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
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
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.
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?
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.
Good tip @polunsky:disqus. Thanks!
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.
Zip Pass !!!!!!!!!!! Best thing ever along wtih parking pass…
I’m hearing that from a lot of people this year, @rodjratx! Thanks for the feedback.