Driving around to see Christmas lights can be so much fun – especially when you know exactly where to go. While we don’t know about every house or street sharing the joy, we do know of a handful of spots that are worth the drive.
See our full 2024 holiday lights list here!
Here are seven of the best free Christmas lights displays around Austin!
Zilker Tree
2100 Barton Springs Road
The Zilker tree will be lit through January 1. Free parking on site first-come first-served. Entry suggested via eastbound Barton Springs Road. Carpool to the event or take Cap Metro. Overflow park and walk in the gravel area located just west of Stratford Drive and Lou Neff Road.
Maywald Christmas Lights
10505 Twilight Vista
The Maywald Christmas display started about 16 years ago with just a few lights and now they have thousands! Lights will be on through December 27. Hours are as follows: Sunday through Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 6 to 10 p.m. During Christmas week, December 20 through 27, lights are on every night from 6 to 10 p.m. Maywald will be closed December 2, 3, 9, and 10. There is a parking area so you are encouraged to park and walk around. The display is free but all they ask is a donation to Make-A-Wish at the box when you enter.
The Harry Potter House
Bungalow Lane off Slaughter Lane in Circle C
There’s a Harry Potter house in Southwest Austin that’s all decked out for Christmas. You can see everything from the safety of your car as you drive-by or you can step outside to view it from the street. The Yule Ball will be on display through New Year’s. Learn more here. While you’re in the Circle C neighborhood, wander around and you’ll probably find some other fun displays as well.
Longhorn Lights
Guadalupe Street between 21st and 24th Streets
Through January 1, the University of Texas at Austin presents Longhorn Lights. The display features 24 Heritage Oak trees that are illuminated with synchronized burnt orange and white lights dancing to music by the Longhorn Band. It is located along Guadalupe Street between 21st and 24th, also known as The Drag. Longhorn Lights is free and open to the public for all to enjoy nightly from 5 to 10 p.m.
37th Street Lights
500 Block of 37th Street
This DIY Austin street of lights tradition has been around for years and residents love to keep it weird! The lights mostly occur between Guadalupe and Home St on 37th Street. If you search 500 37th Street in your GPS, it will get you there. The best way to view the lights is by walking as the street gets backed up with cars. Plus you end up missing a lot of details if you’re stuck inside the car. From sunset through 10 p.m. nightly through January 1, you can meander through the lights of 37th Street. Get opening night details here.
Trail of Lights
December 10 through 13 and 16 through 16 | Zilker Park
The most beloved, and longest running holiday tradition of its kind in Texas’ capital city, Austin Trail of Lights powered by H-E-B, welcomes hundreds of thousands of guests from Central Texas and around the world each year for its jubilant displays of lights. Complimentary General Admission is available on the nights listed.
Want more Christmas light and events? Check out our massive list here!
