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5 Christmas Shows in Austin – Plays, Light Displays & More

December 23, 2021 by Emma B Leave a Comment

Christmas Carol at Zach Theatre
Christmas Shows in Austin – Christmas Carol at Zach Theatre

With the clock counting down to Christmas, you’re probably rushing to holiday markets, searching for presents, and fitting holiday parties into your (sparse) free time. Let’s be real. The holidays tend to be more stressful than fun sometimes.

If you need to take a step back and enjoy a fun activity with the family, then the Austin area has multiple Christmas events that can transport you to another place. Here are our top five recommendations for 2021.

Best Christmas Shows in Austin – 2021 Events

1. Zach Theatre – A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol at Zach Theatre
A Christmas Carol at Zach Theatre – Image Credit: ZACH Theatre Facebook Page

Austin’s hottest Christmas tradition is returning, with new music and delights to welcome in the season, after a two-year hiatus. Zach’s one-of-a-kind rendition of Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol” is a melodic sleigh ride across rhythm and time, infusing the conventional Victorian tale with a soundtrack that crosses genres and ages.
Everyone in the audience can be seen dancing in the aisles as this family-friendly spectacle produces a captivating vibe. The lovely Cratchit family and three soulful ghosts accompany Ebenezer Scrooge on a joyride to recover his heart and passion for human goodness.

When: A Christmas Carol” has been running from November 24th, 2021, and will run till January 2nd, 2022. The show begins at 7:30 p.m.

Where: 202 South Lamar, Austin, TX 78704

Visit the Zach Theatre website to book your tickets and for additional information.

2. Mozart’s Coffee Roasters – 2021 Holiday Light Show

 Mozart's Holiday Light Show
Mozart’s Holiday Light Show – Image Credit: Mozart’s Coffee Roasters Facebook Page

Mozart’s Coffee’s Christmas Lights Show has become one of Austin’s most popular holiday events. During the holidays, Mozart’s illuminates the deck with 1 million Christmas lights, and people go to see the light display every day. Reservations will be necessary for 2021, just as they were last year, to ensure social distancing. They provide a variety of Christmas appetizers and beverages, and it’s a very exciting sight.

When: You may attend Mozart’s 2021 Holiday Light Show from the 2nd of January, 2022 till the 6th of January, 2022.

Where: 3825 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703

Price: The cost varies depending on the placement of the seats.

Visit Mozart’s Holiday Light Show website to book your tickets according to your day and seating preference, and for additional information.

3. Austin Trail of Lights – Zilker Tree

Zilker Tree at Austin Trail of Lights
Zilker Tree at Austin Trail of Lights – Image Credit: Austin Trail of Lights Facebook Page

After driving around the Trail Of Lights, stop at the Zilker Tree for some hot cocoa and tree twirling. You may also shop for Austin Trail of Lights items, Inca Wasi one-of-a-kind presents, and Light Em Up Guys light-up toys for the kids. Rayne Desserts and H-E-B provide cookies and sweets to satiate your sweet craving. A visit to the Zilker Holiday Tree isn’t complete without Native Kettle Corn’s made-to-order kettle corn as well as Rodriguez Concessions’ funnel cake. Burro Cheese will be serving gourmet grilled cheeses, as well as a variety of refreshments from Rodriguez Concessions.

When: From November 27 through January 1, the Zilker Holiday Tree will be available for viewing from 6 p.m to 10 p.m nightly.

Price: Free.

Where: Zilker Park: 2100 Barton Springs Rd. Austin, TX 78704.

Visit the Austin Trail of Lights website for more information.

4. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center – Luminations

Luminations at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Luminations at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center – Image Credit: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Facebook Page

While the Trail of Lights will be a drive-through event this year, Luminations offers a lovely alternative for those who want to stroll amid the lights. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center’s Luminations is a lovely Christmas event that takes place after sunset. Thousands of candles illuminate the Wildflower Center. There’s food and drinks, and the atmosphere is lighthearted, joyful, and inviting.

