Sleigh bells ringing, children singing, Christmas lights glistening, that can only mean one thing.  It’s that time of year again. As Thanksgiving slowly drifts away, the most wonderful time of the year approaches especially in Austin, Texas as the 48th annual Trail of Lights Festival returns once again.

 
Senior Amber Weir and her mom, Jill Weir collaborate to help assemble yet another successful year of lights.
Jill is a coordinator for the Trail of Lights and helps run many of the activities as well as sets up volunteer opportunities. Amber helps her mom out by recruiting volunteers though an organization here on campus known as the Bowie Key club.
Lots of volunteers are needed every year to help light up the trail and guide others through the trail.

 
The festival takes place December 8-22 from 7-10 p.m. every night. Every year the admission to get into the trail of lights is free.
The festival has kept it that way for several years due to the many businesses, sponsors and individuals that contribute funds to the event.

 
The trail of lights is an Austin tradition that has been around for several years.  The tradition first started in 1965 under the name Yule Fest. In 1992, the name changed to Trail of Lights. Back in 2010, the festival was temporarily discontinued due to budget constraints. Frowns flew across Austinites faces, sad that a true Austin tradition may never return again. According to Jill, now that the Trail of Lights Foundation has been formed it is their mission to focus solely on the sustainability of the event by ensuring there is enough money to produce the event on an ongoing basis.
“A feeling of true devastation when they cancelled the festival. It was such a family tradition for me and many other Austinites,” Jill said.

 
Recently, locals have questioned ongoing rumors about the trail having an entrance fee. Many thing that the fact that the trail could potentially have a fee draws from the attraction, as it has always been something for families all over to enjoy without a cost. According to Jill, while the trail has many opportunities to accept donations from the public to help support the Trail of Lights Foundation, there is no current plan or idea that the foundation will start charging an entrance fee in the near future.
During the wintertime, Zilker Park is completely transformed into a winter wonderland as you walk down 1.25 miles of  lights to the majestic Zilker Holiday tree. The Trail of Lights consists of beautiful light displays, food and beverage vendors, two entertainment stages, pictures with Santa Clause, free books from H-E-B and much more.

 
This year, the trail will have many food vendors from a variety of places like Austin Pizza, BOWL’d, Cazamance, Hill Country Kettle Korn, Howard’s Roll Around BBQ, La Fantabulous, Pamela Jane’s New England Lobster Rolls, Santa Lucia, Tapas Bravas, The Original New Orleans Po-Boy & Gumbo Shop, 57 Scotsman, Amy’s Ice Creams, As Good As It Gets Concessions, Blue Ribbon Barbecue, Boomerang’s Pies, Chi’Lantro BBQ, and Crepe Crazy.
As for music, a schedule is posted on their website at www.austintrailoflights.org with the entire December schedule of musicians and entertainment.

 
The 155 foot tall tree is composed up of 3,309 lights that range from 1960s to modern time. This year’s trail contains the Zilker tree, Armadillo Alley, North Pole and Zilker Village. Each will have food, drink and shopping vendors for visitors to check out.
The Trail of Lights also offers a “zip-pass” which allows early and easier access to the trail starting around 6:15 p.m. to prevent waiting and lines. The zip-passes can be purchased online at the Trail of Lights website.
A festival filled with lights, walking, Christmas, laughter, family, friends, hot cocoa and apple cider is enjoyed by all ages.
The Trail of Lights is a winter hot spot for couples, families, groups of friends or individuals. A true holiday bliss, with lots to be merry about.

 
“My favorite part of the trail of lights is the holiday spirit it brings but I don’t like how stressed out it makes my mom around the holidays,” Amber said.

 
Last year, the trail of lights had over 400,000 people attend over eight nights. This year, the foundation expects the same number if not more except over a two-week period.

 
The Trail of Lights is run by the Trail of Lights Foundation. Every year, many sponsors contribute and collaborate with the foundation to raise money for the organization. One of the main title sponsors is H-E-B and Seton Healthcare family.
Jill has been working for the foundation for two years through the company she works for. The Trail of lights Foundation offered jobs to her company to help produce the event.

 
Jill primarily works with the corporate sponsors that pay for the event and raise money needed for the event.
“It is truly a blessing to have so many companies in Austin that care enough to give back so we can all enjoy this iconic Austin holiday tradition,” Jill said.

 
This year, many students plan on attending the Trail of Lights this winter break.
According to the Trail of Lights website, the 2012 Trail of Lights was named one of the Top 10 lighting festivals in the country by USA Today.

 
Senior Elizabeth Fisher plans on going again this year as she always does.
“Every year I go to the Trail of Lights with a big group of friends or family and I like to go to the trail of lights, drink hot cocoa, spin under the tree together, take pictures, be silly and laugh. The light’s are so bright and beautiful and it feels like Christmas,” Fisher said.