The Trail of Lights is a treasured Austin tradition that delights thousands of children and adults alike during the holiday season. Since the event is held in nearby Zilker Park and involves intermittent nightly closure of Barton Springs Road from Dec. 10 through Dec. 23, it impacts our neighborhood significantly. The City has worked closely with our Neighborhood Association to address resident concerns including neighborhood parking, access to the Park and Barton Springs pool, and increased traffic on our residential streets.
The City has provided us with helpful information included below to help you prepare for the Trail of Lights.
Web Links
- austintrailoflights.org/ – event/parking/shuttle/ticket information
City Event Web Sites
Helpful Documents
No parking signage
Neighborhood wide no parking signage will be installed before the event. The signs will NOT be actively enforced by patrols, but should be adhered to in all locations. APD will be actively ticketing and towing this year in all signed no parking areas on EVENT DAYS!
Helpful Tip
If you have guests coming over, it is suggested to park your car on street in legal unsigned areas, and then allow your guests to park in the driveway.
Zilker Park And Barton Springs Pool Details
- Barton Springs Pool is open AT ALL TIMES during normal hours. Drive-in access and ADA parking to the pool during road closure times via Mopac and Andrew Zilker on the WEST side of the park, or at the south gate entrance on Azie Morton. The southgate parking areas will be closed to all event attendees and staffed by security.
- Zilker Park – Rugby Field, Picnic Areas, parking lots, playscape (South of Barton Springs Road)
- Open to drive in traffic daily until roads close (to allow cars to be removed safely before patrons arrive).
- The entire upper area of the Great Lawn will remain open. In addition, Auditorium Shores and Butler Park will be open at all times for park users.
- In addition, Auditorium Shores and Butler Park will be open at all times for park users.
Neighborhood Patrol – Dedicated Neighborhood ROVING Patrol
- 4 officers and 1 sergeant – Roving 5 pm until approximately 10 pm daily. This dedicated unit will be roving and responding to issues/concerns throughout the impacted neighborhoods.
Neighborhood Call-In Line
- Call-In Line: 512-970-8891, or 311
Examples of what to call in:
- Parking within 30′ of the approach to a stop sign.
- Parking or blocking within 15′ of a fire hydrant.
- Parking left wheel to curb (cars parked facing against traffic).
- If a car blocks YOUR driveway. Some neighbors may permit people to block their OWN driveway.
- Illegal vending/sales questions in the immediate festival area.
Helpful Reminders
- Please don’t put barriers in the street. They will be removed.
- Restricted parking areas are prohibited parking areas for all persons.
- Immobilized cars should be moved out of restricted parking areas.
