Austin, TX

Where can I see holiday lights in Central Texas?

Published

3 months ago

December 6, 2025

Where can I see holiday lights in Central Texas?

AUSTIN, Texas – The 2025 holiday season is here and with it comes lighting displays, parades and events.

FOX 7 Austin has gathered a list of where you can go to enjoy holiday lights and celebrate with your friends and family.

The list is arranged by county, then city.

Travis County

Austin

Austin Trail of Lights

When: Dec. 10-23 from 6-10 p.m. each night
Where: Zilker Park
What: Annual event hosted by the Trail of Lights Foundation, trail features more than 2 million lights, 90 lighted holiday trees and more than 70 other displays and lighted tunnels; event also features live music, local food trucks, holiday vendors, and an opportunity to meet Santa and Mrs Claus
Cost: General admission ranges from $0–$8 depending on the night. ZIP passes range from $20-$35 and include early access, an exclusive entrance and a special lounge area. Platinum passes range from $85-$480 and include valet parking, early access, a shuttle, a special lounge area and drink and ride tickets.
Website: https://austintrailoflights.org/

Zilker Holiday Tree

When: Nov. 30–Jan. 1 from 6-10 p.m. (Drive up visitation nights: Dec. 2-6, Dec. 8-9, Dec. 24-Jan. 1)
Where: Zilker Park
What: The Zilker Holiday Tree stands 155 feet tall and is composed of 39 streamers, each with 81 multi-colored lights, totaling about 3,309 lights. The lights are hung from the Zilker Moontower, one of 17 original Austin moontowers. It has been lit almost every year since 1967 (excluding 1973)
Website: Zilker Holiday Tree | AustinTexas.gov

Luminations

When: Dec. 5-Jan. 3, closed Dec. 24-25, Dec. 31 and Jan. 1
Where: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
What: Guests can enjoy a canopy of twinkling lights, glowing garden paths, nightly live music, festive photo moments, and hot chocolate and churros.
Cost: $30 for adults ($23 for members), $20 for kids age 3-12 ($13 for members), free for kids 2 and under
Website: www.wildflower.org/luminations

Del Valle

Peppermint Parkway at COTA

When: Now until Jan. 4, open Monday-Friday 5:30-10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 3-10 p.m.
Where: Circuit of the Americas, 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd
What: Walk-thru trail with millions of twinkling lights, whimsical characters, and more, leading to a plaza filled with delicious seasonal treats, joyful rides, lively activities and more
Cost: Admission starts at $8 per person, kids 2 and under get in free; additional costs for other events, rides and amusements
Website: Peppermint Parkway

Lake Austin

Mozart’s 2025 Lake Austin Festival of Lights

When: Nov. 11-Dec. 11 with showtimes at 7, 8, 9, and 10 p.m.; Dec. 21-Jan. 3 with showtimes at 7, 8, 9, and 10 p.m. (closed Christmas Day); Triple feature experience from Dec. 12-20
Where: 3825 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin
What: This year’s festival is themed “Heaven and Nature Sing,” and includes new and spectacular additions like a fire dancer waterfront battle from “The Nutcracker” and a limited-run Broadway-style Christmas concert. The Christmas village is also returning with hot chocolate and sweet treats. Millions of lights will also glow in the ever-expanding Lake Austin Nautical Light Show.
Cost: General admission to the Holiday Village is $3; additional fees could apply for other parts of the event
Website: www.mozartscoffee.com/pages/festival-of-lights

Pflugerville

Pfestival of Lights & Parade

When: Saturday, Dec. 6 from 4-7:30 p.m.
Where: Downtown Pflugerville
What: Family friendly activities, hot cocoa, and festive performances behind City Hall; parade from Railroad Avenue to downtown starting at 5 p.m.; Santa arrives for tree lighting and photos at 6:30 p.m.

