AUSTIN
Austin Trail of Lights[/caption]
Austin Trail of Lights
The Trail of Lights returns to Zilker Park Dec. 10-23. Visitors can find more than 50 displays and exhibits along 1.25 miles of light displays, 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. Free (Dec. 10-16), $3 (age 12 and older, Dec. 17-23).
Zilker Park | 2201 Barton Springs Road | 512-917-4319 www.austintrailoflights.org
The Driskill Hotel[/caption]
The Driskill Hotel
The hotel hosted its annual tree lighting Nov. 29. Throughout December guests can experience the hotel’s lobby filled with Christmas decor. Live music and other events, including an Afternoon with Santa on Dec. 11 from 2:30-5:30 p.m., are scheduled throughout the season. Free. Afternoon with Santa, ($30 per person, plus tax).
Driskill Hotel | 604 Brazos St. | 512-439-1234 www.driskillhotel.com
Texas Capitol Christmas Tree[/caption]
Texas Capitol Christmas Tree
The Downtown Austin Alliance kicked off the city’s holiday season Dec. 3 with a singalong and stroll, and the lighting of the 45-foot-tall Capitol Christmas tree with 137,000 LED lights. The tree features various music with lights daily 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/holiday-stroll
Mozart’s Coffee RoastersHoliday Light Show[/caption]
Mozart’s Coffee Roasters Holiday Light Show
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, 6 p.m.-midnight through the first week of January. Holiday lights also form a replica of the Austin skyline, including Santa Claus soaring over landmark downtown buildings and joined by bats. Free.
Mozart’s | 3825 Lake Austin Blvd. | 512-477-2900 www.mozartscoffee.com
GEORGETOWN
Georgetown Square[/caption]
Georgetown Square
Downtown Georgetown turned on its holiday lights at the Williamson County Courthouse and throughout the Square on Nov. 25. Downtown lights and decor stay on through Jan. 2, and some businesses offer later hours for holiday guests. Other holiday events around Georgetown include a Gingerbread Extravaganza Dec. 2-4 at the Georgetown Public Library, 402 W. Eighth St. For more holiday events in Georgetown, see the calendar on page 17. Free.
The Square | Georgetown | 800-436-8696 www.visit.georgetown.org/lighting-of-the-square
ROUND ROCK
Rock‘N Lights Holiday Light Tour & Christmas Towne[/caption]
Rock‘N Lights Holiday Light Tour & Christmas Towne
Through Dec. 26, the fifth annual festival features a drive-thru tour and an expanded Christmas Towne festival village and carnival. The light tour includes a 1.5-mile path with 2 million lights, and the Christmas Towne features more light displays, carnival attractions, a light maze, holiday food and arts and crafts.
Rock’N Lights: 6-9 p.m. Sun.-Thu. through Dec. 15, 6-10 p.m. Fri.-Sat. through Dec. 15. Dec. 16-24, 6-10 p.m., Dec. 25-26, 6-9 p.m. $15 (family vehicle), $45 (shuttle bus), $50 (limousine), $75 (commercial bus). Christmas Towne: 6 p.m. Dec. 3-4, 9-11, 15-23. Free. Thomas Carnival: 5-10 p.m. Dec. 2, Dec. 3-4, 9-11, 15-23, Dec. 24-25. $15 (carnival access with unlimited rides), $2-$3 (individual rides)
Old Settlers Park, 4111 E. Old Settlers Blvd. (holiday light tour entrance) | 3300 E. Palm Valley Blvd. (Christmas Towne entrance) | 512-341-3361 | www.roundrocktexas.gov/rocknlights
CEDAR PARK
Anna Court Drive[/caption]
Anna Court Drive
Since 2004, this residential neighborhood has come together for an annual light display, which is open to the public through Dec. 31. The cul-de-sac also serves as a Blue Santa drop-off location and collects donations for SafePlace. Drivers can tune their car radio to 89.1 to listen to accompanying music. Free. 5-10 p.m.
Anna Court, Cedar Park www.annacourt.com | www.facebook.com/annacourttx
Heritage Oak Tree[/caption]
Heritage Oak Tree
The city of Cedar Park hosted the annual tree lighting ceremony Dec. 9. Residents and visitors can see 30,000 lights adorn the 400-year-old Heritage Oak Tree every night through Jan. 1. Free. 5-11 p.m. Heritage Oak Park | 875 Quest Pkwy. | 512-401-5500 www.cedarparktexas.gov
Rhodes Family Christmas[/caption]
Rhodes Family Christmas
Since 2001, the Rhodes family has decorated their home for the holidays. Visitors can see the lights on display until Jan. 1. Santa Claus will visit Dec. 23 from 6-8 p.m., during which time hot chocolate will be on sale with the proceeds benefitting Cedar Park Area Food Bank. The house is also a collection site for donations to the food bank. Free. 5:45-10 p.m. (weekdays), 5:45-11 p.m. (weekends).
Rhodes Family Christmas | 2410 Sharon Drive, Cedar Park www.facebook.com/rhodesfamilychristmas
Trail of Trees
Visitors can stroll through the trees on display at Camp Twin Lakes Dec. 4-30. Families and business owners decorate the 9-foot holiday trees and compete to win Best Tree in Cedar Park. 6-10 p.m. Free.
Twin Lakes Family YMCA | 204 E. Little Elm Trail, Cedar Park | 512-257-0709 www.camptwinlakes.ymcagwc.org
Chinati Court[/caption]
Chinati Court
Residents in this cul-de-sac light up their homes each night. “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” is featured on storyboards, and residents serve free hot chocolate on weekends. Visitors can see the display through Dec. 31. Visitors are asked to park on Sun Chase Boulevard and walk to Chinati Court. The display is also a collection site for Brown Santa donations. Free.
Chinati Court | Cedar Park www.facebook.com/chinati.court
LEANDER
Klub Kringle[/caption]
Klub Kringle
Blake and Stacey Toungate’s patriotic light display started in 2012 and includes more than 50,000 lights and an 18-foot tree. Visitors can tune their radios to 88.3 to listen to accompanying music. Free. 6-10 p.m. (weekdays), 6-11 p.m. (weekends).
2305 Arroyo Grande | Leander www.facebook.com/klubkringle
Holiday tree in Old Town
The city of Leander and the Leander Chamber of Commerce hosted a Christmas parade and tree lighting ceremony Dec. 3 and visitors can visit the tree in Old Town nightly through Jan. 1. Free. 6 p.m.
100 N. Brushy St., Leander | 512-259-1907
