Since 1965, Austin has celebrated December by lighting up Zilker Park — and the tradition has grown into one of America’s most beloved holiday light displays. The Austin Trail of Lights winds beneath the park’s oak trees with more than 2 million lights, 90 themed displays, illuminated tunnels and nightly live music.
Next door rises the Zilker Holiday Tree: 155 feet of swirling color built on one of the city’s historic moontowers, first lit in 1967. Standing beneath it and spinning until the lights blur into ribbons is a beloved Austin ritual — try it and try not to smile.
The Trail’s festive village adds food trucks, Santa visits, a Ferris wheel and the famous spinning “Z” entrance tunnel. Grand opening festivities kick off with the tree lighting ceremony in late November, and the trail runs through December 23.
General admission nights include free-entry evenings, keeping the glow accessible to all. Bundle up, grab hot cocoa, and join half a century of Austin holiday happiness.
