23 October . 2024
Our holiday event guide to Lakeway, Lake Travis, Austin and the Hill Country
Get ready for the holidays with our guide to festive events all around Sweetwater. One of the best things about our location, where Austin meets the Hill Country, is that we’re only a short sleigh ride from holiday events in Austin and the Hill Country, not to mention in Lakeway, Bee Cave and Spicewood.
Here are our top picks for holiday fun. Many are free, while some require tickets. Please check the links provided to confirm dates and admission policies – and enjoy!
Bee Cave on Ice
One of the earliest holiday activities rolling out near Sweetwater, Bee Cave on Ice starts Nov 15 and skates away on Jan. 5. Presented by the City of Bee Cave and Hill Country Galleria, this event is open seven days a week. Some walk-ups will be available, but reservations are highly encouraged. Tickets are $15 and include skate rental and a 60-minute skate session. Before or after hitting the rink, you can enjoy holiday shopping and dining at one of Austin’s liveliest shopping and entertainment centers, located just a few miles from Sweetwater.
Holiday Arts Market
Find one-of-a-kind hand-crafted gifts made by local artisans at the Holiday Arts Market at the Hill Country Galleria. The market will be open Fridays and Saturdays over three weeks in December, including Dec. 6-7, Dec. 13-14 and Dec. 20-21. There’ll be a rotating lineup of vendors, so you’ll be sure to find something unique each week. Located in the Galleria’s Central Plaza, the market will be surrounded by holiday music, decorations and the popular Bee Cave on Ice rink.
Lights On! in Lakeway
One of Lakeway’s most cherished annual traditions, Lights On! takes place Fri., Dec. 6, beginning at 6 p.m. The festivities are at the City Hall parking lot, at the corner of Sailmaster and Lohman's. Have fun decorating cookies, roasting marshmallows, listening to live Christmas music and playing reindeer games with the family. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be nearby to 'plug in' the Trail of Lights display and speak to the kids. Food trucks will be on hand with s’mores and other seasonal treats. Lights On! is the kickoff for the Trail of Lights, which glows through Jan. 1.
Trail of Lights in Lakeway
Trail of Lights kicks off Dec. 6 with the aforementioned Lights On! event and continues nightly from 6 p.m. until midnight, every night through January 1. Stroll through thousands of twinkling lights along the glimmering trail. There are two access points. One is from the lower parking lot of the Lakeway Activity Center, at 105 Cross Creek. The other is City Hall Parking lot, 1102 Lohmans Crossing Road. Handicapped and stroller access is available from this second access point.
Lake Travis Lighted Boat Parade West
Don’t miss the ninth annual Lake Travis Lighted Boat Parade, sailing the lake from 6-10 p.m. on Saturday, December 2. The organizers note: “There are a few public places to watch the parade go by including Lakeway Resort and Spa on the south shore. Call Lakeway Resort prior to the event to ask about the cost associated with their watch party.”
Hill Country
Sweetwater’s location makes the Hill County an easy day (or night) trip to enjoy the many small-town holiday traditions in cities like Marble Falls and Johnson City. Here are a few of our Hill Country favorites.
In Marble Falls, stroll through 2 million twinkling lights and over 350 lighted sculptures in Lakeside Park in the 34th annual Walkway of Lights from Nov. 22 through Jan. 4. The lights reflecting off Lake Marble Falls offer a truly magical experience. Other Marble Falls events include a Winter Ice Skating Rink at Lakeside Park, also open from Nov. 22 to Jan. 4.
The Lights Spectacular in Johnson City is billed as one of the largest light displays in the nation, with more than one million twinkling lights around the historic courthouse and this quaint town along the Pedernales River. Hayrides and carriage rides are available, and lamplight tours of President Lyndon Baines Johnson’s Boyhood Home are offered on Saturday evenings. Now in its 35th year, this spectacular display lights up the Hill Country from Nov. 29 through Jan. 5.
In Dripping Springs, Christmas on Mercer is an all-day holiday celebration on Saturday, December 7. It features arts and crafts vendors, food, live music, photos with Santa at Santa’s Workshop, and kids’ activities. Evening events include the annual Lighting on the Tree ceremony, caroling and more.
Greater Austin
The Trail of Lights, Austin’s brightest holiday tradition, takes place in Zilker Park from December 10-23. Now in its 60th year, what started as a small Yule Fest has grown into Austin’s top three annual events, with 2 million twinkling lights, 90 lighted holiday trees and more than 70 other holiday displays and lighted tunnels. There’s also live music, community performances, food and festivities on every evening.
Luminations is a strollable winter tradition at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. This year’s celebration spans their Central Gardens, offering a chance to explore the Fortlandia art exhibition. Food and drink options will be available for purchase. It’s open on select evenings from Nov. 22 through Jan. 5.
Austin’s famous Armadillo Christmas Bazaar returns back inside the Palmer Events Center for the first time in several years. From Dec. 14-23, the Bazaar is a one-of-a-kind shopping destination for fine arts and crafts, featuring national and local award-winning artist. It’s a holiday event that’s been a destination for art, music and counterculture since 1976.
Holiday events at The Long Center include a traditional ballet performance of The Nutcracker, plus new favorites including Graham Reynolds Ruins the Holidays, and The Nightmare Before Christmas with the Austin Symphony Orchestra. Check out the calendar for dates and ticket information.