Austin's Trail of Lights extended to 15 days in December

"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.