The city may be changing, but this time-honored tradition lives on. If you’re looking for a healthy dose of Christmas cheer, venture down to 37th Street near Guadalupe for Christmas in Austin. This might just be the best neighborhood Christmas light display in Austin. This charming neighborhood has been decking the halls for decades, and it’s started to become a city-wide attraction. There’s no doubt about it. This neighborhood in Austin has the brightest and best Christmas lights in the city.

It all started in the '80s.
Jack/Flickr
Neighbors didn't originally intend for this tradition to garner so much attention. It started as just a quirky art piece. Residents found leftover lights at the nearby sorority and fraternity houses and decided to string them across the street.
Soon, it wasn't just a simple string of lights.
That Other Paper/Flickr
Neighbors kept adding to the displays every year. Eventually, it got so large people took notice.
In 1993, people thought this tradition might dwindle.
Jack/Flickr
City workers removed the lights over the streets due to hazard concerns. The next day, the neighbors protested by turning off all of their holiday displays. Their efforts worked, and the officers returned the next day to reinstall the lights.

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The holiday lights took another dip in recent years.
Lars Plougmann/Flickr
As time continued on, the street's original residents moved away. University of Texas students started renting the properties, and the light show seemed to just be a memory from a bygone era.
Thankfully, a 37th Street homeowner banded the neighborhood together
Turner/Flickr
Robert Foster encouraged his neighbors to keep 37th Street weird, and they definitely listened.
Today, it's bigger and better than ever.
Matthew Rutledge/Flickr
Thousands of people come by to look at the whimsical lights. If you stroll through this season, you'll find a stuffed animal petting zoo and a kid-friendly outdoor disco. Amy's Ice Creams even set up a hot chocolate stand, so you can really get in the spirit.
It's clear that this quirky holiday tradition isn't going anywhere.
That Other Paper/Flickr
If you want to see these lights, enter from the Guadalupe side of the street. Please drive slowly and dim your lights.

Have you enjoyed a trip down 37th Street at Christmas? If not, what do you think is the best neighborhood Christmas light display in Austin? Let us know with a comment — we would love to hear from you!

If you are all about keeping Austin weird during the holidays, this one strange tradition is a complete mystery, but it’s awesome anyway.

And don’t forget to check out our ultimate gift-giving guide!

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More to Explore

Christmas In Austin

Chris Muras | October 24, 2022

What is there to do in Austin, Texas at Christmas?

Below you'll find some activities for things to do in Austin, TX over Christmas:

  • Tour neighborhood light displays
  • Visit Zilker Botanical Garden
  • Blanton's Holiday Family Days

 

If you're looking for a fun and festive way to celebrate Christmas in Austin, we’ve got some fun in store for you. This vibrant city is home to a wide variety of holiday events and activities, from traditional performances and markets to more unique offerings. One of the most popular things to do at Christmas is to take a stroll down Congress Avenue to see the stunning array of holiday lights in Austin that decorate the downtown area. You can also head to Zilker Botanical Garden to enjoy a festive winter concert or take a tour of the beautiful Texas State Capitol decorated for the holidays. For something truly unique, don't miss the Blanton Museum of Art, where you can enjoy Blanton’s Holiday Family Days full of holiday-themed activities related to the artwork in the gallery.

Does Austin have a Christmas market?

The Armadillo Christmas Bazaar has been going on for over four decades. It features fun and festivities by award-winning artists, music to fill you up with holiday spirit, and even a full bar to give you a Christmas warm-up from the inside out. If you are looking for unique gifts for friends and family the Austin Christmas market is a great place to find them and help support local artists at the same time. You can find the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar at the Palmer Events Center.

Has Austin ever had a white Christmas?

A white Christmas in Austin, Texas is very rare.

If you are dreaming of a white Christmas in Austin, Texas you might want to keep dreaming. But dreams do come true once in a blue moon. While no measurable snow has fallen in Austin on Christmas Day itself, there have been a few storms that have dropped some fluffy white stuff. The most recent snowfall in December was in 2017 over December 7-8 when Austin was buried under 1.3 inches of snow. Austin’s biggest snowfall ever was in 1949 when 6.5 inches dropped the day before New Year's Eve. Despite the lack of Christmas snowfall, Austin can surely decorate for the holidays. Check out more of the best Christmas lights in Austin in this article.

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