Austin’s Iconic Holiday Festival Returns to Zilker Park, December 10-23, 2025
AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Trail of Lights Foundation announced today that tickets for the 61st Annual Austin Trail of Lights, powered by H-E-B, are now available online at www.austintrailoflights.org. This beloved holiday tradition, the longest-running event of its kind in Texas’ capital city, will take place from Wednesday, December 10, to Tuesday, December 23. In keeping with tradition, General Admission remains free to the public for seven of the fourteen nights, ensuring that everyone can experience the magic of this festive celebration.
Downtown Holiday Zilker Park in Austin, TX
Recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the Best Christmas Lights Displays, the Austin Trail of Lights has become a beloved attraction for many. What began in 1965 as a small gathering around a yule log has evolved into a dazzling display featuring over 2 million lights, 96 illuminated trees, and more than 70 festive displays and lighted tunnels throughout the park.
Guests can explore the 2025 Austin Trail of Lights event calendar and make plans now for free entry (Dec.10-12 and Dec.15-18) or for nights which require a ticket fee (Dec.13-14 and Dec.19-23). Other optional experiences such as the Fun Run, Night Lights Preview Party and limited premium tickets are available. Proceeds from optional experiences support Trail operations, the STARS non-profit access program, free community entertainment performance opportunities, and free General Admission nights for an estimated 120,000 annually.
Operating entirely with support from sponsors, donations, and funds from ticket sales, the Austin Trail of Lights, in partnership with the City of Austin, would like to recognize long-time title sponsor H-E-B. Additional anchor partners include Ascension / Dell Children’s, Vista Equity Partners, KXAN, Coca-Cola, Thomas J. Henry, Stonegate Pharmacy, Raising Cane’s, Perry Homes, Keller Williams Realty, Inc., Northern Trust, Austin Parks Foundation, Broadway Bank, Austin Convention Center Department, Lori & Tito Beveridge, Samsung Austin Semiconductors, FVF Law Firm, Hat Creek, Koehler Family, TK Injury Lawyers and Watkins Insurance.
For general information on the 2025 Austin Trail of Lights, visit austintrailoflights.org, or follow on Facebook, @austintrailoflights, or on Instagram, @ATXLights.
About the Trail of Lights Foundation
The Trail of Lights Foundation is an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation dedicated to producing and maintaining the Austin Trail of Lights as an authentically Austin community celebration. The single-purpose entity raises funds through donations by individuals, businesses and through events like the Fun Run to ensure the event remains accessible to the entire community and supports the STARS program which has served over 20,000 community members via their non-profits groups. Since 2012, the event has also provided maintenance and upkeep of the historic displays at the event. The holiday tradition is curated in close conjunction with its long-time partner, Forefront Networks. The Austin Trail of Lights has been one of the top three most-attended events in Austin since the Trail of Lights Foundation adopted the event in 2012.
SOURCE Austin Trail of Lights
