Christmas in Austin with kids.
Christmas in Austin centers on Zilker Park. The Zilker Holiday Tree lights up on November 29, and the Trail of Lights runs December 10 to 23. Several Trail of Lights nights are free. Mozart's Festival of Lights on Lake Austin opens November 21.
For a show, see Ballet Austin's Nutcracker or A Charlie Brown Christmas at Zach Theatre. Outside town, the North Pole Flyer steam train leaves from Bertram. Bastrop's River of Lights is free.
Before you go
- The Trail of Lights is free on December 10, 11 and 13-17. Other nights cost $8 for ages 12 and up.
- During the Trail of Lights, Zilker parking must be paid ahead. Visit the tree before December 10 for easier parking.
- Kids 12 and under get into the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar free, and strollers fit the aisles.
- Zach Theatre's A Charlie Brown Christmas has a sensory-friendly show on Saturday, November 14, at 11am.
- At Bastrop's River of Lights, use the Fisherman's Park entrance with a stroller. The others have stairs.
Family Christmas events in Austin
19 events
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- Christmas lightsSanta visitsHoliday festivals Good for toddlers
Austin Trail of Lights
- Dates
- Dec 10-23 · Nightly 7-10pm. Early entry at 6pm with a ZIP or Platinum pass.
- Where
- Zilker Park, 2100 Barton Springs Rd., Zilker Park (south of downtown)
- Price
- Free entry Dec 10, 11 and 13-17. Other nights $8 for ages 12 and up. Kids 11 and under always free with a ticketed adult. Parking passes $25-35.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Get a ticket online, even on free nights. Parking must be bought online ahead; none is sold at the park. Shuttles run from Toney Burger Center on Dec 12 and 18-23.
Austin's big holiday light trail through Zilker Park, with millions of lights and live music. General admission includes free photos with Santa.
Parent tip: Strollers and small wagons are allowed. Each person can bring one sealed bottle of water, but no coolers. Paths can get muddy after rain.
- Christmas lightsParades and tree lightings Good for toddlers
Zilker Holiday Tree
- Dates
- Nov 29 - Jan 1 · Lighting Sunday, Nov 29, at 6pm (music from 5:15pm). Then nightly 6-10pm.
- Where
- Zilker Park, south side, Zilker Park (south of downtown)
- Price
- See the official site. Lighting-night parking is free, first come, first served.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Walk up
A 155-foot tree made of strings of lights, first lit in 1967. Kids like to stand in the middle and spin while looking up.
Parent tip: During the Trail of Lights (Dec 10-23) you enter from the Mopac side and must prepay parking. Visit before Dec 10 for easier parking.
- Christmas lightsShows and Nutcracker Good for toddlers
Mozart's Festival of Lights
- Dates
- Nov 21 - Jan 3 · Shows start at 6pm nightly and run until 9 or 10pm. Check the calendar for show times.
- Where
- Mozart's Coffee Roasters, 3825 Lake Austin Blvd., West Austin (on Lake Austin)
- Price
- General admission $8 ($7 early bird until Nov 20). Kids under 18 months free. Tables and decks cost more.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Buy online ahead
A lakeside coffee shop turns into a light show with more than 2 million lights set to music. There's also a live holiday show based on 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.
Parent tip: Holiday boat rides past the lit-up lake leave from here too, if you want to see the lights from the water.
- Christmas markets Good for toddlers
Armadillo Christmas Bazaar
- Dates
- Dec 12-21 · Daily Dec 12-21. Hours change by day.
- Where
- Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd., South of downtown (near Zilker)
- Price
- $12 plus fees for a day ticket. Kids 12 and under free.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Buy online or at the door
A long-running indoor art market with handmade gifts and live music all day. There's a bar for grown-ups, but kids get in free.
Parent tip: Strollers fit the aisles, and there's a nursing room for parents.
- Shows and Nutcracker
Ballet Austin's The Nutcracker
- Dates
- Dec 4-23 · 16 shows, Dec 4-23. 2pm matinees on most show days.
- Where
- Dell Hall, Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Dr., South of downtown (Lady Bird Lake)
- Price
- Ticketed. Prices vary by seat and date.
- Ages and booking
- Kids who can sit through a 2-hour ballet · Buy ahead online
Austin's holiday ballet, with the Austin Symphony playing live. It runs about 2 hours, with two 50-minute acts and a 20-minute break.
Parent tip: Pick a 2pm matinee for younger kids. Use the break for a snack and a bathroom stop.
