Austin, TX – Nothing puts you in the holiday spirit more than experiencing spectacular light displays in the cold and crisp weather. With Austin having so many holiday light displays, it’s no surprise that Austin ranks among the best for holiday displays in the country, according to CNN. So, check out our list of the most popular places for Christmas lights in Austin and enjoy a magical night full of bright lights and holiday spirit!
Best Holiday Lights Around Austin:
- Austin Trail of Lights
- Bastrop River of Lights
- Christmas on Mercer Street
- Community First! Village Holiday Market
- Holiday Stroll
- Lakeway Trail of Lights
- Lala’s Little Nugget Christmas Bar
- Lights Spectacular
- Lost Pines Christmas
- Luminations at the Wildflower Center
- Mozart’s Christmas Light Show
- Pfestival of Lights
- Round Rock Christmas Towne
- Santa’s Ranch
- Sights and Sounds of Christmas
- The Downtown Holiday Stroll
- The Domain Holiday Display
- Walkway of Lights
2100 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
An Austin tradition since 1965, the Trail of Lights provides miles of holiday lights and scenes. The Zilker Tree, another holiday favorite, stands 155 feet tall in the middle of Zilker Park and boasts 39 multi-colored streamers, 3,309 lights and bulbs, and a very bright star with 150 lights on the top. The 56th Annual Austin Trail of Lights returns as a drive-thru event. There are multiple ticket options available, some with gifts and treats included. With so many lights and holiday cheer surrounding the park, it’s hard to miss amongst the Downtown Austin Skyline!
1200 Willow St, Bastrop, TX 78602
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.
Downtown Dripping Springs, Dripping Springs, TX
The sights and sounds of Dripping Springs’ 16th Annual Christmas on Mercer Street will come alive on Saturday, December 5, from 10 am to 5 pm! Hosted by the Dripping Springs Lions Club and the City of Dripping Springs, the festival admission is free to the public. The downtown area will transform into a hometown holiday festival featuring holiday shopping, arts and crafts booths, holiday carolers, and more. The annual Lighting of the Tree will be held virtually at dusk. Community members can watch all festivities at the Christmas on Mercer Facebook page from the comfort of their own home.
9301 Hog Eye Road, Austin, TX 78724 | Photo Credit: Community First! Village
This holiday season, make a reservation at their Holiday Market shopping event, December 3-5, where resident artists and makers set up shop to sell their unique items, sure to please everyone on your holiday list. The Village is decorated in holiday cheer and Santa will even make an appearance for photos. Purchases will help provide a dignified income for the Village neighbors who work through the Community Works programs. Admission is free!
Downtown Seguin, Seguin, TX
This year’s Holiday Stroll festivities kick off December 3rd with the Holiday Stroll Parade! The parade will also include food vendors, pictures with Santa, and entertainment from the Seguin High School Band. Stroll through downtown tasting over a dozen varieties of homemade hot chocolate. On December 3rd, Seguin’s downtown businesses will keep their doors open late for some shopping and sipping on hot chocolate. Other activities will include live entertainment from the Seguin High School Star Steppers, horse-drawn wagon rides, photos with Santa, a wiggle waggle train ride, and food vendors. North Pole Stroll will be held on December 5th and promises to be a family-friendly affair. Nonprofit organizations will be hosting activities for children in Central Park, including pictures with Santa, cookie decorating, letters to Santa, and much more!
105 Cross Creek, Lakeway, TX 78734
One of Lakeway’s most cherished traditions is the Trail of Lights! Come out and see thousands of twinkling lights with your friends and family. See amusing tableaus, all accompanied by delightful seasonal music!
2207 Justin Ln, Austin, TX 78757 | Photo Credit: Lala’s Little Nugget Christmas Bar
Lala’s Little Nugget keeps Christmas lights, Santa and his reindeer up year-round in their bar; which creates a cheery atmosphere, perfect for sipping a delicious drink and enjoying the season! Lalas is a North Pole oasis in Central Texas.
