Ticketing & Registration
October 22, 2020  •  by Lisa Carson

Ticketbud Helps Convert 400,000 Attendee Holiday Festival into a Timed Access Drive-thru Experience

Austin’s largest holiday event that attracts 400,000 attendees each year, has reinvented itself for 2020. Austin Trail of Lights, the city’s second largest event, has been converted into an hourly timed access drive-thru experience.

To accommodate the new format, Austin Trail of Lights will extend from a two-week opening to a five-week event, running from November 28 until Jan 3. Attendees can purchase entry passes online through Ticketbud, with an allocated hourly time slot for a designated evening. The timed entry restricts the number of vehicles entering the experience, facilitating a smoother flow of traffic. 

“Ticketbud has been the trusted ticketing partner of Austin’s Trail of Lights for the last few years, and in 2020 we’ve relied on Ticketbud to help switch our walk-through holiday light show experience into a socially distanced drive-thru event”.


“The Ticketbud team has been a great support helping us create timed access ticket programming with scheduled drive-thru times. By limiting the number of vehicles able to enter each hour, attendees can secure their time and plan their evening without everyone turning up at once. This new programming will help us distribute and maximize tickets over our now five-week event.”

Teri Smart, VP of Marketing, Forefront Networks.
Forefront Networks produces the Austin Trail of Lights on behalf of the Trail of Lights Foundation.

Like so many other events and festivals, this local favorite has had to adapt, but it’s set to be an exciting new experience.

“We’re all doing our part to ensure this local holiday tradition continues to shine. The Ticketbud team is really proud of the support we’ve been able to provide so many event organizers this year, helping them navigate significant changes to how they run their events.”

Kayhan Ahmadi, Ticketbud CEO.

Ticketbud’s great features make managing large events easy with flexible ticket programming, promotion, communication and sponsorship tools. We’ve also extended our Refund Protect coverage, providing extra peace of mind for ticket buyers.

Our event page calendar feature makes multi-day timed entry ticketing much easier for ticket buyers to navigate to find the convenient date and time they need.

The Trail of Lights Experience 2020

Now celebrating it’s 56th year, Austin Trail of Lights actually began as a drive-thru light show experience, evolving into a walk through event over the years. It’s now going back to its drive-thru origins due to the current need for social distancing to maintain a safe family friendly environment.

The trail’s themed light displays include over 2 million lights illuminating Austin’s Zilker Park. Visitors will be able to tune in via their radio for the Trail of Lights holiday music, highlights, history and more as they drive through the park. 

The Trail will host private nights allowing limited free entry through the STARS at the Trail program for over 30 non-profit community partners. As well as providing vehicle passes to eligible families throughout the Austin Independent School District.

The Trail will be open to guests from November 28, 2020 – January 3, 2021. There are two ways to attend: 

General Admission

Prices range from $25-$35 per vehicle depending on entry time and night with timed access each hour starting at 7pm.

Dash Pass

$60 per vehicle, dash passes allow for early entry between 5:45-7:00pm. Guests will receive a box of holiday cookies and the ATX Lights Savings Card. (Presented by Northern Trust)

All Dash Pass, Fun Run & Premiere Night ticket holders will receive the ATX Lights Savings Card to use at some of the best restaurants, food trucks and shops in Austin. Your card will provide 20% off or BUY ONE, GET ONE.

Tickets On Sale NOW!