The short answer: The best holiday lights near Brushy Creek in 2026 are The Light Park drive-thru at the Dell Diamond (Nov. 6–Jan. 3), Round Rock’s free Light Up the Lake at Old Settlers Park (Dec. 4–5), Cedar Park’s Heritage Oak Tree Lighting (Dec. 2), the Georgetown Christmas Stroll (Dec. 4–6) and, if you’re willing to drive into Austin, the Trail of Lights at Zilker Park (Dec. 10–23).
And most of them are either free or very close to it.
We just finished pumpkin season.
We barely survived the armadillo races.
And now, apparently, it’s time for the lights.
Here’s everything happening around Brushy Creek this holiday season, in the order it starts.
When Do Holiday Lights Start Near Round Rock?
Earlier than you’d think.
The first big one opens the same week as this post: The Light Park at the Dell Diamond starts Friday, November 6, 2026.
Everything else clusters into the first two weeks of December.
Which means one very busy weekend (more on that below).
The Light Park at the Dell Diamond (Nov. 6 – Jan. 3)
This is the drive-thru one.
You stay in your car. You tune to a radio station. And you crawl along a roughly mile-long route of synchronized lights while the music plays through your speakers.
Which makes it perfect for:
- Little kids who will fall asleep before you get home
- Grandparents who don’t want to walk a mile in the cold
- Dogs (pets are welcome—they ride with you)
- Anyone who wants holiday lights while wearing pajamas
Where: Dell Diamond parking lot, 3400 E. Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock
When: Nov. 6, 2026 – Jan. 3, 2027. Sunday–Thursday 5:30–10 p.m.; Friday–Saturday 5:30–11 p.m., with extended hours around the holidays
Cost: Priced per vehicle. Current listings show online admission starting around $49 and about $60 at the gate—buy ahead and check thelightpark.com for the final 2026 pricing.
My tip: Go on a weeknight early in the season. The week before Christmas, the line to get in can become its own holiday tradition.
Round Rock Holiday Bazaar (Sat., Nov. 14)
Not lights—but if you want to knock out some gifts locally, the City of Round Rock’s Holiday Bazaar Arts & Crafts Show runs Saturday, November 14, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Clay Madsen Recreation Center.
Handmade gifts. Local vendors. No shipping delays.
Cedar Park Heritage Oak Tree Lighting (Wed., Dec. 2)
Cedar Park doesn’t light a Christmas tree.
It lights its biggest live oak.
The city wraps the giant oak at Heritage Oak Park in more than 30,000 lights, adds holiday music and brings in Santa for photos under the tree.
Where: Heritage Oak Park, 875 Quest Pkwy., Cedar Park
When: Wednesday, December 2, 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
From most of Brushy Creek, this is a short drive west—and a nice, low-key weeknight outing.
Light Up the Lake at Old Settlers Park (Fri.–Sat., Dec. 4–5)
This is Round Rock’s big free holiday event.
Old Settlers Park turns into a walk-through display of lights around the lake, with live music, holiday activities and plenty of space for the kids to run.
Where: Old Settlers Park, 3300 E. Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock
When: Friday, December 4 (6–10 p.m.) and Saturday, December 5, 2026
Cost: Free
Wear real shoes. You’ll be walking.
And it is a park in December in Central Texas, so the weather could be 38 degrees or 78 degrees. Bring a jacket either way. You may just end up carrying it.
Georgetown Christmas Stroll (Dec. 4–6)
If you’ve never done the Christmas Stroll on the Georgetown Square, this is your year.
It’s three days of a Christmas parade, Santa’s Village, holiday concerts and more than 200 artisan and boutique vendors around one of the prettiest town squares in Texas.
Where: Downtown Georgetown Square
When: Friday, Dec. 4 (4–9:30 p.m.), Saturday, Dec. 5 (10 a.m.–9:30 p.m., parade day) and Sunday, Dec. 6 (10 a.m.–4 p.m.)
Cost: Free to attend
Wait—Light Up the Lake and the Christmas Stroll Are the Same Weekend?
