Menu
Holiday Lights Displays

All The Best Holiday Lights Displays in Austin

,

Austin transforms into a sparkling wonderland every holiday season, with neighborhoods, parks, and local attractions lighting up with dazzling displays that delight both kids and adults. If you’re looking to experience the best holiday lights in Austin, this guide covers the top spots for festive cheer. From drive-thru displays to walkable winter wonderlands, here’s where to find the most magical holiday lights displays in Austin this year.

Walkable Lights Displays

trail of lights austin
Austin Trail of Lights

1. Austin Trail of Lights at Zilker Park

One of Austin’s most famous holiday traditions, the Austin Trail of Lights in Zilker Park, is a must-visit for families. With millions of lights, holiday-themed displays, and a giant Christmas tree made from over 3,000 lights, this event brings holiday magic to the heart of Austin.

Parking: Available near Zilker Park with shuttle options for easier access.

Highlights: Walk through illuminated tunnels, meet Santa, and take family photos with festive backdrops.

Tickets: General admission is free on certain nights, but tickets are required for peak nights. Purchasing tickets in advance is recommended. There are different prices for different levels of tickets.

2. Mozart’s Coffee Lake Austin Festival of Lights

Mozart's Lights austin
Mozart’s Lights

This is an old annual tradition in Austin, but so much has changed this year! Mozart’s is rolling out their lights show (now called the Lake Austin Festival of Lights) with $5 reservations per person instead of table reservations. Their lakeside deck will still transform into a sparkling light show that’s both cozy and family-friendly. Each year, the show includes synchronized music and intricate light patterns, creating a fun, intimate holiday experience for visitors. This year, you get a $5 ticket (kids under 11 are free) and you can stay for up to 2.5 hours. Seating is open and not available to reserve.

You can also purchase igloo reservations and donut boat or boat reservations.

3. Luminations at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Luminations at the wildflower center
Luminations

Explore the Wildflower Center Central Garden under a light installation. Food and drink options available for purchase. New this year: you can explore the Fortlandia exhibit at night while you’re there for Luminations!

Dates & Times: November 22, 2024- January 5, 2025. Entry times between 5:45pm-7:45pm Exhibit ends at 9pm.

4. Marble Falls Walkway of Lights

Marble Falls Walkway of Lights
Marble Falls Walkway of Lights

5. Lakeway Trail of Lights

Enjoy a FREE festive walk through a holiday lit trail. Self walk through only. There are no attendants or vendors on-site.

Dates & Times: Nightly December 6, 2024- January 1, 2025, 6pm-midnight

Access locations: Lakeway Activity Center parking lot – 105 Cross Creek- The City Hall Parking lot – 1102 Lohmans Crossing Road, Lakeway

6. Light Up the Lake: Round Rock

FREE: 2-DAY EVENT. Enjoy a light show, live music, holiday displays, food and refreshments, crafts, family activities, yule log and more!  

Dates & Times: Friday, December 6th 6pm & Saturday, December 7th 6pm

7. 37th Street Lights

37th St Lights
37th St Lights

This is a FREE, quirky Austin tradition. Walk through 37th Street at Guadalupe in Austin. Homes are decorated and there are fun interactive surprises along the way. Some nights will even have entertainment like fire dancers.

Dates & Times: Opens Dec 13, 2024 through New Years. Sunset-10pm

8. Harry Potter & The Forbidden Forest

Harry Potter Forbidden Forest
Harry Potter Forbidden Forest

Not specific to Christmas or the holidays, but this is a temporary walk-thru lights experience that’s in Cedar Creek through Dec 19, 2024. It’s a must-do for any Harry Potter fan! We absolutely loved it!

Dates & Times: Open Friday – Sunday and select weeknights through Dec 19, 2024

Admission: Go here to purchase tickets. Get 10% off with my code: FFAUSTIN10

9. Diagon Alley Austin

Diagon Alley Austin
Diagon Alley Austin

This South Austin (Circle C) neighborhood house goes all out for the holidays! It’s free to experience, but donations are encouraged. Check their Facebook page for updates on times, dates, etc. They should be up and running by Thanksgiving!

