It's been more than half a century since the first Austin Trail of Lights debuted, and a lot has changed—for one thing, the name. The Austin Trail of Lights was called the Yule Fest when the Austin Parks and Recreation Department hosted the inaugural event in 1965. It began as a relatively small affair, but in the intervening years has exploded into the second-largest event in all of Austin.
It takes approximately two million lights to make this holiday celebration possible. They're woven throughout 40 distinct displays, from stunning tunnels crafted entirely out of twinkling lights to towering holiday trees topped with glowing stars. Each year brings newer, more contemporary displays and technology to the Austin Trail of Lights, so it's worth a visit even if you've been here before. Enjoy grub from 20-plus food trucks, live music by local artists, and gift shopping courtesy of Austin merchants. The Austin Trail of Lights debuts on December 9th and Runs through the 23rd. Depending on the date, admission is free or $3 per person—see the specific rates here.
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