Austin Christmas Lights 2023

Hear, hear, the sparkly season is near! From now through the end of the season, festive holiday light trails adorn the Texas Hill Country, and we’ve discovered the best and brightest dazzlers around. Everyone loves the Zilker Park lights, yet if you want to set forth on an illuminated adventure beyond these famous Austin holiday lights, read on to find out.

If you find yourself googling ‘Austin Neighborhood Christmas Lights Displays’ or ‘Drive through Christmas Lights Austin’, you are not alone. We have rounded up the best Christmas lights Austin TX has to offer including nearby areas.

Editor’s Note: Our staff works hard to bring you the latest information. However, all information mentioned in this article is subject to change. As always, please confirm before heading out.

Also, check our posts on Christmas tree lighting Austin 2023, and Winter Camp Austin 2023!

Austin Christmas Lights 2023 – Best Holiday Lights in Austin

Austin Trail Of Lights

Image Credit: Austin Trail Of Lights

The 59th Annual Austin Trail of Lights, powered by H-E-B, is back! Each year, hundreds of thousands of visitors from Central Texas and all over the world attend Austin Trail of Lights, the most cherished and long-running Christmas event of its type in the capital city of Texas. The Trail of Lights Foundation organizes the yearly celebration in Zilker Park to honor the distinctive character and people who make Austin the adorable city that it is today.

When:  December 8-23, 2023 (Closed on select days)
Where: Zilker Park, 2100 Barton Springs Rd. Austin, TX 78704
How Much: $0-$320

Austin 37th Street Christmas Lights

Image Credit: 37th Street Lights

Once more, it’s that time of year! Come one, come all to the 37th Street Lights, one of Austin’s most cherished holiday traditions. Since the 1980s, 37th Street Lights, a well-known local company, has produced some of the city’s most bizarre displays. These are not your typical holiday displays—there are gigantic dinosaurs, a petting zoo of stuffed animals, a Santa disco party, and more!

When:  Starts December 9, 2023
Where: 507 W 37th St, Austin, TX 78705, United States

Peppermint Parkway

Image Credit: Peppermint Parkway

The Circuit of the Americas will come to life this holiday season with a one-mile drive-thru display of lights as well as a plaza full of music, food, and magic on select nights. Drive through six million lights, interact with live characters., speed along the F1 track, get on thrilling rides, check out the Holiday Market, and so much more!

When: November 24 – December 30, 2023 | 6 pm – 9 pm

Where: Circuit of the Americas, 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd, Austin, TX 78617

How much: Starts at $45

Holiday Tree Light Show

Image Credit: HOLIDAY TREE LIGHT SHOW

Visit the NORTHSIDE Holiday Tree until December 25 to take in a lovely Holiday Tree Light Show that happens every hour! Across from Apple, near to The Lawn, is where you’ll find The Holiday Tree.

When:  November 19 – December 25, 2023, 12 pm to 11:59 pm
Where: 11821 Rock Rose Ave, Austin, TX 78758, United States
How Much: Free

Mozart’s Coffee Annual Christmas Light Show Austin

Image Credit: Mozart’s Coffee Roasters

View a breathtaking and engrossing light show at Mozart’s Coffee Roasters, which is located right next to Lake Austin. Enjoy a cup of delicious coffee while listening to live music while the night sky and the ocean are illuminated. When you’ve had your fill of espresso and lights, get a treat from their Bavarian market before leaving.

When:  November 9, 2023 – January 6, 2023
Where: 3825 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703, United States
How Much: 4-person tables are $40 and 6-person tables are $60 (Fees apply) | Reservation required

Maywald Family Christmas Light Display

Image Credit: Maywald Christmas Light Display

Austin Christmas Lights 2023 – Round Rock, Lakeway & Georgetown

Downtown Round Rock Christmas Lights 2023

Image Credit: Downtown Round Rock Texas

This holiday season, a highly sparkling light show lights up downtown Round Rock. You can have a joyful family adventure starting on December 1st as the sun sets and continuing every evening through the end of the month. Bring your coat and jingle your way to Main Street to see a sea of dazzling trees, interactive Christmas decor, live music on the Plaza and in the parklets, and an exhibit of sugary sweet art. While you enjoy the comforts of home, don’t forget to grab a bite to eat with your group, sip on a festive cocktail (or two! ), and cross things off your shopping list.

