<\/p>\n
Austin Kachele watches Shanti Kachele take photos under the Zilker Holiday Tree at the 59th Zillker Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at Zilker Park on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Austin. at Zilker Park on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Austin.<\/p>\n
Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
As the days grow shorter and the city gets busier with end-of-year festivities,\u00a0Austinites are once again seeking out the magic of holiday lights<\/a>.<\/p>\n Each holiday display in Austin has its own style: some are DIY neighborhood efforts, while others are organized, ticketed events. Here\u2019s a look at some of the city\u2019s standout light displays<\/a>.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Map: Where to see Christmas lights around Austin, Central Texas<\/p>\n More: Austin\u2019s neighborhood Christmas lights can be seen from space. See the map<\/a><\/p>\n 37th Street Lights<\/p>\n Austinites visit the 37th Street lights on Dec. 12, 2022. The annual tradition has been happening on and off since the 1980s.<\/p>\n Robert Hein \/ Special to American-Statesman<\/p>\n A long-running local tradition, the 37th Street Lights remain one of Austin\u2019s quirkiest displays. Residents along this\u00a0Hyde Park-adjacent block decorate their homes in unconventional ways. Lights are typically on nightly\u00a0through New Year\u2019s, from sunset to 10 p.m., though some homes stay lit later. The street is pedestrian-only, and parking is limited to nearby side streets. The display is volunteer-run, supported by donations of decorations and funds.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n W. 37th Street. facebook.com\/37thstreetlights<\/a><\/p>\n Downtown Austin Holiday Lights<\/p>\n Austin’s Downtown Holiday Stroll on Dec. 3, 2022, brought people together on Congress Avenue for two local traditions: the Capitol Christmas tree lighting and the annual KUT\/KUTX carol singalong.<\/p>\n Suzanne Cordeiro \/ Special to American-Statesman<\/p>\n Wander downtown to see the lighting of the Capitol Christmas tree. From Nov. 14 to Jan. 6, the Downtown Austin Alliance adds markets, pop-up events, light installations and decorated buildings across the district.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Congress Ave. 512-469-1766, downtownaustin.com\/happy-yallidays.<\/a><\/p>\n Light Park Austin (Round Rock)<\/p>\n There was plenty of traffic through the light tunnel at the base of the water tower. The City of Round Rock and Round Rock Parks and Recreation hosted Christmas Family Night in downtown Round Rock on December 6, 2019. [Henry Huey for American-Statesman.]<\/p>\n Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n Located just north of Austin, Light Park is a drive-through holiday display open daily, including holidays. Hours run 5:30\u201310\u00a0p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 5:30\u201311 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Visitors drive slowly through a mile-long route while listening to a synchronized radio soundtrack. Tickets are sold per vehicle, with higher prices on weekends and near the end of the season. Concessions are available.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n 3400 E. Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock. thelightpark.com\/locations\/round-rock-texas<\/a><\/p>\n Longhorn Lights (UT Austin)<\/p>\n Texas students mill around the holiday light Bevo at the lighting of Longhorn Lights, the University of Texas’ annual holiday light display along Guadalupe Street, Nov. 19, 2024. The lighting ceremony featured musical performances, appearances by the cheer and football teams as well as free cider and donuts for UT students. The holiday lights display will run through January 1.<\/p>\n Sara Diggins\/American-Statesman<\/p>\n Longhorn Lights lights up the University of Texas campus nightly through Jan. 1. The display stretches along the South Mall with the Tower as a backdrop. This year\u2019s installation highlights the Tower\u2019s ongoing restoration, including new exterior lighting and masonry work. Lights are on daily from 5 to 10\u00a0p.m., spanning 21st Street and University Avenue.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n 200 W. 21st St. utexas.edu\/longhornlights<\/a><\/p>\n Mozart\u2019s Lake Austin Festival of Lights<\/p>\n Holiday d\u00e9cor and lights are an annual tradition at Mozart’s Coffee Roasters on Lake Austin. Customers gather under the lights on Dec. 12, 2022, in Austin, Texas.<\/p>\n Suzanne Cordeiro \/ Special to American-Statesman<\/p>\n Mozart\u2019s Coffee Roasters hosts a lakeside holiday display through Jan. 3. Hourly performances run from 7 to 10 p.m., featuring choreographed light shows, waterfront staging and a holiday village with food and drinks. Some nights include special performances, like fire-dancing inspired by \u201cThe Nutcracker.\u201d Admission to the village is $3, and the venue is closed on Christmas Day.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n 3825 Lake Austin Blvd. 512-477-2900, mozartscoffee.com<\/a><\/p>\n Peppermint Parkway (Circuit of the Americas)<\/p>\n The Peppermint Parkway holiday experience returned to Circuit of the Americas for 2022, seen here Dec. 1 in Austin. In addition to the drive-thru Christmas lights, Peppermint Parkway features carnival rides and food.<\/p>\n Scott Moore \/ Special to American-Statesman<\/p>\n Peppermint Parkway returns to Circuit of the Americas as a walk-through holiday attraction open through January. Visitors can enjoy light displays, costumed performers and a plaza with rides, games and food. Tickets start at $8 per person, with extra costs for rides, mini golf, or a slow lap around the track in personal vehicles. Children 2 and under enter free.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd., Del Valle. 512-301-6600, peppermintparkway.com<\/a><\/p>\n Trail of Lights (Zilker Park)<\/p>\n Over two million holiday lights illuminate Zilker Park in front of the Austin Skyline on the Grand Opening night of Austin Trail of Lights, Dec. 10, 2025. The event, running for 61 years, features over 70 holiday displays, food vendors, rides and activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n One of Austin\u2019s oldest holiday events, the Trail of Lights offers general admission for $8, with free entry on select nights (Dec. 10\u201312 and 15\u201318). Children 11 and under enter free with an adult. The walk-through trail features large-scale light displays, and on-site parking requires advance purchase.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n 2100 Barton Springs Road. austintrailoflights.org<\/a><\/p>\n Zilker Holiday Tree<\/p>\n A space-going Santa on display as the Holiday Tree illuminates the night behind the park on the Grand Opening night of Austin Trail of Lights at Zilker Park, Dec. 11, 2025.<\/p>\n Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n Near the Trail of Lights, the 155-foot\u00a0Zilker Holiday Tree features more than 3,000 LED bulbs in a spiral pattern. It stands atop one of Austin\u2019s historic moon towers and is open through Jan. 1. Drive-up viewing is available on select nights with free parking. On other nights, the tree is only accessible during Trail of Lights hours because of road closures.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n 2100 Barton Springs Road. 512-471-1000, austintexas.gov\/department\/zilker-holiday-tree<\/a><\/p>\n Santa\u2019s Ranch in New Braunfels<\/p>\n Skip the trip to the North Pole and cruise through Santa’s Ranch in New\u00a0Braunfels instead, where a self-guided driving route winds past three million holiday lights. The display runs from Nov. 1 through Jan. 4, open 6 to 10\u00a0p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 6 to 11\u00a0p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Santa’s Ranch also offers homemade hot cocoa, kettle corn, and snacks.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n 9561 I-35 North, New Braunfels, TX,\u00a0santasranch.com<\/a><\/p>\n Lights Spectacular in Johnson City<\/p>\n 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 runs from Nov. 28 to Jan. 4 from dusk until midnight.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Johnson City encourages people to come before sundown to walk their historic downtown and enjoy local food, beer, wine and festivities.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n