10. Elfvis & the Kringles 

Eflvis & The Kringles
Eflvis & The Kringles

Another neighborhood house (Round Rock) that goes all out for the holidays, including fake snow falls and animatronics timed with music! Check their Facebook page for updates. 2405 Berwick Cove Round Rock

Drive-Thru Lights Displays

1. Santa’s Ranch

santa's ranch

Drive over a mile through holiday light exhibit with animated Christmas displays. Enjoy homemade cocoa, kettle corn, and snacks for purchase. 

Dates: November 1st 2024- January 4th 2025 Sun-Thur 6pm-10pm, Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm

Admission: Single ($37 per vehicle) & Season Pass ($74) options

2. Peppermint Parkway at COTA

Peppermint Parkway
Peppermint Parkway

Over a mile of a dazzling drive-thru light displays while you drive on the race track at COTA. Festive plaza offering food, rides, activities, and more. 

Dates & Times: November 22nd- December 29th 6pm- 9pm

Admission: $45-99. Purchase tickets here.

3. The Light Park (Round Rock)

the light park round rock
The Light Park Round Rock

Drive-thru lights in the Dell Diamond parking lot in Round Rock. Takes about 20 min to drive the whole track. Food & drinks available at entrance.

Dates & Times: Nov 1 – Jan 5: Open Daily
Sundays – Thursdays: 5:30 – 10:00pm
Fridays & Saturdays: 5:30 – 11:00pm

Thanksgiving and Christmas hours differ.

Admission: $29-49 (season pass $159)

Maywald Christmas Light Display 

They will be open for the 2024 season from 11/28 – 12/27. Hours:

Sunday-Thursday: 6-9pm
Friday & Saturday: 6-10pm
Closed Dec. 2, 3, 9, & 10
Christmas week: Dec. 20-27 6-10pm

A donation to Make-A-Wish required at our box upon entry. No tickets required.

You should check this out:

free holiday events in austin

Related Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Austin Fun For Kids

austinfunforkids

1,040 59,175

🙋🏼‍♀️ A guide for exploring Austin with kids 🛝 parks, hikes, restaurants, day trips, etc!

🧗‍♀️ @cruxccpflugerville @cruxcc CHECK OUT THE NEW PFLUGERVILLE LOCATION! 🤩

📍 18817 N Heatherwilde Blvd Bldg 3, Pflugerville, TX

🎟️ Kids 5 & under are $5

There’s so much for kids to do here! An entire kids section that has bouldering, a slide, a warped wall, ropes climbing/belay, and more!

I also love how welcoming they are towards kids in the adult section. My kids wanted to try some more challenging stuff out in the big area and they were encouraged to try it! There’s a helpful code system that has cute little animal faces to show the difficulty level. For example, my kids mostly stuck to the “Sloth” belays (the easiest ones).

270 10
Open
🧗‍♀️ @cruxccpflugerville @cruxcc CHECK OUT THE NEW PFLUGERVILLE LOCATION! 🤩 📍 18817 N Heatherwilde Blvd Bldg 3, Pflugerville, TX 🎟️ Kids 5 & under are $5 There’s so much for kids to do here! An entire kids section that has bouldering, a slide, a warped wall, ropes climbing/belay, and more! I also love how welcoming they are towards kids in the adult section. My kids wanted to try some more challenging stuff out in the big area and they were encouraged to try it! There’s a helpful code system that has cute little animal faces to show the difficulty level. For example, my kids mostly stuck to the “Sloth” belays (the easiest ones).
270 10

🐠 Simar Seafood & Steak 🥩

📍 9503 Research Blvd Unit 400, Austin

@simar_atx is such an ideal place to eat out for families in Austin! Here’s why we love it:

