The best 2025 holiday events in Austin—lights, markets, concerts, and more in this essential guide to Austin’s festive season.
If there’s any city rebellious enough to remix the holidays into something wildly creative, it’s Austin. The capital of Texas embraces December with the same energy it gives its live music scene—bold, artistic, and tinged with unapologetic weirdness.
In 2025, holiday events in Austin are leveling up again with immersive light installations, lakeside spectacles, craftsman-driven markets, culturally rich performances, and festivals that blend tradition with that signature ATX edge.
Whether you’re planning a family adventure, a date night under twinkling lights, or a December filled with local food, music, and artistry, the 2025 holiday events in Austin will give you more than a festive season—they’ll give you a story.
Trail of Lights at Zilker Park
The legendary Trail of Lights remains Austin’s most recognizable holiday attraction—an illuminated wonderland sprawling across Zilker Park with tunnels of light, whimsical displays, carnival rides, and local food trucks. The 2025 edition introduces new interactive zones designed in collaboration with Austin artists, including a sensory installation where lights pulse to live-recorded city soundscapes.
“The Trail isn’t just lights—it’s an Austin tradition woven into decades of memories,” says festival director Hallie Brooks.
Location: Zilker Park, 2100 Barton Springs Rd., Austin, TX
Website: https://austintrailoflights.org/
Contact: info@austintrailoflights.org
Book parking early—or take a shuttle for a stress-free night.
Mozart’s Coffee Roasters Holiday Light Show
If there were an award for the most delightfully chaotic holiday light show, Mozart’s Coffee would win every year. The lakeside café’s 2025 spectacle features choreographed LED displays, upbeat holiday remixes, themed drinks, and an expanded reserved-table option for those who want premium views over Lake Austin.
Expect sold-out seating—the combination of lights, hot chocolate, and waterfront breezes is irresistible.
Location: 3825 Lake Austin Blvd., Austin, TX
Website: https://mozartscoffee.com/
Contact: (512) 477-2900
Walk-ups are free, but reservations offer guaranteed space.
Armadillo Christmas Bazaar
A staple of Austin’s arts community, the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar returns with a curated lineup of local and national artisans, live music, and a vibrant atmosphere that feels more like a cultural block party than a holiday market. The 2025 show includes new immersive maker demos and a spotlight on next-generation Texas indie artists.
“The Bazaar is where Austin’s creative soul shines brightest during the holidays,” says longtime exhibitor Adriana Torres.
Location: Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd., Austin, TX
Website: https://armadillobazaar.com/
Contact: info@armadillobazaar.com
Shop early for one-of-a-kind handmade gifts.
Peppermint Parkway at Circuit of the Americas
Circuit of the Americas transforms into a drive-through light extravaganza with towering displays, themed lands, stunt shows, and photo ops. The 2025 Peppermint Parkway expands “Sweetville” into a massive candy-themed village and introduces a new go-kart racing Christmas overlay for thrill-seekers.
Location: 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd., Austin, TX
Website: https://circuitoftheamericas.com/
Contact: (512) 655-6300
Great for families—and for avoiding crowds while staying in the car.
Ice Skating on the Plaza at the Long Center
For one month each winter, the Long Center’s outdoor plaza becomes a festive ice rink with views of downtown Austin’s skyline. The 2025 Ice Skating on the Plaza program includes themed skate nights, live DJ sets, and seasonal bites provided by local food vendors.
Location: 701 W. Riverside Dr., Austin, TX
Website: https://thelongcenter.org/
Contact: (512) 474-5664
A romantic date-night gem.
Austin’s German-Texas Christmas Market (German-Texan Heritage Society)
The German-Texan Heritage Society hosts one of the city’s most charming cultural holiday traditions: a festive market with authentic German food, handcrafted goods, caroling, children’s activities, and St. Nick himself. The 2025 market rolls out expanded biergarten seating and new craft workshops.
Location: 507 E. 10th St., Austin, TX
Website: https://germantexans.org/
Contact: (512) 467-4565
Perfect for culture lovers—don’t skip the glühwein.
Miracle on 5th Street Holiday Bar
Austin’s most famous holiday pop-up bar, Miracle on 5th Street, returns with over-the-top décor, nostalgic cocktails, and holiday-themed glassware that patrons collect like trophies. The 2025 edition promises new large-scale installations and a menu revamp crafted by Austin’s award-winning bartenders.
Location: The Eleanor, 307 W. 5th St., Austin, TX
Website: https://theeleanoraustin.com/miracle
Contact: info@theeleanoraustin.com
This one is for the adults—and it gets packed.
Holly Jolly at the Thinkery
Austin’s children’s museum rolls out Holly Jolly, a hands-on, interactive celebration for kids featuring holiday STEAM experiments, craft-making, light play, and seasonal storytelling. The 2025 expansion includes sensory-friendly sessions designed for children with neurodiversity.
Location: 1830 Simond Ave., Austin, TX
Website: https://thinkeryaustin.org/
Contact: (512) 469-6200
Wholesome, educational, and joyous.
ACL Live: A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage
Moody Theater hosts a live musical reenactment of the beloved holiday special, complete with the iconic jazz score and animated moments brought to life by performers. The 2025 version adds immersive lighting and an expanded finale sing-along.
Location: ACL Live at the Moody Theater, 310 W. Willie Nelson Blvd., Austin, TX
Website: https://acl-live.com/
Contact: (512) 225-7999
A perfect nostalgia hit for all ages.
Luminations at the Wildflower Center
One of Austin’s most serene holiday experiences, Luminations at the Wildflower Center pairs glowing lantern installations with nature trails, art pieces, and quiet reflection spaces. The 2025 theme celebrates winter’s relationship with firelight and renewal.
“Luminations invites people to slow down—something the holidays rarely allow,” says creative curator Daniel Cho.
Location: 4801 La Crosse Ave., Austin, TX
Website: https://www.wildflower.org/
Contact: (512) 232-0100
Meditative and visually stunning.
Why 2025 Holiday Events in Austin Are Poised to Be the Most Inventive Yet
One of Austin’s defining qualities is its refusal to let tradition become predictable. That ethos is alive and well in the 2025 holiday events in Austin, which combine artistry, technological innovation, cultural heritage, and the city’s distinct streak of weirdness. From lakeside light shows to immersive botanical pathways, bustling indie craft fairs, live music-infused celebrations, and drive-through spectacles designed for maximum wonder, the season reflects Austin’s ability to reinvent itself with every December.
Unlike other cities that follow the same holiday formula each year, Austin thrives on experimentation. These events aren’t just festive—they’re an expression of community identity and creativity.
Why You Must Experience 2025 Holiday Events in Austin
Make the Most of 2025 Holiday Events in Austin
Whether you’re planning a winter getaway or curating your must-do December calendar, the 2025 holiday events in Austin offer unforgettable magic infused with music, art, culture, and that unmistakable Austin energy. From glowing gardens to festive markets and rooftop skating, this is the year the city proves once again why it’s one of the most compelling holiday destinations in the country. Get your dates set early—Austin’s holiday season waits for no one.
