The Magic of Lights

When I was five years old, our family embarked on a Christmas trip to Mexico City to spend the Christmas holiday there.  We packed up our family of six with four kids ranging from five to 10 in a camper truck and drove down to Mexico City.  Although I was only five at the time, the Christmas lights that decorated the city buildings left a magical impression on me I will never forget.  

On other Christmas breaks when we stayed closer to home, we would still make a point of driving around and looking at the houses that decorated for the season.  A neighbor just a few houses away from ours owned an electrical company, so their house was always lit up so that you could likely see it from a satellite orbiting the Earth.  

The tradition of Christmas lights is something I enjoy seeing, and it enhances the warm feelings of the holiday.  I miss seeing the “Snowman” house that was on Republic of Texas for so long. My family has made a point of going out at least once during the Christmas holiday, to drive around looking at lights in the neighborhood, and on the evening of Christmas, we have made it a tradition to go to the Zilker Park Tree to spin around underneath.

Here are some area highlights of Christmas lights to consider outside of our neighborhood in the Austin area and around Central Texas:

Of course, there is the drive-thru Trail of Lights in Zilker Park to go to, and then maybe go take a spin under the Zilker Park Tree.  I don’t know if they still have the same neighbors that carry on the tradition, but 37th Street off of Guadalupe has always had a spectacular street show filled with lights and holiday spirit. 

Mozart’s Coffee annual Christmas Light Show is bigger, better and brighter than ever! With their online reservation system you can easily reserve a table or general admission.  Mozart’s has a festival-style Bavarian marketplace open with treats and drinks.

Luminations at the Wildflower Center is a glowing celebration of winter’s natural beauty. Featuring thousands of luminarias, seasonal food and drink, and the light-splashed forts of Fortlandia. 

Circuit of the Americas will host “Peppermint Parkway”. This drive-thru light show will have dancing elves, millions of lights and a walking plaza full of food and activities. Tickets for attending the Peppermint Parkway can be purchased in advance.

Johnson City does an amazing light show called the “Lights Spectacular”.  We went out last year and it was a sight to see! You can venture a little further out of town to Buda where they have their own Buda Trail of Lights for two consecutive weekends in mid-December.  

No matter where you go to enjoy the sights and sounds of the season, it is a wonderful time to slow down and reflect on peace and the true meaning of Christmas.  It is easy to get caught up in the commercial aspect of the holiday, but having a Merry Christmas starts from within as to giving the gift of your time, treasure and talent to those who need it the most.  

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!