The Austin area offers many lights & tree lightings every year! Holiday light displays are fun for kids of all ages. Whether a holiday season event or collaborative neighborhood light display, Christmas tree lightings and light displays make the season bright!
Austin
Longhorn Lights
November 29-January 1
The University of Texas at Austin presents a new tradition, Longhorn Lights, a holiday light show celebrating the season for Longhorn Nation and the Austin community.
Longhorn Lights stars 24 Heritage Oak trees that are illuminated with synchronized burnt orange and white lights dancing to music by the Longhorn Band.
Longhorn Lights runs along Guadalupe Street between 21st and 24th, also known as The Drag, and is free and open to the public for all to enjoy nightly from November 29-January 1, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Whether you’re on foot or driving by, the festive light show will be a joyous experience for the entire community. HOOK ‘EM!
37th Street Lights
December 9 – January 1
The weirdest lights you will see this holiday season. The lights mostly occur between Guadalupe and Home St on 37th. Entering 519 W 37th St, Austin, TX 78705 or La Tazza Fresca into your GPS will get you here. The best house though is actually on the corner of 35th Street and Cedar just around the corner at the end of the block.
The best way to experience the lights is to walk it as the street becomes backed up with cars and many of the coolest things can only be seen by walking off the street a bit. Especially the Stuffed Animal Petting Zoo which is a must see.
Holiday Tree Light Show
Austin Trail of Lights
December 8 – 23
Tickets for the 59th annual Austin Trail of Lights are ON SALE NOW! Join us December 8 – 23, 2023 (closed Mondays) and experience the magic at the 59th annual event.
Hosted by the Trail of Lights Foundation, the annual event in Zilker Park celebrates the unique spirit and people that make Austin the place we love to call home.
The most beloved, and longest running holiday tradition of its kind in Texas’ capital city, Austin Trail of Lights powered by H-E-B, welcomes hundreds of thousands of guests from Central Texas and around the world each year for its jubilant displays of lights.
Special Dates:
December 9-16: Kendra Scott will be at the Trail with a festive shopping experience in their new Yellow Rose themed tiny house.
A new lighted replica of the UT Tower will be on display this year. Check it out any night, including on UT Night, presented by The University of Texas at Austin, on Sunday, December 10.
More shuttle nights are available! Catch a ride from Burger Center and Republic Square; get tickets online, in advance. Shuttle Access available December 2, 8-10, 15-17, 19-23.
Holiday Market at the Zilker Tree open December 8-10 from 6-10pm. Local vendors, merchandise, and live performances will be under the Zilker Tree for your holiday gifting needs.
“Lights at the Square” at Republic Square, a collaboration between the Downtown Austin Alliance, the Trail of Lights Foundation, Kirkland & Ellis and Favor to create a festive experience for Austin Trail of Lights patrons riding a shuttle from Republic Square to Zilker Park.
Mozart’s 2023 Christmas Light Show
November 9 – January 6
Swifties, this year is for you. Mozart’s Light show will have Taylor Swift’s actual Era’s Tour dance floor! It will be front and center all season long, available for photo ops and shaking-it-off every night. Not to mention the nautical excursions, table service, hot chocolate, cocoa bombs, holiday t-shirts, & dog-friendly treats which are a longtime favorite!
Mozart’s 14th Annual Holiday Light Show returns nightly starting November 9th, lasting until January 6th. TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
Luminations
November 24 – January 6
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at The University of Texas at Austin presents a glowing celebration of winter’s natural beauty with all-new light installations. Inspired by the four elements — earth, air, fire and water — this year’s exhibition spans nearly two miles of our Texas Arboretum, inviting you to immerse yourself in the season. Tickets on sale now!
Peppermint Parkway
November 24 -December 30th
Ready, Set, Glow! Peppermint Parkway returns to Circuit of the Americas November 25th through December 30th! Experience a drive-thru holiday spectacular with a mile of holiday displays, millions of lights, dancing characters and a holiday plaza full of food, rides, activities and more.
