Trail of Lights Austin — Attraction in Austin

As a mom of young kids, the Austin Trail of Lights is one of those holiday events that feels like Christmas, the lights, the music, the giant tree you can spin under it’s magical. My kids were completely wide-eyed the whole time, especially walking through the tunnels of lights. Definitely a core memory!

That said, you have to go in with a plan. We bought the ZIP passes (worth it!) so we didn’t have to wait as long to get in. Parking was still a bit chaotic, and there was a decent amount of walking so strollers are a must for little ones. I'd also suggest wearing boots if it's rained recently; the grass gets muddy fast.

The food trucks are fun, but lines can get long, so we ate beforehand and just grabbed treats inside. The whole trail is stroller-friendly, but a bit tight in spots when it’s crowded. Bring snacks, layers, and maybe some glow sticks to keep the kids entertained in line!

In the end, the lights made it all worth it. Just be ready for the crowds, go early, and treat it like a little adventure. We’ll definitely be back next year maybe on a weekday instead of...

We paid for the “upgraded” experience that included valet parking, a separate entrance with “snacks” and a free adult beverage and hot chocolate. We were made to park ourselves and walked 1/2 mile to the entrance where we encountered some very rude staff. When we asked about valet parking and they basically told us oh well not our problem and walked off. We shrugged it off and entered the tent area to get get our drink and snacks. Adult beverage was OK - however there were no snacks and when asked they brought some cookies out and said here. The hot chocolate was cold and always empty.

Going through the trail was great. It was all messed up due to crappy experience we had with the upgrade that we purchased. Do not waste your money on it!

Also do not expect anyone to reply to any concerns. They do not reply to emails or calls.

Needless to say we will not be going back to this event due to lack of...

The Trail of Lights is a wonderful holiday outing, especially for families with little ones. While it’s on the shorter side, it’s packed with kid-friendly displays, a visit to Santa’s workshop, and tons of fun photo ops that capture the magic of the season. The lights are colorful, creative, and perfect for getting into the holiday spirit.

That said, the parking situation could definitely be better — more reasonably priced options that aren’t a mile away would make the experience even better. The food is also pretty pricey, so I’d recommend eating beforehand to save some money. If you’re going with small kids, I’d say the early access pass is worth the extra cost to avoid the big crowds. Overall, it’s a festive, family-friendly event that’s...