Austin residents and visitors will have more chances to take in the Trail of Lights in December, as the event is being extended to 15 days.

"The Trail of Lights is a true Austin experience, and it is one of those things that we want folks to really enjoy when they come to the Trail of Lights," said Mario Espinoza, president of the Trail of Lights Foundation board.

Last year the event lasted eight days. One factor in the decision to extend the event was the turnout for the Trail of Lights in 2012. Event organizers said they expected about 250,000 people to visit Zliker Park, but about 400,000 ended up attending.

"The success was much greater than we expected," Mayor Lee Leffingwell said. "And that was, frankly, one of the problems we have to solve this year. The lines to get into the Trail of Lights were long, and we're working on solutions to that. I'm confident that we'll be able to correct that problem this year."

Espinoza said transportation to and from the Trail of Lights is seeing some changes, including more parking, expanding shuttle services and pick-up/drop-off locations, and working with Capital Metro for public transportation options.

This year's event will include an expanded food court, more than 25 food trailers including Chi'Lantro BBQ and The Grilled Cheese Truck, photo zones throughout the trail, entertainment zones including live music from The Whisky Sisters and Austin High School Ballet Folklorico, more than 50 light displays and more than 100 light-wrapped trees.

Espinoza said the foundation has listened to the community's feedback about Trail of Lights and has made a few changes to help improve the public's experience.

"But we feel by offering 15 days, not only of just having the trail open, but by having more entertainment and food available to folks, they will make an evening of it," Espinoza said.

The Trail of Lights 5K also is returning for 2013, and registration for the run is expected to start in October. The run will take place Dec. 7.

The Trail of Lights is expected to cost more than $1.5 million to produce. The event is paid for

For more information, visit www.austintrailoflights.org. The event is funded through sponsors.