Menorah Lighting

When: Sunday, Dec. 14 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Where: Downtown Pflugerville
What: Third annual Menorah Lighting with Chabad of Round Rock/Pflugerville

Hays County

San Marcos

Lone Star Light Show

When: Now until Dec. 31, open Sunday-Thursday 6-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 6-11 p.m.
Where: 6218 I-35 South frontage road, northeast of Old Bastrop Road
What: Interactive drive-thru light show with seven immersive tunnels, an entirely LED nativity, thousands of light strands, a 50-foot-high Christmas tree and more.
Cost: $25 general vehicle admission for weekdays; $30 general vehicle admission for weekends
Website: www.lonestarlightshow.com

Wimberley

EmilyAnn Theatre’s Trail of Lights

When: Now until Dec. 26, open Sunday-Thursday 6-9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 6-10 p.m. (except Dec 21-23, open from 6-10 p.m.)
Where: EmilyAnn Theatre, 1101 FM 2325, Wimberley
What: A walking trail through about 8 acres of lighted exhibits; live entertainment onstage near the yule log where guests can enjoy complimentary marshmallows and hot chocolate; several special event nights throughout the run of the trail; a concession stand and an entrance store
Cost: Free, but donations accepted as this is a fundraiser for the theatre
Website: www.emilyann.org/trailoflights.html

Bastrop County

Bastrop

Bastrop River of Lights

When: Now until Jan. 5, from dusk to 10 p.m. every night
Where: 601 Chestnut Street, Bastrop
What: Attendees can stroll the half-mile June Hill Pape Riverwalk and enjoy hundreds of sparkling displays in festive holiday themes

Lost Pines Lighted Christmas Parade

When: Saturday, Dec. 13 starting at 6 p.m.
Where: Downtown Bastrop
What: More than 150 dazzling entries of floats, fire trucks, unicycles, vintage cars and even Santa himself. Event will travel south down Main Street

Bexar County

San Antonio

Zoo Lights at the San Antonio Zoo

When: Now until Jan. 4
Where: 3903 N. St. Mary’s St., San Antonio
What: Multiple realms of twinkling lights, festive music and whimsical displays; daily activities like Pick-A-Present, S’mores Pits and photos with Santa; weekend activities and meet-and-greets with the zoo’s mascots;
Cost: Free for San Antonio Zoo members or with a standard admission ticket; day memberships start at $44.99; daily admissions start at $21.91; children under 3 get in free
Website: Zoo Lights at the San Antonio Zoo

Holiday Lights on the San Antonio River Walk

When: Now until Jan. 11, from sundown to sunrise
Where: San Antonio River Walk in Downtown San Antonio
What: About 200,000 lights draped across the bald cypress trees lining the downtown portion of the River Walk
Cost: Free
Website: Holiday Lights on the San Antonio River Walk

Blanco County

Johnson City

Lights Spectacular 2025

When: Now until Jan. 4, from dusk (about 5:45 p.m.) to midnight
Where: Located at various locations throughout downtown Johnson City; Memorial Park; Pedernales Electric Coop HQ
What: Laser show and fun lighted ornaments at courthouse; over 1 million lights on oak trees and colorful themed displays at Memorial Park and PEC HQ; interactive displays, carriage rides
Cost: Free
Website: www.lightsspectacular.com

Burnet County

Marble Falls

Walkway of Lights

When: Now until Jan. 3, from 6-10 p.m. (weather permitting)
Where: Lakeside Park & Beach, 205 Buena Vista Drive
What: Attendees can stroll past Christmas sculptures on Marble Falls Lake and enjoy many different events, like pictures with Santa, a boat parade, movies in the park and more. Concessions will also be available such as cookies, hot chocolate and coffee
Cost: $2 per person
Website: Walkway of Lights

Comal County

New Braunfels

Santa’s Ranch

When: Now through Jan. 4, open Sundays through Thursdays 6-10 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays 6-11 p.m.
Where: 9561 I-35 North in New Braunfels, just southwest of San Marcos
What: A drive-thru mile-long light display with over 3 million lights, a concession stand with hot chocolate, kettle corn, snacks, souvenirs and more
Cost: $37 plus tax for a single pass per vehicle; $74 plus tax for a season pass per vehicle
Website: www.santasranch.com

Gillespie County

Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg Christmas Nights of Lights

When: Now until Jan. 6, nightly beginning at 5 p.m. (closed on Dec. 5 and Dec. 31)
Where: Marktplatz in Fredericksburg
What: Each evening will feature holiday music starting at 5 p.m., followed by a 10-minute audio presentation on the history of Fredericksburg’s German heritage at 6 p.m., then a countdown to the lighting of Marktplatz. The music will end at 6:30 p.m. following the countdown.
Cost: Free
Website: Visit Fredericksburg

The Source: Information in this report comes from a variety of sources, including city and county websites and event pages for individual displays.

