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Must See Socially Distant Drive-Through Holiday Light Spectaculars

December 8, 2020 by Bill Tucker Leave a Comment

Austin Trail of Lights 2019

As we all know, COVID-19 has not been kind to small businesses, restaurants, or life in general. And as we roll into the holiday season, many may find it hard to get into the holiday spirit for a variety of reasons. 

Luckily, you can’t keep a festive season down, even in the midst of the pandemic. If you’re looking for a bright and jolly way to spend an evening from the comfort and safety of your car, look no further than our top picks for seasonal and safe drive-through light shows guaranteed to delight young and old alike. 

NOTE: While many of these events have walking trails, we’re only focusing on the drive-thru portion of the experience. If you choose to take these trails, please exercise proper social distancing and coronavirus precautions. 

Santa’s Ranch

Santa's Ranch Light Trail in New Braunfels
Santa’s Ranch mixes dinosaurs, pickup trucks, and bible stories with keen enthusiasm (credit: Santa’s Ranch)

Fancy a short road trip? Take IH-35 South to New Braunfels and check out Santa’s Ranch where over 1.5 million animated holiday lights await. Not only are the displays stunning, rolling through over a mile of winding country roads screams classic holiday cheer. And it’s all delightfully Austin weird. Cowboys, dinosaurs, biblical scenes, and a host of random ideas combine to create a magical aura for every attendee. It’s a lovely event in a beautiful setting.

Visit santasranch.net for directions, pricing, and tickets.

Peppermint Parkway at COTA

Everything about COTA’s Winter Wonderland at the Circuit is LIT! (credit: COTA)

A relative newbie to the ATX holiday scene, Peppermint Parkway at Circuit of the Americas grew from upstart to December mainstay in no time. Due to the ongoing pandemic, this year’s event is mainly vehicular, but don’t let that stop you from experiencing over a million lights displayed over a mile-long course.

This year’s theme lets visitors follow hosts Pepper and Mint as they race to deliver letters to Santa. Exhibits include elves, holiday sculptures, an enchanted forest, and a 60 foot spiral light tree. And no trip to a holiday display would be complete without a visit from the man in red himself! My family will be cruising down Tunnel Road rocking our Christmas jammies sometime soon—so join us!

Go to circuitoftheamericas.com for ticket prices and more information.

Trail of Lights

Trail of Lights 2015 Aerial
Trail of Lights 2015 from the air (Credit: Jared Tennant)

It wouldn’t be the holidays without the 56th annual Austin Trail of Lights spectacular. And while you won’t be able to take a spin under the Zilker Tree this year, there’s still plenty to marvel at during this incredible holiday experience. Guests will be able to enjoy classic exhibits like Santasaurus, Spaceship Santa, and 12 Days of Christmas whist being dazzled by over 2 million lights.

The Trail of Lights team went to great lengths to capture the spirit of the event while keeping it COVID free. Festive elves scan your tickets upon entry and holiday classics are broadcast on an in-park radio station. They even hand out cookies! And although the entire trip takes about 15 minutes, the sensory overload is worth it.

If I wrote a “You’re Not an Austinite Until” article, visiting this annual holiday celebration would be close to the top of the list. And although this version of the Trail of Lights is decidedly 2020, it’s still worth hopping into the car for a one-of-a-kind hit of holiday cheer.

The Austin Trail of Lights runs through January 3; you can purchase passes at austintrailoflights.org.

Buda Trail of Lights

The Buda 12th annual Trail of Lights starts at Stagecoach Park at 880 Main Street (credit: City of Buda).

For a weekend display, visit our neighbors down south for the 12th annual Buda Trail of lights at the historic Stagecoach Park. This year’s event is completely drive-through so you can experience holiday cheer from the safety of your vehicle.

The Buda Trail of lights is free and accessible December 10-13 and 17-20 from 6:00 to 10:00 PM. More info is available on the City of Buda site.

Home Displays

Motorcycle Light Display
A light covered motorcycle is just one of the crazy things you’ll find out in Austin’s neighborhood light displays (credit: That Other Paper via Flickr CC).

Everyone’s neighborhood has the “go all out” block. The row of homes where everyone gets together to celebrate the season under a blanket of glittering lights. And better yet, can be enjoyed from the comfort and safety of your vehicle. Here’s a quick run down of some of our favorites:

  • Spindler Family Christmas Light Show: 2441 Candle Ridge Trail, Georgetown, TX 78626
  • Rhodes Family Christmas: 2410 Sharon Drive, Cedar Park, TX 78613 
  • Chinati Court: Chinati Ct, Cedar Park, TX 78613

@BillTuckerTSP wants to know:

Where are you going for your socially distant holiday cheer this year?

Filed Under: Discoveries Tagged With: christmas, trail of lights

Trail of Lights Returns for 55th Year of Christmas Magic

December 10, 2019 by Krista Hager Leave a Comment

Austin Trail of Lights Aerial View

A crackling bonfire and the sweet smells of candied apples, popping kettle corn, and comforting hot cocoa tease your senses at one of the greatest Austin holiday traditions of all time. Oh, yes. Trail of Lights is back.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Archives Tagged With: christmas, for kids, trail of lights, zilker park

What to Expect From Austin’s Trail of Lights in 2018

November 19, 2018 by Vi Chetan Leave a Comment

Trail of Lights Entrance Austin

One of the best ways to get into the holiday spirit: a trip to Trail of Lights (Credit: Juice Consulting)

It’s that time of the year, Austin! The pies are baking, presents are being wrapped, and Trail of Lights is back in town. Well, almost. Starting Dec. 10, 2018, Zilker Park will be transformed into a twinkling winter wonderland.

