Most of us have piled into the family car and made the rounds to see Christmas light displays near Austin. It’s a beloved holiday tradition, especially in a city as dazzling as ours. And this year promises to be even brighter!

In this spirit, we’ve crafted a unique Christmas Lights road trip to maximize your light-viewing experience. This fun little trip includes a mix of everything: enchanting Christmas strolls, tree decor, mesmerizing light shows, and even a local watering hole. At just under two hours, this trip is a must-do this year. Check out the Google Map for the journey, and we’ll see you out there!

Google Maps
1. Austin Trail of Lights
2100 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78746, USA
MarkScottAustinTX/flickr
The Austin Trail of Lights is every bit as magical and enchanting as its name implies. Hosted in Zilker Park, this annual event runs every evening but Mondays. Be prepared to pay for parking, but the event itself is free! It’s the perfect way to stretch your legs and enjoy the cool winter air.
2. Donn's Depot
1600 W 5th St, Austin, TX 78703, USA
Donn's Depot/Facebook
Need a little refreshment? Take a pit stop at Donn’s Depot, a repurposed train station in Austin that now serves as a piano bar. With festive lights, winter decor, and a decked-out Christmas tree, it’s the perfect place to grab a hot beverage and snack before hitting the road and continuing the tour.
3. The Domain
11410 Century Oaks Terrace, Austin, TX 78758, USA
PROMarkScottAustinTX Follow/flickr
No holiday road trip is complete without a massive outdoor Christmas tree sighting, and that’s exactly what the Domain promises to deliver this time of year. This shopping center is bustling with excitement, twinkling lights, and even St. Nick himself. This is one big Christmas tree lighting in Austin you can't bear to miss!
4. Cedar Park Christmas Lights
Butch Gap Cove, Cedar Park, TX 78613, USA
Cedar Park Christmas Lights/Facebook
This suburb of Austin is beloved for its celebration of Christmas each year. The Anna Court neighborhood is a cul-de-sac that totally transforms with hundreds of thousands of Christmas lights, a beautiful display for the whole community. This Christmas tradition in Austin is a favorite for a reason.
5. 37th Street
507 W 37th St, Austin, TX 78705, USA
That Other Paper/flickr
For a taste of Christmas perfectly unique to Austin, you won’t want to miss the 37th Street light display. There's a reason it's one of our all-time favorite holiday traditions in Austin. It’s something like a legend for locals and never disappoints with its quirky assortment of holiday decorations. The event takes place in Hyde Park.
6. The Driskill Tree
604 Brazos St, Austin, TX 78701, USA
Knowsphotos/flickr
Our road trip ends with one of the most elegant Christmas sightings in all of Austin: the breathtaking tree at the Driskill. Located in the historic lobby, this tree appears like something from a painting. It might just be the downright best Christmas tree in Texas, which is quite a tall order.

What do you think about this Christmas lights road trip through Austin? Is it something you’d be interested in taking? Be sure to share your thoughts with us! For more amazing winter goodness, check out an amazing winter hike near Austin!

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Christmas Lights Displays Near Austin

Tori Jane | October 12, 2022

Where can I see the best Christmas lights displays near Austin?  

Winter in Texas is an interesting time. In some places, it seems like it’s always different – no year is always the same as any year previous, and that’s part of what makes it so nice here. The city of Austin is no exception, and there are all kinds of amazing holiday traditions in Texas – and Austin specifically – that we love to do each and every year. One of our favorite pastimes is checking out Christmas lights displays near Austin, and there are a good-sized handful of places that outdo themselves every year. Experience the amazing San Saba Light Trail at Mill Pond Park, which is so awesome you won’t believe it’s free. You can also embody all the magic of the season by embarking upon a holiday train excursion in Texas – specifically in the Austin area – on the North Pole Flyer, which is put on by the Austin Steam Train Association each year. 

What are some fun things to do in Austin during the holidays? 

Austin, like the rest of Texas, has some delightful holiday traditions of its very own that you simply won’t find anywhere else. Among our favorites are delights like the incredible Trail of Lights at Zilker Park and the Blue Genie Art Bazaar. While you’re at it, you can’t miss the Zilker tree, either! Attend the lighting and enjoy all the fun and festivities this holiday season with friends and family. Life in Austin is a delight year-round, but in the winter, it’s extra delightful. 

What is winter in Austin like? 

Winter in Texas is cold – in some places, outrageously so. Austin doesn’t typically get as frigid as other parts of the Lone Star State, and oftentimes the days are sunny and cloudless. The highs are usually in the low-to-mid 60s, and lows very, very occasionally dip below freezing but tend to hover around the 40s. Sometimes there will be snow flurries, but heavy snow is not typical for the region. If you like chilly but milder winters, you’ll likely enjoy winter in Austin.  

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