Last updated: November 11, 2024
Get excited for holiday fun in Cedar Park! Our guide highlights all the top festive events and activities. Whether you're a Cedar Park resident or a holiday explorer, this guide reveals hidden gems and popular attractions.
One of the highlights of the season is the Austin Trail of Lights, where dazzling displays bring holiday cheer to all who visit. Envision a vibrant festival featuring local arts and crafts, which you can find at the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar. And the Christmas Stroll is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering a charming way to experience local shops decked out for the holiday spirit. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Cedar Park Holiday Light Displays
Tree Lighting
- What to Expect
- Free holiday celebration with Santa's arrival and festive activities.
- Description
- Over 50,000 twinkling lights illuminate the Heritage Oak tree in Cedar Park, accompanied by live music performances, holiday-themed activities, and Santa's grand arrival.
- Where
- Cedar Park | More Info : Tree Lighting
Santa’s Sleigh at Heritage Oak Park
- What to Expect
- Spectacular tree lighting with live performances and Santa's arrival.
- Description
- Over 50,000 twinkling lights illuminate the largest Live Oak Tree in Cedar Park, accompanied by holiday music performances, engaging activities, and Santa's grand arrival.
- Where
- Cedar Park | More Info : Santa’s Sleigh at Heritage Oak Park
Light Up the Lake
- What to Expect
- Spectacular giant balloons and light show.
- Description
- Light Up the Lake is a 2-day holiday festival featuring spectacular giant balloons, an amazing light show, live music, holiday displays, and family activities around Bright Lake at Old Settlers Park.
- Where
- Round Rock | More Info : Light Up the Lake
Austin Trail of Lights
- What to Expect
- Iconic holiday light display in a historic park setting.
- Description
- The Austin Trail of Lights is a 60-year-old holiday tradition featuring over two million lights, 65+ displays, and interactive experiences in Zilker Park.
- Where
- Austin | More Info : Austin Trail of Lights
Zilker Holiday Tree
- What to Expect
- Unique spiral light pattern created by City of Austin electricians.
- Description
- The Zilker Holiday Tree is a 155-foot tall, 3,309-light display in Zilker Park, featuring a unique spiral pattern of lights created by City of Austin electricians. The tree is surrounded by 19 utility poles and topped with a double star measuring 10 feet from point to point.
- Where
- Austin | More Info : Zilker Holiday Tree
Trail of Lights in Lakeway
- What to Expect
- Free, self-guided holiday light display with accessible routes.
- Description
- The Trail of Lights in Lakeway is a free, self-guided holiday light display open nightly from 6 PM to midnight. Accessible from the Lakeway Activity Center and City Hall parking lots, it offers handicapped and stroller access. The trail features thousands of twinkling lights and is a cherished tradition in the community.
- Where
- Lakeway | More Info : Trail of Lights in Lakeway
Cedar Park Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christmas Stroll
- What to Expect
- Three-day holiday celebration with community events and shopping.
- Description
- The Christmas Stroll in Georgetown is a three-day event featuring festive activities, holiday shopping, and community gatherings in the historic downtown area.
- Where
- Georgetown | More Info : Christmas Stroll
Old Town Christmas Festival
- What to Expect
- Annual 5K run and festive holiday market.
- Description
- The Old Town Christmas Festival in Leander, TX, features the Old Town Rudolph Run, Christmas Marketplace, Hometown Parade, and tree lighting ceremony, along with live performances, local food vendors, and activities for all ages.
- Where
- Leander | More Info : Old Town Christmas Festival
Budafest
- What to Expect
- Dazzling Night Parade with fireworks.
- Description
- Budafest is a 3-day holiday festival in Downtown Buda featuring kids' activities, a carnival, craft and art markets, and a dazzling Night Parade with fireworks. Santa's Ornament Market and daily pictures with Santa under the iconic Downtown Gazebo add to the festive atmosphere.
- Where
- Buda | More Info : Budafest
Liberty Hill Christmas Festival
- What to Expect
- Community-driven holiday celebration with shopping and festive activities.
- Description
- The Liberty Hill Christmas Festival is a community event held in downtown Liberty Hill, featuring shopping, live music, and activities for all ages, including visits with Santa and a lighted Christmas parade.
- Where
- Liberty Hill | More Info : Liberty Hill Christmas Festival
Western Wonderland
- What to Expect
- Largest ice skating rink in Central Texas with a festive market and live entertainment.
