Put on your comfy shoes and grab a thermos of hot cocoa! It’s time to take an outdoor stroll through some twinkly lights! To add a little extra shine to the season, you can take a socially distanced walk through some very cool lighted trails and illuminated art exhibits around Austin.

Check out these illuminated exhibits & trails:

Bee Cave Buzzfest @ Hill Country Galleria
December 17, 18, & 19, 6-10 p.m.
This outdoor display of light art installations will be on view at the Hill Country Galleria, presented by the Bee Cave Arts Foundation, showcasing unique art that features light as the primary medium along with technology, sound, and more. Free admission for all ages! Visit beecavebuzzfest.com for full details.

Photo courtesy of Bee Cave Buzzfest

Design Shine @ UMLAUF Sculpture Garden
Through March 2021
The UMLAUF and AIA Austin collaborated on the annual exhibition, Design Shine. Created to showcase emerging talent in the fields of architecture and design, the competition yielded two winning projects: Oculi and Parallel Flux. Drawing on themes of resiliency and empathy in times of uncertainty, each Design Shine installation is a captivating work of art. Read more about each work. Admission to the UMLAUF is $7 for adults; $1 for Youth ages 13-17, and free for kids ages 12 & under.

Photo of Parallel Flux from the UMLAUF’s Facebook page

Luminations @ Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
through Jan. 10, 2021, 6-9 p.m.
Take a breathtaking stroll through gardens and trails that are lit by thousands of glowing luminarias. Luminations gives the whole family a fun way to safely enjoy some seasonal sparkle in a natural outdoor Hill Country setting. Luminations winds through the Texas Arboretum’s big oaks and illuminates the forts of Fortlandia. Open nightly but reserved for Members-only on Mondays. Ticket pricing: ages 0 – 4: Free; ages 5 – 17: $10 ($5 for members); ages 18+: $18 ($13 for members) Purchase your tickets in advance, online by visiting www.wildflower.org/luminations

Photo by Ann Alva Wieding; courtesy of the Wildflower Center

Lakeway Trail of Lights @ Lakeway Activity Center
Nightly through January 3, 2021, 6 p.m. – midnight
One of Lakeway’s most cherished traditions is their Trail of Lights. The trail will be shining brightly each night with thousands of twinkling lights for all to enjoy. Please follow social distancing guidelines and wear a mask. You can access the trail from the lower level of the parking lot at the Lakeway Activity Center (105 Cross Creek) or by parking behind City Hall (1102 Lohmans Crossing at the corner of Lohmans and Sailmaster). Free and open to all.

Photo from the Lakeway Parks & Recreation Department’s Facebook page

Marble Falls Walkway of Lights @ Lakeside Park
through January 2, 2021, 6-10 p.m.
Join in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Walkway of Lights. Gaze in awe at over 2 million Christmas Lights reflecting off of the beautiful Lake Marble Falls, located in Lakeside Park (305 Buena Vista Drive). For more info, you can go to VisitMarbleFalls.org/Christmas. This is free and open to the public.

Photo courtesy of Marble Falls Chamber of Commerce

More to Explore:

Cover image: Light Swing by Theresa Dimenno; Photo courtesy of the Wildflower Center