When: December 1-31, 2023
Where: 221 E Main St, Round Rock, TX 78664
How Much: Free

Rock’N Lights Holiday Light Tour

Image Credit: Round Rock Parks and Recreation Department

The Rock’N Lights Holiday Light Tour is back and better than ever — bigger and brighter! Visit the Old Settlers Association to see the new Christmas Towne and the brand-new decorations at the third annual Rock’N Lights Holiday Light Tour. Rock’N Lights is a December drive-thru Christmas lights Austin attraction that winds through Old Settlers Park and includes thousands of glittering lights along the way.

When: December 1-26, 2023
Where: Old Settlers Boulevard and Harrell Parkway, Round Rock, TX 78665, USA

Lakeway Trail Of Lights

Image Credit: City of Lakeway Government

The Trail of Lights is one of Lakeway’s most cherished annual events! Parking behind City Hall (1102 Lohman’s Crossing at the intersection of Lohman’s and Sailmaster) or in the lower level of the parking lot at the Lakeway Activity Center (105 Cross Creek) both provide access to the route. This is a self-guided trail. There are no vendors or staff members present.

When:  December 1 to January 1, 2023, 6 pm to 12 midnight
Where: 1102 Lohmans Crossing Rd, Lakeway, TX 78734, United States
How Much: Free

Lights at the Square in Georgetown, Texas

Image credit: Visit Georgetown, Texas

Experience magic in Georgetown! The entire square will be filled with beautiful lights. You can take some gorgeous photos or sing along to uptown carolers under the lights. The downtown shops will be open late, so plan to get in some unique holiday shopping.

When: November 24, 2023 – January 1, 2024
Where: Georgetown, TX

How much: Free

Austin Christmas Lights 2023 – Fredericksburg, San Saba, Johnson City and Old West Christmas Fest

Fredericksburg’s Christmas Nights of Lights

Image Credit: Fredericksburg The Texas Hill Country

This Weihnachtszeit, or Christmas season in Fredericksburg, take in the distinctive blend of German Christmas customs and welcoming Texan friendliness. During Fredericksburg’s Christmas Nights of Lights, the Community Christmas Tree and German Christmas Pyramid are lit each night as a way for friends, family, and neighbors to celebrate the holiday season.

When: November 21, 2023 – January 7, 2024

Where: 126 W Main St, Fredericksburg, TX 78624, United States

How much: Free

Austin Christmas Lights 2023 – Johnson City Lights Spectacular

Image Credit: Pedernales Electric Cooperative

 

The Lights Spectacular people in Johnson City don’t play when it comes to Christmas lights. The proof these lights are out of this world lies in actual images from NASA–the Johnson City Lights Spectacular can be seen from space.

Holy holiday spirit, Batman! Johnson City turns into a proper holiday village during the free Lights Spectacular. This year should be another brilliant season, as the event turns 33. The courthouse wears a draped array of thousands of lights, while Pedernales Electric Cooperative wraps more than one million lights around a large stand of oak trees. Almost every home and business in town dresses up for December. Multiple events are planned between November 24 and January 7, including Hayrides, Santa & Mrs. Claus, Lamplight Tours, Visit with the Grinch & more!

Old West Christmas Light Fest at Enchanted Springs Ranch

Enchanted Springs Ranch puts a new spin on the old west (Credit: R. Mewborne Photography)

This holiday haven is at Enchanted Springs Ranch in Boerne, northwest of San Antonio. If you love the Old West, then this one’s for you. Old West Christmas Light Fest has more than 40 Old West buildings decorated with more than 3 million Christmas lights.

Upon entering Old West Christmas Light Fest, you drive through some lights, including a tunnel. They didn’t have cars in the Old West, though, so the Christmasy town is an in-person experience. Walk through and see all of the lights and special decorations up close! Plus, Old West Christmas Light Fest has many other activities, including new attractions this year like laser tag in the lights, mechanical bull rides a scavenger hunt, and a children’s light hay maze. Giddy up!

When: Select days from November 24 – December 23, 2023 | 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Where: 242 State Hwy 46 W. Boerne, TX 78006
How Much: Starts at $20

San Antonio River Walk Holiday Lights

San Antonio’s popular River Walk lights, illuminated from 5:30 pm to 8 am through Jan. 7, 2021, are a classic. Stroll along the River Walk for free, or book a boat to maximize your sparkly glee. Admire the lights over chips and salsa, and perhaps a margarita at one of the riverside restaurants.

