Lighting of the Zilker Christmas Tree

A tradition since 1967, the annual lighting of the Zilker Tree is one of the city's most popular and recognized events.

It's not technically a tree but rather one of the original Moonlight Towers (Austin's first illumination system, way back in 1894, consisted of 31 carbon-arc lamps on 150 foot tall wrought iron poles). The Zilker Tree is constructed of 39 streamers which hold 3300 individual bulbs in a spiral design. There is also a large, double star comprised of 150 individual frosted bulbs.

The lighting of the Zilker Tree is Austin's unofficial kickoff to Christmas (and in 2009 serves as the epicenter for the Zilker Tree Holiday Festival which, at least temporarily, replaces the popular Trail of Lights Festival).

The actual lighting was originally a mayoral perk, but in recent years a very cool tradition has emerged. The Junior Division winner (5-7 year olds) of the city's annual Zilker Tree Coloring Contest gets the honor of flipping the switch and bringing Christmas to Austin.

The tree stays lit each year until December 31st.

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