By Havilah Crider, Broker & Owner of Crider Realty | Updated November 11, 2026
The holiday's are officially here! The first Christmas outing of the year can be as simple as handing the kids a hot chocolate and letting them pick their favorite light display. If you’re looking for Christmas things to do in Austin with kids, you can start the weekend before Thanksgiving with glowing garden paths in South Austin or a lakeside light show. By December, there’s a free sing-along on Congress Avenue, a parade down Main Street in Buda, and a night of warm spiced cider in New Braunfels.
As a Buda mom and Central Texas real estate broker, I’d put three things on the calendar first. Start with Luminations in November, pick a free weeknight at the Austin Trail of Lights, and save December 5 for the Budafest parade if you want a small-town Christmas night. Here’s how to plan those outings and seven more, with official event links for tickets and schedules.
Christmas events in Austin for kids
1. Luminations at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
November 20–December 31 on select evenings · South Austin · $30 adults, $20 ages 3–12, free ages 2 and under
The garden paths light up after dark, and kids can see the Fortlandia installations in a whole different setting. This is my November pick for families who like to explore at their own pace. Grab the 5:45 p.m. entry if you want to start early, especially with little kids. Reserve timed tickets in advance and check the parking options when you book. Luminations tickets and dates
2. Mozart’s Festival of Lights on Lake Austin
November 21–January 3 · 3825 Lake Austin Boulevard · Ticketed
There’s something especially Christmassy about drinking cocoa by the water while the lights move to music. Mozart’s synchronized show returns for 2026, alongside live holiday entertainment. Check the ticket options before booking so you can choose the experience that fits your family. I’d pick this for a Thanksgiving-weekend outing with visiting grandparents. Mozart’s Festival of Lights
3. Holiday Sing-Along & Stroll on Congress Avenue
Saturday, December 5 · Downtown Austin · Free
If your kids know every word to “Jingle Bells,” take them downtown for the 6 p.m. sing-along. There’s live music, local food, and a tree lighting at the Texas Capitol. For a manageable evening with younger kids, make the sing-along and tree lighting your main plan and leave room to wander if everyone’s still having fun. Downtown Austin Holiday Sing-Along & Stroll
4. Ballet Austin’s The Nutcracker at the Long Center
December 4–23 on select dates · Long Center · Ticketed
This is the outing I’d pick for a dress-up afternoon with a child who loves dance or live theater. Ballet Austin has several 2 p.m. matinees, including Saturday and Sunday performances. The show runs about two hours with intermission, so pick a time when your child usually has the energy to sit through a performance. Ballet Austin performance schedule
5. Austin Trail of Lights at Zilker Park
December 10–23 · Zilker Park · General admission 7–10 p.m.
If you do one big Christmas light display in Austin, make it Zilker. Give each kid a job on the walk: spot the funniest display, pick a favorite, or choose where everyone stops for a family photo. General admission is free for all ages December 10, 11, and 13–17. On December 12 and 18–23, it’s $8 for ages 12 and up, with applicable fees. I’d circle Tuesday, December 15, for a free weeknight and decide on parking or a shuttle before heading out. Austin Trail of Lights admission and hours
Christmas events in Buda
6. Budafest in Downtown Buda
December 4–6 · Downtown Buda and Buda City Park · Free festival admission
Budafest is the outing I’d choose for a classic Main Street Christmas. The tree lighting is Friday, December 4, at 6:30 p.m. The lighted parade and fireworks are Saturday, December 5, starting at 6:30 p.m. There’s a carnival, a weekend vendor market, and free Santa photos during the festival. For an easier outing with little kids, go for daytime festivities and Santa. If the parade is the main event, eat dinner early and get downtown with time to find a spot on Main Street. Budafest schedule
7. Buda Holiday Lights at Historic Stagecoach Park
December 10–12 and 17–19, 6–9 p.m. · Historic Stagecoach Park · Free
Walk through the decorated park at your own pace, stop for a snack, and look for Santa. The city also lists a sensory-friendly evening on December 16 from 5–7 p.m., with designated quiet spaces. There’s no event parking at the park, so check the city’s shuttle details before you go. Buda Holiday Lights schedule and parking · Holidays in Buda
Christmas events in Kyle
8. Holiday on the Square and Santa’s Arrival
December 3–6 · Downtown Kyle · Family Night Friday, December 4, 5:30–9 p.m.
If Santa is the whole point for your kids, Friday is the night to go. Start with crafts at the Krug Activity Center, then head toward the square. Santa’s ride begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by the tree lighting and family photos with Santa. The 6:30 time is when his ride starts, so get there early enough to enjoy the crafts and find a spot before he arrives. City of Kyle Holiday on the Square schedule
Christmas events in New Braunfels
9. Downtown Lighting & Santa’s Arrival
Friday, November 20, 6–9 p.m. · Main Plaza · Free Santa photos
If your kids start asking about Christmas as soon as Halloween is over, this is their night. Downtown New Braunfels turns on its holiday lights, Santa arrives, and you can browse the Holiday Haus Vendor Market. I’d make it an early dinner downtown followed by the lights and a Santa photo. City of New Braunfels Downtown Lighting
10. Wassailfest in Downtown New Braunfels
Thursday, December 3, 6–9 p.m. · Main Plaza · Free
Wassailfest is a good reason to spend an evening downtown, especially with kids who like tasting something new. Local businesses and community groups offer samples of their own recipes for warm spiced holiday punch, and local school choirs perform. Ask which samples are alcohol-free for the kids, then have everyone vote on their favorite. City of New Braunfels Wassailfest details
A simple Christmas plan for your family
For a November kickoff, I’d choose Luminations. For a free December weeknight, I’d do the Austin Trail of Lights on December 15. And for a Saturday that feels like a small-town Christmas, I’d go to the Budafest parade on December 5. If you’re staying in Austin that Saturday, the Holiday Sing-Along & Stroll is my downtown pick. Check the organizer’s page before heading out for ticket availability, parking, or weather updates.
If a holiday outing has you wondering what it would be like to live in Austin, Buda, Kyle, or New Braunfels, I’d love to help you get to know the area. I’m Havilah Crider, broker and owner of Crider Realty, and I help buyers and sellers across Central Texas find the right fit for their next move. Let's chat!
