Texas is a state that likes to celebrate. Whether you call it a festival or a fiesta, a party or a special event, you’ll find annual events scheduled for most weekends of the year (although January can be a very quiet time, topping even the sweltering month of August when it takes a dedicated festival lover to attend any function.)
And any Texas festival means Texas FOOD. While we have a page dedicated to Texas food festivals that specifically highlight food, here you’ll find major festivals that also offer everything from churros to chili, turkey legs to corn dogs.
Table of Contents
January
January is always a slow month for Texas festivals; after the excitement of the holidays, the year generally gets off to a slow start. This month also presents the biggest weather worry in terms of icy roads, especially for the northern portion of the state.
Cotton Bowl Classic, Arlington. Officially known as the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, this longstanding football game is now played at AT&T Stadium.
Southwestern Exposition Livestock Show & Rodeo, Fort Worth. Since 1896, this rodeo and stock show has been one of Texas’s largest.
Winterfest, Pearland. Over 200,000 pounds of snow turns this Houston area festival into a winter wonderland!
Gulf Coast Hall of Fame Show, Port Arthur. The event which began as a celebration of Janis Joplin’s birthday has expanded to include many types of music.
Martin Luther King Jr. March and Rally, San Antonio. The march, the largest of its kind in the U.S., is the culmination of a month-long tribute to the fallen civil rights hero.
George Washington’s Birthday Celebration, Laredo/Nuevo Laredo. Almost a month of parades, parties, concerts, and pageants mark the country’s largest celebration of George Washington’s Birthday.
Cowboy Breakfast, San Antonio. Called the world’s largest breakfast, this free event expects to feed 30,000 a cowboy style breakfast.
International Sister Cities Festival, Laredo. This festival celebrates business, trade, tourism, arts and culture found in Laredo’s Sister cities.
San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. (usually late January into February) Some of country music’s biggest names appear at this event which includes a rodeo, livestock show, horse show, art show, and more.
February Texas Festivals
With Valentine’s Day…and, for some parts of the state, spring just around the corner…February starts gets busy in terms of festivals across the Lone Star State.
Southeast Texas Mardi Gras Weekend, Beaumont. Parades, live entertainment, carnival rides, and a special kids’ zone are highlights at this family-friendly event.
Southwestern Exposition Livestock Show & Rodeo, Fort Worth. Since 1896, this rodeo and stock show has been one of Texas’s largest.
Mardi Gras River Parade, San Antonio. The River Walk takes on the atmosphere of the Big Easy with costumed krewes on decorated river barges. The weekend also features the Mardi Gras Arts & Crafts Show along the River Walk.
Mardi Gras Galveston, Galveston. Mardi Gras brings two weekends of parades, parties, and more.
San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. Some of country music’s biggest names appear at this event which includes a rodeo, livestock show, horse show, art show, and more.
George Washington’s Birthday Celebration, Laredo/Nuevo Laredo. Almost a month of parades, parties, concerts, and pageants mark the country’s largest celebration of George Washington’s Birthday.
Wine Lovers Trail, Hill Country. Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a self-guided tour of area wineries, many planning special events for the occasion.
Asian Festival, San Antonio. This celebration at the Institute of Texan Cultures features Asian foods, dance, crafts, and more.
Celebration of Whooping Cranes & Other Birds, Port Aransas. One of the country’s top birding festivals celebrates the annual wintering of the whooping cranes at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge.
Charro Days, Brownsville. This event filled with parades and family-friendly events. Considered one of the Valley’s largest events.
Lone Star Cowboy Poetry Gathering, Alpine. The country’s second oldest gathering of cowboy poets takes place at Sul Ross State University.
Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo, Austin. An Austin-area tradition since 1938, this rodeo includes plenty of big name country performances, a large carnival, a barbecue cookoff, livestock show, and more.
March Festivals in Texas
As the weather starts to heat up, so does the festivals calendar with the start of outdoor festivals as well as Texas’s biggest rodeo.
North Texas Irish Festival, Dallas. From its humble pub origins in the early 1980s, this Celtic compilation of music, dance and traditional cuisine has matured into an annual event which attracts internationally-known performers, up-and-coming recording artists eager to hone their craft, and a gathering over 35,000 strong.
Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo, Austin. (continuing from February) An Austin-area tradition since 1938, this rodeo includes plenty of big name country performances, a large carnival, a barbecue cookoff, livestock show, and more.
Texas Independence Day, Washington. Annually celebrating Texas independence, this event is held at Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site with costumed reenactors, craft demonstrations, and more.
Zilker Kite Festival, Austin. This family-friendly fete has been celebrated annually since 1929, making the event the longest-running kite festival in the U.S.
Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. Held in Reliant Park, this rodeo is one of the country’s largest and features many famous names from the world of country music as well.
Dawn at the Alamo, San Antonio. Re-enactors portray Texian and Mexican troops on the raid of the Alamo on the anniversary of the fall of this famous site.
Oysterfest, Fulton. This four-day seafood celebration features a parade, fireworks, oyster-eating contests, arts and crafts, live music and lots of family fun.
River Oaks Garden Club Azalea Trail, Houston. Private homes as well as public venues take part in this trail; obtain tickets in advance.
South by Southwest (SXSW), Austin. With a convention at the Austin Convention Center but live performances held at venues throughout the city, this event is one of the largest music conventions in the country and draws music lovers from around the world.
Dallas Blooms. Celebrate Spring with this event at the Dallas Arboretum featuring over 400,000 bulbs.
Guinness Dyeing O’ the River Green, San Antonio. The river–renamed the River Shannon–runs green during this well-attended event which includes a river barge parade.
St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, Shamrock. This citywide event includes a parade, lad and lassie pageant, carnival, and more to celebrate the city’s Irish connection.
Azalea and Spring Flower Trail, Tyler. Miles of trails bloom with azaleas as well as dogwoods and other blooms.
St. Patrick’s Day, Dublin. Highland games, Irish crafts and food fill the day at Dublin City Park.
Easter Fest and Easter Run/Walk, Kerrville. Live music, a barbecue cookoff, Easter egg hunt, and a run/walk fill the weekend.
Tyler County Dogwood Festival, Woodville. The dogwood blooms take center stage here, joined by three weekends of special activities including an art festival on the first weekend, Western weekend on the second, and Queen weekend on the third.
Texas Dogwood Trails Celebrations, Palestine. Palestine celebrates the blooming of the dogwood with parades, arts and crafts, a bike race, live music, and more, continuing into early April.
Bluebonnet Festival, Burnet. Deemed the “Bluebonnet Capital of Texas,” Burnet holds a three-day floral festival featuring fun for the whole family.
Zilker Garden Festival, Austin. Since 1957 this capital city celebration of floral finery has been a perennial favorite with Central Texans.
Montgomery County Fair and Rodeo, Conroe. This family-friendly event in Conroe features a rodeo (complete with youth stick-horse races), a barbecue cook-off, a beauty pageant, a country store featuring arts and crafts, and a petting zoo. The 10-day event is usually held in late March to early April.
Day Out With Thomas, Grapevine. A must for families, the Grapevine Vintage Railroad transforms into Thomas the Tank Engine for this special event which features storytelling, video viewing, live music, arts and crafts and more.
Statesman Capitol 10,000, Austin. Serious and fun runners and walkers take part in this downtown race that begins on Congress Avenue.
April Texas Festivals
Garden festivals are in full bloom this month…and don’t miss the bluebonnets!
Montgomery County Fair and Rodeo, Conroe. See March festivals.
Azalea and Spring Flower Trail, Tyler. Miles of trails bloom with azaleas as well as dogwoods and other blooms.
Dallas Blooms. Celebrate Spring with this event at the Dallas Arboretum featuring over 400,000 bulbs.
Texas SandFest, Port Aransas. Over 100,000 onlookers come to view these creations made in the sand. If watching the competitors at work inspires your own inner artist, join in on one of the free sand sculpting lessons or enter your photographic image of the day’s fun in the photo contest.
Tyler County Dogwood Festival, Woodville. The dogwood blooms take center stage here, joined by three weekends of special activities including an art festival on the first weekend, Western weekend on the second, and Queen weekend on the third.
Texas Dogwood Trails Celebrations, Palestine. Palestine celebrates the blooming of the dogwood with parades, arts and crafts, a bike race, live music, and more.
Scarborough Faire® Renaissance Faire, Waxahachie, Waxahachie. Step back to the 16th century at this popular Ren festival including jousting, period music, crafts, falconry and more.