- Holiday trainsSanta visits Good for toddlers
North Pole Flyer (Austin Steam Train)
- Dates
- Nov 28 - Dec 13 · Nov 28-29, Dec 5-6 and Dec 12-13. Rides at 8:30am, noon and 3:30pm, plus 7pm on Saturdays.
- Where
- Bertram Depot, 100 W. State Hwy 29, Bertram (Hill Country, northwest of Austin)
- Price
- Coach $57, Lounge $67 per seat. Kids under 3 on a lap $12.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Buy ahead online
A 2-hour round-trip train ride with Santa and Mrs. Claus, carols, a Christmas story, hot cocoa and a cookie.
Parent tip: Kids under 13 get a wooden train whistle and coloring sheets. Bring a snack for the drive out to Bertram.
- Shows and Nutcracker
A Charlie Brown Christmas at Zach Theatre
- Dates
- Nov 6 - Dec 27 · Nov 6-Dec 27. Check the schedule for show times.
- Where
- The Kleberg stage, Zach Theatre, South Lamar / Zilker
- Price
- See the official site
- Ages and booking
- Ages 4 and up. No kids under 3. · Buy ahead online. Everyone needs a ticket.
The Peanuts gang looks for the meaning of Christmas, with the jazz music from the TV special. It's only 40 minutes with no break.
Parent tip: Kids are free to come and go during the show. The sensory-friendly show is Saturday, Nov 14, at 11am.
- Shows and Nutcracker
A Christmas Carol at Zach Theatre
- Dates
- Nov 18 - Dec 27 · Nov 18-Dec 27. Check the schedule for show times.
- Where
- The Topfer stage, Zach Theatre, South Lamar / Zilker
- Price
- See the official site
- Ages and booking
- Ages 6 and up. No kids under 3. · Buy ahead online. Everyone needs a ticket.
A pop-music take on the Scrooge story. It runs 2 hours 20 minutes with a 20-minute break.
Parent tip: The show uses haze, fog and some flashing lights, which can bother sensitive kids.
- Shows and Nutcracker
Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!)
- Dates
- Dec 4-27 · Dec 4-27. Evening shows plus 2pm weekend matinees.
- Where
- Penfold Theatre, 2120 N. Mays St., Suite 290, Round Rock
- Price
- See the official site
- Ages and booking
- See the official site · Buy ahead online or by phone
Three actors race through every Christmas story they can think of, from Scrooge to the Grinch, in a fast comedy.
Parent tip: Choose a 2pm weekend show for kids.
- Shows and Nutcracker
Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol
- Dates
- Nov 27 · Friday, Nov 27, at 5pm. Check for added shows.
- Where
- Bass Concert Hall, UT Austin campus
- Price
- See the official site
- Ages and booking
- Ages 8 and up · Buy ahead online
A touring musical that retells the Scrooge story in a 1930s Tennessee mountain town, with songs by Dolly Parton.
Parent tip: A good pick for the day after Thanksgiving with older kids.
- Shows and Nutcracker
Elf in Concert with the Austin Symphony
- Dates
- Dec 15-16 · Tue Dec 15 and Wed Dec 16 at 7:30pm
- Where
- Dell Hall, Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Dr., South of downtown (Lady Bird Lake)
- Price
- See the official site
- Ages and booking
- See the official site · Buy ahead online
The movie Elf plays on a big screen while the orchestra plays the music live.
Parent tip: It's a school-night evening show, so it suits older kids best.
- Holiday festivalsParades and tree lightingsSanta visitsFree Good for toddlers
Holiday Sing-Along & Stroll
- Dates
- Dec 5 · Saturday, Dec 5, 5-8pm
- Where
- Congress Ave. between 9th and 11th streets, Downtown
- Price
- Free
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Walk up
Downtown's tree lighting and carol sing-along on Congress Avenue, with food trucks, pop-up shops, and Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Parent tip: Grab a free songbook so kids can sing along.
- Ice skating
Bee Cave on Ice
- Dates
- Nov 13 - Jan 18 · Mon-Thu 3-9pm, Fri noon-10pm, Sat 10am-10pm, Sun 10am-7pm. Longer hours on school holidays.
- Where
- Behind Bee Cave City Hall, 4000 Galleria Pkwy., Bee Cave (west of Austin)
- Price
- $16 plus tax for 50 minutes, skates included. $11 on Tuesday community nights (Nov 17, Dec 1, 8, 15, Jan 12).
- Ages and booking
- See the official site · Book a session online
A seasonal outdoor ice rink at the Hill Country Galleria shopping center.
Parent tip: Sessions are 50 minutes, which is about right for young skaters.