Bastrop
Bastrop River of Lights
November 25 – January 2
Take in the River of Lights, numerous lighted displays in a variety of seasonal themes lining Bastrop’s scenic June Hill Pape River Walk. To access this one-half mile promenade, come down the stairs west of the intersection of Main and Pine Streets or select the fully accessible entrance at Fisherman’s Park on Farm Street. The River of Lights opens November 25 and continues every night until January 2 from dusk until 10pm.
Boerne
Old West Christmas Light Fest
November 24 – December 23 (Select Dates)
Open for the 2023 season on select dates! Add Texas-sized sparkle to your holidays with the glow of lights, tastes of the season and family fun at Old West Christmas Light Fest. Get your fill of holiday magic, flavors and family fun under the lights at Old West Christmas Light Fest. Located 20 minutes outside of San Antonio off of IH-10 West at exit 540 in Boerne. Travel back in time and enjoy a glimpse of Christmas inside an authentic western town with more than 40 buildings brought to life. Our rustic Old West town and beautiful scenery are the perfect backdrop for memory-making holiday fun!
Buda
Budafest Night Parade
December 2
The Budafest parade is a time-honored tradition dating back to the very first Budafest event 43 years ago. At the parade, families, businesses, organizations and groups come together to kick-off the holidays with a family-friendly celebration through the heart of Downtown Buda. This year, we’re lighting up the night and we invite you to join us! All entries are welcome and we challenge you to bring your best lights!
15th Annual Buda Trail of Lights
RETURNING THIS DECEMBER
Take a walk through Historic Stagecoach Park to view twinkling lights and illuminated displays. Guests are shuttled from Cabela’s to enjoy the array of festive scenes at their leisure. Food, fun, and holiday splendor await visitors, along with a visit from Santa himself.
Johnson City
Annual Lights Spectacular
November 24 – January 2
Come one, Come all to Celebrate Lights Spectacular in Johnson City, Texas (close to Fredericksburg, TX). This free Christmas/Holiday Lights display is an event you can’t miss. With over 2 Million Christmas lights, this display is so big, NASA reported seeing it from space! Come out before sundown, walk our historic downtown with your family, enjoy local food, beer, wine, and festivities in a family fun atmosphere. Holiday lights will continue to glow in Johnson City, “The Twinkliest Town in Texas”, boasting over two million twinkling lights in our historic square off Main Street, Memorial Park and PEC headquarters.
Plan your visit HERE.
Kerrville
Light Up The Island
November 18 – January
A glowing opportunity has come to the Hill Country during the holiday season. The City of Kerrville Parks and Recreation Department plans to decorate the trees of Tranquility Island with Christmas lights in an effort to bring the holiday spirit to Louise Hays Park and The River Trail. This project will be phased over the next several years and the goal is to eventually light the entire island of trees (within reason) from the Tranquility Island bridge to the Lemos Street Bridge.
Lights for the Island will turn on, and will remain up and lit, from the Holiday Lighted Parade (November 18) to the beginning of January.
BONUS: On select Friday nights, enjoy SNOW on the island. Details here.
Lakeway
December 1
Happy Holidays from the City of Lakeway! The Lights On event marks the beginning of the holiday season in Lakeway with the first lighting of the Trail of Lights behind City Hall. We invite you to join us in the parking lot at City Hall (at the corner of Sailmaster and Lohman’s). Have fun decorating cookies and roasting a marshmallow at the fire pit! Compete with your friends and family playing “Reindeer Games”. We will be collecting donations of non-perishable food items to benefit Lake Travis Crisis Ministries. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be nearby to ‘plug in’ the Trail of Lights display and to speak to all of the good little boys and girls of Lakeway. Enjoy Christmas tunes sung by a live band. Bicycles, scooters, skateboards and motorized vehicles are not permitted on the trail. No pets, please.
Llano
Starry Nights Lighted Christmas Park
December 2 – December 30
Opening night will be the First Saturday in December through December 30, 2023 The park is open every night 6-9pm. Come out and stroll along the Llano River and enjoy all of the displays that light up Badu Park. It’s a great place to celebrate the season with family and friends.