Houston Highland Games and Festival, Humble. Sponsored by the Houston Highland Games Association, this event features traditional Highland games, skirling bagpipes, the gathering of the clans and food and craft vendors held at Humble’s Civic Center and Arena.
Poteet Strawberry Festival. The Poteet Strawberry Festival preserves a half-century tradition celebrating the annual harvest of the South Texas strawberry crop with music, dances, and plenty of homegrown fun.
Bluebonnet Festival, Burnet. Burnet, deemed the “Bluebonnet Capital of Texas,” holds a three-day floral festival featuring fun for the whole family.
Old Settler’s Music Festival, Tilmon (just southeast of Lockhart). This multi-day jamboree includes children’s events, music workshops, crafts, and more.
Dallas International Guitar Festival, This mega-event includes a huge guitar show as well as concerts.
Dayton Ole Tyme Festival. This event includes a barbecue cookoff, junior chili championship, carnival, car show, and more.
Fiesta San Antonio. One of the largest events each year in San Antonio, this 10-day party celebrates San Antonio’s many cultural traditions.
Austin Reggae Festival, Austin. Since 1993, reggae lovers have flocked to The Live Music Capital of the World to move to the groove of Rastafarian rhythms at the biggest celebration of third world music in Central Texas.
Houston International Festival. Known as the “Official Celebration of Multiculturalism and Diversity,” this event features world music, crafts, foods, and more.
Texas State Championship Fiddlers Frolic, Hallettsville. This event dates back to 1871 and draws fiddlers from around the world.
Denton Arts & Jazz Festival Held in Denton’s Quakertown Park, this free event features six stages as well as children’s events.
Germanfest, Muenster. The north Texas town of Muenster greets 35,000 visitors each final weekend in April for a three-day homage to German heritage.
May
Buccaneer Days, Corpus Christi. Tales of pirate Jean Lafitte still linger along the Coastal Bend, and since 1938 Corpus Christi has celebrated its pirate-filled past with a 12-day soiree that offers a treasure trove of entertainment for the whole family. This event includes parades, carnivals, a rodeo, live music, a 5K run, and spectacular fireworks on the bay.
Kerrville Folk Festival, Kerrville. For 18 days, this event draws over 30,000 visitors to hear music on multiple stages.
Scarborough Faire® Renaissance Faire, Waxahachie, Waxahachie. Step back to the 16th century at this popular Ren festival including jousting, period music, crafts, falconry and more.
Texas Scottish Festival & Highland Games, Arlington. From Scottish folk music to Scottish dogs to Highland dances, this event celebrates all things Scottish.
Mayfest, Fort Worth. Festival attendees can race for first place in the 10K, 5K or 1K Fun Run, or discover their inner athlete in the Sports Area. The Riverbank Area offers water-themed wonders, including aqua golf and a water balloon launch, and those inspired by the kayak and rowing demonstrations can rent a canoe, kayak or paddleboat for an afternoon excursion along the Trinity River. After grabbing a bite to eat at one of the concession stands, browse artwork and handcrafted items, then head toward one of the six stages to cheer on their favorite amateur musicians as they vie for supremacy in the Battle of The Bands, or groove to tunes played by a nationally-known act.
Cinco de Mayo, Numerous cities across Texas. Cinco de Mayo, remembering a Mexican army victory in 1862, is widely celebrated across Texas with food, music and cultural events.
Pilgrimage Tour of Homes & Spring Festival, Jefferson. Visit the historic homes of Jefferson and enjoy a parade, crafts, and more.
Cottonwood Art Festival, Richardson. This long-standing fine arts show features top visual artists and also includes live music events and food vendors. Held twice yearly in May and October.
Tejano Conjunto Festival, San Antonio. Fans of conjunto flock to San Antonio’s Rosedale Park in May to celebrate (and dance to) this popular music. The festival also includes a symposium and film festival dedicated to exploring the roots of the genre.
Lee County Fair & Rodeo, Giddings. Held the third weekend in May in Fireman’s Park, this central Texas event includes a classic car show, barbeque cookoff, a parade, crafts and food vendors and, of course, the rodeo.
Pasadena Strawberry Festival, Pasadena. This festival includes a carnival, live music, arts and crafts, and children’s activities.
