Beloved Trail of Lights returns to Austin: CultureMap — November 2016.
This year, the iconic Zilker Christmas tree at Austin’s Trail of Lights celebrates its half-century anniversary of being lit each holiday season. Starting November 27, all 155 feet of the tree will once again sparkle with more than 3,300 lights, topped by a double star measuring 10 feet wide.
The Trail of Lights itself celebrates a landmark 52 years in 2016. What began as a small gathering in 1965 known as Yule Fest, a gift to the city of Austin from Austin Parks and Recreation Department, has grown to be a community-wide celebration of the unique spirit of Austin.
This season, the public opening of the Trail of Lights takes place on December 10, as main sponsor H-E-B leads the countdown to flip the switch that will turn on the 2 million lights that illuminate 50-plus displays. By the time this unique holiday experience closes, more than 400,000 attendees will have walked its trails.
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