Zilker Tree, Trail of Lights
Written by Artly Snuff   
Zilker TreeThe famous Christmas Tree of lights will be lit around the old Moonlight Tower (dating from 1894) in the middle of Zilker Park. It stands 155 feet tall and is comprised of 39 strands of lightbulbs. Each strand has 81 multi-color bulbs, giving a total of over 3300 bulbs; the top of the tower features two yellow stars that are ten feet across. The pattern of lights spirals down to a base that has a diameter of 120 feet across and a circumference of 380 feet around.
This spectacular tree came be seen from high points of ground all around Austin and from most of the high rise buildings in the downtown area. It has been a fixture of the Austin Christmas season ever since 1967 and will remain illuminated every night until December 31st and the dawning of the New Year.

Many college students (and others not so intoxicated) take time out of their busy Christmas schedule to drive down to Zilker Park so they can get underneath the giant tree and spin around while looking up into the lights. This is a guaranteed delight for any youngsters you may know and something the kids will remember for a long time.

This Tree is a staple of post cards sent from Austin, but this is the only time of year that you can experience it for yourself first hand. For more information, go to

HYPERLINK "http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/tol/tree.htm" www.ci.austin.tx.us/tol/tree.htm

The tree will be lit each day from 6 p.m. to midnight through Dec. 31. The nearby Trail of Lights will be open from Dec. 10 to 23 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. each day.