National Polka Festival, Ennis. Always held on Memorial Day weekend, this event celebrates the Czech heritage that is strong in Texas.
Old Texas Fiddlers Reunion and Contest, Athens. Held on the courthouse lawn, this longtime event features fiddle music and a street dance.
June Festivals
June is a peak month for festivals, one last chance to enjoy the summer holidays before the real heat of the season sets in.
Republic of Texas (ROT) Rally, Bastrop. Devotees of the motorcycle lifestyle flock to this annual event that features four days of music, charity rides, stunt rider performances as well as vendors and food trucks.
Texas Folklife Festival, San Antonio. The Institute of Texan Cultures celebrates the 40-plus cultures that settled the Lone Star State.
Fort Griffin Fandangle, Albany. Now in its 70th year, this outdoor musical features an Old West atmosphere.
July Festivals
July means Independence Day celebrations across the state.
Freedom Fiesta and July 4th Parade, Seguin. This parade is considered the biggest small town 4th of July parade in the state!
Belton 4th of July Celebration and PRCA Rodeo, Belton. Festivities include a downtown street party, a parade and carnival and the PRCA rodeo at the Bell County Exposition Center along with free concerts and fireworks displays.
The Great Texas Mosquito Festival, Clute. Clute celebrates summer’s inevitable biting residents with a three-day event including carnival rides and family activities.
August Festivals
August means summer–and summer heat–are in full swing so it’s not surprising one of the top festivals is the Hotter ‘n Hell Bicycle Race!
Schulenburg Festival, Schulenburg. There’s something for everyone at this annual event from sports contests, live music, a barbecue cookoff, golf tournament, rodeo, and youth pagaents.
XIT Rodeo & Reunion, Dalhart. This panhandle city throws its biggest bash of the year with a pro rodeo, youth rodeo, and the “World’s Largest Free BBQ,” and the crowning of the Rodeo Queen.
North Texas State Fair and Rodeo, Denton. Along with a star-studded rodeo, this nine-day event features livestock shows, live music on two stages, a parade, and the crowning of “Rodeo Royalty.”
Gillespie County Fair, Fredericksburg. Held at the Gillespie County Fairgrounds, this annual event features the largest parade in the region as well as horse racing, livestock shows, crafts, and more.
Hotter ‘n Hell Hundred, Wichita Falls. This bike race is one of the largest in the country with over 13,000 riders competing for glory.
Batfest, Austin.
The Houston International Jazz Festival, Houston.
September Festivals in Texas
It still feels like summer but the state starts its fall festivities this month.
Central Texas State Fair, Belton. Belton pulls out all the stops for this four-day celebration featuring pro and youth rodeos, a carnival, shopping, a BMX stunt show, a demolition derby and free live music concerts.
Fayette County Fair, La Grange. This fair has been held since 1927 with a livestock show, carnival midway, flower show, athletic competition, barbecue cookoff, and live music.
National Cowboy Symposium and Celebration & National Championship Chuckwagon Cook-off, Lubbock. This annual event is dedicated to preserving Texas’ western heritage by spotlighting “cowboy culture.”
West Texas Fair & Rodeo, Abilene. Along with a rodeo and stock show, this event features a large downtown parade.
Hummer/Bird Festival, Rockport. See and learn about all things hummingbird at this annual event celebrating these tiny birds as they migrate through South Texas.
Texas State Arts and Crafts Fair, Ingram. This juried arts and crafts show features the work of over 200 artisans.
Texas Gatorfest, Anahuac. This family festival includes an alligator roundup, boat tours to alligator habitat, and more.
Tri-State Fair and Rodeo, Amarillo. A PRCA rodeo headlines this event, held annually at Amarillo’s Exposition Center.
Up the Chisholm Trail Event and Chuckwagon Cook-off, Georgetown. Celebrating a traditional stop on the famous cattle drive, attendees enjoy a cowboy breakfast, live music and watch a recreation of the drive through the streets of Georgetown.
State Fair of Texas, Dallas. See October festivals.
McGregor Founders’ Day, McGregor. An annual tradition, Founders’ Day is a celebration of small-town Texas with a parade, barbecue cookoff, live music and lots of kid-friendly activities.
