• Advertise
  • Donate
  • Write
  • Intern
  • Events
  • About
  • Contact

The Austinot

Discover Austin Texas! An Austin blog with hundreds of unique articles.

  • Things To Do
    • Things To Do This Weekend
    • Things To Do This Week
    • Things To Do This Weekend With Kids
  • Discoveries
    • Austinot Loves
    • Activities
    • Day Trips
    • Local Business
  • Food & Drink
    • Food
    • Drink
  • Entertainment
    • Events
    • Film
    • Music
    • Nightlife
    • Theatre
  • Culture
    • Arts
    • History
    • Museums
  • Et Cetera
    • Non-Profits
    • Podcast
    • Archives

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.

What’s New This Year

Trail of Lights Austin

1.25 miles of colorful brilliance at Trail of Lights (Photo credit: John Reese via Flickr CC)

The most important change this year is that Trail of Lights has been extended from one to two weeks. The event will run December 8-22, 2013 from 7-10 PM daily.

Those of us who attended last year remember the crushing crowds. Visitors on the walkways past the light presentations were standing literally shoulder to shoulder. Those with strollers or wheelchairs had an even more difficult time enjoying themselves.

The extended time period this year is intended to answer last year’s difficulties, providing more safety and comfort. We’ll see how the change works – our team at the Austinot is hoping for the best!

2013 Features and Activities

Trail of Lights Austin TX

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

Trail of Lights 2013 has a full schedule of activities for the family. Here are some of the highlights:

  • Preview party – Friday, December 6th
  • Trail of Lights 5K – Saturday, December 7th
  • Grand Opening with live music from Seth Walker, The Ransom Notes and more – Sunday, December 8th
  • Alpharev in concert – Sunday, December 15th
  • Santa and Elf Night – Friday, December 20th

This is only a small sampling of the special events and performances. There will be live music and dance performances all week (The Whiskey Sisters, Vallejo, The Eggmen and more). See the full Trail of Lights schedule for more details.

And there’s more:

  • 50+ light displays over 1.25 miles of trail
  • Zilker Holiday Tree, the tallest base-to-tip Christmas tree in the United States at 155 feet tall and 120 feet across (tradition: hold hands with your companions underneath and spin around in a circle!)
  • Food from more than two dozen local vendors, including Chi’Lantro BBQ, Hat Creek Burger Co., Amy’s Ice Creams, Austin’s Pizza, Tapas Bravas
  • Souvenirs and gifts from merchants
  • Photo zones at scenes like Santa’s Workshop

Plan for a full evening of activities that will appeal everyone.

Zilker Holiday Tree Austin

Don’t forget to visit the Zilker Holiday Tree (Photo credit: That Other Paper via Flickr CC)

Tips for Your Visit

  • Important: Parking must be purchased online in advance! Buy your ZiP parking pass here for $15.
  • If you don’t want to park on-site, many other transportation options are available. Review them here.
  • Trail of Lights is offering a “ZiP Fast Pass” this year: early entry, front-of-line access, guaranteed seating, private restrooms and more. Definitely a way to dull the craziness, especially if you’re visiting with a large group.
  • Don’t forget the common sense stuff. Wear walking shoes, bring an extra jacket, and don’t forget water bottles if you don’t want to buy water at the event.
  • No matter what, plan for crowds and allow yourself extra time for everything. Austin loves Trail of Lights and attendance continues to increase every year. Case in point: organizers were expecting 250,000 attendees in 2012. Instead, they got 400,000.
  • Catch last minute updates by signing up for the Trail of Lights email list.

We hope you enjoy Trail of Lights 2013! Upload your photos to our Facebook page and we’ll share them with the whole community!

 

@QuasiBrit asks:

Do you have any Trail of Lights tips to add for first-time visitors?

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

Best of The Austinot

We always have unique content on The Austinot and we love to give things away. You know, like concert tickets, gift cards, and other cool stuff. We only send out our “Best of the Austinot” newsletter twice a month. It’s where we give you a recap of our best articles and give stuff away. Interested? Subscribe to Best of The Austinot here!

Subscribe
Login
Notify of
guest
guest
5 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Steven Polunsky
Steven Polunsky
8 years ago

If you are bringing children (up to teen years) or the elderly, take some precautions in case you become separated. Write down your name and cell phone number on paper that they carry with them. Be able to describe them – age, height, what they are wearing. Arrange a meeting place within the Trail of Lights — “the car” may be hard to find or get to, and “the tree” is not specific enough because of the crowd and the big footprint.

