The final days of December in Austin usually bring a lull—Trail of Lights has wrapped, major markets have closed, and most holiday activities have ended. But one iconic tradition continues to shine: the Zilker Holiday Tree, lit nightly through January 1, 2026. For families looking for a festive, free New Year’s week activity, this is Austin’s last major holiday event still running, and the most current dates and logistics are always listed on the City of Austin’s official Zilker Holiday Tree information page.

The 155‑foot display stands over Zilker Metropolitan Park, wrapped around one of the city’s historic Moonlight Towers. With 3,309 LED bulbs spiraling toward a 10‑foot double star, it remains the city’s most accessible and budget‑friendly holiday outing, and the City provides additional facts about the Zilker Moontower and Tree for visitors who love a little history with their photos.

Essential details:
• Location: Zilker Park, 2100 Barton Springs Road (see Visit Austin’s Zilker Park overview for first‑time visitors)
• Hours: Nightly through January 1, 6 PM to 10 PM (confirm on the Austin Parks and Recreation events calendar)
• Cost: Free
• Parking: Free paved‑lot parking December 24–January 1 on a first‑come basis; rideshare drop‑off available along Stephen F. Austin Drive
• Best arrival time: 6–7 PM for families, 7–8 PM for optimal photos

If you’d rather skip parking altogether, Capital Metro’s trip planner for buses to Zilker Park can help you map out an easy transit route from anywhere in the city.

The tree’s history stretches back to 1967 when Emma Long lit it for the first time, with the only dark year occurring in 1973 during the national energy crisis. Since then, the tree has become one of Austin’s most stable holiday traditions—one of the few that families can count on even after Christmas, a legacy explored in more depth in this feature on the Zilker Holiday Tree tradition since 1967.

Insider intelligence:
• Visit on weekdays between December 29 and January 1 for quieter evenings now that Trail of Lights traffic has ended.
• The spiral pattern photographs best after 7 PM when the sky is fully dark.
• For families with younger kids, a 6–7:30 PM visit aligns well with bedtime routines.
• Enter from Mopac or eastbound Barton Springs to avoid turnarounds.

If your crew is also planning next season’s outings, Visit Austin keeps an updated official Austin holiday events guide and a family‑focused roundup of holiday things to do in Austin.

Related reads from our recent coverage:
• Inside Austin’s Trail of Lights at 60: The Insider Guide to the City’s Oldest Holiday Tradition – a deep dive into how the Trail has evolved since its earliest days, complemented by the official Trail of Lights site and Visit Austin’s overview and history.
• Inside Peppermint Parkway at COTA: Austin’s Only Full Christmas‑Week Mega Experience – our guide to the drive‑through spectacle that runs right up to Christmas.
• Inside Austin’s Rooftop & Lakeside Ice‑Skating: The Insider Guide to the City’s Last Outdoor Wellness Experience of the Holiday Season – for families who want to pair the Tree with one more active outdoor outing.
• Inside Miraval Austin’s New Moon Retreat: The Last‑Chance ‘Season of Inner Light’ Experience Ending This Weekend – a very different kind of “light” tradition for those craving a quieter reset after the holidays.
• Inside Graham Reynolds Ruins the Holidays: The Insider Guide to Austin’s Most Subversive Seasonal Performance – for anyone who likes their seasonal traditions with a side of irreverence.

Primary sources:
• Official Zilker Holiday Tree information from the City of Austin
• Austin Parks and Recreation events listings
• Zilker Holiday Tree dates and visitor info (event guide)