Follow the Trails in Central Texas

The words Christmas and tradition go hand in hand. And in no place is that more true than in Austin, Texas. The Austin hill country has hundreds of activities and events for adults and kids alike, but the greatest of all traditions is the many Christmas Light Displays found throughout the area. Below are highlights of the various Light Displays that you and your family and friends can enjoy this year.

In Austin proper there are several different displays, as well as several ways to experience them. The two most famous are the Trail of Lights in Zilker Park and the 37th street lights located between Guadalupe and Speedway.

The Trail of Lights opens on December 10th this year and runs until the 23rd. On opening night at 6:30pm there will be a Grand Opening Festival along with a parade. The actual Trail will then open at 7pm. And from then on the hours of operation are from 7pm to 10pm nightly. There are several ways in which to enjoy the spectacular display. You can attempt to park at a Zilker Park lot, park at State Parking Garages and hop the shuttle, Ride the Zilker Zephyr (a miniature train), or drive the trail in the warmth of your own car. Another option is running the Trail of Lights 5K. Details on registration can be found at www.active.com.

A week prior to the opening of the Trail is the annual Tree Lighting. The 165 foot tree is the highlight of the Trail and an Austin Christmas icon. The tree lighting this year will be Sunday, December 3rd at 6pm. The tree will remain lit until December 31st.

Another Tree lighting ceremony popular among Austinites is the Capitol Tree Lighting ceremony. The switch will be flipped this year on December 2nd, and the tree is located at the South entrance to the State Capitol. This entrance is on the intersection of Congress and 11th street. The lights strung annually along Congress Avenue are an event in and of themselves. But traveling along Congress via foot, car, or 'Dillo bus and ending with the lighting of the City's tree is truly a spectacular event. The ceremony is complete with Carolers, and local live music, free food, galleries, and shops.

Another way to go is to book a Christmas Light Tour with the company Rockin' Ride. Purchase a Holiday Lights Pack and let someone else chauffer you through the holiday spectacles. You choose which display(s) to visit and travel in style in "Austin's Premiere Party Bus". This bus is stocked with holiday music, karaoke, videos, disco balls, fog machines, and even a themed driver. And of course sodas, eggnog, and various alcoholic beverages. What could be better; let someone else deal with the mayhem while you experience only the beauty of the holidays.

Finally in Austin proper is the 37th street display. This strip of 37th street, between Guadalupe and Speedway, never disappoints. For this display, ditch the car and take a stroll. The schedule is as follows:
December 31st - January 1st
Sunday - Thursday dark - 11pm
Friday and Saturday dark - 1 am

Surrounding Austin is the beautiful Texas Hill Country. And the cities in this area put up displays of lights that somehow always outdo those from the year before.

Most notably is the Hill Country Christmas Tour. The communities participating this year are Boerne, Burnet, Dripping Springs, Fredericksburg, Goldwaite, Johnson City, Llano, Marble Falls, New Braunfels, Round Mountain, and Wimberley. The above towns each have various seasonal offerings including parades, peddler shows, outdoor skating, light trails, candlelight tours, and dances. For more complete details on the Tour and each individual city visit http://www.tex-fest.com/regional/default.htm.

With the many offerings both in and around Austin, you will never be at a loss for how to entertain your visiting family and friends this season. So mark your calendars, and catch the spirit of the season. Happy Holidays!