The holidays are officially here. Whether you’re wanting to get the best Christmas card photo with the fam or have the most joyful Instagram, we’ve put together the best list for that photo-worthy opportunity.
Here are the best places to take Christmas photos in Austin in 2020.
Holiday Walk-Thru Photo Experience
All Month Long | Various Locations | Domain Northside
Visit the Domain Northside for a Holiday Walk-Thru Photo Experience, sponsored by Capital One Café! Starting Friday, November 13, safely get into the holiday spirit with our new holiday decorations, located at various spots around the center. AND: when you post your photos to Instagram, you’ll be entered-to-win sweets and treats from Sprinkles and Starbucks. Masks are required for all guests at NORTHSIDE. Embrace social distancing. Happy Holidays and stay safe y’all!
Experience Santa’s Wonderland and Get a Photo with Santa
Through December 24 | Various Times | Hill Country Galleria, 12700 Hill Country Boulevard
This holiday season, Hill Country Galleria is introducing Santa’s Wonderland, a magical experience that allows families to safely visit with Santa while exploring a colorful candyland. Santa’s Wonderland will be located next to James Avery, across from Athleta, and adjacent to the Central Plaza Lawn. Appointments for this experience are highly recommended. While visits with Santa are always free, there will be a professional photo team on-site to capture the visit with photo package options for purchase that range from $40-$50 so guests can leave with a timeless keepsake in hand. No personal photos with Santa will be allowed. Guests are welcome to visit and enjoy Santa’s Wonderland as many times as they wish this season, however, appointments are recommended.
Santa’s Wonderland
Through December 24 | Various Times | Bass Pro Shop, 200 Bass Pro Drive, Round Rock & Cabela’s, 15570 S IH 35 Frontage Road, Buda
By popular demand they continues the tradition in a safe and responsible way. Advance reservations are required in all locations and can go quickly. Reserving is easy and free. Families who visit Santa receive a free 4×6 studio-quality photo, as well as a free shareable video when you provide your email address. Additional photo packages are also available for purchase and print instantly at the store. During your visit, families can mail their letter to Santa and bring home free holiday craft activity kits while supplies last. Families can also enjoy the amazing aquariums and wildlife displays found in every Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s store.
The Driskill Hotel
Through December 25 | Nightly | 604 Brazos Street
Pop into The Driskill Hotel for an iconic Austin photo opportunity. This historic hotel located in central downtown features a stunning, floor to ceiling Christmas tree!
Mozart’s Christmas Light Show
Through January 6 | Reservations available between 6 and 11 P.M. | Mozart’s Coffee, 3825 Lake Austin
Mozart’s holiday lights are a Austin tradition that we look forward to every year! The awesome light displays along with the warm treats make this holiday stop a must-stop. Due to this year’s reservation system, make sure you reserve your tickets sooner rather than later!
Round Rock Christmas Tree
All Month Long| Prete Plaza 221 East Main, Downtown Round Rock
Get a jump start on those holiday photos with this perfect photo-op location! Prete Main Street Plaza right across from the Round Rock Public Library is perfect spot.
Snow Much Fun on Congress
Thursdays through Saturdays | JW Marriott Edge Rooftop Bar, 110 E 2nd Street
The Edge Rooftop bar at the JW Marriott is all decked out for Christmas. Snowfall on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights beginning at 7 p.m. Plus, holiday live music, themed craft cocktails, s’mores, and more! Reservations required.
Sweet Eats Fruit Farm
Through December 31 | 9 A.M. to 6 P.M. Daily | Sweet Eats Fruit Farm, 14400 East State Hwy 29
Did someone say Reindeer? Santa and his real life reindeer are coming to Sweet Eats Adventure Farm! They will have a Santa every weekend & REAL LIFE reindeer every single day! You can take your own photos with Santa (FREE) just by having a General Admission ticket which also grants you FULL ACCESS to over 30 different activities that are included. Pig races, pony rides, giant petting zoo, hay maze, jump pads, treasure mountain, apple slingshots, pipe races, and so much more!
