Home for the Holidays - Austin, Texas

Tis the season… the season of spending hours in the kitchen cooking elaborate meals that will be eaten in twenty minutes, the season of spending time with obnoxious uncle Joe, the season to find your pocket book on empty and a mass of gifts under the tree that will find their way into the trash or the back of the closet before the new year is over.

This year, don’t let the stress of the holiday season wear you down. Step out and let Austin bring some of its quirky and eclectic holiday celebrations. These unique Austin events are guaranteed to chase away the annual holiday stress and fill you with holiday spirit.

Whether it is spinning like a kid under the enormous Christmas tree made entirely of lights at the annual Trail of Lights, ice skating on Austin’s only outdoor ice rink or walking through the famous eclectic lights of the 37th Street neighborhood, there is something to please everyone. Sit back, relax and let me fill you in on some fun and creative ways to celebrate the holidays without breaking the bank or increasing your stress level.

Trail of Lights

This eccentric holiday celebration began in 1965 as the annual Yule Fest sponsored by the Austin Parks and Recreation Department. Celebrating its 41st year, the Trail of Lights is a delight to all who walk through the twinkling gates. Even Ebenezer Scrooge couldn’t resist the twinkling trees that just drip with lights, the merry sounds of carolers singing to the crowds and the smell of delicious hot apple cider.

The trail consists of a mile-long walk through Zilker Park along a trail of animated and stationary, lighted holiday scenes. From the Twelve Days of Christmas to Santa’s Workshop, visitors will be delighted in the whimsical displays. Kids can even visit Santa and mail their Christmas wish list directly to the North Pole.