Following the Texas Hill Country Lighting Trail is a perfect trip for RVers in Texas and is a worthwhile trip for any RVing folk in the surrounding states. The trail was lit on November 24, 2006 and remains lit until January 1, 2007. The hardest part of the journey will be scheduling. There are so many great events planned, it is hard to choose!

Here are some events you will not want to miss!

Christmas at Fort Croghan-Johnson City-one day only
Celebrate Christmas in 1849. Enjoy families in era costumes, pathways lined with luminaries, cabins alive with fireplaces, decorations and the Spirit of Christmas. Free refreshments.
Saturday, December 9, 2006
530-830pm
Free

Gospel Brunch with a Texas Twist-Gruene-one Sunday only
A full brunch buffet catered by The Gristmill River Restaurant and Bar, served with a complimentary champagne drink. While you eat, family style, listen to gospel music with The Bells of Joy, well-known gospel group, Bret Graham, local country western singer, and Selina Affram, local gospel singer and former Miss Burleson.
Sunday, December 10, 2006
1030am-Noon
$25 adult/$12.50 children

Christmas Concerts in the Cave Without a Name-Boerne-only 4 performances
Friday December 15, 7pm
Saturday December 16, 430pm
Friday December 22, 430pm
Saturday December 23, 430pm
$10/$9 for children

Starry, Starry Nights-Llano
Llano Christmas lights displays along the banks of the Llano River will continue through the Holiday Season.
November 24-December 31, 2006
Free

Christmas Walkway of Lights-Marble Falls
One million tiny, twinkling lights on 130 whimsical, patriotic, religious and traditional sculptures lining Lake Marble Falls.
November 17, 2006-January 1, 2007
6-10pm
Free

Winter Wonderland Texas-Johnson City
One man, 155,000 lights and a spectacular drive-through display dedicated to Jesus, the reason for the season. Do not miss this!
November, 2006-January 2, 2007
Free

Eisbahn in Fredericksburg
Indoor Skating Rink with proceeds to fund Cystic Fibrosis research
November 24, 2006-January 7, 2007
$10 to skate per day (ice skate rentals included)

Tags: Christmas in Texas, Texas Christmas, Texas Hill Country Lighting Trail, Boerne, Marble Falls, Johnson City, Llano, Gruene

The Trail of Lights Festival is an annual tradition and celebration held in Zilker Park, 2100 Barton Springs Road, Austin, Texas, December 10-23, 2006

Overview of the Trail of Lights from the air.

One of the largest display of lights in Texas is the Trail of Lights in Austin, Texas. Austin is the capital of Texas, so it had to be BIG.

Next to the entrance to the Trail of Lights, the Peace on Earth display features 3 large multi-colored Christmas Trees and a 30-ft colossal cast-iron globe. The letters spelling Peace on Earth are five feet tall.

The Zilker Tree Stands 155 feet tall and the unique spiral pattern of lights was created by City of Austin electricians. The center pole is a replica of a Moonlight Tower. Moonlight Towers debuted in Austin over a centry ago.

Journey of the Kings display depicts the tale of the Magi. The 12-foot Kings each ride a large camel. You also see the Nativity display in this picture.

Half-way through the Trail of Lights is the mesmerizing 30-foot long Peppermint Tunnel. Over 5000 lights illuminate this Holiday sweet.

Traditional Luminarias with a futuristic twist. Ten 10-foot high structures with 7-foot plexiglass panels on side.

The exit to the Trail of Lights is a 30-foot high metal archway of the Shooting Star Exit Gate, adorned with 4-foot white stars and trumpeting 7-foot angels.

Transportation and Parking:

This is a pedestrian event with tram service for visitors with special needs.

Capital Metro will provide shuttle transportation from the State parking lot at 14th Street and Trinity The round trip fee is $2 for adults and $1 for children 6-12, and children 5 and under are free. Tickets will go on sale beginning at 6:15 pm each evening. The State will collect $5 per car to park in the State lots.

Here is a link to the map if you wish to park in Zilker Park ($8). I would not suggest parking in an RV here, but you may want to try if it is early in the season or early in the evening. Getting in and out is a massive traffic jam. If you have a handicapped sticker, you may park in the special needs lot.

A tram service is provided on a reservation basis for those visitors that need extra assistance viewing the Trail of Lights. Call 974-1464 – Monday through Friday, between 9am and 5pm to make a reservation. Tram loading is at the entrance of the Trail of Lights.

RV Parks nearby:

Austin Lonestar RV Park- 5 miles south of downtown on the East side of I-35 and William Cannon.

Austin Oak Forest RV Park – 10 minutes from downtown Austin, the University of Texas and the State Capitol. On the east side of town off FM 969 (turns into 19th street)

Royal Palms Park (no website) – 7901 East Ben White Boulevard, Austin, TX 78741, (512) 385-2211 – level tree covered lots, paved streets and parking, patios, free cable, clubhouse, pool, playground, laundry. Convenient to Capitol, UT and Zilker Park.

Tags: Christmas in Texas, Texas Christmas, Trail of Lights, Austin, Texas, Zilker Park Tree, 42 lighted displays

Have a Texas Christmas!

This is first in a series of posts that will highlight select Holiday Festivities in the Lone Star State. This blog is limited in space and time to showcasing only some of the diverse activities you will find if you come to Texas.

Tags: Christmas in Texas, Texas Christmas