There are so many Holiday events to enjoy in Austin, Texas. Lots of experiences and activities to do, from holiday light show to cookies with Santa. One of our favorite experiences would have to be riding the train with Santa in the North Pole Flyer. Our kids love the movie, North Pole Express, and riding the train has now become a tradition. We also love seeing the Holiday lights in the Austin Trail of Lights and Peppermint Parkway.
Several holiday events happening in the Austin area. Here are the top favorites. Many of them require reservations and tickets to purchase. Be sure to plan ahead.
Holiday Events in the Austin Area
Austin Trail of Lights
Austin Trail of Lights 
Austin Trail of Lights
Austin Trail of Lights 
Austin Trail of Lights
The ever-popular and beautiful Trail of Lights in Zilker Park is an Austin favorite. We have previously enjoyed walking through the tunnel of holiday lights and participating in the activities at this event. With covid precautions, it is another year of enjoying the trail of lights in our vehicle through a drive-thru experience. There will be a million lights and displays like the Candy Land and Santa’s Workshop. Santa will at Santa’s Workshop.
Date: November 27 – December 31
Location: Zilker Park in Austin, Texas
Type: Holiday Lights Drive-Thru Event
Reservations: Required
Reserve and Purchase Tickets for the Austin Trail of Lights
Peppermint Parkway
Peppermint Parkway 
Peppermint Parkway
The Peppermint Parkway is a mile of immersive holiday displays with millions of lights, live dancing elves, and Santa at The Circuit of Americas. This is also a drive-thru experience but with the option to drive around the F1 racetrack. We had a fun experience last year riding around the F1 racetrack.
Date: November 26 – December 26
Location: Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas
Type: Holiday Lights Drive-Thru Event
Reservations: Required
Reserve and Purchase Tickets for the Peppermint Parkway
Mozart’s Annual Christmas Light Show
Enjoy a Christmas Light Show at the popular Mozart’s Coffee House by Lake Austin. Mozart’s Annual Christmas Light show continues to be a big hit with the million lights and music performances. Watch the show from the reserved table or standing area at the Bavarian marketplace. A reservation and a fee are required to reserve a table. They have extended a standing area at the Bavarian marketplace, which is free, but a reservation is also required.
Date: November 11 – January 6
Location: Mozart’s Coffee Roasters in Austin, Texas
Type: Light Show Sit Down Event
Reservations: Required
Reserve and Purchase Tickets for the Mozart’s Christmas Light Show
North Pole Flyer with the Austin Steam Train (Bertram, Texas)
North Pole Flyer 
North Pole Flyer 
North Pole Flyer
The North Pole Flyer is a Christmas-themed train ride that is about 2 hours and departs from the Historic 1912 Bertram Depot. This train ride experience includes a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, hot chocolate and cookies, and storytime. We love riding the North Pole Flyer especially being a fan of the movie, The Polar Express.
Date: November 27 – December 19
Location: Bertram Depot in Bertram, Texas
Type: Train Ride with Santa Event
Reservations: Required
Reserve and Purchase Tickets for the North Pole Flyer
Christmas Festival at Sweet Eats Fruit Farm (Georgetown, Texas)
Santa and his real-life reindeer will be at the Sweet Eats Fruit Farm. Sweet Eats Fruit Farm is a fruit farm with several activities for the kids such as wagon rides, face painting, and petting zoo. They have events throughout the year. We have visited Sweet Eats for their Fall Festivities. The kids always have fun.
Date: November 26 – December 31
Location: Sweet Eats Fruit Farm in Georgetown, Texas
Type: Adventure Farm and Petting Zoo with a visit with Santa Event
Reservations: Not Required
Purchase Tickets for the Christmas Festival at Sweet Eats Fruit Farm
Merry Grinchmas: Holiday Kick-Off Event at the Northside Domain
The Northside Domain will kick off the Holiday Event with a photo op with the Grinch and other activities. The Tree Lighting will be at 6 pm.
Date: November 27 at 3 pm
Location: Northside Domain in Austin, Texas
Type: Photo Op with the Grinch and Tree Lighting Event
Reservations: Not Required
More Information on the Merry Grinchmas Holiday Event
Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s
Santa’s Wonderland 
Santa’s Wonderland
Breakfast with Santa 
Breakfast with Santa
The Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s is always a fun event for us. A photo with Santa comes with a complimentary 4×6 printout as well as a digital greeting card. There are also fun activities at Santa’s workshop. This year will also be another contactless setup. There’s a clear dividing glass between Santa and where the kids sit. In addition, we also did a Breakfast with Santa event that was held at the restaurant inside (inquire at the location). The Breakfast with Santa included a breakfast, a photo with Santa, and storytime. The Breakfast with Santa is a separate event from Santa’s Wonderland.
Date: November 6 – December 24
Location: Inside Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s (several locations)
Type: Photo Op with Santa and kids activities
Reservations: Required
Reserve Santa Photo Op in Santa’s Wonderland
The Annual Christmas Stroll in Georgetown Square (Georgetown, Texas)
Georgetown Square will host several events and activities such as a Parade, Bethlehem Village, Food and Product Vendors, and Photo Op with Santa and the Grinch. There are several productions and live local musical performances throughout the whole weekend. This is a fun weekend event for the whole family.
Date: December 3-4
Location: Georgetown Square in Georgetown, Texas
Type: Christmas Festivities with Santa and the Grinch Event
Reservations: Not required
More Information on the Christmas Stroll
Santa on The Long Center Terrace
A photo op with Santa on his sleigh with the Austin Skyline in the background. There will also be skating on the roller rink set up for the event. This is a first-come, first-serve event with a limited capacity.
Date: November 27, 12-4 pm
Location: The Long Center Terrace in Austin, Texas
Type: Photo Op with Santa and Roller Rink fun
Reservations: Not Required
More Information on the Santa on The Long Center Terrace
Light Up the Lake at Old Settlers Park (Round Rock, Texas)
On December 2-4, the annual lighting of the lake will be fun-filled with activities and concerts. There will be a lot of food and retail vendors as well. This event is free.
Date: December 2-4
Location: Old Settlers Park in Round Rock, Texas
Type: Holiday Lighting Event with music and activities
Reservations: Not required
More Information on the Light Up the Lake at Old Settlers Park
There are several more events in the Austin area. These events listed are just a few top favorites.