The City of San Antonio and the Paseo del Rio Association sponsors the free, season-long light show every year. The Ford Fiesta de Luminarias sees 2,250 luminarias lighting the way along the River Walk for the first three weekends in December. The San Antonio River Authority has added lights to the Pearl District, too, for bonus sparkle.

Special events that may require tickets include the Holiday Light Cruises, Holiday Boat Caroling, Holiday Artisan Market, and more (buy tickets and get details at the website link below).

When: November 24, 2023 – January 7, 2023 (at dawn) | 5:30 pm – 8:00 am nightly
Where: 849 E Commerce St, San Antonio, TX 78205
How Much: Free

Christmas Lights Austin 2023 – Bastrop, Wimberley, Marble Falls, New Braunfels & more! 

Image Credit: Visit Bastrop FB Page

Bastrop’s fanciful, fantastic, fun—and even famous—annual Lost Pines Christmas Parade will light up the night skies as it makes its way down Main Street. This famous parade is an absolute high point of the Lost Pines Christmas season. More than 130 entries—from fanciful floats to fire trucks, from unicycles to vintage cars, from Honey Bears to longhorns, from Santa’s helpers to the man himself.

When: December 9, 2023 | 6:00 pm
Where: 921 Main Street, Bastrop, TX 78602
How Much: FREE

Bastrop River of Lights

Image Credit: visitbastrop.com

Take in the sights at the River of Lights which includes numerous displays in a variety of seasonal themes lining Bastrop’s scenic June Hill Pape River Walk.

When: November 25, 2023 – January 2, 2024 | Recurring daily – Ending: 10:00 PM
Where: Farm Street, Bastrop, TX 78602
How Much: FREE

Wimberley Holiday Trail of Lights

Wimberley’s toy soldiers greet visitors to Trail of Lights

Santa Claus flies in most nights from the North Pole and will be in his house to greet everyone! There will also be several special event nights throughout the run of the trail. During our 5rd Annual Chocolate Night on December 9th, guests can purchase a ticket to taste samples of delectable chocolate from various vendors.

This glittery gorgeousness is a true community effort. Numerous local businesses and community members come together each year to decorate the trail. It is interactive with character cutouts for fun photos, a musical garden, and a life-sized chess/checkerboard. I hope they bring back their human snow globe from last year, too!

When: December 2 – 26, 2023 | Fridays/Saturdays 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm | All Other Days 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Where: 1101 FM 2325, Wimberley, Texas 78676
How Much: Free, but donations are appreciated

Marble Falls Walkway of Lights

Image Credit: Visit Marble Falls TX FB Page

The Walkway of Lights, hosted by The Marble Falls Chamber of Commerce, returns for its 33rd year with displays of 2 million lights in Lakeside Park and over 350+ lighted sculptures. It is FREE to the public and is entirely funded by donations. Experience the lights reflecting off Lake Marble Falls this year, and make it a family tradition.

When:  November 17 – December 31, 2023 | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Where: Lakeside Park, 305 Buena Vista Dr, Marble Falls, TX 78654
How Much: FREE

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Austin Christmas Lights 2023 – Santa’s Ranch in New Braunfels

Drive through a sea of Christmas lights (Credit: Santa’s Ranch)

The wacky-lit exhibitions alone should be enough to justify a trip to New Braunfels. Take a mile or so of winding country roads via Santa’s Ranch. More than 2.5 million lights are a-glowing in animated, custom-made displays. You never know what kind of light show will appear around the next bend. Is this a nativity scene? Angels in a choir? Is it possible that you’re an alien? Is he a cowboy? At Santa’s Ranch, anything is possible. This family, staff, and even the neighbors all seem to enjoy this Christmas custom.

Once you’re in, stop by the concession stand for traditional treats like hot cocoa and kettle corn.

When: November 3, 2023 – December 31, 2023 | Sundays – Thursdays 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm | Fridays & Saturdays – 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Where: 9561 I-35 North New Braunfels, TX 78130
How Much: Starts at $37

Traveling for the holidays? Check out Top 20 Christmas Lights in Houston, and Best Christmas Lights in San Antonio!

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