Septemberfest, Midland. Midland’s Museum of the Southwest sponsors this art show each September.
Day Out With Thomas, Grapevine. A must for families, the Grapevine Vintage Railroad transforms into Thomas the Tank Engine for this special event which features storytelling, video viewing, live music, arts and crafts and more.
Urban Cultural Fest, Austin. The Urban Cultural Fest (originally Urban Music Festival) offers both an aural homage to African-American music legends and a launching pad for future funk, hip hop and R&B chart-toppers. A stroll past the concession booths is an epicurean odyssey featuring tempting New Orleans-style po’ boys, southern-fried catfish and the all-American classic combo, hamburgers and french fries. After satisfying your appetite, feast your eyes on the artwork, jewelry, garments, and accessories celebrating Afro-centric culture in the Urban Marketplace.
October Festivals in Texas
October means a full slate of fall festivals including very popular Halloween events and the country’s biggest state fair.
All month: Halloween special events in Texas, Oktoberfests in Texas
State Fair of Texas, Dallas. Big Tex, the 52-foot tall, Stetson-wearing symbol of Lone Star hospitality that towers over Fair Park, will give a warm “Howdy!” to over three million visitors as they arrive at America’s largest state fair.
Texas Rice Festival, Winnie. Celebrating the harvest of a staple of Southeast Texas agriculture, this event features live music, cook-offs, and family-friendly fun.
Heart of Texas Fair and Rodeo, Waco. A PRCA rodeo highlights this event that draws thousands of visitors each year with live music, food and drink vendors and livestock shows.
Come and Take It Celebration, Gonzales. This historic Texas town hosts its annual celebration of its history with a parade, carnival, a golf tournament, 5K run and walk, classic car show, and cooking contests.
Texas Renaissance Festival, Plantersville (near Houston). From early October through Thanksgiving, TRF transports visitors to a medieval world where kings and queens reign, knights joust for love and glory and magicians, Druids, and bards delight the crowd.
Floresville Peanut Festival, Floresville. A large slate of activities make this event fun for all. From Goober Games to the golf tournament, carnival to live music and arts and crafts, it’s a packed weekend.
Turkeyfest, Cuero. This 2-day event features the Gobbler Gallop race, a parade, live entertainment, and a barbecue cookoff.
East Texas Yamboree, Gilmer. Celebrate the yam harvest with a street dance, carnival, quilt show, fiddlers’ contest, and more.
Texas Rose Festival, Tyler. The “City of Roses” presents its annual celebration of the rose with rose garden tours, a parade, art show, and an arts and crafts fair.
Texas Jazz Festival, Corpus Christi. Held in Heritage Park, this is longest running free jazz festival in the country with top performers on three stages along with food and crafts vendors.
Czhilispiel, Flatonia. One of the largest chili cook-offs in the state, Czhilispiel also features a parade, live music, biergarten and barbecue cook-off.
Terlingua Chili Championships, Terlingua. This small village in the rugged Big Bend region draws thousands of hungry visitors annually when the cook teams come to town for these (dueling) competitions.
Wurstfest, New Braunfels. Wurst becomes the best at this yearly salute to New Braunfels’ German heritage with lots of sausage, beer, Alpine music and dancing and a carnival.
Conroe Cajun Catfish Festival, Conroe. A three-day celebration of this freshwater favorite with cooking competitions, live entertainment and carnival attractions.
Texas Clay Festival, Gruene. This artsy community near New Braunfels celebrates the works of Texas potters and clay artists in the Gruene Historical District.
Waller County Fair, Hempstead. A rodeo and an array of livestock show events and competitions are showcased at this multiple day fair.
November Festivals in Texas
As cool weather starts to set in, the state celebrates with two of the country’s largest festivals of their kinds: Wurstfest and the Texas Renaissance Festival.
Wurstfest, New Braunfels. See October events.
Texas Renaissance Festival, Plantersville (near Houston). See October events.
Texas Book Festival, Austin. Held Austin Public Library and Symphony Square, this event was established by First Lady Laura Bush.
Scottish Clan Gathering and Highland Games, Salado. Sponsored by the Salado Museum and Park, this weekend event features bagpipes and drum music, Scottish dancing, kilt-wearing and traditional Scottish games.