101 W Pecan Dr, Johnson City, TX 78636
Since the late 70s, Johnson City has been offering a lights display worthy of the Texas Hill Country with 100,000 lights twinkling on the Blanco County Courthouse and Memorial Park on Main Street! In fact, it is the largest lights display in Texas! This holiday celebration is family and pet-friendly with no admission and lasts until January 3rd.
1311 Chestnut St, Bastrop, TX 78602
Join the City of Bastrop in Bastrop, Texas, for their annual Lost Pines Christmas celebration through December with numerous holiday events, small-town tradition, and fun for the entire family. Expect holiday shopping, games, a festival, and an evening lighted parade with over 100 lighted floats and Santa!
4801 La Crosse Ave, Austin, TX 78739 | Photo Credit: LBJ Wildflower Center
Experience the Wildflower Center embellished with lights as thousands of luminarias glow along the paths and gardens. Stroll through a natural wonderland with delightful displays, live music, and more! The event will take place November through January 3rd.
3825 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703
Visitors to Mozart’s annual Christmas light extravaganza! Thousands of dazzling lights have been sculpted into giant iconic objects; which evoke Austin’s culture and the Christmas season. The light show will be placed on Mozart’s lakeside deck. Mozart’s acclaimed coffee and hot chocolate can be purchased at the coffee house and kiosks outdoors. Special holiday goodies from Mozart’s bakery will also be available. The best part is that the light show is free!
Downtown Pflugerville, Pflugerville, TX
Join the City of Pflugerville on Main St. in Downtown Pflugerville as they kick off the festive season. This year, the drive-thru event is scheduled for December 4th beginning at 6:30 pm. Participants will enjoy holiday lights and decorations, the iconic Pflugerville tree, carolers, and a goodie bag.
Old Settlers Park, Round Rock, TX
Join the Round Rock community for their 2-day Holiday event featuring cold and hot air balloons hovering over a luminous lake and numerous holiday displays. Enjoy Holiday food, refreshments, yule log, live music, and more! The event will take place Friday, December 4, and Saturday, December 5 at Old Settlers Park. Reserve your tickets today!
9561 IH 35 North, New Braunfels, TX 78130
This holiday season take a trip to New Braunfels and experience beautiful Christmas displays like the lit up gingerbread houses, nativity scenes, depictions of the North Pole, and more! Drive through the ranch and enjoy one of the best holiday light exhibits in the state! Indulge in homemade hot cocoa, kettle corn, and other available snacks. You’ll be awestruck by over 1.5 million twinkling lights!
401 E Hopkins St, San Marcos, TX 78666
Celebrate the holiday season with something for everyone at The Sights & Sounds of Christmas located in San Marcos! This family-friendly Christmas festival includes popular carnival rides for all ages, a variety of delicious festival food, live performances, and even a visit from Santa Claus. Surround yourself with beautiful Christmas lights spread throughout the park, giving you a true sense of holiday magic!
1100 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701
Kickstart your holiday season at the Downtown Austin Alliance’s Holiday Stroll recurring daily from November 28 through December 31. The free, family-friendly event has something for everyone, including photo-ops, holiday window and lights displays, pop-up activations, and the traditional 45-foot downtown holiday tree lighting up the night! Shop local with your Holiday Passport, a pocket-sized guide filled with deals, discounts, and activities for the month of December.
11410 Century Oaks Terrace, Austin, TX 78758
Each year the Domain, an upscale, mixed-use outdoor shopping center, showcases a Christmas lighting tree show and provides a live musical accompaniment and Santa Claus. The 40-foot tree boasts over 200,000 lights, 400 ornaments, and a 5-foot tall star on the top of the tree. Aside from the show-stopping tree, you will find Holiday lights and decor throughout the entire outdoor mall, creating a scene that is sure to get anyone in the holiday spirit while shopping for the perfect gift!
305 Buena Vista Dr, Marble Falls, TX 78654 | Photo Credit: Walkway of Lights
Experience the Walkway of Lights November 20 through January 1, open nightly from 6 pm-10 pm, weather permitting. Join the City of Marble Falls in Lakeside Park as they celebrate the holidays with over two million lights on display. Admission is free but donations are greatly appreciated, and benefit the Marble Falls/ Lake LBJ Chamber of Commerce.
Map of The Best Holiday Lights in Austin
