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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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