7 Best {Lights}
Holiday Light Trails and Displays
Words by Alison Bryce Photo by Santa’s Ranch
It’s the time of year where rooftops and trees are sparkling all night with bright colors. However, some places take the tradition to new levels by illuminating full trails with sparkling lights for all to enjoy. Here are the best places to find festive lights (and more) for the entire family.
Santa’s Ranch
New Braunfels
Today-December 30, seven days a week, enjoy a drive with over a mile of country roads filled with sparkling lights and animated Christmas displays such as nativity scenes, depictions of the North Pole, and more at Santa’s Ranch. Make sure to stop at the concession stand for some homemade kettle corn, roasted pecans, and other holiday snacks the ranch has to offer. Tickets are $28 per car, and season passes are also available.
9561 I-35 North | http://santasranch.net
Christmas Towne and Carnival
Round Rock
Bring the family out December 13-23, Sunday through Thursday 5-9pm and 2-10pm on the weekends. And walk through a tunnel of lights, bright displays, full-scale carnival rides, holiday refreshments, and more at the Christmas Towne and Carnival. Rides are made for all ages. Entrance to enjoy the lights is free while wristbands for unlimited carnival rides are $18.
3300 East Palm Valley Blvd | roundrocktexas.gov
Winter Wonderland
Circuit of the Americas
December 13-30, 6-10pm on weekdays and 6-11pm on weekends, Circuit of the Americas has transformed into a winter wonderland filled with singing trees, Santa’s workshop, a petting zoo, and more. For the second year in a row, be captivated by the world famous Chinese Lantern Festival and experience the largest outdoor ice skating rink in Texas. Children 5 and younger have free admissions while tickets start at $16 for attendees 6 and over. Complimentary parking is available with shuttle service or receive upgraded parking for $10.
9201 Circuit of The Americas Blvd. | circuitoftheamericas.com
Trail of Lights
Zilker Park
December 10-23, from 7-10pm. The tradition to keep Austin bright is back! With over 40 displays, 2 million lights, pictures with Santa, and nightly entertainment, the holiday tradition to bring the community together continues. General admission tickets are free December 10-13 and 17-19 and are $3 for other nights for attendees ages 12+. Proceeds benefit the Trail of Lights Foundation.
2100 Barton Springs Rd. | austintrailoflights.org
Walkway of Lights
Marble Falls
Today – December 26, from 6-10pm, join in on the fun at Lakeside Park to celebrate the holidays with over 2 million lights, bright displays, photos with Santa at Santa Land, and more at the Walkway of Lights. Concessions are available and only accept cash. Due to safety hazards, the Walkway will be closed if it is raining. Parking and admission is free for all ages.
307 Buena Vista Dr. | marblefalls.org
Trail of Lights
Lakeway
Today – January 1, from 6pm to midnight, guests can see thousands of twinkling lights at one of Lakeway’s most cherished traditions. Enjoy tableaus of Santa’s sleigh and reindeer, ice skating, and more all accompanied with seasonal music. Parking and entrance to the trail are is free for all ages.
1102 Lohmans Crossing | lakeway-tx.gov
River of Lights
Bastrop
Today-December 31, from 6-9pm nightly, celebrate the season in Texas’ most historic small town at Bastrop’s River of Lights. Walk the festive trail down the Colorado River and see all of the trees and displays covered in lights. Admission is free to the trail. If visiting the trail on the weekends of December 14-16 or December 18-23, make sure to see what is going on at Lost Pines Christmas. Each day has a new schedule of events ranging from photos with Santa, holiday wreath workshops, morning mimosas and coffee, and more!
904 Main St. | lostpineschristmas.com
