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

• Austin Trail of Lights – event/parking/shuttle/ticket information

City Event Web Sites

• Zilker Holiday Tree
• Trail of Lights 2024
• Trail of Lights Mobility Guide with road closure information

Helpful Resources

• Trail of Lights Calendar
• No Parking Area Map

No parking signage

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

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.

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

• Austin Trail of Lights – event/parking/shuttle/ticket information

City Event Web Sites

• Zilker Holiday Tree
• Trail of Lights 2022
• Event Day interactive Google Map
• Austin Park Events

Helpful Documents

• Neighborhood Impact Letter
• Trail of Lights Calendar
• No Parking Area Maps

No parking signage

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

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.

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

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. 7 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

• http://austintexas.gov/citystage
• www.austintexas.gov/parkevents

Helpful Documents

• Neighborhood Flyer
• Trail of Lights Calendar
• No Parking Area Maps
• Park Access and Road Closure calendar

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 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 south gate 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.

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. 
• Illegal vending/sales questions in the immediate festival area.

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. 2 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

• www.austintexas.gov/ace
• www.austintexas.gov/parkevents
• www.austintexas.gov/event/trail-lights-all-events

Helpful Documents

• Neighborhood Flyer
• Trail of Lights Calendar
• No Parking Area Maps – No Event Parking in Neighborhood / No Parking sign locations
• 2017 Zilker Park Area Schedules
• Street Closure Map

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 Robert E. Lee. 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.

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

• austintrailoflights.org/ – event/parking/shuttle/ticket information

City Event Web Sites

• www.austintexas.gov/ace
• www.austintexas.gov/parkevents
• http://www.austintexas.gov/event/trail-lights-2

Helpful Documents

• Neighborhood Flyer
• No Parking Area Maps – No Event Parking in Neighborhood / No Parking sign locations
• Street Closure Schedule
• Street Closure Map
• Event Calendar

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 Robert E. Lee. 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.

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. It is public property and the police remove them.
• Restricted parking areas are prohibited parking areas for all persons.
• Immobilized cars should be moved out of restricted parking areas.

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 Zilker Park and involves nightly closure of Barton Springs Road from Dec. 5 through Dec. 22, it impacts our neighborhood significantly. The City has worked closely with our Neighborhood Association to address 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 a wealth of information included below to help you prepare for the Trail of Lights.

Web Links

• austintrailoflights.org/
• www.austintexas.gov/ace
• www.austintexas.gov/parkevents

Schedule

• Dec. 4, 7:30-10 PM – Preview Party (sponsored event), Stratford closed.
• Dec. 5, 7:30-10 PM – 5K Run, road closures begin at 3 PM, end at 11 PM
• Dec. 6-7, 7-10 PM – Private, Neighborhood night, childrens’ charities, Stratford closed.
• Dec. 8-10, 7-10 PM – Public Free Night, one lane closure on Barton Springs begins at 4 PM, ends at 11 PM
• Dec. 11-13, 7-10 PM – Public Free Night, road closures begin at 4 PM, end at 11 PM
• Dec. 14-15, 7-10 PM – Public Free Night, one lane closure on Barton Springs begins at 4 PM, ends at 11 PM
• Dec. 16-18, 7-10 PM – Public Pay Night, road closures begin at 5:30 PM, end at 11 PM
• Dec. 19-22, 7-10 PM – Public Pay Night, road closures begin at 4 PM, end at 11 PM

Road closures

• Barton Springs Road – Mopac to Lamar
• Stratford Road – Barton Springs to Mopac

Shuttle Schedule

Shuttles run Dec. 11-13 and 16-22 from Burger Center and Republic Square Park (see Trail of Lights web site for details)

• Shuttles depart from 5:30 to 8:30 PM
• Return shuttles run until 10:30 PM

Neighborhood Patrol

• 4 officers and 1 sergeant – roving 5 PM until approximately 11 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

Parking

• NO PARKING SIGNAGE will be installed Monday December 1.
• The signs will NOT be actively enforced by patrols, but should be adhered to in all locations.
• 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, if applicable.
• On site parking can be purchased online only and not on site. There will be a limited number available each night and the permits must be presented prior to entering the parking area.