🧸 Indoor/outdoor play area. Is it indoors? Is it outdoors? It’s both! 👏 Such a genius concept and I’ve never seen anything else like it. Perfect for patio season (right now!!!) but also hot weather or cold weather. It’s covered and indoors but also right off the patio so it’s sort of outside too? Whatever you call it, I think it’s perfect!! There’s so much to play with and it’s a large play area so even if it’s crowded there’s still plenty of room and lots to do!
🌮 Everything was delicious but my favorite hands down was the mini starter tacos 🤤
🪑 They have a gorgeous patio that’s covered so you can enjoy it almost year round.
🤩It’s a big place and would be a great spot for a large group/family gathering!
🎹 They even have a piano in the front!
🍔 Kids eat free on Sundays with the purchase of an adult meal!
🙌 Use code: TIDE10 for 10% off your total bill!!

185 6
Open
🐠 Simar Seafood & Steak 🥩 📍 9503 Research Blvd Unit 400, Austin @simar_atx is such an ideal place to eat out for families in Austin! Here’s why we love it: 🧸 Indoor/outdoor play area. Is it indoors? Is it outdoors? It’s both! 👏 Such a genius concept and I’ve never seen anything else like it. Perfect for patio season (right now!!!) but also hot weather or cold weather. It’s covered and indoors but also right off the patio so it’s sort of outside too? Whatever you call it, I think it’s perfect!! There’s so much to play with and it’s a large play area so even if it’s crowded there’s still plenty of room and lots to do! 🌮 Everything was delicious but my favorite hands down was the mini starter tacos 🤤 🪑 They have a gorgeous patio that’s covered so you can enjoy it almost year round. 🤩It’s a big place and would be a great spot for a large group/family gathering! 🎹 They even have a piano in the front! 🍔 Kids eat free on Sundays with the purchase of an adult meal! 🙌 Use code: TIDE10 for 10% off your total bill!!
185 6

🩰 Opening weekend for @balletaustin The Nutcracker at @longcenter is Dec 6-8!

For one weekend only, guests will a free magical experience before the show! Professional holiday photos, Clara’s Dreamland and photos with Clara, a coloring station, magician, character parade, and more!

👀 Purchase tickets to see @balletaustin at the link in my bio!

These special events take place before the show on opening weekend only!

16 2
Open
🩰 Opening weekend for @balletaustin The Nutcracker at @longcenter is Dec 6-8! For one weekend only, guests will a free magical experience before the show! Professional holiday photos, Clara’s Dreamland and photos with Clara, a coloring station, magician, character parade, and more! 👀 Purchase tickets to see @balletaustin at the link in my bio! These special events take place before the show on opening weekend only!
16 2

🚀 @stargazerbar has landed in East Austin! 🙌

📍 979 Springdale, Suite 130 Austin, TX 78702 (formerly Austin Eastciders)

☕️ Coffee, cocktails, mocktails, lite bites, kolaches from @batchatx , gluten free treats from @maaribuatx , @lickicecreams and 2 food trucks: @dippingspringstenderco and Santo Patio

🍕 You can even order and pick up pizza from @bambinoatx (with a discount!)

🚀They have a gorgeous tree covered patio with a space ship playground for kids! Such a fun spot to meet for a playdate! 🤗

⏰ Open daily from 7am-late

683 16
Open
🚀 @stargazerbar has landed in East Austin! 🙌 📍 979 Springdale, Suite 130 Austin, TX 78702 (formerly Austin Eastciders) ☕️ Coffee, cocktails, mocktails, lite bites, kolaches from @batchatx , gluten free treats from @maaribuatx , @lickicecreams and 2 food trucks: @dippingspringstenderco and Santo Patio 🍕 You can even order and pick up pizza from @bambinoatx (with a discount!) 🚀They have a gorgeous tree covered patio with a space ship playground for kids! Such a fun spot to meet for a playdate! 🤗 ⏰ Open daily from 7am-late
683 16

🍣 ALL YOU CAN EAT SUSHI 🍣

@machisushiatx has all you can eat sushi! This is the perfect spot for a special dinner for your teens who never seem to get full (spoiler alert: they will finally be full lol!)

