AUSTIN, Texas – The Zilker Holiday Tree lighting ceremony marks the start of the holidays in Austin.
- Holiday tree free to visit
- Open every night now through the new year
- Light display has 39 light strings of colored lightbulbs
The tree isn’t actually a tree at all. It’s a 155-foot-tall light display held up by one of Austin’s many moontowers.
“Yeah, it definitely starts feeling like Christmas right when you start coming out here," said Austinite Javier Ruiz.
It’s the 53rd year of the Zilker Holiday Tree and for many lifelong Austinites, visiting it has been an annual tradition for decades.
“[I've gone] probably like every year since I’ve lived in Austin, so forever as far as I can remember," said Ruiz.
“I was born and raised here so my parents would take my brothers and I to the Zilker Tree Lighting and we’d spin around," said Amy Langley-Larson, another Austinite.
For those who grew up visiting the tree, getting to pass the tradition on to their own kids is a special experience.
“It means everything, as long as we live in Austin, it means everything. This is one of those things that makes Austin, so it means everything," said Ruiz.
In addition to helping ring in the holiday season, visiting the Zilker Holiday Tree is a chance to feel Austin’s sense of community.
“As big as it’s getting I still see a lot of the same people that I grew up with, you know, still the same Austinites still coming out there it's awesome to see them all still coming out here, you know," said Ruiz.
“Well, it's always great to see people getting together and you know feeling this sense of community and togetherness. It's part of what makes Austin, Austin," said Austinite Christa Daszko.
The Zilker Holiday Tree is free and available to visit every night from 6 p.m. to midnight until the new year.