InstaTexas: Holiday Lights

If the Texas night sky seems a little brighter this week it’s because holiday light displays are switching on again across the state. I’ve rounded up a handful of them, from Amarillo to San Antonio, for this month’s Five of a Kind, but there are plenty more dazzling arrangements worth braving December’s cold (or just marginally cooler) temperatures to see.

Austin // Trail of Lights (Dec 8–22):

Now in its 49th year, the Zilker Holiday Tree stands 155 feet tall and is composed of 39 streamers, each holding 81 multicolored, 25-watt bulbs – totaling 3,309 lights. At the top of the tree, a double star measures 10 feet from point to point. The double star displays 150 frosted bulbs. This unique spiral pattern of lights was created by City of Austin electricians. At its circumference, the tree measures 380 feet. The diameter is 120 feet. The base of the tree is made up of 19 utility poles, each 14 feet tall, arranged in a circle around the Moonlight Tower. #zilkerpark #trailoflights #austin #texas #austintx #atx #trueaustin #txig #dji #djimoments #djicreators #inspire1 #uav #uas #drones #dronesforgood #droneoftheday #dronesdaily #droneart #igaustin #instagramtexas #theskykings #aerial #aerialphotography #fromwhereidrone #texastodo #awesome_globepix #imaerial_com

A photo posted by Gerard Juarez (@imaerial_com) on Nov 30, 2015 at 7:55pm PST

Bryan–College Station // Santa’s Wonderland (through Jan 3):

The sights and sounds of Carriage Ride thru the Trail of Lights @santaswonderland

A video posted by A Texas Christmas Experience (@santaswonderland) on Nov 29, 2015 at 5:10pm PST

Grand Prairie // Prairie Lights (through Jan 3):

First 5K with @cindymccolly it was a nice view. #prairielights #prairielights2015 #5k #friends #bonesteel #tbonstl #mccolly #christmaslights

A photo posted by Teresa Bonesteel (@tback269) on Nov 22, 2015 at 6:58pm PST

Johnson City // Lights Spectacular (through Jan 1):

2 million lights! #explorejc

A photo posted by @wowaustin on Nov 28, 2015 at 5:14pm PST

Marshall // Wonderland of Lights (through Dec 31):

Historic Harrison County #Texas Courthouse in Marshall; Wonderland of Lights. @CityofMarshallT

A photo posted by Marilyn Jones (@travelingwithmarilyn) on Nov 28, 2015 at 1:23pm PST

San Antonio // Fiesta de las Luminarias (through Dec 20):

#Christmas in #SanAntonio at the #riverwalk! My #favorite! #tistheseason #christmaslights #sanantonioriverwalk #igdaily #holiday

A photo posted by Liz (@lizi_marr) on Nov 30, 2015 at 9:32am PST

Tyler // Santa Land Texas (through Jan 4):