How to get to, from Austin's Trail of Lights this December

Editor's note: The above video is KXAN coverage from Nov. 29, 2022 on the Trail of Lights being named one of the best Christmas lights displays in the country.

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Zilker Park will transform into a winter wonderland this December in commemoration of the 60th year of the Austin Trail of Lights. More than two million lights, 90 holiday trees and over 70 festival displays will illuminate the park, dazzling hundreds of thousands of visitors.

This year's Trail of Lights preview party is slated for Friday, while the event will host its fun run celebration Saturday evening. The grand opening is scheduled for Dec. 10, with the event running through closing night on Dec. 23.

Dec. 10-13 along with Dec. 16-18 will be free nights for the festival. General admission tickets cost $8 for attendees ages 12 and older on paid entry nights. ZIP passes run for $35 a pop, with free ZIP access for children ages 5 and under when attending with a ZIP-ticketed adult.

Platinum passes range between $95 and $495, dependent on group sizes. More details on the specifics behind each ticket type are available online.

Here's what you need to know about parking, rideshare operations and mass transit services to and from this year's event.

Which roads will be closed for the Trail of Lights?

A handful of roads near Zilker Park will be affected due to the Trail of Lights. Stratford Road, Barton Springs Road and the MoPac Frontage Road will be closed during the Dec. 7 fun run from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. and on Trail of Lights nights from 5:15 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Eastbound Ranch-to-Market 2244 will be closed Dec. 7 from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. and on festival nights from 5:15 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Lund Road will be local traffic only from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Dec. 7 and from 5:15 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Trail of Lights nights.

Westbound access will be closed on Rollingwood Drive, while eastbound access will allow right turns only between 4 p.m. and 11 p.m. Dec. 7 and from 5:15 p.m. to 11 p.m. on all other festival nights.

The Austin Transportation and Public Works Department has a complete map online of all planned closures and roadway impacts.

Can I park at Trail of Lights? What about other parking options?

A limited number of pre-purchased parking passes are available at Zilker Park for the Trail of Lights. All on-site parking must be paid for in advance online, and parking is prohibited in surrounding neighborhoods.

Arrival instructions will be provided on the parking pass, and access to pre-paid parking will be available from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on active Trail of Lights nights.

On-site parking passes cost $25 per vehicle in Zilker Park's Polo Field, and $35 per vehicle for surface lot parking at Austin High School.

ADA parking also needs to be purchased in advance online, with Trail of Lights officials adding it is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Those needing it are advised to purchase a regular parking pass for the night they're attending and then follow the parking pass' directions to the traffic check point.

Once there, attendees will display their state-issued handicapped placard or plate and purchased parking pass before being directed to the designated parking area. The ADA entrance is located at Lou Neff Road and Barton Springs Road.

Not looking to park at Zilker, but still searching for nearby options? LAZ Parking is available for purchase at 1221 South MoPac Expressway. One Texas Center Garage, located at 505 Barton Springs Road, has parking available for $10 per car, while the River South Garage at 425 Riverside Drive is offering $5 per hour per vehicle, with a maximum of $20 charged to vehicles parking there.

Trail of Light shuttle operations

Those interested in taking a shuttle to the festivities can purchase a shuttle pass for $8 online, which includes general admission access to the event. The shuttle will run between the Toney Burger Activity Center (located at 3200 Jones Road in south Austin) and Zilker Park on Dec. 14-15 and Dec. 19-23.

CapMetro transit to, from event

For anyone looking to forego driving to and from the Trail of Lights, CapMetro has several routes that can drop off and pick up attendees near Zilker Park. Both the Austin Transportation and Public Works Department and Trail of Lights officials recommended CapMetro Routes 3, 30 and MetroRapid 803 to get to and from the event. For those heading into Austin from further north or out east, the MetroRail's Red Line connects to the downtown station on Fourth Street, and riders can then pick up bus services from there.

CapMetro's Trip Planner tool allows riders to plan their exact trip before heading out to the event.

Rideshare drop-off, pickup zones

Visitors taking an Uber, Lyft or other ride-hailing service are advised to set their pickup and drop-off location as 2107 Veterans Drive. From there, they can take the foot bridge to Stratford Drive, hang left toward the Zilker Tree and end up at the grand entrance.

Biking, walking or scootering resources

The Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail is available for those looking to stroll or bike their way to the Trail of Lights this year. Bike racks will be available across from the Trail of Lights entrance on Barton Springs Road.

Both scooters and bikes aren't permitted inside the festival and must be parked outside. Electric scooters and other motorized vehicles aren't allowed on the hike-and-bike trail — only pedestrians along with manual and electric bikes, per city ordinance.

Want to learn more about the event? Check out the Trail of Lights' FAQ page.