Winter Wonderland Destinations in Austin, Texas, United States

Austin, United States, Austin, Destination & Trip Type Pages, Winter Wonderland Destinations

Winter Wonderland Destinations in Austin, Texas, United States

1. Zilker Holiday Tree

Austin's iconic 155-foot tall tree lit up for the holiday season, featuring more than 39,000 lights.
  • Iconic Symbol: Represents Austin's spirit during the winter season.
  • Light Spectacle: Offers a stunning visual display of lights, attracting thousands of visitors annually.
  • Community Gathering: Serves as a hub for Austin residents to celebrate the holiday season together.

2. Mozart's Coffee Roasters Ice Skating Rink

Austin's only outdoor ice skating rink located in a charming coffee shop setting.
  • Unique Location: Combines ice skating and cafĂ© culture, creating a unique winter experience.
  • Family-friendly Atmosphere: Ideal for families to enjoy quality time together during the holiday season.
  • Live Music Performances: Features live music performances, adding to the festive ambiance.

3. Winter Wonderland at The Circuit of The Americas

A drive-thru winter light spectacular at Austin's world-renowned race track.
  • Large Scale Display: Boasts a massive display of lights and festive decorations covering the entire racetrack.
  • COVID-safe Experience: Ensures a safe, contactless experience for visitors during the pandemic.
  • Charitable Contributions: Proceeds benefit Central Texas food banks and local charities.

4. The Austin Trail of Lights

An annual event featuring over 2 million lights illuminating Zilker Park's trails and attractions.
  • Nature Integration: Blends winter festivities with Austin's beautiful natural landscapes.
  • Local Art and Music: Showcases local artists' work and live music performances.
  • Sustainable Efforts: Emphasizes sustainability by using energy-efficient LED lights and recycling programs.

5. Ballet Austin's Nutcracker

A traditional holiday ballet performance set against the backdrop of Austin's unique culture.
  • Cultural Fusion: Blends classical ballet with contemporary elements, reflecting Austin's diverse artistic scene.
  • Family Entertainment: Offers an enchanting experience for families during the holiday season.
  • Community Impact: Supports Ballet Austin's educational programming, nurturing future generations of dancers.

6. The Drag Show Christmas Spectacular

A lively drag show performance featuring holiday-themed acts and music.
  • Celebration of Diversity: Embraces Austin's vibrant LGBTQ+ community, promoting inclusivity and diversity.
  • Unforgettable Entertainment: Provides a memorable and entertaining experience for visitors of all ages.
  • Charity Fundraising: Proceeds benefit local LGBTQ+ organizations and charities.

7. Austin's Bat Bridge

A unique opportunity to witness the famous bat colony under Austin's South Congress Bridge during winter.
  • Wildlife Observation: Offers visitors a chance to observe the world's largest urban bat colony.
  • Natural Light Show: Provides an extraordinary natural light show as thousands of bats emerge at dusk.
  • Educational Programs: Includes educational programs about the importance and conservation of bat populations.

8. The Austin Trail of Painted Ponies

A community-driven art project featuring decorated ponies displayed throughout Austin during winter.
  • Creative Expression: Encourages artistic expression and creativity within the community.
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure: Serves as a fun scavenger hunt for visitors to discover decorated ponies throughout Austin.
  • Charitable Contributions: Proceeds benefit local children's charities.

9. Magnolia Cafe Holiday Lights

A classic Austin diner known for its festive holiday lights and delicious comfort food.
  • Holiday Tradition: Represents a cherished tradition for many Austin residents during the winter season.
  • Comfort Food and Warm Drinks: Offers delicious comfort food and warm drinks to keep visitors cozy.
  • Community Gathering: Serves as a meeting place for friends, families, and visitors to celebrate the holiday season together.

10. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

A botanical garden featuring winter-blooming plants and festive decorations.
  • Nature Appreciation: Encourages appreciation for native plants and wildlife during the winter season.
  • Seasonal Beauty: Showcases beautiful winter-blooming plants that attract visitors year after year.
  • Educational Programs: Offers educational programs about conservation, sustainability, and wildlife.

11. Austin's Historic Homes Tour

A tour of Austin's beautiful historic homes decked out for the holiday season.
  • Historical Preservation: Promotes the preservation and appreciation of Austin's rich architectural history.
  • Holiday Decorations: Offers a unique opportunity to see historic homes adorned with festive decorations.
  • Guided Tour Experience: Provides an informative and enjoyable guided tour experience.

12. Capital Cruises Holiday Lights Cruise

A boat cruise along Lady Bird Lake to see Austin's holiday light displays from the water.
  • Unique Perspective: Offers a unique perspective of Austin's holiday light displays from the water.
  • Festive Ambiance: Creates a festive and enjoyable atmosphere for visitors.
  • Warm Drinks and Snacks: Includes warm drinks and snacks to keep visitors comfortable during the cruise.

13. The Domain Winter Stroll

An open-air shopping center featuring holiday-themed decorations and entertainment.
  • Shopping Experience: Offers a wide variety of shopping options for visitors.
  • Holiday Entertainment: Provides holiday-themed entertainment, such as ice skating and live music performances.
  • Festive Decorations: Boasts beautiful holiday-themed decorations throughout the shopping center.

14. Blue Genie Art Bazaar

A holiday market showcasing unique handmade art and gifts from local artists.
  • Supporting Local Artists: Supports Austin's vibrant arts community by providing a platform for local artists.
  • Uniquely Handcrafted Gifts: Offers visitors the opportunity to purchase one-of-a-kind, handmade gifts.
  • Holiday Market Experience: Provides a festive and enjoyable holiday market experience for visitors.

15. The Driskill Hotel Gingerbread Competition

A gingerbread competition showcasing stunning, edible creations by local artists and chefs.
  • Artistic Showcase: Showcases the creativity and talent of Austin's artisans and chefs.
  • Festive Atmosphere: Creates a festive and enjoyable atmosphere for visitors.
  • Gingerbread Creation Photos: Allows visitors to take photos with the beautiful, edible creations.