Holiday lights near Austin for families (2026)
Checked · Covers Oct 28 – Jan 15 · All times are local Central Time
We list 5 holiday light events around Austin for Oct 28 – Jan 15: 1 display running for weeks and 4 one-night events. 1 list free admission. Displays that run for weeks come first, then one-night parades and tree lightings around Austin. Popular nights can sell out, so check the official page before you go.
Light displays open for weeks
Austin Trail of Lights
- When
- Thu, Dec 10 – Wed, Dec 23 (Nightly Dec 10–23) · 7–10pm
- Cost
- $8 for ages 12+ on Dec 12 and 18–23; no charge for general admission on Dec 10, 11 and 13–17
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Austin's holiday light trail in Zilker Park. General admission needs no ticket on Dec 10, 11 and 13–17; on Dec 12 and 18–23, ages 12+ pay $8.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
One-night light parades and tree lightings
Lighting of the Square
- When
- Fri, Nov 27 · Entertainment 5:30–6:30pm; lights on about 6pm; Santa photos 6:30–8pm
- Cost
- No fee listed; Santa photos for an unwrapped toy or a monetary donation
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
The courthouse and the lights around the Square switch on the day after Thanksgiving, with the Uptown Carolers. Brown Santa photos inside the courthouse after the lighting. The lights stay on every evening through Jan 1.
✓ Checked Oct 27, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Zilker Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
- When
- Sun, Nov 29 · Music 5:15pm; lighting 6pm
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Lighting of the 155-foot Zilker Holiday Tree, lit by youth art contest winners, with live music and local entertainment. Free on-site parking is first come, first served. The tree stays lit nightly 6–10pm through Jan 1.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Georgetown Christmas Stroll
- When
- Fri, Dec 4 – Sun, Dec 6 (Dec 4–6) · Fri 4–9:30pm, Sat 10am–9:30pm, Sun 10am–4pm
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Three-day holiday celebration around the historic square with lights, music and the Christmas Parade Saturday at 10am.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Light Up the Lake
- When
- Fri, Dec 4 – Sat, Dec 5 (Dec 4 and 5) · 6–10pm
- Cost
- See site
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Round Rock's holiday lights evening at the lake in Old Settlers Park.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Frequently asked questions
When do holiday lights open around Austin in 2026?
1 light display on our list runs for weeks: Austin Trail of Lights (Austin, Dec 10 – Dec 23).
Which holiday light events near Austin are free?
1 light event lists free admission on the official page: Georgetown Christmas Stroll (Georgetown, Dec 4 – Dec 6).
How much do ticketed light displays near Austin cost?
Prices from the official pages: Lighting of the Square (No fee listed), Light Up the Lake (See site) and Austin Trail of Lights ($8 for ages 12+ on Dec 12 and 18–23). Prices can change by night.
Can kids see Santa at a light display near Austin?
Yes. 2 light events on our list have Santa: Lighting of the Square (Georgetown, Nov 27) and Georgetown Christmas Stroll (Georgetown, Dec 4 – Dec 6). Some charge extra for Santa photos.
Which Austin-area cities have holiday lights events?
We list holiday lights events in 3 cities, including Georgetown (2), Austin (2) and Round Rock (1).
Our weekend search covers Phoenix Metro & Arizona for now, and more areas are coming soon. This guide is hand-checked the same way.
How we build this page: each event comes from the organizer's official website and shows the date we checked it. An event is called free only when its official page says so. Read how we verify listings.
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