When the lights and decorations of Christmas fill the air in Austin, Texas, it is as if the city were a living fairytale. The city hosts various festive events, such as the Peppermint Parkway drive-through light show at Circuit of the Americas, the Austin Trail of Lights at Zilker Park, and the Downtown Holiday Stroll, which features a Christmas tree lighting in front of the Texas State Capitol, as well as live music, dance performances, and food trucks. Christmas in Austin is unlike any other thanks to the electric atmosphere.
-> See also: Christmas in America: Traditions, Celebrations, and History
Christmas Traditions in Austin
These are but a few of the many ways that Austinites celebrate Christmas. The Christmas season in Austin is extra spectacular because of the unique events. Some of the Austin Christmas customs are:
Trail of Lights: A Walk Under the (Artificial) Stars
Zilker Park has about 70 illuminated tunnels or exhibits, 2 million lights, and almost 100 trees right in the middle of Austin. A yearly tradition for many years, the Trail of Lights has won several honors for the city. These include the Best Family Festival and a spot in USA Today’s list of the top ten public holiday light displays in the country. Despite being a drive-through-only attraction on its 57th anniversary, the Trail of Lights is just as breathtaking.
Shop Handmade Goods at the Armadillo Holiday Market
The Armadillo Bazaar is an Austin holiday tradition that combines shopping with live music. The Palmer Events Center plays host to the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar from December 15th through the 23rd each year, continuing a beloved Austin tradition that dates back almost fifty years. Over 200 artists from throughout the country display their one-of-a-kind works and performances at this dynamic and immersive fine art and music event. Guests can buy authentic pieces of art, quench their thirst at the fully stocked bar, and listen to live music all day long. A single-day entry costs $12, and children under the age of 12 may enter for free. The event runs from 11 a.m. until 9:30 p.m.
Marvel at the Peppermint Parkway
Among the top Christmas activities in Austin is taking in the drive-through lights of Peppermint Parkway. One fun way to celebrate the holidays is to visit the Circuit of the Americas and see the lights. A certain ambiance is created by synchronizing the rainbow lights with Christmas music. From November 24th through December 30th, Circuit of the Americas (COTA) hosts the fan-favorite Peppermint Parkway holiday event. Here are the highlights of this event:
- A parkway that you may drive through while listening to festive music, dancing figures, and millions of lights.
- A peppermint plaza that you can stroll around, complete with a petting zoo, a Mistletoe Kissing Booth, and a variety of warm Christmas beverages, cocktails, and snacks.
- An observation tower that stands at around 250 feet tall and offers a breathtaking view over the parkway and the city of Austin lit up at night.
- A Candy Cane Cruise around the Circuit of the Americas racetrack and a Polar Express Pass, which provide speedier entrance.
- A Special Events at Peppermint Plaza, include Mondays in Honor of the Military, E-Recycling Night, and Mascot Night.
- Deaf Santa Claus will be on hand to translate American Sign Language for those who are hard of hearing.
Take Part in the Downtown Holiday Stroll
Many Austinites look forward to this annual event as a way to celebrate Christmas. On the first Saturday of December, there is a festival that includes Santa Claus, food trucks, dancing acts, and live music. In Downtown Austin, the Christmas tree lighting ceremony in front of the Texas State Capitol is the main attraction.
Landmarks to Visit in Austin at Christmas
Austin is home to landmarks that are worth visiting during Christmastime. Here are some of the most popular ones:
- Congress Avenue Bridge Bat Watching
- Mount Bonnell
- South Congress Avenue
- SoCo District
- University of Texas at Austin
- The Blanton Museum of Art
- Circuit of The Americas
- The Tejano Trails
- The Paramount Theatre
- The Texas Capitol Visitors Center
- The Moontowers
- The George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center
- The Austin History Center
- Victory Grill
- The Driskill Hotel
- Zilker Park
- The Pennybacker Bridge
- The Texas State Capitol
Christmas Foods in Austin
Cheers to all the holiday feasts! Some examples of typical Christmas fare that you could encounter in Austin are:
- Mesquite Smoked Turkey: This traditional Christmas meal gets its distinctive smokiness by smoking the bird over mesquite wood.
- Apple Cider Brined Duck Breast: The duck breast in this recipe is brined in apple cider to bring out its natural taste.
- Honey Glazed Ham: It is a Christmas mainstay in Austin that combines sweet and savory flavors with its honey glaze.
- Pictachio Crusted Tenderloin: The tenderloin in this dish is coated with pistachios, which give it a crunchy texture and a nutty taste. It’s one of the favorite foods of Austin families during Christmas.
- Festive Fare at Local Restaurants: A plethora of Austin eateries provide Christmas menus only for the holidays. For instance, Caroline’s special menu has a bourbon soufflé, roasted seasonal vegetables, goat cheese, bacon, polenta, and flank steak roulade with Dijon mustard.
A Brief History of Christmas in Austin
Austin, Texas, has a long and storied Christmas tradition that is filled with cherished customs that have been observed for many years. The Zilker Holiday Tree stands tall among them; it has been illuminated annually since 1967. Another cherished custom that started in 1965 and has since developed into a globally recognized event is the Trail of Lights. Local Christmas tree farms, holiday movie screenings, retail markets, and holiday lighting displays are Austin’s beloved Christmas traditions. Shoppers from all around the area go to the Blue Genie Art Bazaar, where more than 200 local and regional artists showcase their wares. There have been several Christmas celebrations in Austin throughout the years, such as the German Christmas Market and the Downtown Holiday Stroll.