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Christmas Lights in Austin, TX
The top places to see Christmas lights in Austin this season are Austin Trail of Lights (Dec 10 – Dec 23), Mozart's Festival of Lights (Nov 21 – Jan 3) and Luminations at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (Nov 20 – Dec 31). We've mapped 11 displays in Austin and 10 more nearby (5 events, 5 neighborhoods, 3 walk-thrus). 12 are free. 7 are synced to music. Tap any display for dates, hours and directions.
Updated Nov 12, 2026
Near Austin (within 25 miles)
Tap + Tour on a few displays to get one driving route you can send to your phone (how it works). Missing a house or show in Austin? Add it free.
Christmas lights in Austin: common questions
What are the best Christmas lights in Austin?
Popular picks this season include Austin Trail of Lights (Dec 10 – Dec 23), Mozart's Festival of Lights (Nov 21 – Jan 3), Luminations at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (Nov 20 – Dec 31) and Community First! Village of Lights (Dec 4 – Dec 12). In all, 21 displays are mapped in and around Austin, from decorated houses and neighborhoods to ticketed light shows.
Where can I see free Christmas lights in Austin?
Free options include Austin Trail of Lights, Mozart's Festival of Lights, Luminations at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and Community First! Village of Lights. 12 of the 21 displays near Austin are free to visit; most home and neighborhood displays cost nothing to drive by.
Is there a drive-thru Christmas light show near Austin?
Yes. The Light Park Round Rock (Per vehicle; price depends on night (last year $39 online, $60 at the gate)). Drive-thru shows usually charge per car, and buying tickets online ahead of time is often faster.
Are there Christmas lights synced to music in Austin?
Yes. Mozart's Festival of Lights, Downtown Austin Holiday Stroll and Capitol Tree Lighting and Zilker Holiday Tree. Synced displays broadcast their soundtrack on a low-power FM station so you can listen from your car.
When do Christmas lights start in Austin?
The earliest Austin-area displays turn on Nov 6, and most are running by the weekend after Thanksgiving. Many stay lit through New Year's; check each display's page for its exact dates and nightly hours.
Want your house to look like this?
Professional Christmas light installers in Austin hang, maintain and take down your lights, or install permanent lights you control from your phone. Tell us about your house and get free quotes.
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