The 4 Best Holiday Light Shows Around Austin
By Danielle Jones
Featured Image: Trail of Lights Austin
The holidays are here and Austin has some great, fun, and family-friendly options! Below are some COVID-friendly, socially distanced events that will put you in the Christmas spirit.
Trail of Lights
📍Zilker Park (2207 Lou Neff Rd, Austin, TX 78746)
Dates: November 28, 2020 – January 3, 2021
The 56th annual Austin Trail of Lights is returning to the city’s iconic Zilker Park as a drive-thru only event, so you can stay warm while enjoying incredible twinkling sights. As one of the longest-running holiday traditions, Austin Trail of Lights powered by H-E-B, welcomes hundreds of thousands of guests from Central Texas and around the world each year for its extravagant displays of lights. The drive-thru trail this year will feature more than 2 million lights illuminating the park, 90 lighted holiday trees, and more than 70 other holiday displays and lighted tunnels. Purchase a cup of hot cocoa and some sweets to enjoy along the ride. Purchase tickets here.
Peppermint Parkway
Photo Credit: Circuit of the Americas
📍Circuit of the Americas (9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd, Austin, TX 78617)
Dates: November 27, 2020 – January 3, 2021
This first annual holiday event will be a one-mile driving attraction that will include millions of holiday lights, lighted structures standing at over 30’ tall, a 6-story light show tree, and much more! Upon arrival, guests will receive special holiday cookies and hot cocoa courtesy of H-E-B before joining Pepper and Mint on their journey to deliver letters to Santa Claus. In addition to exploring COTAs all new Peppermint Parkway, guests can get into the holiday spirit at the Peppermint Plaza. Located in the Grand Plaza, friends and family can enjoy Ferris wheel rides at the Amusement Park, zip lining, ride go-karts that reach up to 30mph, enjoy many delicious food trucks, and tons of socially distanced fun! Purchase tickets here.
Mozarts 2020 Christmas Light Show
Photo Credit: Mozart’s
📍Mozarts Coffee Roasters (3825 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703)
Dates: November 11, 2020 – January 6, 2021
Make your way over to Mozart’s this holiday season to see over 1 million festive lights that twinkle along with live holiday music. The beautiful light displays along with the hot chocolate and warm treats make this a holiday activity that the whole family enjoys. However, it’s also usually one of the most popular winter spots in Austin. With health and safety concerns in mind, Mozart’s is hosting a “COVID Cautious Christmas Light Show” where you can book a safe, socially distanced lakeside spot in one of four designated seating sections. Reserve a table here.
Luminations
Photo Credit: Lady Bird Johnson Center
📍Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Dates: November 27, 2020 – January 3, 2021
Here to light up your nights, the Luminations event at the Wildflower Center is a must-see. Experience many light displays shimmering around you and thousands of luminarias lighting the way. This year, for the first time ever, stroll through the naturally beautiful Texas Arboretum among the illuminated gardens, and the light-splashed forts while enjoying a special seasonal menu of take-along foods from Wildflower Café. Purchase tickets here.