When: Wild Flower Center’s Luminations have been going on since December 2, 2021, and will last until January 30, 2022. The entry hours are 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. On Thursdays, it’s solely for members. 
*Note that it’ll be closed on December 24, 25, 31, 2021, and January 1st, 2022.

Price: Tickets for children aged 0 to 4 are free.
For children aged 5 – 17 is $15 ($10 for members).
And for individuals above the age of 18 is $25 ($20 for members)

Where: 4801 La Crosse Ave. Austin, TX 78739.

Visit the Wildflower Center website to book your tickets according to the events and for additional information.

5. Santa’s Ranch

 Santa's Ranch-Drive thru Christmas Light Park
Image Credit: Santa’s Ranch-Drive thru Christmas Light Park Facebook Page

You can go along with your friends and family to see one of the state’s top Christmas light displays.  You’ll get to savor handmade hot chocolate, kettle corn, and munchies while driving over nearly a mile of meandering country roads, taking in the spectacular lights and animated Christmas displays.

When: Santa’s Ranch has been running from November 5th, 2021, and will continue till January 2nd, 2022. It is open from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. from Sunday through Thursday, and from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Price: It costs $35 tax included per vehicle and $70 tax included per vehicle for a season pass.

Where: 9561 I-35 North, New Braunfels, TX 78130.

Visit Santa’s Ranch website to book your tickets and for additional information.

Looking for more Christmas events? Check out Christmas Lights in Austin Area – Best Holiday Lights 2021

To get these updates delivered directly to your feed, give us a follow on Facebook by clicking on the …next to the search icon

Travel on your mind? Check out Christmas Lights in Houston!

Filed Under: Discoveries

COTA Christmas Lights 2021: Peppermint Parkway Tickets, Events & More

December 17, 2021 by Emma B Leave a Comment

COTA Peppermint Parkway Christmas Lights
COTA Christmas Lights – Image Credit: Peppermint Parkway Facebook Page

Peppermint Parkway will return to the Circuit of the Americas this year, bringing wonderful Christmas cheer to Austin.

Last year, the drive-thru COTA Christmas Lights event was introduced as a safe way to celebrate amid the coronavirus outbreak. The mile-long parkway is lined with millions of Christmas lights and music.

The drive-thru Circuit of the Americas Christmas lights experience returns with over 6 million lights, live performers, dancing elves, roller skating snowflakes, as well as the Grinch. Pepper and Mint will make a return trip down Tunnel Road this year to deliver their notes to Santa.

COTA Peppermint Parkway: Christmas Lights 2021

Aside from the old faces at the Peppermint Christmas lights, two new holiday towns, ONEderland and Twinkle Trail, have been created to give their own touch on holiday light displays. Guests may also have their photo taken in the Mistletoe Kissing Booth, travel the Twinkle Trams, an open-air shuttle that takes groups around the parkway, and ascend to the top of the COTA Candy Cane to enjoy the lit parkway and Austin skyline.

COTA Peppermint Parkway Christmas Lights
Image Credit: Peppermint Parkway Facebook Page

Santa will also be there, and visitors will be able to take photos with him as well as even write him letters.
The North Pole Palooza, a new 15-minute nightly event, will include Rockette-style performers before inviting the audience to join them on the platform for the Santa Shuffle. Guests will also be able to drive their vehicles around COTA’s 3.41-mile FIA-grade Formula 1 track during the holiday event.

COTA Peppermint Parkway – Tickets

You may choose from four ticket options to personalize your COTA Peppermint Parkway tickets experience:

The Parkway costs $40, which covers access to Peppermint Parkway for one car.

The Polar Express Fast Pass costs $80 and gets you a distinct fast pass entry and check-in lane for The Parkway, allowing you to avoid the line.

The Candy Cane Cruise costs $65 and includes a Parkway Pass as well as a 25 MPH circuit around the United States’ first purpose-built F1 racetrack.

The Sweetest Deal is $95 and includes everything mentioned above, i.e., the Parkway Pass, Track Lap, and Fast Pass.