General Violations

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. It is public property and the police remove them.
• Restricted parking areas are prohibited parking areas for all persons.
• Immobilized cars should be moved out of restricted parking areas.

Noise Complaints

• Neighborhood call-in line, 512-970-8891 or 311.

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.
• Zilker Park – Rugby Field, Picnic Areas, parking lots, playscape (South of Barton Springs Road)
  • Open 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

  Litter Control

  • Trash Pods – located at Lou Neff and Stratford, Robert E Lee and Barton Springs, along Robert E. Lee west sidewalk, and at the trailhead area south of the southgate parking area.
  • Neighborhood wide litter control carts will be placed out throughout the neighborhood to provide readily available litter containment and collected daily.

Celebrating it’s 50th anniversary in 2014, 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 Zilker Park and involves nightly closure of Barton Springs Road from Dec. 6 through Dec. 21, it impacts our neighborhood significantly. The City has worked closely with our Neighborhood Association to address 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 a wealth of information included below to help you prepare for the Trail of Lights.

Web Links

• austintrailoflights.org/
• www.austintexas.gov/ace
• www.austintexas.gov/parkevents

Schedule

• Dec. 5, 7:30-10 PM – Preview Party (Sponsor Event), no road closures. Parking at Stratford Field.
• Dec. 6, 6:30-9 PM – 5K Run, road closures begin at 3 PM, end at 11 PM
• Dec. 7, 6:30-10 PM – Opening Night, road closures begin at 3 PM, end at 11 PM
• Dec. 8-11, 7-10 PM – Event Nights, road closures begin at 5:45 PM, end at 11 PM
• Dec. 12-14, 6:30-10 PM – Event Nights, road closures begin at 5:30 PM, end at 11 PM, one lane closure westbound begins at 4:45 PM.
• Dec. 15-18, 7-10 PM – Event Nights, road closures begin at 5:45 PM, end at 11 PM
• Dec. 19-21, 6:30-10 PM – Event Nights, road closures begin at 5:30 PM, end at 11 PM, one lane closure westbound begins at 4:45 PM.

Road closures

• Barton Springs Road – Mopac to Lamar
• Stratford Road – Barton Springs to Mopac

Shuttle Schedule

Shuttles run nightly from various locations

• 5:45 PM start time (first trip to park)
• 9 PM end time (last trip to park)
• 11 PM end time (last trip to garages/parking)

Shuttle locations

• Republic, Burger Center (see Trail of Lights web site for details)

Neighborhood Patrol

• 4 officers and 1 sergeant – roving 5 PM until approximately 11 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

Parking

• NO PARKING SIGNAGE will be installed Monday December 1.
• The signs will NOT be actively enforced by patrols, but should be adhered to in all locations.
• 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, if applicable.
• On site parking can be purchased online only and not on site. There will be a limited number available each night and the permits must be presented prior to entering the parking area.

General Violations

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. It is public property and the police remove them.
• Restricted parking areas are prohibited parking areas for all persons.
• Immobilized cars should be moved out of restricted parking areas.

Noise Complaints

• Neighborhood call-in line, 512-970-8891 or 311.

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.
• Zilker Park – Rugby Field, Picnic Areas, parking lots, playscape (South of Barton Springs Road)
  • Open 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

  Litter Control

  • Trash Pods – located at Lou Neff and Stratford, Robert E Lee and Barton Springs, along Robert E. Lee west sidewalk, and at the trailhead area south of the southgate parking area.
  • Neighborhood wide litter control carts will be placed out throughout the neighborhood to provide readily available litter containment and collected daily.
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