Marble Falls
Walkway of Lights
November 17 – December 31
The trail runs most days in December and is a walking trail through approximately 8 acres of lighted exhibits. Most nights feature live entertainment on the stage next to our yule log where guests can enjoy complimentary marshmallows and hot chocolate. Santa Claus flies in most nights from the North Pole and will be in his house to greet everyone!
New Braunfels
Pflugerville
Pfestival of Lights 2023
December 2
Main Street comes alive with the enchantment of the holiday season during the annual Pfestival of Lights. As dusk descends, the street transforms into a dazzling spectacle of color and light.
The air is filled with the joyful sounds of carolers and the laughter of families enjoying the festivities. The highlight is the Christmas parade that winds its way down Main Street with floats adorned with glittering lights and festive decorations.
Round Rock
Light Up The Lake 2023
December 1 & 2
BIG & GLOWING holiday cheer is coming back to Round Rock for 2 amazing nights in December! Join us for the annual Light Up the Lake, a 2-day holiday festival around the lake and festival area at Old Settlers Park on Fri, December 1st, and Sat, December 2nd.
The event will feature SPECTACULAR giant balloons hovering over Bright Lake, amazing light show, LIVE music, holiday displays, holiday food and refreshments, crafts, family activities, yule log and more!
Hometown Holiday
December
Downtown Round Rock glows up this holiday season with a seriously sparkly light display. Grab a coat and jingle all the way to Main Street for a sea of glittering trees, interactive holiday decor, live music on the Plaza and in the parklets.
Don’t forget to grab a bite with your crew, enjoy a festive cocktail(or two!) and check off your gift listwhile you enjoy the hometown coziness.
San Antonio
Holiday River Lights on the River Walk
November 24 – January 7
The famous holiday lights on the River Walk will turn on this year on November 24, 2023, and remain on from dusk to dawn nightly through January 7, 2024 (at dawn). The official televised lighting ceremony in the Arneson River Theatre will take place on Friday, November 24, 2023, to kick off the holidays at the annual Ford Holiday River Parade.
We invite you to experience the spectacular display of over 100,000 lights (2,250 strings of light) draped over the towering bald cypress trees that line the River Walk.
Visiting the River Walk to enjoy the spectacular holiday lights is free. The River Walk is a public park and is open every day of the year, 24 hours a day. Holiday lights are on the downtown portion of the River Walk. Our friends at the San Antonio River Authority have added lights North of Downtown on the river in the Pearl District.
Zoo Lights
November 18 – December 31
Step into the WILDEST and most magical Zoo Lights event in our 109-year history!
Zoo Lights, powered by CPS Energy, will transform San Antonio Zoo into a winter wonderland from November 18 to December 31. Get ready to be swept away by the holiday spirit as you explore miles of dazzling lights, festive music, and whimsical displays.
Embark on a joyous musical journey aboard the Polar Express, where the tunes of the season will fill your heart with warmth and cheer. Wander through Cowboy’s Yuletide Trail, adorned with friendly furry friends and thousands of twinkling lights, creating a magical atmosphere that will leave you in awe.
Experience the new Polar Playground, a frosty wonderland filled with larger-than-life activities that will make you feel like a kid again. Discover enchanting realms like Water Wonderland, Starry Safari, Candy Lane, Peppermint Path, and more, where you can meet delightful characters, indulge in scrumptious treats, and take part in festive activities that will delight all ages.
Prepare to be amazed by the brand-new Lakeside Laser Lightshow, where fog, snow, lights, and mesmerizing projections come together in a dazzling dance of holiday magic. And don’t forget to visit Tony Parker’s private collection of FAO Schwartz animals, adding an extra touch of enchantment to your Zoo Lights experience.
With bigger, brighter, and wilder attractions than ever before, Zoo Lights, powered by CPS Energy, guarantees an unforgettable holiday light extravaganza. Mark your calendars and join us from November 18 to December 31 for the wildest celebration in San Antonio!