HolidaysTravis CountyWilliamson CountyLifestyleHays CountyBastrop CountyBexar CountyBell CountyBlanco CountyBurnet CountyCaldwell CountyComal CountyFayette CountyGillespie CountyLee CountyLlano CountyMilam County

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Austin, TX

Multiple people injured in mass shooting on 6th St; Austin Police investigating

Published

7 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Multiple people injured in mass shooting on 6th St; Austin Police investigating

Austin Police are investigating a mass shooting at Buford’s on West 6th Street that’s left multiple people injured.

This happened around 2 A.M. as the bar was closing.

The number of people injured is not known.

Austin Police are also investigating an Officer Involved Shooting in the 600 block of Rio Grande Street.

They say the suspect is deceased.

APD says the call originated as a shoot/stab hotshot incident with multiple people injured.

Austin Travis County EMS and the Austin Fire Department are also on the scene.

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This is a developing story and will be updated as more information is released.

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Austin, TX

State of the Texas Longhorns: Where UT athletics stands in early 2026

Published

19 hours ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

State of the Texas Longhorns: Where UT athletics stands in early 2026

If Bevo had to step in front of the microphones, cameras and Texas football fans everywhere to deliver an annual State of the Longhorns address, what would he say?

Maybe he would expound on the virtues of Arch Manning and deride the College Football Playoff committee for leaving the Longhorns out. Or maybe he would just as for some more hay to snack on.

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Texas Longhorns linebacker Ty'Anthony Smith (26) lifts the trophy with head coach Steve Sarkisianas the Longhorns celebrate after winning the Citrus Bowl 41-27 against the Michigan Wolverines at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31, 2025. — Texas Longhorns linebacker Ty’Anthony Smith (26) lifts the trophy with head coach Steve Sarkisianas the Longhorns celebrate after winning the Citrus Bowl 41-27 against the Michigan Wolverines at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31, 2025.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman

Bevo and his predecessors have been stomping on the sidelines of Texas games for over 100 years. It might require a few hundred more years and some substantial evolutionary progress before he’s ready to deliver the burnt orange equivalent of the President’s annual State of the Union Address, which took place Tuesday night.

Bevo XV makes his way into Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium during before the start of an NCAA college football game against Texas A&M Aggies in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025.
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Ricardo B. Brazziell/Austin American-Statesman

For now, we’ll take on the task for him. Here’s where things stand with the Longhorns in early 2026.

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Where the Texas Longhorns rank nationally

Texas won the Learfield Directors’ Cup — awarded to the best-performing athletic department in the country — for the second consecutive year and the fourth time in the last five years in 2025. That’s a remarkable achievement.

How likely are the Longhorns to repeat in 2026?

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MORE: Texas football is spending a lot on its coaches. Why Steve Sarkisian says it’s necessary

It’s tough to predict. Texas didn’t have a great fall, by its standards. The Longhorns rank 31st in the Directors’ Cup standings, with fifth-place, 13th-place and 33rd-place finishes in women’s volleyball, football and men’s cross country finishes marking the only areas where they picked up points.

The good news for Texas is that the fall typically isn’t kind to the Longhorns. Last year, they came out of the autumn ranked 16th.

The winter should be much better. Texas, as usual, has national championship contenders in both men’s and women’s swimming. The Longhorns have an elite women’s basketball team and top-20 teams in men’s and women’s indoor track and field. They can make up some serious ground when results for those sports are tabulated in April.

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We know less about the Longhorns’ outlook in the spring sports, many of which are just getting going, but that has been a source of strength for UT in years past. Last year, North Carolina paced the Directors’ Cup field after the fall and winter events were scored. Texas nearly doubled the Tar Heels’ spring score to chase them down.

How Texas matches up with its in-state rival Texas A&M

Any successful political endeavor requires success in your power base.

