Peppermint Parkway at Circuit of The Americas isn’t just another holiday light show—it’s the only full-scale Christmas attraction still running in Austin through December 28, and it delivers more entertainment options in one place than any other seasonal event in the city. From the new Circuit Breaker roller coaster to millions of synchronized lights, a full Christmas village, games, treats, and character meet‑and‑greets, this is Austin’s last major holiday experience still active during Christmas week. You can scan the official Peppermint Parkway event details for the latest overview of everything on-site.
Peppermint Parkway at Circuit of The Americas
$$WHAT TO EXPECT
Peppermint Parkway blends a theme‑park vibe with a walkable holiday festival. Families can stroll through the Christmas Village, ride coasters, snap photos with Santa, or add a 25‑mph lap around the F1 track for a uniquely Austin thrill. The event is held at Circuit of The Americas, 9201 Circuit of The Americas Blvd; check the map and directions to Circuit of The Americas before you head out. For more context on how this stacks up against other local favorites, see Visit Austin’s overview of Peppermint Parkway.
Think of Peppermint Parkway as a hybrid between a small theme park and a walkable lights festival—plan time for both rides and the Christmas Village instead of just treating it as a quick photo stop.
HOURS AND DATES
Monday–Friday: 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Saturday–Sunday: 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Track laps: 6:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Runs nightly through December 28.
For exact 2025 operating dates and the current walk‑through format, check the 2025 Peppermint Parkway walk‑through experience info.
Hours, ride availability, and the walk‑through format can shift with weather and other events at COTA—always confirm the latest plan on the official site before you drive out.
TICKETS AND OPTIONS
• Parkway admission
• Track Lap: $35
• Circuit Breaker ride add‑ons, including Express Pass
• Mini Golf add‑on
Kids 2 and under enter free. Review current Peppermint Parkway ticket options and add‑ons before you go—especially if you’re planning to bundle Track Laps, karting, or mini golf.
Ride bundles and Track Laps sometimes sell out or shift in price as dates fill up. If you know you want the Track Lap or Express Pass, lock those in when you buy your Parkway admission.
ATTRACTIONS
• Circuit Breaker: A new tilt coaster and the event’s star attraction
• Big Apple Coaster (“Wacky Worm”)
• Super Slide, Speedway, Turn and Burn
• Peppermint Express holiday train
• COTA Karting
• Mini golf
• Zipline
• Millions of synchronized lights and dancing holiday characters
• Full Christmas Village market with local artisan gifts
Prioritize Circuit Breaker, the Peppermint Express train, and your Track Lap window first—then circle back for repeat rides, mini golf, and shopping once the must‑dos are checked off.
For a deeper breakdown of rides, the Plaza, and how the Track Lap fits into the experience, COTA has an insider guide from Circuit of The Americas. If you want to make a full day out of it, you can also browse general COTA venue information for other activities on-site, including COTA Karting details and the broader events calendar.
If you’re building a whole holiday itinerary, pair Peppermint Parkway with other seasonal standouts still running, like the hidden holiday pop‑ups locals are just now discovering or daytime programming at the French Legation’s December events.
FOOD AND TREATS
Food stalls offer holiday snacks, warm drinks, and classic festival options. If you’re planning a full night out, you can also look at Austin’s insider guide to Christmas Eve & Day dining for nearby restaurant ideas before or after your visit.
INSIDER INTELLIGENCE
• Go on a weeknight before 9 PM for almost zero wait times on major rides.
• Circuit Breaker cycles quickly—ask for a middle or back seat for the best forces.
• The front row brakes early toward the final turns and feels slower.
• Lines spike around 9 PM, especially on weekends.
• Texas Wildcat is on‑site but not yet open; don’t expect it to operate this season.
• The Drive‑Through Track Lap is one of the best-value upgrades and rarely sells out.
For minimal waits, aim for a weeknight visit and hit Circuit Breaker before 9 PM—then slide into a Track Lap window between 6:30–8:30 PM when crowds are still light.
Expect lines to grow noticeably after 9 PM on weekends, especially for Circuit Breaker and the Track Lap queue. If you’re arriving late, budget extra time or consider an Express Pass.
Texas Wildcat is physically on‑site but not operating yet. Plan your evening around Circuit Breaker and the existing ride lineup instead of banking on Texas Wildcat opening this season.
On Circuit Breaker, the middle and back rows deliver stronger airtime and forces than the front row, which brakes earlier near the end of the course.
For more planning nuance—parking intel, ride logistics, and how the Track Lap works with the rest of the park—COTA’s insider guide from Circuit of The Americas is worth a skim.
WHY IT’S A MUST THIS WEEK
With other major holiday attractions wrapping—Trail of Lights ended December 23, Armadillo Christmas Bazaar ended December 21—Peppermint Parkway is now the city’s biggest remaining Christmas experience for families looking to fill December 24–28. If you want a point‑by‑point comparison, you can revisit our coverage of the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar’s return and our night at Mozart’s Festival of Lights on the lake. For anyone still squeezing in one last show or performance this week, Austin’s guide to every Nutcracker production this December is also a useful cross‑reference.
Trail of Lights and Armadillo Christmas Bazaar are already closed for the season. If you still want a big holiday lights experience between December 24–28, Peppermint Parkway is your last large‑scale option in Austin.
- Unique F1 Track Lap experience
- New Circuit Breaker coaster
- Walkable Christmas Village with lights and characters
- Kid-friendly rides and train
- Still running through December 28
- Lines can spike after 9 PM on weekends
- Some rides (like Texas Wildcat) not yet open
- Outdoor setting can be cold or windy
- Requires a drive out to COTA
For families and coaster fans trying to squeeze in one last big holiday outing, Peppermint Parkway at COTA is the strongest all‑in‑one option left on the calendar—especially if you time your visit for a weeknight and add the Track Lap.
Peppermint Parkway remains the final large‑scale winter lights and entertainment experience still open this season. For families, visiting between December 24 and December 28 is a rare chance to enjoy a major holiday attraction without the early‑December crowds. You can always double‑check full Peppermint Parkway attraction lists and any last‑minute updates directly from the organizers before you drive out.
Related Austin Data
Inside Peppermint Parkway at COTA: Austin’s Only Full Christmas‑Week Mega Experience
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