The Highland Lakes lights up the night each year, bringing the spirit of the holidays to residents and visitors alike. Families plan outings to take in one or more displays at a time with plenty to keep them busy throughout the month of December.

For those who like to draw out the fun, plan a trip to a different community each week beginning Thanksgiving weekend.

Pack in the party spirit with a road trip plan, hopping from town to town. Christmas Lights Guide editors suggest: Marble Falls to Granite Shoals for one evening, the three locations in Burnet for another (maybe in conjunction with a Main Street Bethlehem weekend), or a combination of Granite Shoals and Llano or Burnet and Llano. Johnson City can easily be combined with Marble Falls.

Nov. 19-Jan. 1

WALKWAY OF LIGHTS

Lakeside Park, 307 Buena Vista Drive in Marble Falls

Walk through a wonderland of lights along the shore of Lake Marble Falls. Now in its 31st year of brightening up the holidays in the Highland Lakes, Walkway of Lights is open 6-10 p.m. every day (weather permitting). Admission is free (donations appreciated). Expect visits from Santa and seasonal concessions. Visit the Marble Falls/Lake LBJ Chamber of Commerce website or call 830-693-4449 for more information.

Nov. 26-Dec. 31

STARRY, STARRY NIGHTS

Badu Park, 300 Legion Drive in Llano

The name Starry, Starry Nights certainly fits this holiday display in Llano. Lights sparkle under the Hill Country stars, reflecting off the Llano River and creating a magical, joyous holiday experience. Warm drinks, snacks, and crafts are available on weekends. Visit the Llano Chamber of Commerce website or call 325-247-5354 for more information.

Nov. 26-Jan. 2

LIGHTS SPECTACULAR

Blanco County Courthouse square, 101 E. Pecan Drive in Johnson City

PEC headquarters, 201 S. Avenue F in Johnson City

Johnson City earns its nickname as the “The Twinkliest Town in Texas” with a variety of displays with more than 2 million lights among them all. The first magnificent glow emits from the town’s historic square. After soaking up the holiday cheer (and doing a little shopping on Main Street), take a trip across U.S. 290 to the Pedernales Electric Cooperative headquarters, where the oak trees are bathed in blue and white lights. Visit lightsspectacular.com or call 830-868-7684 for more information.

Dec. 1-Jan. 1

TRAIL OF LIGHTS

Three locations in Burnet

The Burnet County Courthouse is one of three locations lit up for the holidays during Burnet's Trail of Lights. Photo by Martelle Luedecke/Luedecke Photography

Burnet sets up spectacular lights displays in three locations in and around the Burnet County Courthouse square. Lights go on every evening (weather permitting) at dark-thirty. Festive, moving displays are set up on the courthouse lawn and in Wallace Riddell Park, located at Texas 29 and Rhomberg Street. Just a short drive or stroll away, more lights can be found in Hamilton Creek Park at U.S. 281 and Jackson Street. Visit the Burnet Chamber of Commerce website for more information.

Dec. 3-Jan. 3

CHRISTMAS BY THE HIGHWAY

Corner of H.A. Barnett Drive and RR 1431 in Granite Shoals

Stroll through more than 100 displays at this roadside attraction from 5-11:30 p.m. every evening. The city of Granite Shoals also turns on the lights from 6-7:30 a.m. as a gift to the kids on their way to school. Admission is free, but donations are always welcome. Don’t worry about getting tired. Hay bales are set up throughout the display for visitors to sit and enjoy the lights.

editor@thepicayune.com

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