📍 2200 S I-35 Frontage Rd, Austin

🧋 My kids all like boba tea so we got that too (it’s not all you can drink fyi!) They also love Ramune Japanese soda where you pop the little ball inside and watch it fizz so we got those too!

🍣The sushi was delicious! The Shaggy Dog was our favorite roll.

🍣My youngest isn’t a big eater, so we were able to order a single roll for him a la carte and not pay the All You Can Eat price!

🍦The fried ice cream at the end was a fun experience too.

337 11
Open
🍣 ALL YOU CAN EAT SUSHI 🍣 @machisushiatx has all you can eat sushi! This is the perfect spot for a special dinner for your teens who never seem to get full (spoiler alert: they will finally be full lol!) 📍 2200 S I-35 Frontage Rd, Austin 🧋 My kids all like boba tea so we got that too (it’s not all you can drink fyi!) They also love Ramune Japanese soda where you pop the little ball inside and watch it fizz so we got those too! 🍣The sushi was delicious! The Shaggy Dog was our favorite roll. 🍣My youngest isn’t a big eater, so we were able to order a single roll for him a la carte and not pay the All You Can Eat price! 🍦The fried ice cream at the end was a fun experience too.
337 11

🎅🏻 Santa on the Terrace 📸

📍 @longcenter
701 W Riverside Dr, Austin

📅 Nov 30 from 11am-2:30pm

📸 Free photos with Santa! No tickets required.

🐶 Pets are welcome too!

🍦 Last year there was an ice cream truck and yard games to play!

267 9
Open
🎅🏻 Santa on the Terrace 📸 📍 @longcenter 701 W Riverside Dr, Austin 📅 Nov 30 from 11am-2:30pm 📸 Free photos with Santa! No tickets required. 🐶 Pets are welcome too! 🍦 Last year there was an ice cream truck and yard games to play!
267 9

🍺 HOPS FOR HOUSES BEER PASSPORT 🍺

Right now the beer passport is only $20 (lowest price ever!) and you get a beer at 16 places! That’s practically a dollar per beer!

👀 The link to purchase is in my bio! All proceeds will benefit @habitatwilcotx

How it works:
1️⃣ Buy a beer passport at the link in my bio. You will get one beer at 16 local businesses. Right now it’s only $20 (but will eventually go up to $25).
2️⃣ Bring your passport with you once it arrives in the mail. I recommend keeping it in your purse or your car so you don’t forget it. There is no way to use the passport electronically. If you forget to bring it with you, you are out of luck!
3️⃣ The brewery will stamp your passport and you will select one free beer. Some spots let you choose whatever you want and others have a limited passport menu.
4️⃣ Use your passport as early as Dec 1 and all the way through April 30, 2025!

Several of the spots on this passport are kid friendly! Here’s the list of participating businesses:

🍺 @austinbeerworks (turfed play area)
🍺 @sprinklevalley_abw (playground)
🍺 @stwbrewing (playground)
🍺 @barkingarmadillo (turfed area and indoor arcade)
🍺 @theloosescrewtaylor (brewery inside @oldtaylorhigh with a huge outdoor space plus a candy/ice cream shop and arcade inside)
🍺 @3rdlevelbrew (board games available)
🍺 @redhornbrew (board games available, 2 locations)
🍺 @infamousbrewing (they used to have a playground, not sure if it’s back!)
🍺 @tejasmeatsupplygtx (one stop on the Georgetown Square)
🍺 @mesquitecreekoutfitters another spot on the Georgetown Square)
🍺 @goldenrulegtx (3rd spot on the Georgetown Square)
🍺 @powerbrewingproject (Hutto)
🍺 @phantomwarriorbrewingco (Killeen)
🍺 @nolancreekbrewery (Belton)
🍺 @sangabrivbrew (Liberty Hill)