0
Reply
Brittany Highland
Brittany Highland
8 years ago
Reply to  Steven Polunsky

Good tip @polunsky:disqus. Thanks!

0
Reply
Steven Polunsky
Steven Polunsky
8 years ago
Reply to  Brittany Highland

Thank you. Austin/Travis County REACT provides volunteer radio operators every year to manage the “Lost Child” net. A few simple precautions will keep people from needing our services.

0
Reply
Rodjratx
Rodjratx
8 years ago

Zip Pass !!!!!!!!!!! Best thing ever along wtih parking pass…

0
Reply
Brittany Highland
Brittany Highland
8 years ago
Reply to  Rodjratx

I’m hearing that from a lot of people this year, @rodjratx! Thanks for the feedback.

0
Reply

Connect with Us

    Hyperlocal Blog About the City of A...

    To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video

    Hyperlocal Blog About the City of Austin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Things to do

Things to do in Austin this week

10 Fun Things to do in Austin this week of July 4, 2022 include Round Rock Express Vs. Albuquerque, Cedar Park Fourth, and more!

Austin is now among the fastest-growing metroplexes in the US! Keeping up with the growth, luckily there’s plenty going on in Austin all days of the week. There are things to do on Monday in Austin, of course, things to do in Austin on Saturday night, and everything in between! Some of you may be […]

Things to do in Austin with kids this weekend

Top 10 Things to Do in Austin with Kids this Weekend of July 1, 2022 include Bastrop Patriotic Festival, Family Game Night, and More!

If there’s one thing about this city, it’s that there is always something going on. So, if you’re looking for fun things to do in Austin with kids this weekend of July 1, 2022, there’s plenty of fun to be had, including Dive In Movies – Wells Branch, Bastrop Patriotic Festival, and more!   Top […]

Things to do in Austin this weekend | Brick Rodeo

10 Fun Things to Do in Austin This Weekend of July 1, 2022 Include Brick Rodeo, Party at Independence, and More!

  For summer camp information, check out our page for Best Summer Camps in Austin for 2022!  If you would like to discover more Things to do in Austin this Week & Things to do in Austin with Kids this Weekend, check out Facebook for immediate notifications.

texas swimming holes near austin

Texas swimming holes near Austin – 10 watering holes for a fun swim this summer

If you have been looking for free places to swim in Austin or googling ‘swimming holes near me’, you are in the right place! Texas is known for a lot of things and one of them is relentlessly hot summers. The temperatures are rising in Austin and across the state. Luckily, there are also many […]

Austin trampoline parks - Urban Air Adventure Park (Cedar Park)

Austin Trampoline Parks – Best Indoor Jumping Places for Kids and Adults!

Trampoline parks were among the decade’s most unique leisure attractions. They offer a playful atmosphere where people can defy the laws of physics and have a good time hurling themselves around. It consists of a large room filled wall to wall with trampolines. On the weekend, you may get rid of your boredom and have […]

Recent Posts

  • 10 Fun Things to do in Austin this week of July 4, 2022 include Round Rock Express Vs. Albuquerque, Cedar Park Fourth, and more!
  • Top 10 Things to Do in Austin with Kids this Weekend of July 1, 2022 include Bastrop Patriotic Festival, Family Game Night, and More!
  • 4th July events in Austin: Independence day 2022 fireworks, parades, concerts & other celebrations!
  • 10 Fun Things to Do in Austin This Weekend of July 1, 2022 Include Brick Rodeo, Party at Independence, and More!
  • Texas swimming holes near Austin – 10 watering holes for a fun swim this summer

Welcome to The Austinot

We are all about Austin: the vibe, the people and the uniqueness of the city. We love to explore. Get to know us! We’ll respond if you comment. Heck, we’ll probably invite you to come and hang out with us!

Follow along to help support and learn more about local businesses, artists, and events.

-The Austinot Team

Privacy Policy

Trending Posts

  • 4th July events in Austin: Independence day 2022 fireworks, parades, concerts & other celebrations!
  • 10 Best Lakes in and around Austin
  • 20 Restaurants Open Late in Austin – Best Late Night Food Places For Tasty Eats
  • Guide to Austin’s Dirty Sixth Street
  • 8 Laid-back Waterfront Restaurants in Austin (Besides The Oasis)

Copyright © 2022 · Log in

wpDiscuz