- Christmas lights Good for toddlers
The Light Park Round Rock
- Dates
- Nov 6 - Jan 3 · Nightly. Sun-Thu 5:30-10pm, Fri-Sat 5:30-11pm. Dec 18-26 open until 11pm.
- Where
- Dell Diamond parking lot, 3400 E. Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock
- Price
- One ticket per car. See the official site for prices.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Buy online ahead. You can buy at the gate, but online is advised.
A drive-thru light show on a mile-long route, driven at about 3 mph, with music on your car radio.
Parent tip: Weeknights are usually less busy. Kids can stay buckled in.
- Holiday festivalsChristmas lights Good for toddlers
Light Up the Lake
- Dates
- Dec 4-5 · Fri Dec 4 and Sat Dec 5, evenings from 6pm
- Where
- Old Settlers Park (around the lake and festival area), Round Rock
- Price
- See the official site
- Ages and booking
- All ages · See the official site
Round Rock's holiday weekend in the park, with a light show, giant glowing balloons over the lake, live music, crafts and family activities.
Parent tip: Bring layers, since you'll be outside by the water after dark.
- Christmas lights Good for toddlers
Santa's Ranch
- Dates
- Nov 6 - Jan 3 · Nightly, even on holidays and in rain. Sun-Thu 6-10pm, Fri-Sat 6-11pm.
- Where
- 9561 I-35 North, New Braunfels (about 45 minutes south of Austin)
- Price
- $37 plus tax per car. Season pass $74 plus tax.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Buy online or at the gate
A drive-thru Christmas light park off I-35. Santa appears in the light displays, not in person.
Parent tip: Everyone must stay in the car. From Austin, take I-35 south to exit 199 and look for the 50-foot tree.
- Christmas lightsParades and tree lightingsFree Good for toddlers
Bastrop River of Lights
- Dates
- Nov 27 - Jan 4 · Nightly from dusk to about 10pm. Tree lighting opens the trail.
- Where
- Fisherman's Park and the June Hill Pape Riverwalk, Bastrop (about 35 minutes east of Austin)
- Price
- Free
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Walk up
A free half-mile light walk along the Colorado River in historic Bastrop, with thousands of lit displays.
Parent tip: Start at the Fisherman's Park entrance with a stroller. The other entrances have stairs.
- Parades and tree lightingsSanta visitsFree Good for toddlers
Lost Pines Christmas Parade
- Dates
- Dec 12 · Saturday, Dec 12, at 6pm
- Where
- Historic Downtown Bastrop, Bastrop (about 35 minutes east of Austin)
- Price
- Free
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Walk up
An evening parade with floats, bands and classic cars. Santa rides at the end on a Bastrop fire truck.
Parent tip: Bring lawn chairs and come early for a good spot. Walk to the River of Lights after.
- Christmas lightsSanta visitsHoliday trainsFree Good for toddlers
Trail of Lights at EmilyAnn Theatre & Gardens
- Dates
- Nov 28 - Dec 26 · Nightly from 6pm, until 9 or 10pm. Dec 24-25 walking trail only.
- Where
- EmilyAnn Theatre & Gardens, 1101 FM 2325, Wimberley (about 50 minutes southwest of Austin)
- Price
- Free. A $20 donation per family is suggested.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Walk up
A walking trail through about 8 acres of lit displays, with free marshmallows and hot cocoa by the yule log. Santa is there most nights.
Parent tip: A small train runs 6-8pm on select nights, but not in rain. Park at the nearby schools and use the lit walkway.
Dates and prices were checked on each event's official site. They can change, so check the official site before you go.
On a budget? See every free Christmas event in Austin, including parades and tree lightings.
Shopping for gifts? Compare the Christmas markets in Austin, with hours, costs and tips for going with kids.
Planning a Santa visit? See where to find Santa in Austin, plus free Santa photos, breakfasts with Santa and tips for skipping the line.
Going to the ballet? Compare every Nutcracker in Austin, with run times, age tips and sensory-friendly shows.
Questions parents ask
What is there to do in Austin for Christmas with kids?
Walk the Trail of Lights and see the Zilker Holiday Tree. Visit Mozart's Festival of Lights and the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar, and see Ballet Austin's Nutcracker.
For a day trip, ride the North Pole Flyer from Bertram or see the River of Lights in Bastrop.
When is the Trail of Lights in Austin in 2026?
The Trail of Lights runs December 10 to 23, 2026, in Zilker Park. Entry is free on December 10, 11 and 13-17. Other nights cost $8 for ages 12 and up.
When is the Zilker tree lighting in 2026?
The Zilker Holiday Tree lights up on Sunday, November 29, 2026, at 6pm. You can visit the tree through January 1.
Christmas in other cities
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