Tis the season to sleigh with some great seasonal date ideas for you and your sweetheart! Want to make your season sparkle and maybe stir up a little festive romance? Here are some holi-DATE ideas in Austin that are just perfect for getting cozy, feeling merry, and maybe sneaking in a smooch under the Christmas lights.
1) Trail of Lights~ Merry & Bright
This iconic holiday stroll at Zilker Park transforms the park into a 1.25-mile winter wonderland. Stroll hand-in-hand with your sweetheart through over 2 million lights, 90 illuminated holiday trees, lighted tunnels, and festive installations. Add in a Ferris wheel ride, a carousel spin, some holiday snacks or hot cocoa, and you’ve got yourself a scene straight out of a Hallmark Christmas movie.
2) Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center~ Luminate Love
Looking for a festive date that’s both peaceful and romantic? Luminations turns the Wildflower Center gardens into a magical evening escape with glowing paths, trees bathed in light, and majestic lighted art. Stroll through the lights together and you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to a magical world. Grab some drinks and snacks to enjoy on your stroll and you’ll have checked all the boxes for a great date.
3) ZACH Theatre~ Stage Lights & Christmas Cheer
Head to ZACH Theatre for a fun holiday show with your sweetheart. This season, ZACH is proudly presenting both A Charlie Brown Christmas and A Christmas Carol. Pick a show and a performance, secure your tickets, get dressed up in your festive best, and head to the theatre for some Christmas cheer on stage.
4) The Long Center~ Fa La La La Festive
The Long Center is a great spot for a date with your sweetheart any time of the year. During the holiday season things get festive in all the right ways. Whether you get gussied up for The Nutcracker by or The Austin Symphony Orchestra’s Home Alone in Concert, you are sure to have a great time watching an exceptional performance.
5) Volente Beach~ Lights on the Lake
Lights on the Lake at Volente Beach is in its debut holiday season. This Christmas walkthrough is sure to get you feeling holly and jolly with enchanting Christmas displays featuring hundreds of holiday trees with 15,000+ ornaments, lights synchronized to Christmas music, and photo ops galore. Everyone loves Lights on the Lake. You might see Santa or maybe the Grinch. There is also themed food and drinks to round out your holidate.
6) Mozart’s~ Festival of Lights
Mozart’s Christmas lights have become an Austin icon and staple during the holiday season. Head to Mozart’s with your sweetheart where you will step into a lakeside world of Christmas delight. Watch millions of lights dance across Lake Austin. Grab some hot chocolate and sweet treats to enjoy as you try to take in all the magnificent festivities. There’s a lot to see, so plan enough time to not be rushed.
7) Holiday Bars~ Cheers to Christmas
If you like a little cheers with your Christmas cheer, Austin has some great holiday themed bars. You can’t talk about holiday themed bars without starting with Lala’s Little Nugget. Lala’s is Austin’s year round Christmas themed bar. It’s got the festive atmosphere you’ll crave and drinks you’ll love. Head over to Rules & Regs for The Ugly Sweater holiday pop up bar where ugly Christmas sweaters are encouraged and egg nog is essential. You’ll find the festive Ralphie’s on Congress at the Stephen F. Austin Royal Sonesta.
Austin has pretty much turned into a holiday playground for sweethearts. As you can see, there are lots of ways to make this season full of holidates with Christmas cheer. Whether you’re in the mood for glitz, cozy, adventurous, or low-key love, there’s a holidate waiting for you.
