Published October 30, 20263 min read

October 30, 2026 · Lakes

Lake Travis Holiday Season 2026: Thanksgiving to New Year’s

Lake Travis holiday events are run by the lake cities, mainly Lakeway on the south shore and Lago Vista on the north shore. This page covers the events we could confirm on the City of Lakeway’s and City of Lago Vista’s pages and TexARTS’ own page, read on October 30, 2026. Where a 2026 detail is not published, we say so. We did not find a 2026 organizer page for a lighted boat parade. Shortlist lake homes on Lake Travis rentals, then book on the property site.

Quick answer

Lakeway’s Lights On! is Friday, December 4, 2026, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Lakeway City Hall, and it turns on the Trail of Lights. Lago Vista holds its tree lighting on the first Monday of December, which is December 7 in 2026. TexARTS in Lakeway runs Winter Wonderettes December 4 to 20.

The 2026 holiday calendar

Thanksgiving: Thursday, November 26, 2026.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day: Thursday, December 24, and Friday, December 25, 2026.
New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day: Thursday, December 31, 2026, and Friday, January 1, 2027.

Many rentals set their own minimum stay for these nights, and it can differ from the rest of the season. Read the minimum for your exact dates on the booking site, not the general winter rule.

Lights On! and the Trail of Lights in Lakeway (from December 4)

The City of Lakeway’s Lights On! page lists Friday, December 4, 2026, from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Lakeway City Hall parking lot. The evening starts with the official lighting of the Trail of Lights, and Santa, Mrs. Claus and elves are there for photos, with live music, s’mores and food vendors. It is free. Parking is at the Lakeway Activity Center and the Justice Center, with a short walk to City Hall.

The city’s Trail of Lights page still shows last season’s dates, so the 2026 closing date is not posted yet. It lists two entrances: the lower lot of the Lakeway Activity Center, 105 Cross Creek, and the City Hall lot, 1102 Lohmans Crossing Road. Stroller and wheelchair access is from the City Hall lot. The trail is free.

Lago Vista Christmas Tree Lighting (first Monday of December)

The City of Lago Vista’s tree lighting page says the city holds its free annual tree lighting on the first Monday of December, which falls on December 7 in 2026. The page describes dancers, singers and performers on stage, the tree and the Winter Wonderland display lit as Santa arrives, and the high school band. It does not list a 2026 time yet.

Winter Wonderettes at TexARTS (December 4 to 20)

TexARTS’ tickets page lists Winter Wonderettes from December 4 to 20 at its theater, 1110 Ranch Road 620 South in Lakeway. Tickets are sold on that page, and the theater says parking is free.

What to confirm before you pay

The minimum stay and cancellation terms for your holiday nights.
Whether the pool or hot tub is heated in December, and whether there is an extra charge for it.
Parking and driveway access, especially if a home sits on a steep or narrow road.
House rules and occupancy: rental tips. For what to bring, see the winter packing list.

If one feature matters for a holiday stay, start with these Lake Travis pages; each lists only rentals whose own listing title or website mentions that feature: Pet-friendly Lake Travis listings (9), Lake Travis rentals with a hot tub (9), Lake Travis rentals with a pool (27), Lakefront rentals in Lake Travis (26). Confirm the feature and the holiday minimum stay with the owner or manager in writing before you pay.

FAQ

When is Lakeway’s Lights On! in 2026?

Friday, December 4, 2026, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Lakeway City Hall, per the City of Lakeway. It starts the Trail of Lights.

When is the Lago Vista tree lighting?

The city holds it on the first Monday of December, which is December 7 in 2026. Check the city page for the time.

Does BnB Search book the stay?

No. Compare on the hub, then finish on the site linked from the listing.

Start browsing stays

Sources

City of Lakeway — Lights On! (December 4, 2026) (read October 30, 2026)
City of Lakeway — Trail of Lights (read October 30, 2026)
City of Lago Vista — Christmas Tree Lighting (read October 30, 2026)
TexARTS — Winter Wonderettes tickets (read October 30, 2026)

Things to do · Winter packing · Weather by month · Rental tips · Christmas week lakes rentals