- Description
- Western Wonderland at Dripping Springs Ranch Park features a large ice skating rink, a dazzling Trail of Lights, and a festive market with unique gifts and treats. Enjoy live performances by local choirs, bands, and entertainers, making it a delightful holiday event for all ages.
- Where
- Dripping Springs | More Info : Western Wonderland
A Christmas Affair
- What to Expect
- Large-scale holiday market with diverse vendors and community-focused fundraising.
- Description
- A Christmas Affair is a 49th annual holiday market featuring over 200 vendors from across the country, benefiting The Junior League of Austin’s signature programs and nonprofit community partners. The event includes various activities such as parties, children’s events, Santa photos, and a raffle auction.
- Where
- Austin | More Info : A Christmas Affair
Blue Genie Art Bazaar
- What to Expect
- Stress-free shopping environment with centralized sales and support for local artists.
- Description
- Blue Genie Art Bazaar is a premier holiday shopping event in Austin, featuring over 200 regional artists and artisans selling handmade jewelry, artwork, home goods, and unique gifts.
- Where
- Austin | More Info : Blue Genie Art Bazaar
Armadillo Christmas Bazaar
- What to Expect
- High-quality art and live music festival.
- Description
- The Armadillo Christmas Bazaar is a vibrant fine art and music festival featuring over 200 local and national artists showcasing unique creations and captivating performances. Enjoy live local music, a full bar, and a lively atmosphere filled with colorful art displays and artisan gifts.
- Where
- Austin | More Info : Armadillo Christmas Bazaar
Cedar Park Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Northern Lights Holiday Spectacular
- What to Expect
- Holiday train ride with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
- Description
- The North Pole Flyer is a 2-hour holiday train ride departing from the historic 1912 Bertram Depot. Passengers enjoy visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, all-you-can-drink hot cocoa, live balloon twisters, on-board caroling, and locally baked holiday cookies. Each car is decorated for the season, and passengers can participate in activities like story time and coloring sheets.
- Where
- Cedar Park | More Info : Northern Lights Holiday Spectacular
Nutcracker On Ice
- What to Expect
- Elaborate ice skating performance with professional cinematography.
- Description
- The Nutcracker on Ice production features 100 skaters performing a night of music, pageantry, and excitement, captured by a professional cinematography team.
- Where
- Cedar Park | More Info : Nutcracker On Ice
Christmas On The Square
- What to Expect
- Large-scale holiday celebration with numerous activities for all ages.
- Description
- Christmas On The Square is a family-friendly event featuring a bicycle giveaway, Kids Zone with petting zoo, pony rides, and rock climbing wall, live holiday entertainment, over 175 vendors, a Christmas parade, and visits from Santa and the Grinch.
- Where
- Burnet | More Info : Christmas On The Square
The Polar Express Experience
- What to Expect
- Interactive storytelling with Santa and his elves.
- Description
- The Polar Express Experience features a captivating train ride from the Palestine Depot to the North Pole, where passengers enjoy hot chocolate and cookies while listening to the classic children's book "The Polar Express" by Chris Van Allsburg. Santa and his elves greet passengers, and everyone receives a silver sleigh bell as a gift. The journey includes singing Christmas carols and large viewing windows for thrilling glimpses of Santa and the North Pole.
- Where
- Austin | More Info : The Polar Express Experience
Cedar Park Other Holiday Activities
North Pole Flyer
- What to Expect
- Interactive holiday experience with Santa and festive activities.
- Description
- The North Pole Flyer is a 2-hour train excursion featuring a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, all-you-can-drink hot cocoa, live balloon twisters, on-board caroling, and a locally baked holiday cookie. Each car is decorated for the season, and passengers enjoy a live reading of the North Pole Flyer book. Santa will spend time in each car to check your list twice and pose for photographs before handing out a gift to each child.
- Where
- Burnet | More Info : North Pole Flyer
Christmas at The Farm
- What to Expect
- Interactive holiday activities with Santa and live reindeer.
- Description
- Visit Sweet Eats Adventure Farm for a holiday celebration featuring Santa and his real-life reindeer, along with over 30 activities including wagon rides, community campfires, apple cannons, and a giant petting zoo.
- Where
- Georgetown | More Info : Christmas at The Farm
Christmas on Mercer Street
- What to Expect
- Whimsical holiday celebration with a new tree lighting ceremony.
- Description
- Christmas on Mercer Street is a holiday celebration featuring live music, arts and crafts, kid’s games, photos with Santa Claus, and a variety of food and drinks. The event is hosted by the Dripping Springs Lions Club and the City of Dripping Springs.
- Where
- Dripping Springs | More Info : Christmas on Mercer Street