Thanksgiving is done and now it's officially time to move on to the holiday season, and that means lights. Lots of lights.

There are, in fact, so many light displays in and near Austin, it can be hard to keep them all straight. So here's a list of the 20 best holiday light events and attractions in Austin and nearby. Grab some hot cocoa, throw on some Mariah, and get started on the most wonderful time of the year, today.

In Austin

37th Street Lights
December 13 through January 1 — 37th St. and Guadalupe
These self-proclaimed "weirdest lights you'll see this holiday season" have been going strong in Austin since about the mid-80s. It started out as a simple neighborhood tradition and over the years has become something of a tourist attraction. Expect lights, pieces of cars, and other odd finds to create an art-exhibit-meets-holiday-light-show that is very Austin. The event is free, but donations are accepted and appreciated. The lights typically stay on from sunset to about 10 pm, or sometimes later. Pedestrian traffic only.

Visitors at the 37th Street Lights on the way to the Stuffed Animal Petting Zoo. Photo from 37th Street Lights Facebook page

Domain Northside Holiday Display
November 24 to December 25 — 11410 Century Oaks Terrace
Just across from The Apple store at The Domain there will is a Holiday Tree Light Show on "The Lawn." This show will happen each hour between 5 and 9 pm Mondays through Fridays; between noon and 9 pm on Saturdays; and noon and 6 pm on Sundays. If you're looking for something to do on Christmas Eve or Day, this light show will keep running through the holiday, and bonus points, admission is free.

Downtown Austin Holiday Stroll and Tree Lighting
December 7 — Congress Ave. downtown
From 5-9 pm along Congress Avenue, between 8th and 11th Streets, you can join KUT, KUTX, and the Downtown Austin Alliance for their 30th annual tree lighting ceremony. This free, family-friendly event will also include a "sing-along and stroll," artisan vendors, food trucks, photos with Santa, and more. The tree, located at the Capitol, will be up and lit through the holidays.

The Light Park
November 24 to January 5 — 3400 E Palm Valley Blvd, Round Rock, TX
For those looking to stay in the car for their holiday lights, The Light Park in Round Rock is a good option. This mile-long, drivable stretch includes lights synchronized to a musical mix by DJ Polar Ice. Tickets are priced $49 and up, and the prices are per vehicle. So pack in your family and friends, and check out this ravey little lightshow in North Austin.

Longhorn Lights by UT
November 24 to January 1 — The Drag, UT Campus
This is UT's second annual Longhorn Lights, a holiday light show made up of nine miles of orange and white twinkling lights. The lights run along Guadalupe Street between 21st and 24th (also known as The Drag), and are free and open to the public from 5-10 pm every day. The stars of the show are 24 giant oak trees strewn with lights that are synchronized to match music from the Longhorn Band.

Luminations at the Wildflower Center
November 22 to January 5 — 4801 La Crosse Ave.
The Wildflower Center is bringing back its gorgeous light show, Luminations, and this year it's better than ever with new light installations and a new location on the grounds. This interactive light display will feature designs by APM Designs, ASA Designs, Cicada Designs, Dada Labs, Holiday Lighting Designs, and Ion Art Designs. Funds from the lightshow will go toward supporting the Wildflower Center in its off-season and benefitting its conservation work. Tickets are $18 for youth; $28 for adults.

A previous year's display at the Wildflower Center's Luminations.Photo from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Facebook page

Mobile Loaves & Fishes presents Community First! Village of Lights
December 6, 7, and 13 — Community First! Village, 9301 Hog Eye Rd Suite 950
Mobile Loaves and Fishes' Community First! presents its Village of Lights. This light show will feature thousands of lights, all choreographed to holiday music. The event will also include a holiday market with unique, handcrafted gifts made by residents of the Community First! Village. Classic Christmas movies will be featured in the Community Cinema, food and drinks will be available for purchase, and Santa will even make an early visit to the Village. Admission is free.

Mozart's Festival of Lights
November 29 to January 4 — 3825 Lake Austin Blvd.
Mozart's Festival of Lights seems to get bigger each year, and this year is no exception. This year will feature "over a million twinkling lights," according to the website, as well as holiday markets, sweet treats, live entertainment, Lake Austin boat cruises for up to 22 guests, guided donut boats, private light "euro igloos," barbecue from Salt Lick, and of course, Mozart's famous hot chocolate. The event will run every day except for Christmas, and tickets range from $5 to over $200, depending on what you want to do there.

Peppermint Parkway at Circuit of the Americas
November 22 to December 29 — 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd, Del Valle
Circuit of the Americas is now officially a holiday wonderland through December 29. There you can find carnival rides, holiday and fair foods, a holiday market, a mile of drive-through lights, and live music. The event is split into two sections: The Parkway, where you can drive through the lights, and the Peppermint Plaza, including rides, the market, and entertainment. Tickets start at $45, but check the website. There are special deals on certain dates for teachers, military, students, and more.

