December is when Austin completely changes personalities.

The patios are covered in lights, bars start competing to see who can build the most ridiculous Christmas display, neighborhoods turn their front yards into holiday attractions, and suddenly everybody has an opinion about where to see the best Christmas lights.

This is also the month when you can build an entire night around holiday lights without spending much money.

You can start at 37th Street, drive down to see the Zilker Holiday Tree, stop at Mozart’s for its annual holiday celebration, grab dinner somewhere along the way and finish with drinks at one of Austin’s decorated bars.

And if you’re willing to make a short drive south, San Marcos gives you another holiday option with its annual Sights & Sounds celebration — although 2024 was a little different than previous years.

December 2024 was a particularly interesting holiday season because some longtime traditions were changing while others were staying exactly the same.

So if you want to experience Austin at Christmas, here’s how to do it.

START WITH 37TH STREET

If somebody tells you the most expensive Christmas light display must be the best one, send them to 37th Street.

The 37th Street Lights tradition is one of the most Austin Christmas experiences you can have because it isn’t a commercial attraction.

It’s a neighborhood.

Residents decorate their homes and yards with elaborate, weird, funny and sometimes completely unexplainable displays.

There isn’t a corporate theme.

There isn’t a giant ticket booth.

There isn’t a perfectly coordinated production.

It’s Austin being Austin.

And that’s exactly why people love it.

The display is free, and the decorations are primarily along West 37th Street between Guadalupe and Home Lane in the Hyde Park/North University area.

37TH STREET IS NOT YOUR NORMAL CHRISTMAS LIGHT SHOW

This is one of the most important things to understand.

Don’t expect a synchronized drive-through display.

You’re going to see homemade decorations, elaborate scenes, random objects, political jokes, Christmas characters, lights everywhere and displays that make you stop and wonder how somebody possibly came up with the idea.

That’s the charm.

Every house is different.

And because residents create the displays themselves, the experience changes from year to year.

THE BEST WAY TO DO 37TH STREET

Don’t just drive through as quickly as possible.

Park legally somewhere nearby and walk if conditions allow.

Take your time.

Look at the details.

People put a tremendous amount of work into these displays.

And remember that you’re walking through a residential neighborhood.

Be respectful.

Don’t block driveways.

Don’t trespass.

Don’t park in private lots.

And don’t treat somebody’s front yard like an amusement park.

You’re a guest in their neighborhood.

THE 37TH STREET RULE

Here’s the simple rule:

Go after dark, walk slowly and look closely.

The best parts aren’t always the biggest.

Sometimes the funniest decoration is a tiny detail hidden somewhere in a yard.

THEN HEAD TO ZILKER

After 37th Street, head toward Zilker Park.

The Zilker Holiday Tree is another Austin tradition that should be on everybody’s December list.

The giant tree is created around the historic Zilker Park moonlight tower and becomes one of the city’s most recognizable holiday landmarks.

It’s especially impressive when viewed from below.

And unlike some of the more elaborate commercial Christmas attractions, this is one of those classic Austin traditions that feels connected to the city itself.

DON’T CONFUSE THE TREE WITH THE TRAIL OF LIGHTS

The Zilker Holiday Tree and the Trail of Lights are two different experiences.

The tree is something you can see on its own.

The Trail of Lights is the much larger holiday attraction that takes over Zilker Park.

If you’re already in the area, you can easily make both part of the same holiday outing.

TRAIL OF LIGHTS IS THE BIG ONE

The Austin Trail of Lights remains the city’s signature holiday light event.

For 2024, the Trail of Lights returned to Zilker Park for its traditional run of holiday displays, light tunnels, themed installations, food, entertainment and massive crowds.

If you’ve never been, imagine taking a walk through a giant Christmas-light playground.

That’s basically what it is.

GO TO TRAIL OF LIGHTS WITH A PLAN

The biggest mistake is treating the Trail of Lights like something you can casually show up to without thinking about logistics.

You can’t.

Parking and traffic around Zilker can become a headache.

If you’re going, look at transportation options before you leave.

And give yourself more time than you think you need.

You’re going to stop.

You’re going to take pictures.

You’re going to wait in lines.

You’re going to look at things.

That’s part of the experience.

WHEN TO GO TO TRAIL OF LIGHTS

If you want fewer crowds, don’t automatically pick the most popular weekend night.

