Thursday, December 10, 2026 ~ Austin Trail of Lights

Austin's Favorite Holiday Tradition

For 62 years, Austin has celebrated the holidays in Zilker Park. Now it's bigger than ever, with more than 2 million lights and new surprises every year. Start your night by entering through the iconic lighted tunnel and make your way down Candy Cane Lane. Grab a bite from one of Austin’s favorite food trucks, warm up with cocoa, then head to the North Pole for free photos with Santa. Stop along the way to roast s’mores, take a spin on the carousel or Ferris Wheel, and catch local entertainment.

Whether it’s your first visit or a tradition you’ve been sharing for years, there’s always something new to see, do and celebrate at the Trail of Lights.

Ticket Options 

GENERAL ADMISSION PASS 

General Admission entry into the Austin Trail of Lights is FREE for all guests beginning at 7:00pm on this day. Pets/dogs not permitted.

ZIP PASS

The ZIP program, brought to you by Perry Homes is a guest favorite that includes:

• 6:00pm early access to the Trail of Lights – one hour before General Admission
• Enter the Trail through an exclusive ZIP Entrance
• Access to the ZIP Lounge Area located in Candy Cane Lane
• Complimentary holiday cookies & cocoa, seating, and heated washrooms
• Dedicated ZIP bar in the lounge area and ideal proximity to Austin-area food trucks
• Children 5 and under receive free ZIP access with a ticketed ZIP adult

Pets are not permitted. No refunds outside of park closures, or exchanges.

Parking

PARKING 

Zilker Tree (Polo Field) Parking: Grass polo field lot near the Zilker Tree and across from the Trail's Grand Entrance. To access do not use GPS directions, please follow the required driving route on the ticket as street closures will be in effect.

Parking passes must be purchased in advance, online. Parking lots open at 5:30pm.

ADA PARKING

ADA Accessible parking is available with a Zilker Tree (Polo Field) Parking pass along with a state-issued placard or license plate. All parking passes must be purchased in advance, online. Parking lots open at 5:30pm.

Pets are not permitted. No refunds outside of park closures, or exchanges.

WEATHER GUARANTEE™

You can purchase a Weather Guarantee™ during checkout. If the forecast calls for rain to exceed the Guarantee threshold, you’ll receive an automatic reimbursement even if you still attend the event—no need to cancel or file a claim.

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Terms & Conditions: Access to the 2026 Trail of Lights is pedestrian only. No types of transportation are permitted on the Trail of Lights (such as bikes, scooters, vehicles, golf carts, etc.). Self-provided wheelchairs welcome. No Refunds or Exchanges. This event is Rain or Shine barring any extreme weather or city park closures. Trail of Lights makes every effort to remain open throughout Texas’s varying winter weather conditions. Rains and storms could result in park closures. In the event of park closures due to extreme weather, ticket buyers will receive options to refund and/or exchange tickets impacted by the closure. Pets are not permitted. Road closures and specific driving directions must be followed to properly access the Trail of Lights Parking. This ticket grants a revocable license to the bearer and bearer may be removed at any time for any reason. Your event ticket is a revocable license for the event date/time listed. Management reserves the right without the refund of any portion of the ticket purchase price, to refuse admission or to eject any person who fails to comply with the rules of the venue, local, state or federal law or whose conduct is deemed illegal, disorderly, or offensive by management. Persons entering the facility are subject to search for contraband, alcohol, controlled substances, weapons, firearms, fireworks, video equipment, or professional recording devices, all of which are expressly forbidden, and subject to confiscation. No refunds/exchanges. By completing this purchase and visiting the Austin Trail of Lights, you, on behalf of yourself, any invitees, and ticket users, voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19, or any other disease, and personal injury incidental to the event, whether occurring before, during, or after the event. Ticket purchaser/user bears all risks, including cancellation of the event, of inclement weather. passes lost or stolen cannot be replaced. The resale or attempted resale of this ticket at a price higher than that appearing on the ticket is prohibited and if discovered will result in the ticket being voided without refund. This ticket may not be used for advertising, promotion (including contests and sweepstakes) or other trade purposes without the express written consent of Management. Rain policy: passes for outdoor events are purchased at risk of inclement weather. In general, this ticket will not be replaced, refunded, or exchanged unless the event is canceled or postponed or there is an unforeseen city park closure. Attendee acknowledges and understands pets/dogs are not permitted.

As a condition of my ticket purchase and attendance participation for each ticket holder/user in the Event, you hereby grant Austin Trail of Lights, the event director and host organizations a limited license to use my name, likeness, image, photograph, voice, video, biographical and other information (collectively, “Likeness”), in any media platform or format whatsoever, and to distribute, broadcast and exhibit these without charge, restriction or liability, but only for the purposes of advertising or promoting the Event. The foregoing grant, however, does not constitute consent for any third party to use my Likeness in an endorsement of any product or service without my specific written consent.