Celebrate the Trail of Light’s six-decade history by wandering below the twinkling lights in Zilker Park. | Photo by Nan Palmero via OpenVerse
You probably know the Trail of Lights has been an Austin staple for 50+ years and you may even know that the light display brings in more than 400,000 visitors annually — but did you know that the set-up takes ~15,000 hours to construct?
In honor of the 60th year of one of Austin’s longest-running holiday events, here are some fun facts about the Trail of Lights.
Six decades of history
More than two million lights make up the 70+ displays and tunnels on the trail. | Photo via @danyetteheine
The Trail of Lights wasn’t always a trail. The original celebration — launched in 1965 and funded by Austin Parks and Recreation — was actually called “Yule Fest” and involved a celebratory lighting of a yule log.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, the Trail was held in a drive-thru format. That might seem like a uniquely pandemic-era occurrence, but it was actually how most Austinites experienced the Trail of Lights during the larger part of the 1970s through 1990s.
The Moth | 7 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre | $39+ | See “New York’s hottest and hippest literary ticket” perform stories live.
Holiday Hope Concert | 7 p.m. | Antone’s Nightclub | $75+ | Listen to a lineup of live performances in support of Kids in a New Groove, a nonprofit providing music mentorship to children in foster care.
A Conversation with Larry David | 7:30 p.m. | Bass Concert Hall | $159+ | The legendary writer, producer, and actor will discuss his time with “Seinfeld” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm.”
Thursday, Dec. 5
Kaiju Cut + Sew Holiday Market | 4 p.m. | Meanwhile Brewing Co. | Cost of purchase | Shop jewelry, ceramics, and leather goods from local vendors, then take a free photo with Santa Claus.
Friday, Dec. 6
“Interstellar” | Friday, Dec. 6-Thursday, Dec. 12 | 3:45 p.m. | Bullock Texas State History Museum | $15 | See this award-winning sci-fi film in a new light by watching it on a screen the size of Texas.
Saturday, Dec. 7
Yule in the Garden | Saturday, Dec. 7-Sunday, Dec. 8 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Zilker Botanical Garden | Free with admission | Put on your ugly holiday sweater and bring a picnic for a festive performance by string quartet Austin Camerata.
Wednesday, Dec. 11
“Peter Pan” | Wednesday, Dec. 11-Sunday, Dec. 15 | Times vary | Bass Concert Hall | $15+ | Step into Neverland during this musical directed by Emmy Award winner Lonny Price.
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It’s not just you — it was a hot autumn. Fall 2024 was the warmest in recorded history in Austin with an average temperature of 75.7º, followed by 75.1º in 1931 and 74.6º in 2016. It was also very dry, measuring just 2.64 inches of rain. (KVUE)
Concert
Charli xcx will have you bumpin’ that for two nights, because the singer added a second night to her “BRAT” tour. She’ll now perform on Tuesday, April 22 and Wednesday, April 23 at the Moody Center. Tickets are on sale, starting at $136.
Number
$1 million. That’s how much H-E-B is donating to Austin Habitat for Humanity to fund affordable housing in east Austin. The donation will specifically fund the Persimmon Point project and new homes in Manor’s Whisper Valley. (KUT)
Announced
CLEAR Secure will roll out its new EnVe Pods, which are meant to be five times faster than the typical identity verification process, in Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in 2025. The system will be available to CLEAR Plus customers. (KXAN)
Try This
The team at Birdie’s is gearing up for Bistro Remy — a celebration of Parisian bistro foods — before the restaurant team goes on winter break. The experience will run Tuesday, Dec. 10-Saturday, Dec. 14 + Tuesday, Dec. 17-Saturday, Dec. 21.
Outdoors
Texas’ outdoor recreation economy is worth $55.8 billion, according to a study from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The Lone Star State was third on the list, behind California in first place and Florida in second, with boating and fishing making up the highest percentage of revenue. (KXAN)
Sports
Catcher Kyle Higashioka signed with the Rangers for a two-year deal. Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Texas Rangers with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Tech
Want to turn four-hour tasks into 15-minute wins? Download your free ChatGPT mastery guide for 100 battle-tested prompts you can copy/paste ASAP — no coding required. Plus, the guide explores how to use AI ethically at work.*
Wellness
Discover the secret to hearing every detail with the Horizon IX by hear.com. These discreet, rechargeable hearing aids deliver sound so clear and natural, you’ll forget you’re wearing them. With phone connectivity, award-winning service, and flexible payment options, join the 425,000+ customers who love them.*
Travel
Planning to take your RV on the open road in 2025? Buy coverage online in minutes with Roamly, rated five stars by thousands of RV owners.*
Category
Culture
📍 Put Austin on the map
We’re putting your unofficial historical locations on the map. | Map via Proxi
You’ve submitted your favorites, now it’s time for us to reveal the finalists for the ATXtoday historical marker contest. Check out the nominations below, and don’t forget to vote for your favorite.
The County Line
If you’ve been in Austin long enough, you’ve probably met here with family and friends over the restaurant’s famous ribs. The County Line was submitted by reader Linda C., who called it a “legendary” beer hall and restaurant.
“We Rise” mural
Reader John S. said the mural, located at the intersection of East 12th and Chicon streets, already shows the “beauty and significance of the area, but a historical marker should also be placed there.”
“Jeremiah the Innocent” mural
So loved by the Austin community, Daniel Johnston’s iconic frog mural was saved from demolition when its building was knocked down in 2023.
Voting closes Wednesday, Dec. 11 — so be sure to vote for the historical location you’d love to see recognized for its significance.
Need stocking stuffers for everyone on your list? We’ve got you covered.
🎁 For the skincare aficionado: Laneige’s No. 1 bestselling lip mask in the candy cane flavor. 🎁 For those who eat, sleep, and breath organization: A mini label maker with creative functions and templates. 🎁 For the jewelry-obsessed: A stackable 18K gold plated necklace that you can customize with their initial. 🎁 For those who love to hit the trails: A classic knit beanie to keep their noggin warm while hiking. 🎁 For someone who’s always on the go: A magnetic portable charger that can charge up to four devices at once.
My Christmas tree is up and my house is decked out in twinkling lights. I would love to see your holiday decorations (indoor or outdoor) — send them to me and I might feature them in an upcoming newsletter.
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