*Vehicles must be 27 feet or less in length to qualify for basic entry. Vehicles bigger than an SUV which hold more than 8 passengers must buy two tickets.

COTA Peppermint Parkway – Dates & Times to Visit

Peppermint Parkway will take place from November 26 to December 26 this year.

COTA Peppermint Parkway Christmas Lights
Image Credits: Peppermint Parkway Facebook Page

Peppermint Plaza is open from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., while the Parkway is open from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The event will go on regardless of the weather. It is possible that the schedule will be altered.

North Pole Palooza will be held every night at 7 p.m., 8 p.m., and 9 p.m.

COTA Christmas Lights – Peppermint Parkway Location

Peppermint Parkway is situated at Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas. The location is 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd, Austin, Texas 78617.

Visit the Peppermint Parkway website for more information.

Looking for more luminous events? Check out Christmas Lights in Austin Area.

To get these updates delivered directly to your feed, give us a follow on Facebook by clicking on the …next to the search icon

Travel on your mind? Check out Christmas Lights in Houston!

Filed Under: Discoveries

Johnson City Christmas Lights – Lights Spectacular 2021

December 16, 2021 by Emma B Leave a Comment

Johnson City Lights – Image Credits: Lights Spectacular TX – Hill Country Style Facebook Page

The 31st annual Lights Spectacular is held in the twinkliest town in the hill region. Johnson City has been transforming itself from a slow-paced residential town tucked on the banks of the Pedernales River into a dazzling beacon of light welcoming guests with good old-fashioned Christmas happiness for the past 31 years!

Johnson City Lights – About Lights Spectacular 2021

Consider a light show with over a million bulbs. It’s so large that NASA claims to have seen it from the International Space Station! That’s the Johnson City, Texas Lights Spectacular. Thousands of people go to Johnson City every winter to enjoy the city’s spectacular light show. From late November to early January, this little town in central Texas sparkles brightly with millions of lights strung around the town’s core.

There’s enough to see on a stroll to this Hill Country gem, with events, carriage rides, tourist sites, and many lighting fixtures.  Johnson City does not waste any time getting ready for the holidays. The city turns on the holiday light displays before most residents have even eaten their Thanksgiving meals.

Image Credit: Lights Spectacular TX – Hill Country Style Facebook Page

The Johnson City Lights Spectacular officially begins the Friday following Thanksgiving. The Blanco County Courthouse, located just off Main Street, hosts a fun evening for tourists and residents at 5:30 p.m. Before the lights are turned on, a local choir sings Christmas songs. Fireworks will be seen for miles throughout the Hill Country, wrapping off the festivities.

Johnson City Lights – Schedule & Tips To Enjoy

You and your family may enjoy this spectacular light show for free from November 26th to January 2nd.

A few quick pointers:

Arrive in Johnson City Texas early, before dusk, and park near the courthouse or along downtown streets in locations where parking is permitted. You can also take a stroll through the downtown area with your family while enjoying local cuisine, beer, wine, and celebrations in a relaxed, family-friendly environment.

Early arrival (during regular working hours) to the Johnson City Visitor’s Center is ideal for getting free maps, guides, and information on the finest wineries, breweries, distilleries, eateries, and places to stay overnight.

You can also book a room at a local B&B or hotel.

Johnson City Lights Location – How To Get There?

Johnson City’s holiday lights will continue to twinkle in its historic square off Main Street, Memorial Park, and PEC

Image Credit: Lights Spectacular TX – Hill Country Style Facebook Page

Johnson City, Texas will continue to shine with over two million sparkling lights in its historic plaza off Main Street, Memorial Park, and PEC headquarters.

For travel arrangements to Lights Spectacular in Fredericksburg and the surrounding regions, kindly contact FBGTours.com at 830-998-8986.

Looking for more luminous events? Check out Christmas Lights in Austin Area.

To get these updates delivered directly to your feed, give us a follow on Facebook by clicking on the …next to the search icon

Travel on your mind? Check out Christmas Lights in Houston!

Filed Under: Lights, Things to do

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