55 3
Open
🍺 HOPS FOR HOUSES BEER PASSPORT 🍺 Right now the beer passport is only $20 (lowest price ever!) and you get a beer at 16 places! That’s practically a dollar per beer! 👀 The link to purchase is in my bio! All proceeds will benefit @habitatwilcotx How it works: 1️⃣ Buy a beer passport at the link in my bio. You will get one beer at 16 local businesses. Right now it’s only $20 (but will eventually go up to $25). 2️⃣ Bring your passport with you once it arrives in the mail. I recommend keeping it in your purse or your car so you don’t forget it. There is no way to use the passport electronically. If you forget to bring it with you, you are out of luck! 3️⃣ The brewery will stamp your passport and you will select one free beer. Some spots let you choose whatever you want and others have a limited passport menu. 4️⃣ Use your passport as early as Dec 1 and all the way through April 30, 2025! Several of the spots on this passport are kid friendly! Here’s the list of participating businesses: 🍺 @austinbeerworks (turfed play area) 🍺 @sprinklevalley_abw (playground) 🍺 @stwbrewing (playground) 🍺 @barkingarmadillo (turfed area and indoor arcade) 🍺 @theloosescrewtaylor (brewery inside @oldtaylorhigh with a huge outdoor space plus a candy/ice cream shop and arcade inside) 🍺 @3rdlevelbrew (board games available) 🍺 @redhornbrew (board games available, 2 locations) 🍺 @infamousbrewing (they used to have a playground, not sure if it’s back!) 🍺 @tejasmeatsupplygtx (one stop on the Georgetown Square) 🍺 @mesquitecreekoutfitters another spot on the Georgetown Square) 🍺 @goldenrulegtx (3rd spot on the Georgetown Square) 🍺 @powerbrewingproject (Hutto) 🍺 @phantomwarriorbrewingco (Killeen) 🍺 @nolancreekbrewery (Belton) 🍺 @sangabrivbrew (Liberty Hill)
55 3

11/15
🎅🏻Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s
🦖 Jurassic Jamboree Dino Fest at @sweeteatsfruitfarm 9am-6pm
🧙 @hpforbiddenforestexperience
🎶 Free live music on the patio at @central_market North Lamar 6-8:30pm
⛺️ Fortlandia at @wildflowercenter 9am-4pm
🎥 Fall Family Movie Nights at @waterloo_austin 360/2222 at dusk: Frozen 2
🎥 Shrek at @skishores 7pm
🎡Carnival at @pinballz_lakecreek and @pinballzbuda
🌟Creek Show @waterloogreenway at Waterloo Park from 6-10pm
🎅🏻 @santasranch 6-11pm
‌
11/16
🔨 Free Kids DIY Workshop at Lowes from 10am-1pm: Holiday Countdown
🎨 Art in the Park at Wooten Park 10-11am @austinparksfdn
🧙@hpforbiddenforestexperience
🎅🏻Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s
🚲 Kids on Bikes in Parks @thetrailconservancy at Chicano Park 9am-noon
🍗Home For The Holidays Showcase at @heb 🏊 Family Fun Day at @BigBlueSwimSchool 10am-1pm free & open to the public
🦖Jurassic Jamboree Dino Fest at @sweeteatsfruitfarm 9am-6pm
⛺️Fortlandia at @wildflowercenter 9am-4pm
📖 Free Story Time at @paperbarkbirchbooks at 11am
😂 @excusedabsencecomedy kid-friendly improv 11am $5 at @coldtownetheater
📚 @texasbookfest Free! Downtown Austin
🌟Creek Show @waterloogreenway at Waterloo Park from 6-10pm
🎶Free live music on the patio at @central_market North Lamar 6-8:30pm
🎅🏻 @santasranch 6-11pm
🎥Fall Family Movie Nights at @waterloo_austin 360/2222 at dusk: The Descendants
🎡Carnival at @pinballz_lakecreek and @pinballzbuda
😂 @csz_austin Comedy Sportz at @pinballz_lakecreek at 7:30pm
‌
11/17
🎶Brunch Bunch at @joscoffee Red River with @strawbittyyops 10am-noon
🐐Baby Goats With Santa @goatshenanigans at @vistabrewing 11am-12:30pm
🎅🏻Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s
🦖Jurassic Jamboree Dino Fest at @sweeteatsfruitfarm 9am-6pm
⛺️Fortlandia at @wildflowercenter 9am-4pm
🧙 @hpforbiddenforestexperience
🎶Free live kids music at @cherrywood_coffeehouse 10am
🎶Free live music on the patio at @central_market North Lamar 1-4pm
😂Family-friendly improv at @hideouttheatre 4pm $5
📚 @texasbookfest Free! Downtown Austin
🎡Carnival at @pinballz_lakecreek and @pinballzbuda
🎅🏻 @santasranch 6-10pm

