Events - 16 Dec 17

The 53rd annual Trail of Lights powered by H-E- B has been announced for Saturday, Dec. 9 and will run through Saturday, Dec. 23.

Since it began in 1965 as a small gathering, the Trail of Lights has grown into one of Austin’s three largest events, attracting more than 400,000 people every year. The annual tradition continues to grow, celebrating the unique character Austin is recognized for across the country. Every holiday season, Zilker Park is transformed into the Trail of Lights with over two million lights, 40 displays, 20+ food trucks, two stages, 30 private holiday parties and interactive experiences throughout the trail.

This year’s official grand opening of the Trail will be on Saturday, Dec. 9 where admission will be free. The Trail will remain open Dec. 10 – 23 with general admission gates open at 7 p.m. every evening. General admission for children under 12 is always free at the Trail of Lights. There will be a general admission fee on seven of the 14 nights of the event. Early entry ZiP Fast Pass, VIP Platinum, parking and shuttle passes are also available for purchase on select nights. Calendars for ticket availability and online ticket purchases will be available in early November at www.AustinTrailofLights.org.

“This is the sixth year that the Trail of Lights Foundation has produced this community event, and we are very proud to offer this unique celebration of all that Austin is known for,” said Trail of Lights Foundation Board President, Leah Davies. “2017’s event is a culmination of a great year, highlighting the people, music, groups, food, technology, charitable organizations and businesses that make Austin the place we love to call home. Visitors will see new modernized displays, interactive environments, Austin’s famous food trucks, local musical talent, movies, local merchants and more.”

Specialty Nights and Programming this year, the Austin Trail of Lights will offer numerous specialty nights leading up to and during the event. Additional specialty nights will be announced as details are available.

– Sunday, Nov. 26: The annual Zilker Tree lighting starts the holiday season off in Zilker Park. Now in its 51st year, the Zilker Tree is the largest man made holiday tree, built around a historic Austin moon tower. Food vendors and other merchants will operate at the tree throughout the month of December. Check the Austin Trail of Lights website for schedules.

– Saturday, Dec. 2: The sixth annual Trail of Lights Fun Run, a 2.1-mile course, starts at the Zilker Tree and takes runners through the iconic Austin Trail of Lights, ending with a celebration in the park. Up to 10,000 runners are expected to participate in two waves. General registrations will begin in mid-September.

– Dec. 3, 4 and 6: The fourth annual STARS at the Trail hosts up to 20 nonprofit organizations for private tours of the Trail. Since 2013, STARS at the Trail has provided an opportunity for more than 2,500 school children, teens, families of varied socioeconomic backgrounds, youth in foster and adoptive care, WWII veterans, mentors and mentees, chronically ill patients and others with unique circumstances to create special holiday memories at the Trail of Lights. For some of these attendees, this trip to the Trail of Lights may be their only holiday experience.

– Tuesday, Dec. 5: Spirit Night, a private night hosted by Spirit 105.9 Radio and numerous area churches, will take place Dec. 5.

– Friday, Dec. 8: Night Lights, the third annual Preview Party will benefit the Trail of Lights Foundation. The event features headline entertainment, food samples from local Austin restaurants and specialty activities not available during the general run of the Trail. Tickets start at $75 per person and will go on sale in early November.

– Sunday, Dec. 10: The fifth annual UT Night will turn the Trail of Lights burnt orange. The evening features special programming, entertainment and private hospitality tickets for University of Texas at Austin students, faculty, staff and alumni.

– Tuesday, Dec. 12: The sixth annual HEROES Night honors first responders—active police, fire and EMS, active military, veterans. Guests will create holiday letters to send to troops and other activities to pay tribute to first responders’ service.

55th annual production presented by the Georgia B. Lucas Foundation Fund
Dec. 8-23 | The Long Center
Choreography: Stephen Mills

Music: Peter Ilyitch Tchaikovsky

Live Accompaniment: Austin Symphony Orchestra

Austin’s favorite holiday tradition returns for its 55th year with all the colorful characters, pomp and pageantry you adore. Journey with young Clara Silberhaus from her family’s holiday party to the confection-filled Court of the Sugar Plum Fairy, where sweets of all kinds come to life. Ballet Austin’s annual production of the world’s best-known ballet features hundreds of dancers, lavish sets and costumes, and the Austin Symphony Orchestra playing Tchaikovsky’s beloved score. It’s the perfect way for family and friends to celebrate the season together!

Dec. 8 7:30 pm

Dec. 9 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm

Dec. 10 2:00 pm

Dec. 15 7:30 pm

Dec. 16 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm

Dec. 17 2:00 pm

Dec. 19 7:30 pm

Dec. 20 7:30 pm

Dec. 21 7:30 pm

Dec. 22 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm

Dec. 23 2:00 pm

This is not your parents’ A Christmas Carol.

Rude Mechs invites you to create a new tradition of drunken revels by coming to play with us and a roomful of your soon-to-be best friends to create a fully produced A Christmas Carol. It’s Dickens’ holiday classic like it’s never been done before. The audience will perform all the parts, and sing all the songs.

Anyone among you could turn out to be the Ghost of Christmas Past.
Find out the true cause of Tiny Tim’s congenital wee-ness.
Drink a toast to a Scrooge in your own life.

And the production is also fully game-i-fied. Those not performing in A Karaoke Christmas Carol, will use their phones to capture photos of the Seven Christmas Miracles, including: A ghost kissing herself, indoor snow or Santa’s Surprise Appearance. The audience member with the best set of photos every night will win a rock solid fruitcake they will be able to pass down for generations.

A Karaoke Christmas Carol is available for private bookings on December 15, 16 and 17. Do it at your office, or your house, or your friend’s house! To book, email boxoffice@rudemechs.com.

WHEN: December 8, 9, 10, 22, 23 at 8:00 p.m.
WHERE: Ground Floor Theatre, 979 Springdale Rd #122, Austin, TX 78702
TICKETS: $25.00