Earlier in the run is often better.

Weeknights can also be easier than Friday and Saturday.

And if you don’t care about seeing it at peak darkness, arriving around opening time can help you get ahead of some of the biggest crowds.

The key is understanding that there is no magical night when you’re going to have Zilker Park completely to yourself.

It’s a major Austin Christmas tradition.

People are going to be there.

MOZART’S IS A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE

Now let’s talk about the holiday event that everybody has an opinion about:

Mozart’s Christmas lights.

The longtime Lake Austin coffee shop has been running its holiday lights tradition for decades, making it one of Austin’s best-known Christmas attractions.

But 2024 was different.

And that is something you would absolutely want to know if you were writing about Austin’s holiday season at the time.

MOZART’S CHANGED THE FORMAT IN 2024

For 2024, Mozart’s moved away from its previous reserved-table setup and introduced an expanded time-block format.

General admission was $5 in advance, with children under 11 free.

But the biggest change wasn’t the ticketing.

It was the show itself.

The famous rooftop light display synchronized to Christmas music was not part of the 2024 presentation.

Instead, Mozart’s introduced a new holiday setup featuring a Christmas market, wooden chalets, live music, spiked drinks, immersive igloos and boat rides.

That made 2024 a particularly interesting year to visit.

MOZART’S WAS MORE OF A HOLIDAY FESTIVAL

Rather than simply standing outside and watching the lights, the 2024 experience was designed more like a Christmas village.

You could get coffee.

Get food.

Have a drink.

Listen to live music.

Walk around the market.

Hang out by the lake.

And take in the holiday atmosphere.

That’s an important distinction.

If you were expecting the exact same synchronized show from previous years, you were going to notice the difference.

THE MOZART’S LOCATION IS HALF THE FUN

The Lake Austin setting is one of the reasons Mozart’s works so well during the holidays.

You’re looking over the water.

The weather is usually much better than what you would experience during Austin’s summer.

And the lights create a completely different atmosphere around the lake.

It’s one of those places where you can easily spend more time than you originally planned.

Mozart’s Coffee Roasters is at 3825 Lake Austin Boulevard, and the holiday crowds can make parking especially challenging.

DON’T EXPECT EASY PARKING AT MOZART’S

This is an insider tip worth remembering.

Mozart’s gets extremely busy during the holiday season.

Parking is limited.

Don’t assume you’re going to show up at 7:30 p.m. on a Saturday and find a perfect spot right in front.

Plan ahead.

And don’t park somewhere you’re not supposed to.

A cheap holiday outing can become very expensive if your car gets towed.

THE MOZART’S DATE NIGHT

If you’re going with a date, this is an easy December combination.

Start with dinner.

Go to Mozart’s.

Get coffee or a holiday drink.

Walk around the lights.

Listen to the music.

Then go somewhere else for a nightcap.

It doesn’t have to be complicated.

IF YOU WANT A FREE HOLIDAY NIGHT

This is where Austin gets really good.

You can have a fantastic holiday evening without buying a ticket to a giant Christmas attraction.

Go see 37th Street.

Drive around neighborhoods.

See the Zilker Holiday Tree.

Walk around downtown.

Look at the Capitol.

Find a decorated bar.

Grab tacos.

That’s a full night.

And your biggest expense might be dinner.

DOWNTOWN AUSTIN GETS INTO THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT

December also brings holiday decorations throughout downtown.

The Capitol becomes part of the city’s holiday atmosphere, and the downtown area is an easy place to walk around before or after dinner.

You don’t necessarily need an organized event.

Sometimes walking around downtown with a hot drink is enough.

THE CHRISTMAS BAR SCENE IS GETTING BIGGER

Austin’s holiday bar culture continues to grow.

Some bars go all-in.

Christmas lights everywhere.

Garland.

Trees.

Ornaments.

Holiday cocktails.

Ugly sweaters.

Santa decorations.

And enough Christmas music to make you question your life choices.

But that’s the point.

December is the month when you can embrace it.

LALA’S IS STILL THE ORIGINAL MOVE

If you’re looking for Christmas decorations without needing a special Christmas event, head to Lala’s Little Nugget.

The famous North Austin dive bar keeps its Christmas decorations up all year.

That means December doesn’t technically make it more festive.

But it does make the entire experience feel appropriate.

Get a beer.

Look around.

