The 8 Best Holiday Traditions in Austin

The best Christmas traditions in Austin for 2026 are the Trail of Lights, the Zilker Holiday Tree, Luminations at the Wildflower Center, Mozart's Festival of Lights, Ballet Austin's Nutcracker, the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar, and skating at Bee Cave on Ice. All of them are within twenty minutes of The Wayback on Bee Cave Road.

Here are eight traditions worth planning around this year, in the order they open, with dates, prices, and the drive time from our cottages.

1. Bee Cave on Ice

Holiday skating under the string lights. Photo: Nan Palmero, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr

November 13, 2026 through January 18, 2027 · Hill Country Galleria · 12 minutes away

Bee Cave on Ice is an outdoor rink of real ice behind Bee Cave City Hall, at the Hill Country Galleria. A 50-minute session costs $16 plus tax with skates, or $11 on Tuesday community nights (November 17, December 1, 8, and 15, and January 12). The Galleria lights up the plaza on Saturday, November 28.

2. Luminations at the Wildflower Center

Luminations at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Photo: Earl Mcgehee, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

November 20 through December 31 · Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center · 20 minutes away

The Wildflower Center opens its gardens after dark for Luminations. It runs on select nights starting November 20, then every night from December 17 through 31, except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Entry times run from 5:45 to 7:45pm. Tickets are timed and sold in advance: $30 for adults, $20 for ages 3 to 12.

3. Mozart's Festival of Lights

Mozart's Coffee Roasters dressed for the holidays on Lake Austin. Photo: Mozart's Coffee Roasters, public domain, via Flickr

November 21, 2026 through January 3, 2027 · Mozart's Coffee Roasters · 15 minutes away

Mozart's puts on a holiday light show over Lake Austin, with the lights set to music. This is its 16th year, and it adds a live holiday revue. Shows start at 6pm every night. Tickets are $8, or $7 if you buy by November 20.

4. The Pumpkins at The Wayback

Thanksgiving week · The Wayback

Around Thanksgiving, a pumpkin installation goes up at the café door at The Wayback. Watch the pumpkins from a past season, then come see them in person and stay for a meal at the café.

Reserve a Table

5. The Zilker Holiday Tree

The Zilker Holiday Tree, strung from one of Austin's moonlight towers. Photo: MarkScottAustinTX, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Flickr

Lit Sunday, November 29 · Zilker Park · 15 minutes away

Austin's holiday tree is 155 feet of lights hung from one of the city's 1890s moonlight towers, and it was first lit in 1967. It lights on Sunday, November 29, at 6pm, with the Austin Civic Wind Ensemble playing from 5:15. Tradition says you stand in the middle and spin. The tree is free and stays lit every night through January 1.

6. Ballet Austin's Nutcracker

The downtown skyline framed by the Long Center's colonnade. Photo: LoneStarMike, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

December 4 through 23 · The Long Center · 15 minutes away

Ballet Austin's 64th Nutcracker, choreographed by Stephen Mills, with the Austin Symphony Orchestra playing live. Matinees are at 2pm and evening shows at 7:30pm.

7. The Trail of Lights

Austin's Trail of Lights in Zilker Park. Photo: MarkScottAustinTX, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Flickr

December 10–23 · Zilker Park · 15 minutes away

The Trail of Lights puts more than two million lights along a mile and a quarter of Zilker Park. It started as Yule Fest in 1965. Seven nights are free this year: December 10, 11, and 13 through 17. Other nights cost up to $8, and kids 11 and under are free with a paying adult. The trail is open 7 to 10pm. Parking passes are sold online only, or you can take the shuttle from the Toney Burger Center on December 12 and 18 through 23.

8. The Armadillo Christmas Bazaar

Holiday ornaments. Photo: NickMollberg, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr

December 12–21 · Palmer Events Center · 15 minutes away

Austin's holiday art market started at the Armadillo World Headquarters in 1976. It brings nearly 200 artists and live music every day. Admission is $15 plus tax for the day, and kids 12 and under get in free. It is a good place to finish the gift list.

Gift Cards

Wayback gift cards work for cottage stays, pool passes, food, and drinks. Buy a gift card.

Holiday Parties

We host holiday parties in the café, on the patio, in the cabana, or across the whole property, catered by our kitchen and bar. Ask about dates.

Also on the calendar this season: jazz brunch and seasonal workshops. For more December ideas, see our guide to Austin in December.

FAQ

When is the Trail of Lights in 2026?

December 10–23 in Zilker Park, 7 to 10pm. It is free on December 10, 11, and 13 through 17, and up to $8 on other nights. Kids 11 and under are free with a paying adult.

When is the Zilker Holiday Tree lighting in 2026?

Sunday, November 29, at 6pm. The tree stays lit every night through January 1, and it is free.

Where are the best Christmas lights in Austin?

The Trail of Lights and the Zilker Holiday Tree in Zilker Park, Mozart's Festival of Lights on Lake Austin, and Luminations at the Wildflower Center.

Where can you go ice skating near Austin?

Bee Cave on Ice, an outdoor rink at the Hill Country Galleria, open November 13, 2026 through January 18, 2027.

Where should you stay in Austin for the holidays?

The Wayback has eight private cottages plus the Nook and a café and craft bar at 9601 Bee Cave Road, 15 minutes west of downtown and close to Zilker Park and the Long Center.

Stay at The Wayback

The fireplace in Cottage Eight.

The Wayback is 15 minutes west of downtown on Bee Cave Road: eight private cottages plus the Nook under the oaks, a saltwater pool, and a café and craft bar. Cottage 8 has a gas fireplace and a kitchenette, if family is staying a while. Go see the lights, then come back to the fire.

Plan Your Holiday Stay

Prefer to start with dinner? Reserve a table at the café.