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

City Event Web Sites

Helpful Resources

No parking signage

No event parking signs and tow away signs will be installed prior to the event and enforced ONLY during event hours.

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.

Park Impact and Access

  • Barton Springs Pool is open at all times.
  • Parking access is via the south gate entrance on Azie Morton Road.
  • OPEN AREAS Zilker Park – Rugby Field, Picnic Areas, parking lots, Playscape (South of Barton Springs Road).
  • Only a portion of the Great Lawn is use for event purposes.
  • In addition, Auditorium Shores and Butler Park will be open at all times for park users.

Neighborhood Patrol

  • Dedicated officers are patrolling and ticketing in the entire event and surrounding area.

Neighborhood Call-In Line

  • Call-In Line: 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. 
  • Illegal vending/sales questions in the immediate festival area.

 

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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. 3 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

City Event Web Sites

Helpful Documents

No parking signage

No event parking signs and tow away signs will be installed prior to the event and enforced ONLY during event hours.

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.

Park Impact and Access

  • Barton Springs Pool is open at all times.
  • Parking access is via the south gate entrance on Azie Morton Road.
  • OPEN AREAS Zilker Park – Rugby Field, Picnic Areas, parking lots, Playscape (South of Barton Springs Road).
  • Only a portion of the Great Lawn is use for event purposes.
  • In addition, Auditorium Shores and Butler Park will be open at all times for park users.

Neighborhood Patrol

  • Dedicated APD officers are patrolling and ticketing in the entire event and surrounding area.

Neighborhood Call-In Line

  • Call-In Line: 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. 
  • Illegal vending/sales questions in the immediate festival area.

 

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2020 Trail of Lights Information

The City of Austin has provided us with the information below since the annual Trail of Lights at Zilker Park significantly affects access to our neighborhood.

Unlike recent years, Trail of Lights 2020 will be a drive through ONLY experience. November 29– January event nights, closed on nights for the STARS Program, and on Christmas Eve/Day, and New Year’s Day.

As such, all the normal road closures will not be in effect. From November 29th to January 3rd, Toomey, Sterzing, and Barton Springs Road will NOT be closed for Trail of Lights.

Enclosed vehicles only will queue up along Stratford from Red Bud/Lake Austin area for entrance into the Trail and no walk-ins will be allowed. Vehicles will be required to have advance passes. For safety, there are no on-site admission sales, and no viewing areas of the site from the roadway or park. Therefore, no parking will be necessary for Trail-goers.

Interactive park access and site map: 
Google Maps of Trail of Lights Access Information

2020 Zilker Holiday Tree
https://austintexas.gov/department/zilker-holiday-tree

Tree Lighting Ceremony

November 29, 6 pm – Zilker Holiday Tree Lighting – Virtual Ceremony

  • Austin Parks and Recreation YouTube Channel
  • ATXN Online Channel 1, or Channel 3 Spanish subtitles
  • Facebook – Zilker Holiday Tree
  • ATXN TV channels
    o Spectrum–Channel 6 (10.6 without a cable box)
    o Grande Communications – Channel 6 (119.6 without a cable box) 
    o AT&T U-Verse–Channel 99
  • To promote public safety, there are no on-site viewing and gathering options.

Tree Viewing

To ensure public safety and the health of our community the follow will be in place for 2020 after careful discussion with the City of Austin Health Authority.

No food/beverage or other concessions are on site or allowed on site. Parking lots near the Zilker Holiday Tree will be closed.

  • The park space near and directly under the Zilker Holiday Tree will be closed.
  • The public may view the Zilker Holiday Tree from their vehicle while driving through (excludes November 29 and December 31 when park roads near the tree will be closed)
  • Gatherings and on site viewing under the tree will not be available.

Download this information as a PDF document:
Neighborhood Flyer
Trail of Lights Calendar

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