Take pictures.

Then go somewhere else.

That’s a very Austin Christmas night.

DECEMBER IS ALSO PRIME TIME FOR HOLIDAY COCKTAILS

This is the month when bartenders start getting creative.

Peppermint.

Cranberry.

Cinnamon.

Ginger.

Pomegranate.

Apple.

Bourbon.

Rum.

Tequila.

And way too many drinks served in glasses shaped like Christmas ornaments.

Don’t feel obligated to order the most complicated drink on the menu.

Sometimes a regular margarita is exactly what you need.

DON’T FORGET THE ARMANDILLO CHRISTMAS BAZAAR

If you want something more than lights, the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar is another Austin tradition worth checking out.

It combines holiday shopping with live music and food and has a distinctly Austin feel.

This is a good option if you’re shopping for gifts and don’t want to spend the entire afternoon at a traditional mall.

You can browse local artists and makers, listen to music and grab something to eat.

DECEMBER IS ALSO WHEN YOU SHOULD START LOOKING OUTSIDE AUSTIN

One of the best things about living in Austin is that some of the best holiday experiences are only a short drive away.

San Marcos is a perfect example.

And in 2024, its biggest holiday celebration was a little different.

SIGHTS & SOUNDS WAS DIFFERENT IN 2024

If you’ve attended Sights & Sounds of Christmas in previous years, you might have noticed that 2024 wasn’t the usual multi-day festival.

San Marcos scaled the event back significantly.

Instead of the traditional extended carnival-style Christmas celebration, the 2024 event was presented as a one-day holiday celebration on December 14.

The event included the Jingle Bell 5K, vendors, food, children’s activities, performances, Santa, the Grinch and a Christmas light display.

The Spazmatics were the featured evening entertainment.

THIS IS IMPORTANT IF YOU REMEMBER THE OLD SIGHTS & SOUNDS

Don’t assume the 2024 event was identical to previous years.

It wasn’t.

San Marcos had traditionally promoted Sights & Sounds as a much larger holiday festival with multiple evenings of carnival rides, performances, vendors, food, Santa and lights.

The 2024 version was scaled down.

That actually makes it a fascinating part of the local holiday story.

A longtime Central Texas tradition was adapting to changing circumstances while still giving people a reason to gather for Christmas.

THE 2024 SAN MARCOS EVENT WAS STILL PACKED WITH HOLIDAY STUFF

Even in its smaller format, there was plenty to do.

The day started with the Jingle Bell 5K.

There were vendors throughout the event.

Classic festival food was available.

Kids could decorate cookies.

Local school groups performed.

Santa and the Grinch appeared.

And the evening ended with Christmas lights and live entertainment.

So if you were looking for a holiday day trip from Austin, San Marcos was still worth considering.

MAKE IT A SAN MARCOS DAY TRIP

Here’s the Baller ATX version.

Leave Austin in the morning.

Get breakfast or coffee in San Marcos.

Walk around downtown.

Do some shopping.

Have lunch.

Head toward Plaza Park for the holiday festivities.

Stay for the performances.

Watch the lights.

Then have dinner in San Marcos before heading back to Austin.

It’s easy.

It’s different from Austin.

And you don’t have to make it an overnight trip.

SAN MARCOS HAS A GREAT DOWNTOWN FOR CHRISTMAS

The downtown square and surrounding streets are particularly nice during the holiday season.

You get the small-town Christmas feeling without having to drive several hours into the Hill Country.

And because San Marcos is a college town, you also have plenty of restaurants, bars and coffee shops nearby.

DON’T TURN EVERY HOLIDAY OUTING INTO A HUGE EVENT

This is probably the most important December advice.

You don’t need to buy tickets to five Christmas attractions.

You don’t need to drive an hour to see lights.

You don’t need to spend $200 on a holiday experience.

Pick one big event.

Then mix in free traditions.

That’s how you make December enjoyable without turning Christmas into another monthly bill.

THE PERFECT AUSTIN CHRISTMAS LIGHTS NIGHT

Here’s my favorite combination:

Start at 37th Street.

Walk around.

Take pictures.

Then head downtown.

Drive past the Capitol.

Go toward Zilker.

See the Holiday Tree.

If you have tickets, go to the Trail of Lights.

Then head to Mozart’s.

Get coffee or a holiday drink.

Finish with late-night tacos.

