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Zilker Tree Lighting Brightens Zilker Park


The 46th Zilker Holiday Tree lighting took place December 2 at 6 p.m. at Zilker Park. The event is sponsored by the Runtex Foundation.

This year’s winners of the Zilker Holiday Tree Art contest from the Junior Division and Senior Division flipped the switch to light the tree.

Crowds enjoyed a music and local food vendors. Several giving people also offered donations for the annual Blue Santa toy drive. 

The Zilker Holiday Tree will be lit through December 31 from 6 p.m. until midnight nightly.

The Zilker tree is 155 feet tall, made up of 39 streamers with each holding 81 multi-colored 25-watt bulbs. The total number of lights is 3,309. A double star at the top of the tree is 10 feet from point to point. The star is made up of 150 frosted bulbs. The spiral pattern of lights was created by City of Austin electricians. The base of the tree is made up of 19 utility poles that are 14 feet tall and arranged in a circle around the Moonlight Tower.

For more on this Austin tradition, see http://www.austintexas.gov/zilkerholidaytree