It’s that time of year again, when you can break the winter clothes out of the closet, turn up the heat and…turn on the lights! All across the country, neighborhoods and cities will be showcasing one of the greatest traditions of the holiday season: their holiday Christmas lights. In Austin we’ve got some great places to view neighborhood lights all around town. Here are some places to go with a cup of hot coco and your holiday sweetheart to enjoy the holiday season.

37th Street Lights

[photo by Pam Penick | photo URL]

Tucked away in Hyde Park, Austin’s 37th Street Lights Display is one of the best pedestrian holiday walks you can find. Take the extravagance of over-the-top lighting displays and then add a healthy dose of Austin’s weirdness, and you’ve got a unique holiday attraction. Don’t expect to see elaborate nativity scenes so much as dinosaurs and mopeds. In years past, the display has been so popular that police have had to shut down the street to cars entirely, so be prepared to park elsewhere. Here are directions to the display.

Austin Trail of Lights

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It’s back! After a two-year hiatus due to budget cuts, the Trail of Lights at Zilker Park returned as a staple for Austinites across several generations. The park is open from 6:30 to 10pm every night with no admission. Parking is $10 per car (cash only). While you’re there don’t forget to take a stroll by the Zilker Park Tree, which is made out of a replica moontower. For more information on the trail of lights, click here.

Cedar Park Tree and Lights

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Residents of Cedar Park get a holiday treat every year when the neighborhood on Anna Court turns on a display that features over 125,000 Christmas lights. This is another great pedestrian attraction during the holidays and shows how a neighborhood cul-de-sac can band together to spice up the holidays for the whole town. For information on the Anna Court lights display in Cedar Park you can check them out on Facebook.

The Domain

[photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman | photo URL]

For residents in Northwest Austin, it doesn’t get any more Rockefeller Center than the Domain’s light and tree displays. While you do your holiday shopping, you can gaze at the Christmas lights, gawk at the Macy’s Christmas Tree and even enjoy some live music. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to let the kids tell Santa what they want for Christmas. A great family photo op! Click here for photo times.

This list was curated by Realty Austin, experts in Austin real estate.