Yes.
December 4–6 is the busiest holiday weekend of the year around here.
Here’s how I’d split it:
- Friday night: Light Up the Lake in Round Rock
- Saturday: The Georgetown Christmas Stroll and parade
- Sunday: Back to Georgetown for the quieter closing day—or recover on the couch. Both are valid.
Austin Trail of Lights at Zilker Park (Dec. 10–23)
The big one.
It’s a longer drive from Brushy Creek, but the Trail of Lights is an Austin tradition for a reason.
- Dates: December 10–23, 2026
- Free nights: Dec. 10–11 and Dec. 13–17
- Other nights: $8 per adult; kids under 12 are always free
- Parking: About $25 per vehicle (limited, sold online), or free parking at Toney Burger Center with a shuttle on select nights
My advice: pick a free weeknight, buy parking ahead or use the shuttle, and leave earlier than you think you need to. MoPac in December has its own ideas.
Don’t Skip the Neighborhood Lights
Some of the best lights aren’t at an event at all.
They’re the streets in Brushy Creek where the neighbors clearly have a friendly competition going.
Grab hot chocolate, load everyone in the car and just drive around after dark. It’s free, nobody needs a ticket and you can leave whenever someone says they’re bored.
Know a Brushy Creek street that goes all out? Tell us in the comments or send me a message—I’d love to add a few local favorites to this list.
2026 Holiday Events Near Brushy Creek: Quick Details
| Event | Dates | Where | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Light Park (drive-thru) | Nov. 6, 2026 – Jan. 3, 2027 | Dell Diamond lot, Round Rock | Per car (about $49 online) |
| Round Rock Holiday Bazaar | Sat., Nov. 14, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. | Clay Madsen Rec Center | Free entry |
| Heritage Oak Tree Lighting | Wed., Dec. 2, 6:30–8:30 p.m. | Heritage Oak Park, Cedar Park | Free |
| Light Up the Lake | Fri.–Sat., Dec. 4–5 | Old Settlers Park, Round Rock | Free |
| Georgetown Christmas Stroll | Fri.–Sun., Dec. 4–6 | Georgetown Square | Free |
| Trail of Lights | Dec. 10–23 | Zilker Park, Austin | Free some nights; $8 adults others |
Dates and prices are from the official event pages as of late October 2026. Always double-check before you go—weather and schedules can change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I drive through Christmas lights near Round Rock?
The Light Park in the Dell Diamond parking lot (3400 E. Palm Valley Blvd.) is the main drive-thru light show near Round Rock and Brushy Creek. It runs Nov. 6, 2026 through Jan. 3, 2027, and admission is priced per vehicle.
Is Light Up the Lake in Round Rock free?
Yes. Light Up the Lake at Old Settlers Park is a free City of Round Rock event, held Dec. 4–5, 2026.
When is the Cedar Park tree lighting in 2026?
Cedar Park’s Heritage Oak Tree Lighting is Wednesday, Dec. 2, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Heritage Oak Park, 875 Quest Pkwy.
What are the free nights for the Austin Trail of Lights in 2026?
Dec. 10–11 and Dec. 13–17 are free. Other nights cost $8 per adult, and children under 12 are always free.
How far is Brushy Creek from these events?
Most are a 10- to 25-minute drive. Cedar Park and Round Rock events are closest; Georgetown is about 25–30 minutes and Zilker Park is roughly 35–45 minutes, depending on traffic.
Thinking About Spending Next Christmas in Brushy Creek?
One of the best parts of living in Brushy Creek is that you’re right in the middle of all of this.
Round Rock to the east. Cedar Park to the west. Georgetown up the road. Austin when you want the big stuff.
If you’re thinking about making a move in 2027, now is actually a great time to start looking—fewer buyers are shopping during the holidays.
Get the current list of Brushy Creek homes for sale →
And for more on everyday life here, check out Brushy Creek Through the Seasons and 15 Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me Before Moving to Brushy Creek.
Happy holidays from all of us at Hoyden Homes.