# Austin Trail of Lights at Zilker Park > Event for families in the Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos area (TX). Times are Central Time. - When: Dec 8 – Dec 23 · 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM - Where: Zilker Metropolitan Park, 2100 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704 - Ages: All ages welcome (stroller-friendly paved 1.25-mile trail; baby changing stations located near north and south restrooms) - Price: Free general admission on designated weeknights; $5 to $8 general admission on peak weekend nights; children 11 and under always free. - Organizer: Austin Trail of Lights Foundation & Austin Parks and Recreation Department - Official page: https://austintrailoflights.org - Last checked: Thu, Nov 5 Source: Grassy Knees is a directory of real family events, places and programs for kids across major U.S. metro areas, where every listing is researched from the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. https://grassyknees.com covers 42 metro areas as of Nov 11, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-11-10), and new events are added as organizers post them. Sell-outs, weather cancellations and time changes show up on the live page first: https://grassyknees.com/austin/activities/austin-trail-of-lights-at-zilker-park--listing-dde3289c17da4661643001cd ## About Celebrating its 60th annual milestone, the Austin Trail of Lights at Zilker Park is Central Texas' most iconic holiday celebration. Drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors each December, the 1.25-mile walking route features more than 2 million sparkling lights, 90 brilliantly illuminated holiday trees, giant walk-through candy cane tunnels, festive community performance stages, and the towering 155-foot Zilker Holiday Tree spinning with 3,300 multicolored bulbs. Families can meet Santa and Mrs. Claus at Santa's Workshop, roast marshmallows at open campfire pits, enjoy hot cocoa and artisan snacks from local food trucks, and ride the classic Ferris wheel and carousel. Family Experience & Accessibility: • Stroller Accessibility: The primary walking route is wide and paved with crushed granite and asphalt paths, making it easily navigable for single strollers, double strollers, and wagons. • Nursing & Rest Spots: Dedicated family comfort stations with baby changing tables, diaper disposal bins, and shaded seating are stationed near the Trail entrance, near Santa's Workshop, and adjacent to the North Hospitality Area. • Age Suitability: Perfect for infants through grandparents. Toddlers and young children especially love running beneath the spiraling Zilker Tree and exploring the animated character displays. • Sensory Tips: Peak weekend evenings feature energetic crowds and synchronized holiday music. Families seeking a quieter sensory atmosphere should attend on early-week free admission evenings or during the dedicated annual Sensory Friendly Night. ## Similar picks in Austin - [Lakeway Lights & Trail of Lights at Lakeway Activity Center](https://grassyknees.com/austin/activities/lakeway-lights-and-trail-of-lights-at-lakeway-activity-center--listing-1df373ef5407ad659339cb93) — Dec 4 – Jan 3 · 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM · Lakeway Activity Center · All ages · Free · checked Nov 7. Lakeway Lights, also known as the Lakeway Trail of Lights, is a beloved community holiday display nestled in the scenic greenbelt surrounding the Lakeway Activity Center… - [Buda Trail of Lights at Historic Stagecoach Park](https://grassyknees.com/austin/activities/buda-trail-of-lights-at-historic-stagecoach-park--listing-d83d87db29985097beb1491c) — Dec 4 – Dec 20 · 6:30 PM – 10:00 PM · Historic Stagecoach Park, Buda · All ages · Free · checked Nov 5. Buda Trail of Lights is one of South Austin and Hays County's most charming free holiday events, winding through the heritage oak forest of Historic Stagecoach Park. Local… - [Light Up the Lake Festival & Holiday Lights at Old Settlers Park](https://grassyknees.com/austin/activities/light-up-the-lake-festival-and-holiday-lights-at-old-settlers-park--listing-17d96f1105437502cbd2eb2b) — Dec 4 – Dec 31 · 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM · Old Settlers Park, Round Rock · All ages · Free · checked Nov 5. Light Up the Lake is Round Rock's premier annual holiday spectacular held around the shores of Bright Lake in Old Settlers Park. The festival features mammoth light tunnels… - [Walkway of Lights at Lakeside Park](https://grassyknees.com/austin/activities/walkway-of-lights-at-lakeside-park--listing-d45c90ff77a613815e0f129a) — Nov 20 – Dec 31 · 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM · Lakeside Park, Marble Falls · All ages · Free · checked Nov 5. Now in its fourth decade, the Marble Falls Walkway of Lights is one of the most beloved free holiday attractions in the Texas Hill Country. Over 2 million sparkling lights and… - [Mozart's Coffee Annual Christmas Light Show on Lake Austin](https://grassyknees.com/austin/activities/mozart-s-coffee-annual-christmas-light-show-on-lake-austin--listing-a24aae335f4d5808698ad1b3) — Nov 12 – Jan 3 · 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM · Mozart's Coffee Roasters · All ages · From $5 · checked Nov 5. Mozart's Coffee Roasters on the shores of Lake Austin presents one of Central Texas' most cherished holiday traditions with its world-famous Christmas Light Show. Over 1.5… - [Lake Austin Lights Holiday Boat Cruises](https://grassyknees.com/austin/activities/lake-austin-lights-holiday-boat-cruises--8f6a4762-e1e1-4fd0-b000-35597d9aa620) — Nov 21 – Jan 3 · 6:00 PM · Hula Hut · $34.95. Take an approximately 45-minute captained holiday cruise on Lake Austin through two 80-foot floating Tunnels of Lights and past illuminated holiday displays. Festive music and… ## More for families - [Things to do with kids in Travis County, TX](https://grassyknees.com/austin/counties/travis-county-tx) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/austin/counties/travis-county-tx.md) - [Christmas lights and holiday events for kids in Austin](https://grassyknees.com/austin/christmas) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/austin/christmas.md) - [Things to do with kids in Austin — December 2026](https://grassyknees.com/austin/events/2026-12) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/austin/events/2026-12.md) - [This weekend in Austin](https://grassyknees.com/austin/this-weekend) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/austin/this-weekend.md) - [Things to do with kids in Austin](https://grassyknees.com/austin) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/austin.md)