The Best Holiday Day Trips From Austin
If you want to take a short little road trip this holiday season, here are all the best holiday day trips from Austin that will delight your family!
New Braunfels
Santa’s Ranch in New Braunfels lets you drive-thru over 1 million lights and 100 displays! November 3, December 31, 2023 at 9561, I-35 North, New Braunfels.
Marble Falls
Christmas in Marble Falls is happening now through Jan 4, 2025. Marble Falls is the destination for Christmas festivities, from ice skating and tree lighting to market shopping and cocoa sipping. So put on your favorite sweater, gather your loved ones, and join the holiday celebrations in the Hill Country. It will take more than one trip to unwrap all the fun with destinations like the Walkway of Lights in Lakeside Park and events like the Christmas Market on Main.
Johnson City
Johnson City Lights is a light display with over a million lights. And it’s so big, NASA reported seeing it from the International Space Station! Yes, that would be the Johnson City Texas Lights Spectacular. From November 29, 2024 – January 5, 2025, you and your family can see this incredible lights display for free. Park against the courthouse or around downtown streets in areas that allow parking. 101 E Pecan Dr, Johnson City.
Bastrop
Bastrop River of Lights has numerous lighted displays in a variety of seasonal themes lining Bastrop’s scenic June Hill Pape River Walk. To access this free one-half mile promenade, come down the stairs west of the intersection of Main and Pine Streets or select the fully accessible entrance at Fishermans Park on Farm Street. November 29, 2024 – January 6, 2025.
Bertram
North Pole Flyer is on weekends November 30 – December 15, 2024. Tickets are $50-$65 and you can get them here. Kids 3 and under can sit on a lap for free. Hot chocolate, a story performance, and meet Santa! This ride is 2 hours and departs from Bertam, 100 W State Hwy 29, Bertram.
San Marcos
Sights & Sounds of Christmas: Hometown Holidays in San Marcos is December 14, 2024 at San Marcos Plaza Park at 11 a.m.
Burnet
Main Street Bethlehem in Burnet This Christmas, visit Bethlehem in Burnet Texas as the ancient city of Christ’s birth comes alive again. No tickets required. DEC 6,7,8 and 13,14,15 2024 | 6PM-9PM. Main Street Bethlehem is located two blocks east of the town square. 300 E Washington St., Burnet.
Buda
Budafest has live music, a craft and art market, parade, fireworks show along Main Street, and more. December 6-8, 2024 at 880 Main St, Buda.
Leander
Old Town Christmas Festival in Leander is on December 7, 2024. This event includes a 5K race (Old Town Rudolph Run), parade, tree lighting, and more.
Liberty Hill
Liberty Hill Christmas Festival December 14, 2024 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. in downtown Liberty Hill. Parade (6 p.m. on Main Street), shopping, snow, ice skating, visit with Santa, and more.
Salado
The Salado Holiday Stroll spans 2 weekends: Dec 5-8 and Dec 13-15, 2024. The 64th Annual Salado Christmas Stroll kicks off at 6 pm with its Christmas Parade Thursday evening, December 5, 2024 The parade begins at Royal and Main Street on the South side of Salado, traveling north on Main Street and ending at the Salado Civic Center. The parade is the official opening of the historic Salado Christmas Stroll for two weekends, starting December 6-8 and December 13-15, 2024. This year’s event follows the winding sidewalks and streetlights that frame the one-mile Main Street of Stroll festivities.
Dripping Springs
Christmas on Mercer in Dripping Springs December 7, 2024 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. in downtown Dripping Springs. Shopping our arts and crafts, to visits with Santa, to music and fun, to the tree lighting at dusk. 511 Mercer St, Dripping Springs. (Tree lighting is Nov 30 at dusk followed by a holiday movie)
Fredericksburg
Christmas in Fredericksburg includes ice skating, a 30-foot Christmas tree, an authentic German Christmas pyramid, shopping along a Main Street decked out in its holiday finest, and more. Fredericksburg is a magical place for the holidays, highlighted by Fredericksburg’s Christmas Nights of Lights, which takes place each evening at Marktplatz at 6 p.m. Experience a 10-minute audio presentation, featuring the story of the town’s German heritage, holiday carols and concluding with a countdown to the lighting of Marktplatz.
College Station
Santa’s Wonderland is November 15 – December 30, 2024. Visit the largest outdoor Christmas attraction in the South! Located in College Station, TX, spend an unforgettable evening outdoors celebrating the holidays Texas-style with REAL snow, ice skating & more. 18898 Hwy 6, College Station.
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