
    (Photo courtesy: Austin Trail of Lights)
  • Austin Trail of Lights 2022 (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)
    Austin Trail of Lights 2022 (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)
  • 56th annual Trail of Lights (KXAN/Chelsea Moreno)
    56th annual Trail of Lights (KXAN/Chelsea Moreno)

According to organizers, the event began as a small gathering in 1965, previously known as Yule Fest, and it was a gift to the city from the Austin Parks and Recreation Department.

KXAN is a previous sponsor of Austin Trail of Lights.

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