On the fence about heading to the Austin Trail of Lights this year? We just had a sneak peek this week and they’re are many great things to see, you really don’t want to miss it. Check out our list AND we have a few ways you can avoid the crowds too!
One of Austin’s most beloved Holiday events is the Austin Trail of Lights. It’s one of our absolute “must-dos”, especially with all the fun they have added the past few years.
10 Fun Things You Must See at the Austin Trail of Lights
See the Austin Skyline from the Ferris Wheel – The 90 foot ferris wheel has big gondolas for your whole family to fit in. Rides are $6 per person (cash only).
Write a letter to Santa at Armadillo Alley – One of the food & activity stops along the trail, kids can write a letter to Santa and mail it to the North Pole here!
Find Classic Characters – The Trail of Lights is filled with fun characters that will delight any age – from classic fairy tales to modern-day cartoons, you will see many familiar friends along the 1.25 mile walk.
Have a piece of homemade candy at Candyland – Local Austin confectioners will be making homemade candy (free).
Ride the Carousal – Take a spin around the gorgeous carousal located next to Candyland. Rides are $4 per person (cash only).
Walk through the Bat Cave – In honor of Austin’s Mexican free-tailed bat colony, the trail has a bat cave to walk through this year.
Take a Picture at the Iconic Trail of Lights entrance – All the lightbulbs are new and it sparkles so bright.
Watch for Texas on the Globe – Another favorite brought back last year, watch the globe glow orange too.
Take a spin under the Zilker Tree – A trip to the Zilker tree is not complete without a spin under the tree. Yeah, it might make you dizzy, but its fun….
Meet Santa in the North Pole – What a fun place to meet with Santa!
Warm Yourself by the Yule Log – You must check out the giant yule log that will be burning each night. Grab a cup of hot cocoa and warm up by it.
How to Bypass the Crowds at the Austin Trail of Lights
Trail of Lights: ZIP Pass
Now many of you may be thinking it is too crowded or too cold to go to the Austin Trail of Lights, but there is a solution for the crowds. If you pay the $20 for a ZIP pass, you can get in a full hour before the general public and have access to hospitality tents with hot cocoa & cookies. Purchase required for ages 6 and over; children under 6 are free with a ticketed ZIP adult. You can also buy a parking pass, so basically there is a way around the crowds. Click here for more info on tickets & special event nights.
Trail of Lights: Platinum Pass
If you want to experience the Trail of Lights in luxury, then consider the Platinum Pass. With the Platinum Pass, you get in one hour early (6PM) before the general public, but it also includes valet parking, drink tickets valid at bars throughout the park, ride passes for the Ferris wheel or carousel, and access to the Lounge in Zilker Village where you’ll find restrooms, cookies, cocoa and seating. Purchase required for ages 6 and over; children 5 and under are free with a ticketed Platinum adult. (Valet parking pass will be issued separately). Click here for more details.
Don’t miss these great articles on more Holiday Fun in Austin!
28 Holiday Events in Austin
5 Tips for Austin’s Trail of Lights
Holiday Light Displays in Austin
ZACH Theatre’s A Christmas Carol
Where to Find A LIVE Christmas Tree in Austin
Zilker Holiday Tree
Where to Find Santa Claus in Austin
I love the fact that you have to walk through. Take it all in.
This would be an amazing family experience.
I did enjoy working the trail the last few years. This year I look forward to actually getting to go as a family.
We’ve never been, but the carousel sounds like SO much fun! And my son would have a blast walking through the bat cave and eating candy at Candyland!
It’s such a great tradition but we haven’t taken our boys yet. Would love to start a family tradition.
Spinning under the tree
The classic characters are a family favorite!
We have never been but I think actually walking through the lights would be a really neat experience.
Great family experience!
I love the Trail of Lights. This was my boyfriend and my first date 4 years ago 🙂 He isn’t good with large crowds so this would be perfect!
We love the bat cave and getting a piece of candy at Candyland!
Love the entrance of the Trail of Lights!
We’ve never been but the entire thing looks amazing!
We are new to Austin and have not yet gotten to experience this, though we’ve been told it is amazing!
We have never been but I would love to win tickets, given the cost!!
My family and I haven’t been in at least six years and I’m anxious to see what has changed
We love the Trail of Lights! Of course the tunnell is a ton-o-fun, but we also love the food truck park with rides, and my nephew loves to spin underneath the tree. 🙂
I haven’t gone since I was a kid! I would love to check it out again!
I haven’t been yet, but I can’t wait to take my family. My daughter will love it!
I always want to go but the crowds and parking put me off. The Platinum pass would definitely solve those issues for me… and all the better if I win them in the Giveaway.
We love the trail of lights and the view of downtown from the trail. We love how our daughters face lights up when she sees all the lights in front of her! Hope to make it there this year!!
Love the trail of lights. Last year was our first year with our son and cannot wait to take our newest addition!
We went a few years ago but haven’t been back since having a baby. So I’m not sure.
We have never been there since we just recently moved to TX. I am excited to see all the beauty! I LOVE Christmas time 🙂
If I win I’ll be sure to let y’all know what my favorite part away!
Candy land and the weird rabbit!!
We love the tunnel of lights!!
The tree at the end!
I love watching my kids face light up at all the cool lights! Never gets old!
I am so excited to introduce my children to the Trail of Lights and all of its splendor. I love the Ferris Wheel and I know they will too!
Have never been would love to go
Favorite part is the tunnel.
I love seeing Santa!
We love the bat cave light exhibit! It’s Austin and we love that they pay tribute to our flitter flying friends!
I’ve never been, This would be awesome to see this!
Wow! That view looks incredible and everything is gorgeous!! We recently moved here from California, and do an advent calendar with activities to do as a family each night of December! Now I’m sooooo excited to add this to our line of awesome things to do in Austin! Thank you for the information and the opportunity for this great bonus!! I already love your blog and I can’t wait to follow it while we get acquainted with this amazing state! ❤️ Merry Christmas to you!!!
Family time!
Our family has never been. Would love to take my children’
We just moved to TX and can’t wait to experience the Trail of Lights.
This will be our first year to go! My kids are gonna love it!
The tree!
I have heard a lot about the Trail of Lights! Can’t wait to see it!
Haven’t been yet, but looks like so much fun for the kids and I! 🙂
The Trail of Lights has been a family tradition since our girls were born. We always loved ending our walk under the Zilker tree. It’s just such a magical experience!
Love walking through the lights
We visited a couple times when we first moved to Texas but haven’t been since having children. I would love to go and watch the magic unfold through my daughters eyes!
I live spinning under the zipper tree and the joy on my children’s faces
Love remembering who I went with each time before(twice), because it is that special of a time!
The 12 Days of Christmas display!
Free homemade candy at Candyland!
I love that it’s something I can take younger and older kids to, and they all enjoy it without whining.
We love the tunnel and all the displays. My family hasn’t been in a couple of years but are planning to go this year. We are looking forward to seeing the Ferris wheel and carousel!
My favorite part of Trail of Lights is the Nativity.