Find holiday festivals, tree-lightings and decorated trails in our regional guide to seasonal lights.
Austin
Austin Trail of Lights
Austin Trail of Lights[/caption]
The Trail of Lights event returns to Zilker Park from Dec. 8-22. Visitors can find more than 50 displays and exhibits along 1.25 miles of lights, including three lighted tunnels and 100 lighted trees, crowned by the 155-foot-tall Zilker tree. More than 30 dance and music performers make appearances in the evenings, and more than 30 food trailers are featured. 7-10 p.m. Free (Dec. 8-15), $3 (age 12 and older, Dec. 16-22). Zilker Park, 2201 Barton Springs Road. 512-917-4319. ww.austintrailoflights.org
The Driskill Hotel
The Driskill Hotel[/caption]
The hotel hosts an annual tree lighting in the lobby, Dec. 1 at 6 p.m. The event includes cocktails, treats and a performance by Austin’s Arundel Ensemble String Quartet. Throughout December guests can experience the hotel’s lobby filled with Christmas decor. Live music and other events are scheduled throughout the season. 6 p.m. Free. The Driskill Hotel, 604 Brazos St. 512-439-1234. www.driskillhotel.com
Holiday Sing-Along and Downtown Stroll
Holiday Sing-Along and Downtown Stroll[/caption]
The Downtown Austin Alliance inaugurates the city’s holiday celebration Dec. 5. The event features a singalong from 6-7 p.m. and the lighting of the 45-foot-tall Capitol Christmas tree with 137,000 LED lights at 7 p.m. as well as a festival with late area business hours and live music from 7-9 p.m. After the festival the tree features various music with lights daily from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and is located by the Texas Capitol at the corner of 11th Street and Congress Avenue until the first week of January. Free. 512-469-1766. www.downtownaustinholidays.com
Mozart's Coffee Roasters Holiday Music and Light Show
Mozart’s Coffee Roasters Holiday Music and Light Show[/caption]
The coffee shop is transformed into a gingerbread house with thousands of lights and offers the annual family-friendly light show on the outdoor deck. The 15-minute light show starts at the top of every hour from 6 p.m. to midnight, from Nov. 20 to Jan. 10. Holiday lights also form a replica of the Austin skyline, including Santa Claus soaring over landmark downtown buildings, joined by bats. Free. Mozart’s Coffee Roasters, 3825 Lake Austin Blvd. 512-461-5544. www.mozartscoffee.com
Georgetown
Georgetown Square
Georgetown Square[/caption]
Downtown Georgetown hosts the annual Lighting of the Square event starting at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 27. The Austin Carolers perform seasonal music, then city and county leaders hold a countdown before activating lights around downtown businesses and the Williamson County Courthouse. Shops and restaurants stay open late, and the festival includes children’s craft activities at The Williamson Museum. Downtown lights and decor stay on from Nov. 27 to Jan. 2, and businesses offer later hours for holiday guests. Free. Downtown Georgetown, 103 W. Seventh St. 800-436-8696. www.holiday.georgetown.org
Round Rock
Round Rock Rock`N Lights Holiday Light Tour & Christmas Towne
Round Rock Rock‘N Lights Holiday Light Tour & Christmas Towne[/caption]
From Nov. 30-Dec. 26 the event includes a drive-thru tour and an expanded Christmas Towne festival village. Christmas Towne features more light displays, carnival attractions, a light maze, food and pony rides. Light tour hours: 6-9 p.m. (Sun.-Thu. through Dec. 16 and Dec. 25-26), 6-10 p.m. (Fri.-Sat. through Dec. 16 and Dec. 17-24), Christmas Towne hours: 6 p.m.-close of drive-thru lights (Dec. 5-6, 11-13, 18-24). Light tour cost: $15 (family vehicles), $45 (shuttle buses), $75 (buses). Christmas Towne costs: free (admission), $15 (carnival access with unlimited rides), $2-$3 (individual rides). Old Settlers Park, 4111 E. Old Settlers Blvd. 512-341-3361. www.roundrocktexas.gov/rocknlights