Heritage Syrup Festival, Henderson. Boasting the largest folk art show in East Texas, this event also includes a live demonstration of the production of cane syrup, music on two stages, a classic car show along with hay rides and other fun activities for the children.
Brazos Valley Worldfest, Bryan. The history and diversity of the Brazos Valley is celebrated annually by Texas A & M University and the Brazos Valley Worldfest Board.
Nine Flags Festival, Nacogdoches. Enjoy a nostalgic, Nacogdoches-style Navidad in the oldest town in the Lone Star state.
Wonderland of Lights, Marshall. From mid-November through the end of the year, this East Texas town goes all-out to celebrate the holiday season.
Holiday River Parade, San Antonio. Starting with a dramatic burst of holiday color as thousands of holiday lights are switched on along the River Walk, visitors are treated to a parade of highly decorated river taxis as they cruise along the river.
Hill Country Lighting Trail, Fredericksburg, Johnson City, Burnet, other communities.
Rose City Christmas, Tyler.
Edgewood Heritage Festival, Edgewood (50 miles east of Dallas). This mid-November event celebrates the history of this East Texas community with classic car and tractor shows, traditional crafts demonstrations, food vendors and live music. Kids can get their photos taken with Santa. too.
A Hill Country Christmas and Dickens on Main, Boerne. Each Christmas season this Hill Country town just north of San Antonio is transformed into Victorian London as characters from Dickens’ books stroll through the streets.
Holiday Events at The Woodlands. This master-planned community north of Houston offers multiple holiday events from mid-November through early January including a tree-lighting ceremony, ice skating, and Santa arriving down the Waterway on a floating sleigh.
December Festivals
As the holidays swing into full gear, the festival calendar fills up with light-filled events in almost every community across Texas. Many events are scheduled for the first two weekends of December.
Nine Flags Festival, Nacogdoches, See November events.
Wonderland of Lights, Marshall. See November events.
Hill Country Lighting Trail, Fredericksburg, Johnson City, Burnet, other communities
Austin’s New Year, Austin. Austin celebrates New Year’s Eve at Auditorium Shores with this family-friendly event with visual art displays and live entertainment.
Valero Alamo Bowl, San Antonio. This football classic features a matchup between teams from the Big 12 and Pac 12 conferences in the Alamodome.
Celebrate SA, San Antonio. Hemisfair is the scene for this New Year’s Eve celebration with fireworks and live musical entertainment. Sponsored by San Antonio Parks Foundation and the City of San Antonio, the event also includes a carnival and arts and crafts vendors and food options near La Villita.
Christmas in Jefferson. Jefferson. This historic East Texas town welcomes visitors each holiday season with some unique Christmas activities including a ride along Cypress Bayou on the Christmas Express Train, a candlelight tour of historic homes decorated for the season, craft shows and lots of shopping.
Rose City Christmas, Tyler. See November events.
Christmas on the River Walk, San Antonio
Christmas in the Square, Frisco. This north Texas city welcomes over 750,000 visitors each year to this extensive holiday event. Light shows, ice skating, carriage rides, a carnival, and visits with Santa highlight the festivities.
Dickens on the Strand, Galveston. This popular Galveston event will take you back to Christmas in Charles Dickens’s 19th-century London. Held in early December, Dickens on the Strand features parades, carolers, bagpipers, and vendors selling Victorian-inspired crafts, food, gifts, and decorations.
Fiesta de las Luminarias, San Antonio. Along the River Walk, thousands of luminarias symbolize the pathway of the Holy Family.
A Hill Country Christmas and Dickens on Main, Boerne. See November events.
Holiday Events in The Woodlands. See November events.
Los Pastores, San Antonio
Prairie Lights Display, Grand Prairie. From Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve this drive-through attraction illuminates the holiday season with four million lights along a 2 mile trail with a stop for shopping at Holiday Village and a walk through a lighted forest.
Sun Bowl, El Paso. Officially, it’s the “Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl” due to its corporate sponsorship with Kellog’s. Played in late December in El Paso’s Sun Bowl stadium it features matchups between the
Atlantic Coast and Pac-12 NCAA conferences.
Trail of Lights and Zilker Tree, Austin. The heart of Austin’s holidays is the 155 foot tree of lights in Zilker Park. Alongside is the drive-through Trail of Lights with festive sights to delight young and old alike.