by

WHAT YOU’VE NEVER SEEN AT AUSTIN TRAIL OF LIGHTS

Learn the secrets of Night Photography at the NEW Workshops at the Trail; shop at the new Holiday Market; see entertainment from headlining artists for less than a cup of coffee!
(AUSTIN, TEXAS – Dec. 18, 2018 source: Juice Consulting) – The 54th annual Austin Trail of Lights, powered by H-E-B, running through Dec. 23, 2018, presents details on a number of new programs happening at the Trail this year, including “Workshops at the Trail,” featuring a night photography class hosted by Precision Camera, a Holiday Market and more headlining entertainment “Live at the Trail” for the price of an entry ticket. Guests can enjoy these new offerings at Austin Trail of Lights for free entry on Dec. 18 and 19, with subsequent dates costing only $3. Premium ticket offerings are also available each night. For details and to purchase tickets for paid nights, visit the calendar here.
“Each year at the Austin Trail of Lights, people can not only experience over 2.5 million lights and over 65 interactive displays, but can also enjoy free photos with Santa provided by Dell Children’s, book giveaways from our title sponsor H-E-B, free toys from Santa’s Workshop provided by Vista Equity Partners, and live music from some of Austin’s best and brightest,” said Rachel Green, president-elect of the Trail of Lights Foundation.
NEW “Workshops at the Trail” feature themed environments for guests to learn the secrets of Night Photography, hosted by Precision Camera. Guests will learn from a local expert while enjoying the magic of the Trail, light bites, drinks and a beautiful environment to mix and mingle. The premier workshops are available on Dec. 19 and 20 and require the purchase of tickets. For tickets and more information, please visit here.
Guests enjoying live entertainment in Zilker Village should not miss the new Austin Trail of Lights Holiday Market – the perfect place to get holiday shopping done before the season ends. Trailgoers can take home unique gifts for family and friends from local makers and artists including Barking Bad Boutique & Bakery, Inca Wasi, Light-Up Toys, Scentchips, Shieldmaiden Designs, SM Boutique, South Austin Gallery, Texas Monthly General Store and To The Moon. Holiday Market shoppers can also indulge their sweet tooth with festive s’mores-making, roasting their own marshmallows in campfires nearby the iconic Yule Log and live music on Zilker Stage. For more information on the Holiday Market, please see here.
More fabulous local headliners will be taking the stage this week – showcasing the Trail as one of Austin’s great live entertainment venues. The Austin Trail of Lights’ new “Live at the Trail” entertainment program will bring to the stage the best local Austin artists Ephraim Owens Quartet, Peterson Brothers Band, Los Coast, and the Greyhounds for less than your morning cup of coffee! To view the full entertainment calendar, including community acts at the 2018 Trail of Lights, please visit liveatthetrail.com.
Accolades and Statistics
  • Nominated for best Public Holiday Lights Display in USA Today’s 10Best Reader Poll
  • Third Largest Event in Austin according to the Austin Business Journal (2018)
  • Up to 400,000 attendees visit every year, on average
  • 28,000 average nightly attendance in 2017
  • 2 million twinkling lights, hundreds of wrapped trees and over 65 holiday displays
  • More than 1 million miles walked on the Trail by attendees annually
  • Over 8,500 runners attended the 2018 Fun Run
  • 14,000 photos taken with Santa in 2017
About the Trail of Lights Foundation:
The Trail of Lights Foundation is an independent nonprofit corporation dedicated to producing and maintaining the Austin Trail of Lights as an authentically Austin community tradition. The organization raises the funds from donations by individuals and the business community to produce and ensure the long-term sustainability of Austin’s largest community celebration. It is curated in close conjunction with its long-time partner, Forefront Networks, who provides turn-key production, marketing, sponsorship and programming services to the foundation. The Trail of Lights has remained in the top three Austin events since the Trail of Lights Foundation adopted the event in 2012.
For more information on The Trail of Lights, please see AustinTrailofLights.org.
###
MEDIA NOTE:
For general press inquiries about the Trail of Lights, please contact the team at Juice Consulting:
Heather Wagner Reed
713 208 3891
Madison Snelling
210 213 8934
Tyler Ostby
210 854 9119