That’s a full Austin Christmas night.

THE CHEAPEST VERSION

If you’re on a budget:

37th Street.

Zilker Holiday Tree.

Downtown lights.

Drive through decorated neighborhoods.

Grab inexpensive food.

Then go home.

You don’t have to spend anything on an admission ticket.

THE DATE-NIGHT VERSION

Dinner.

Mozart’s.

Holiday drinks.

Lake Austin views.

Christmas lights.

Live music.

Then a cocktail bar.

Easy.

THE FAMILY VERSION

Start early.

37th Street.

Zilker Holiday Tree.

Trail of Lights.

Hot chocolate.

Dinner.

Home.

Kids will probably fall asleep before you get there.

That’s a bonus.

THE FRIENDS VERSION

Start with dinner.

Go to a holiday-decorated bar.

Drive around looking at lights.

Stop at 37th Street.

Get tacos.

Go to another bar.

Take ridiculous Christmas pictures.

Go home.

That’s December.

DON’T FORGET ABOUT CHRISTMAS MUSIC

Austin is a music city.

So obviously the holidays aren’t complete without live Christmas music.

Look for holiday concerts at local venues, churches, theaters and bars.

Some will be traditional.

Some will be completely ridiculous.

Some will be Austin.

Go to the one that sounds the most interesting.

DECEMBER IS ALSO PRIME PEOPLE-WATCHING SEASON

You can learn a lot about Austin during December.

You have families at the Trail of Lights.

College students home for winter break.

Tourists.

Locals.

People dressed as Santa.

People dressed as Santa who have clearly had too many drinks.

People taking Christmas-card photos.

People who have absolutely no interest in Christmas.

That’s the city.

THE BALLER ATX DECEMBER CHECKLIST

See 37th Street Lights.

Visit the Zilker Holiday Tree.

Go to the Trail of Lights.

Check out Mozart’s.

Remember that Mozart’s 2024 show was different from previous years.

Visit a Christmas-decorated bar.

See the Capitol at night.

Go to the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar.

Take a holiday drive through Austin neighborhoods.

Make a San Marcos day trip.

Check out the 2024 Sights & Sounds celebration.

Eat tacos somewhere along the way.

Drink something festive.

And don’t spend your entire Christmas budget on one night.

THE BEST PART OF DECEMBER IN AUSTIN

The best holiday experiences aren’t always the biggest ones.

Sometimes it’s walking down 37th Street and seeing a weird decoration you’ve never noticed before.

Sometimes it’s sitting at Mozart’s with a coffee while looking over Lake Austin.

Sometimes it’s standing under the Zilker Holiday Tree.

Sometimes it’s watching kids meet Santa at a neighborhood event.

Sometimes it’s driving around with Christmas music playing and looking at houses covered in lights.

And sometimes it’s just having a beer at a bar that’s completely covered in Christmas decorations.

You don’t need a huge production.

Austin already has plenty of traditions.

DECEMBER IS ABOUT TRADITION — AND CHANGE

That’s what made the 2024 holiday season particularly interesting.

Some traditions stayed exactly the same.

37th Street kept doing its weird neighborhood Christmas.

The Zilker Holiday Tree remained an Austin landmark.

Trail of Lights continued bringing huge crowds to Zilker.

But other traditions changed.

Mozart’s completely changed the format of its holiday lights experience.

San Marcos scaled Sights & Sounds back to a one-day celebration.

And new holiday bars, markets and pop-up experiences continued appearing throughout Central Texas.

That’s how Austin works.

The city changes constantly.

But somehow, the traditions survive.

THE FINAL BALLER ATX DECEMBER PLAN

Don’t spend the entire month sitting at home waiting for Christmas.

Pick a night.

Get your friends together.

Start with dinner.

Go see the lights.

Find a holiday bar.

Get a drink.

Take pictures.

Listen to music.

Then grab something to eat before going home.

Do something different the next weekend.

Maybe San Marcos.

Maybe Trail of Lights.

Maybe 37th Street.

Maybe just drive around looking at decorations.

December in Austin doesn’t require a complicated itinerary.

You just need to get out of the house.

Because once January arrives, the lights come down, the Christmas music disappears and everybody starts complaining about how quickly the year went.

So enjoy it.

**Get a hot chocolate.

Find the lights.

Take the pictures.

And make December in Austin feel like December.**