51 4
Open
11/15 🎅🏻Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s 🦖 Jurassic Jamboree Dino Fest at @sweeteatsfruitfarm 9am-6pm 🧙 @hpforbiddenforestexperience 🎶 Free live music on the patio at @central_market North Lamar 6-8:30pm ⛺️ Fortlandia at @wildflowercenter 9am-4pm 🎥 Fall Family Movie Nights at @waterloo_austin 360/2222 at dusk: Frozen 2 🎥 Shrek at @skishores 7pm 🎡Carnival at @pinballz_lakecreek and @pinballzbuda 🌟Creek Show @waterloogreenway at Waterloo Park from 6-10pm 🎅🏻 @santasranch 6-11pm ‌ 11/16 🔨 Free Kids DIY Workshop at Lowes from 10am-1pm: Holiday Countdown 🎨 Art in the Park at Wooten Park 10-11am @austinparksfdn 🧙@hpforbiddenforestexperience 🎅🏻Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s 🚲 Kids on Bikes in Parks @thetrailconservancy at Chicano Park 9am-noon 🍗Home For The Holidays Showcase at @heb 🏊 Family Fun Day at @BigBlueSwimSchool 10am-1pm free & open to the public 🦖Jurassic Jamboree Dino Fest at @sweeteatsfruitfarm 9am-6pm ⛺️Fortlandia at @wildflowercenter 9am-4pm 📖 Free Story Time at @paperbarkbirchbooks at 11am 😂 @excusedabsencecomedy kid-friendly improv 11am $5 at @coldtownetheater 📚 @texasbookfest Free! Downtown Austin 🌟Creek Show @waterloogreenway at Waterloo Park from 6-10pm 🎶Free live music on the patio at @central_market North Lamar 6-8:30pm 🎅🏻 @santasranch 6-11pm 🎥Fall Family Movie Nights at @waterloo_austin 360/2222 at dusk: The Descendants 🎡Carnival at @pinballz_lakecreek and @pinballzbuda 😂 @csz_austin Comedy Sportz at @pinballz_lakecreek at 7:30pm ‌ 11/17 🎶Brunch Bunch at @joscoffee Red River with @strawbittyyops 10am-noon 🐐Baby Goats With Santa @goatshenanigans at @vistabrewing 11am-12:30pm 🎅🏻Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s 🦖Jurassic Jamboree Dino Fest at @sweeteatsfruitfarm 9am-6pm ⛺️Fortlandia at @wildflowercenter 9am-4pm 🧙 @hpforbiddenforestexperience 🎶Free live kids music at @cherrywood_coffeehouse 10am 🎶Free live music on the patio at @central_market North Lamar 1-4pm 😂Family-friendly improv at @hideouttheatre 4pm $5 📚 @texasbookfest Free! Downtown Austin 🎡Carnival at @pinballz_lakecreek and @pinballzbuda 🎅🏻 @santasranch 6-10pm
51 4