There are so many things that make the holiday season fun. Whether you're in town for a convention or to celebrate the season with loved ones, visiting one of Austin's spectacular light shows should be on the agenda. Here are some of the top places to check out holiday lights in Austin this winter.

Car driving through snowy tunnel of lights at Peppermint Parkway
Peppermint Parkway. Courtesy of Circuit of The Americas™

Peppermint Parkway

November 22 - December 29, 2024
Hosted at Austin’s Formula 1 racetrack, Circuit of The Americas™ (COTA), this one mile driving route follows characters Pepper and Mint on an adventure through a display of over 6 million lights. Visitors can also experience rides, food trucks, and a meet and greet with Santa at the end of the trail. 
Reserve your ticket here.

Mozart’s Annual Festival of Lights

November 29, 2024 - January 4, 2025
View a stunning and immersive light display at Mozart’s Coffee Roasters, just on the bank of the Lake Austin waters. Sip on great coffee and listen to live music as lights dazzle in the sky and reflect on the water. Once you’ve got your fill of lights and caffeine, stop at their Bavarian marketplace for a treat on the way out. 
Reserve your spot here.

Zilker Tree at Austin Trail of Lights
Zilker Holiday Tree. Courtesy of Austin Trail of Lights

Zilker Holiday Tree

December 1, 2024 - January 1, 2025
Situated in Zilker Park, Austin’s beloved Zilker Holiday Tree stands at a staggering 155 feet tall and is fashioned around one of Austin’s last standing Moonlight Towers. This giant display is appointed with a 10 feet wide star and over 3,000 multicolored lights. The tree turns on nightly at 6 pm. 
Viewing is free and open to the public.

Downtown Holiday Stroll

December 7, 2024
Start your holidays downtown with the annual Downtown Holiday Stroll. Sing-along to holiday classics while the Downtown tree lights up the city scape. The evening will feature a Christmas classics sing-along and music from Austin band, The Tiarras.
Event is free and open to the public.

Image from a low perspective of the large illuminated sign stating "Trail of Lights" at the entrance to the event.
Courtesy of Trail of Lights.

Austin Trail of Lights

December 10 - December 23, 2024
Get into the Christmas spirit at this iconic Austin event celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2024. What started out as a humble gathering in 1965 is now a community-wide celebration of the unique qualities that make Austin such a special destination. The Trail of Lights features over 2 million lights, 40 displays, and a ton of holiday activities. 
Reserve your ticket in advance here.

Looking for more holiday entertainment? Check out our guide to holidays in Austin.