Trail of Lights 2026: Dates (Dec 10 to 23) and Fares

Name: Trail of Lights 2026
Start: 2026-12-10
End: 2026-12-23
Location: Austin, Texas

When is Trail of Lights 2026?

Trail of Lights 2026 runs December 10 to 23, 2026.

2026December 10 to 23, 2026Confirmed

2027December 9 to 23, 2027By the calendar

How the dates are set: Organizers announce the run each year; it covers about two weeks in mid-December ending December 23.

See every event in December 2026

Source: austintrailoflights.org

Trail of Lights schedule

December 10 to 23, 2026: The Trail of Lights runs from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
December 12 and 18 to 23, 2026: A general admission ticket is required on these nights.
From 6:00 pm, December 10 to 23, 2026: Guests with disabilities and up to 3 companions can enter early.

Source: austintrailoflights.org

Getting to Trail of Lights

Close-in parking at Zilker Park is sold only as a prepaid pass, online, with a limited number each night. Parking is not sold on site.
Parking is prohibited in the surrounding neighborhoods. Follow the arrival instructions on the parking pass, not GPS, and expect traffic and road closures.
A shuttle runs from the Toney Burger Activity Center in South Austin. In 2026 it ran on Dec. 12 and 18 to 23, leaving between 5:30 and 8:30 pm.

Source: austintrailoflights.org

Tickets and cost

In 2026, general admission tickets were required on December 12 and 18 to 23. A shuttle pass includes general admission. A separate ZIP Fast Pass adds access to the Zilker Lounge with cookies, cocoa and seating.

Source: austintrailoflights.org

History of Trail of Lights

In 2023 the Trail of Lights was in its 59th annual run, opening December 8 and running through December 23 at Zilker Park.

Source: audacy.com

Trail of Lights: questions people ask

What time does the Austin Trail of Lights open?

In 2026 the Trail of Lights runs from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm, December 10 to 23. Guests with disabilities can enter from 6:00 pm.

Where is the Austin Trail of Lights?

It is held at Zilker Park, 2100 Barton Springs Rd, Austin.

Can I park at the Trail of Lights?

Yes, but only with a prepaid parking pass bought online. Parking is not sold on site and is prohibited in surrounding neighborhoods.

When is the Trail of Lights least crowded?

For the 2026 run, organizers recommended a weekday during the week of 12/10 for the smallest crowds.

Sources: austintrailoflights.org, mapquest.com

About Trail of Lights

Over 2 million lights, 90 lighted trees and a lit entry tunnel turn Zilker Park into a December walk worth a trip to Austin.

Each December the Trail of Lights fills Zilker Metropolitan Park with more than 2 million lights, 90 lighted holiday trees and over 70 displays along a 1.25-mile path. There are food trucks, live music on the community stage, a Ferris wheel, a carousel and photos with Santa. The catch is parking: it is sold in advance online only, and nothing is sold at the gate.

Know before you go

Parking is prepaid online only and parking in the surrounding neighborhoods is prohibited.
For the smallest crowds, organizers suggest a weekday early in the run.
Austin-Bergstrom (AUS) is a short drive from Zilker Park, and the park is just south of downtown.

Planning the trip

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