Texas’ move to the SEC ahead of the 2024-25 athletic campaign led to the revival of the Lone Star Showdown against local rival Texas A&M. Like the Directors’ Cup, the Lone Star Showdown measures the results of all sports, compiling outcomes of games between the Aggies and Longhorns throughout the academic year.

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MORE: What a hot start for Dylan Volantis, UT pitchers means for Longhorns

Last year, Texas won the Lone Star Showdown over Texas A&M by a final score of 11-7.

This year, the Aggies hold a 5.5-4 lead at the time of publication. Texas A&M has bested the Longhorns in soccer, cross country, volleyball, women’s tennis and men’s basketball, while Texas took home points in football, women’s basketball and swimming and diving.

There are still 9.5 points up for grabs. Half a point is at stake when the men’s basketball teams meet in College Station on Saturday, Two more points can be had this weekend at the SEC indoor track championships, too.

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Texas Longhorns have a down year financially

The campaign funds did not flow as freely for the Longhorns in the 2025 fiscal year.

Texas made a $23.3 million loss, according to financial documents reviewed by the American-Statesman.

The Longhorns attribute most of that to a diminished SEC media rights share — a stipulation Texas agreed to in order to leave the Big 12 for the SEC a year earlier than originally planned. The average SEC school took in $72.4 million in conference distributions in 2025. Texas received just $12.1 million.

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Texas officials say they’re not concerned about their financial position because their agreement with the SEC puts them in line for a full revenue share in the next fiscal year. Rob Novak, the Longhorns’ Chief Financial Officer, said the $23.3 million loss was considered a good financial outcome internally.

And, Novak says, the Longhorns had cash to fall back on. He told the Statesman that the Athletic Department still has over $30 million available in reserve after earning a profit for three consecutive years prior to 2025.

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Austin, TX

Vibe Coding the Vote: Austin Founder Launches AI Election Tool

Published

1 day ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Vibe Coding the Vote: Austin Founder Launches AI Election Tool

AUSTIN, Texas — Early voting is wrapping up for the midterm election, and Election Day is March 3rd.

With federal offices, statewide races, and local propositions on the ballot, it’s a packed slate. And for many voters, preparing can feel overwhelming.

Josh Baer knows that feeling well.

“Every year I put an hour on my calendar or two to where I’m supposed to get ready to vote,” Baer said. “I’m supposed to read the voting guides and kind of get prepared. And to be honest, it never seems to work. I always just actually don’t feel very prepared.”

Baer is the founder and CEO of Capital Factory, a startup accelerator and investment hub. This year, instead of struggling through the ballot, he turned to artificial intelligence.

He gave AI two specific instructions.

“I said, one, go download all the best nonpartisan voting guides so that you can read all of them and know what’s going on,” Baer explained. “And then two, I said, interview me so you understand my kind of voting preferences. And then tell me who I should vote for and why.”

Within seconds, the AI generated a nine-page report. It broke down every race and proposition, recommended who he should vote for, and explained why. It also created a condensed cheat sheet for Election Day.

“It was really amazing,” Baer said. “And I felt the most prepared I’ve ever felt going into voting.”

That experience sparked a bigger idea.

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Baer decided to build a website so others could do the same thing. He began what’s known as “vibe coding,” using AI tools to help create the platform.

“It took a few days of me tinkering around with it, but really just from that prompt, I got this incredible website where anybody can go and do the same thing I did,” he said. “And then I said, make it safe. Ensure it’s nonpartisan. Make sure it’s open, and people can trust it.”

The result is TXVotes.app.

Baer says Anthropic’s Claude AI handled much of the heavy lifting behind the scenes. But he didn’t stop there.

He also asked other AI systems — including OpenAI’s ChatGPT, xAI’s Grok, and Google’s Gemini — to review the site and suggest improvements. He then used their feedback to refine the tool.

Baer says privacy and transparency are central to the app’s design.

“You can look at the website and see how it works and why it works,” he said. “But most importantly, in just about five minutes, you can be the most prepared you’ve ever been for any election you’ve walked into.”

As early voting continues, Baer hopes the tool can make researching the ballot faster, easier, and less intimidating for voters across Texas.

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