Kendra Scott Holiday Mural
All Month Long| Daily | 1701 South Congress Avenue
Kendra Scott unveiled a new mural at their flagship store on South Congress and it’s perfect for your Christmas pictures. The mural on the northern facing side of the store now features a pink house with a western themed snowman out front and Santa flying through the sky. The greeting: Happy holidays, y’all. You can stop by to snap pics at any time. Of course, if you stop in during business hours you may want to pop into the store and do some Christmas shopping. Just be sure to social distance and respect other shoppers and others posing with the mural.
Bastrop River of Lights
Through January 1 | Open till 10 P.M. daily | Fisherman’s Park, 1209 Linden Street, Bastrop
Take in the sights at the River of Lights which include numerous displays in a variety of seasonal themes lining Bastrop’s scenic June Hill Pape River Walk.
Walkway of Lights (Marble Falls)
Through January 2 | From 6 to 10 P.M. | Lakeside Park, 305 Buena Vista Drive, Marble Falls
Join in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Walkway of Lights! Gaze in awe at over 2 million Christmas Lights reflecting off of our beautiful Lake Marble Falls for 44 nights in a row. Scheduled theme nights will be happening throughout the duration of this event so be sure to keep an eye out on their Christmas Page for more information! Don’t forget to try out the ice skating rink!
Luminations at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Through January 3 | From 6 to 9 P.M. | Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Avenue
Here to light up your nights, our Luminations tradition is going to keep on glowing in 2020! Experience the calm of winter at the Center with the shimmer of thousands of luminarias lighting the way. This year, for the first time ever, stroll through our naturally beautiful Texas Arboretum among the illuminated oaks and the light-splashed forts of Fortlandia.
Lakeway Trail of Lights
Through January 3 | Starting at 6 P.M. | Lakeway Activity Center, 105 Cross Creek
Although there will be no in-person event marking opening weekend this year, the trail will be shining brightly each night with thousands of twinkling lights for all to enjoy! They request that you please follow social distancing guidelines and wear a mask when appropriate. Friendly reminder, please limit your groups to less than 10 people.
Stagger Lee
All Month Long | During Regular Business Hours | 87 Rainey Street
Enjoy a festive holiday photo-op on Rainey Street with their oversized Christmas decorations. Grab a picture on the oversized chair or with the nutcracker. Make sure to look up when you’re inside to catch a look at the upside down Christmas tree!
Lucille’s Holiday Patio
Throughout the Holidays | During Regular Business Hours| 77 Rainey Street
Lucille’s is sleighing the holiday decor this year, literally. Head to Lucilles for a holiday cocktail and a picture inside their life-size outdoor light up sleigh. They’ve decked their patio to the max to get you all in the holiday spirit! Don’t miss these instagrammable moments.
Wonderbar Holiday
All Month Long | Various Times | 11500 Rock Rose Avenue
It’s the most wonderful time of the year at Wonderbar. They’ll have Christmas decor, plenty of great instagrammable moments and festive drinks!
Geraldine’s Presents: The South Pole
All Month Long | From 7:30 to 9:30 P.M. | Kimpton Hotel Van Zandt, 605 Davis Street
The South Pole is presented by Geraldine’s, this year however, the event is being held in our 5000 square foot & high ceiling ballroom, featuring industrial grade air filtration, allowing guests to spread far apart and safely enjoy the company they came with. To ensure the health and safety of our guests and staff we are limiting the number of tickets sold each night to ensure socially-distanced, private tables, and requiring all guests to wear masks when not seated. Enjoy a continuous cocktail parade, a roving s’mores station, and all your favorite holiday tunes in your very own seating pod!
Gibson Wonderland
All Month Long | Normal Bar Hours | Gibson Street Bar, 1109 South Lamar
Walk in a Gibson Wonderland all month long. You don’t even have to go inside to enjoy the sights! Sip on festive drinks and snap pics in their holiday sleigh!
Looking for more holiday fun?
Check out these posts:
- Here are all the Austin Holiday Lights, Photo Ops, Events and More
- 15 Perfect Ways to Have a Very Merry Christmas in Austin
Featured photo via Domain Northside on Instagram.