Zilker Trail of Lights
December 10-23 — Zilker Park
When we think of "holiday lights," many of us probably think of this iconic event, which has been going on at Zilker for 60 years now. The Trail of Lights will feature more than 2 million lights, 90 holiday trees, over 70 holiday displays, and of course, the giant Christmas Tree nearby, which you must spin under. It's worth noting that the Trail of Lights is now pedestrian-friendly only, again, after it went car-friendly during The Pandemic. General Admission tickets are $8 for adults, and children under 11 get in free with an adult ticket.

A magical archway of lights leads you deeper into the Zilker Trail of Lights. Photo from trailoflights.org

Near Austin

Bastrop River of Lights
November 29 to January 6 — June Hill Pape Riverwalk, Bastrop
The June Hill Pape River of Lights is just one of many holiday events within the Lost Pines Christmas display. This free light show starts at dusk and is down the steps west of the intersection of Main and Pine Streets, or you can use the fully accessible entrance at Fisherman's Park on Farm Street. Be sure to check out the other holiday events at visitbastrop.com.

These colorful steps lead down to the River of Lights display in Bastrop. Photo from visitbastrop.com

Budafest Parade
December 7 at 6:30 pm — Main Street, Downtown Buda
This holiday parade has been going on in Buda for 44 years. The parade is made up of individuals, businesses, and families all marching, driving, biking, and otherwise traveling down Main Street in downtown Buda. Vehicles in this parade will be lit up and decorated for the holidays, and will start ambling down Main Street at 6:30 pm. Other festivities include vendors, a "reindog" parade for the pups, fake snow to play in, pictures with Santa, foods and drinks, a carnival, and live entertainment.

Christmas on Mercer in Dripping Springs
November 30 and December 7 — Mercer Street, Downtown Dripping Springs
On Saturday, December 7, the city of Dripping Springs will host a holiday festival from 10 am to 5 pm with artisan vendors, food, live music, and children's activities.

Georgetown Lighting of the Square
November 29 to January 1 — 710 Main Street, Georgetown
From November 29 through January 1, downtown Georgetown will come to life with thousands of twinkling lights. To kick off the beginning of the holiday season, the city will host live entertainment, late-night store openings, visits with Santa himself, and the Uptown Carolers at 6 pm on November 29, on Main Street, just next to the Williamson County Courthouse.

Lakeway Trail of Lights
December 6 to January 1— 105 Cross Creek, Lakeway
Lakeway's free Trail of Lights will run from December 6 through January 1. This event is free, self-guided, and family-friendly. Dogs, bikes, and skateboards aren't allowed. It will be open from 6 pm until midnight nightly, including Christmas.

Lights Spectacular in Johnson City
November 29 to January 5 — Main Street, Memorial Park, and PEC headquarters, Johnson City
The "Twinkliest Town in Texas" is about a 50-minute drive from Austin, out in Johnson City. This free light display is so bright, apparently, NASA can see it from space, says the event's website. The lights drape the old buildings surrounding the square and giant oak trees, making for a very whimsical display. The city encourages guests to show up before dusk to walk the square and enjoy local food, drinks, and festivities.

Johnson City's Light Spectacular display as seen from above. Photo from lightspectacular.com

Lockhart's a Christmas to Remember
December 6 and 7 — Downtown Lockhart
On December 6, head out to Lockhart to watch the lighting of the giant Christmas tree, just in front of the courthouse. Then on December 7, enjoy free, family-friendly holiday fun at the Dr. Eugene Clark Library, including a lighted parade in the evening. Entertainment will include several choirs and bands from local schools, photos with Santa, fire dancers, and even a visit from Elvis himself.

Marble Falls Light Up Parade
December 6 at 6 pm — Downtown Marble Falls
This is the 34th year that downtown Marble Falls will be going all out for Christmas. This year, the Christmas Light Up Parade will move through downtown Marble Falls starting at 6 pm on December 6. Anyone and everyone is invited to participate in the parade with powered floats, decorated vehicles, horses — some people also march or walk. The best float will win a prize!

Santa's Ranch in New Braunfels
November 1 to January 4 — 9561 I-35 North New Braunfels
From November 1 through January 4, Santa's Ranch in New Braunfels will boast millions of twinkling lights and holiday displays, spread out across a mile of winding country roads. This vehicle-friendly light display will also include drive-thru hot cocoa, kettle corn, and snacks. So you and your family can put on some Christmas tunes, and take a drive through a winter wonderland. Tickets start at $37 per car.

This car-friendly lights display includes a drive-thru so you can grab snacks like cocoa and kettle corn. Photo from Santa's Ranch-Drive thru Christmas Light Park Facebook page