We’ve got all the details on this year’s Trail of Lights festivities. Read on to get ready for your visit this year! [Read more…]

Filed Under: Entertainment, Events, Nightlife Tagged With: christmas, trail of lights

Insider’s Guide to Austin’s Trail of Lights, 2017 Edition

November 14, 2017 by Amanda Sayers Leave a Comment

Trail of Lights 2017 in Austin, Texas

Trail of Lights is an Austin tradition, marking 52 years this Christmas season (Credit: Trail of Lights)

➡️ Get our 2018 guide to Trail of Lights in Austin

The first time I visited Trail of Lights, I was mesmerized by the beauty of it all, especially the tunnel at the entrance. I spun around inside the Zilker Tree until I was dizzy, and fell even more in love with the Austin skyline. This holiday magic is something I want to experience every year.

Visiting Trail of Lights is a yearly tradition for most Austin residents. If you’ve never been before, watch the short video below for more information on this year’s event, which will run from Dec. 9 to Dec. 23. And keep reading for this year’s pro tips!

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Entertainment, Events Tagged With: christmas, trail of lights

Trail of Lights Celebrates 50 Years of Spinning Under the Zilker Tree

November 8, 2016 by Kelli McDonald 1 Comment

Ferris Wheel at Austin Trail of Lights

The Ferris wheel is a new favorite at Trail of Lights (Credit: Dear Wesleyann Photography)

For 52 years, Austinites have walked Trail of Lights as part of their holiday tradition. And for 50 years, the moon tower located off Barton Springs Road has been transformed into a glowing tree–dubbed the Zilker Tree–where visitors stand under the lights and look up while spinning around for a wonderfully disorienting effect.

Five years ago, Trail of Lights was privatized to take the monetary obligation away from taxpayers. The future of the holiday extravaganza seemed rocky at first, but now the event is arguably better than ever with a giant Ferris wheel, charitable events and Austin vendors helping to make the event memorable. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Entertainment, Events Tagged With: christmas, trail of lights

Don’t Miss the 51st Year of Austin’s Trail of Lights!

December 10, 2015 by Mathis Kennington Leave a Comment

Trail of Lights 2015 Aerial

Trail of Lights 2015 from the air (Credit: Jared Tennant)

My holiday season doesn’t get started until Trail of Lights begins. This year, Austin’s beloved event is back for its 51st year of sparkling holiday goodness.

It may be like this every year, but there seems to be an renewed energy surrounding this celebrated Austin tradition. The Trail of Lights Foundation has worked extremely hard to make the experience better than ever, while keeping the cost to Austinites down.

Trail of Lights is free for its first week, Dec. 8-15. After that, its only a $3 for ages 12+. This is a small price compared to how much it costs to keep over two million lights bright on a trail where Austinites and visitors will walk a combined million miles this season! [Read more…]

Filed Under: Archives Tagged With: christmas, trail of lights

Trail of Lights 2014 Now Open! Here’s Your Preview

December 5, 2014 by Bill Tucker Leave a Comment

Trail of Lights Entrance

Welcome to the 50th anniversary of Trail of Lights (Image courtesy of Rebecca Belcher Photography)

I love the holidays. Lights hung from every tree. Kids running around in breathless anticipation. It’s an opportunity to be young again. To plug into our past and find the little joys we forget about all year long.

The Trail of Lights, Austin’s long running celebration of holiday fun, is one of the best ways to ring in this amazing time of year. 2014 marks the event’s 50th anniversary, and the well-worn trail has some new surprises to go with the old favorites as it opens on Sunday, December 7, 2014. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Archives Tagged With: trail of lights

Trail of Lights to Charge Entrance Fee in 2014

August 25, 2014 by Brittany Highland 4 Comments

Trail of Lights Austin TX

The light displays are always brilliant (Credit: John Reese via Flickr CC)

The Trail of Lights Foundation announced on Friday that they’ll be charging an entrance fee in 2014. Before you have a conniption, take a breath and consider the important facts: [Read more…]

Filed Under: Entertainment, Events Tagged With: trail of lights

What to Expect from Trail of Lights 2013

December 2, 2013 by Brittany Highland 5 Comments

Trail of Lights 2013

Photo credit: Margaret Licarione and Licarione Photography

Trail of Lights is one of Austin’s most beloved holiday traditions. The event was cancelled from 2010-2011 due to city budget shortfalls, but the private sector rallied in response to the outcry from disheartened Austinites. Thanks to generous donations from major sponsors like H-E-B, KXAN, Austin-American Statesman and Seton, Trail of Lights returned last year with a flash of brilliance.

Admission continues to be free, allowing everyone access to a memorable night of Christmas cheer. The private sector is contributing somewhere in the $1.5 million range to produce Trail of Lights 2013.

If you’re a Trail of Lights veteran, there are some new features you can expect this year. If you’re planning your first visit ever, we have the information you need to get the most out of your experience. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Activities, Discoveries, Entertainment, Events Tagged With: trail of lights

Don’t Miss the Final Weekend of Trail of Lights at Zilker Park

December 21, 2012 by Brittany Highland Leave a Comment


https://media.blubrry.com/austinot/p/austinotstagi.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Austinot-Podcast-39-Trail-of-Lights.mp3

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Trail of Lights Austin Entry

Entry to Trail of Lights Austin

Click on the Play button on the podcast player above to listen to this week’s episode of the Austinot Podcast.

After two dark holiday seasons at Zilker Park, our Trail of Lights is back. Thanks to dedicated organizers and donors, this year’s trip to the Trail of Lights will be an all-night affair that your family will remember until next year. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Austinot Podcast, Podcasts Tagged With: barton springs, trail of lights

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