Things to Do

Bring out Your Inner Child at Marble Falls’ Walkway of Lights

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Tony Maples Photography

 

By Judy Peacock
     Photos by Judy Peacock

One of the many reasons to visit Marble Falls in the Texas Hill Country during the holiday season is the beautiful, world famous Walkway of Lights. The Walkway opened for the season on Friday, Nov. 20, and will be open every night through Jan. 1, 2016, from 6 to 10 p.m., weather permitting (see cancellation info at bottom of article*). Come to Lakeside Park at 800 3rd Street in Marble Falls to see more than a million Christmas lights on more than 230 lighted figures. It is free, but donations are welcome.

Bring out Your Inner Child at Marble Falls’ Walkway of Lights

See how many Santas you can spot as you take the self-guided tour. Also, there are photos with the live Santa available Nov. 26-29 and Dec. 4-6, 11-13, and 18-20.       

As you enter the Walkway, friendly volunteers welcome you and answer any questions you might have. Then you walk through the Walkway at your own pace, and feel the magic of the Christmas season wash over you as you view these fantastic lighted figures. Some of the shapes are cute and whimsical; some are beautiful and make you ooh and ah; some are religious; some are so large that you can’t help but wonder how many lights it must have taken to create them. All are a joy to behold.

Bring out Your Inner Child at Marble Falls’ Walkway of Lights

Live trees line Lake Marble Falls, and you can see the reflection of the Hwy. 280 Bridge across the lake behind several of the structures.  Donations are appreciated to help make this winter wonderland a reality. (Oh, and there’s another Santa.)

The Marble Falls Chamber of Commerce organizes this delightful production each year, and accepts the monetary help of many individual and corporate sponsors, as well as the physical labor of a multitude of volunteers.  As you see what all is there, you can imagine that it takes a lot of hard work and man-hours to put together such a beautiful and memorable event. The event’s Facebook page tells us that one of this year’s sponsors contributed 125 live trees, set them up, and put lights on them!  They have three Title Sponsors and dozens of other sponsors.

Bring out Your Inner Child at Marble Falls’ Walkway of Lights

The Reason for the Season

Walkway of Lights started in 1991, and continues to grow each year. An average of 45,000 guests visited the attraction each year the past three years. It is a wonderful way to spend an evening, as a peaceful get-away alone, as a family, a group of friends, or a romantic date night. There is something for everyone, including a concession stand halfway through the Walk, with popcorn, cookies, hot apple cider or hot chocolate. Local non-profit organizations take turns running the concession stand as a fundraising opportunity.

Bring out Your Inner Child at Marble Falls’ Walkway of Lights

The largest tree in the Walkway has over 17,000 multi-colored lights, and there are lighted tunnels that each have over 12,000 lights. 

If you can get to Marble Falls during this holiday season, please make it a point to stop and experience the Walkway of Lights.

 

*If it has been raining around the time that you plan to visit, watch the weather update at noon the same day.  The Walkway cannot be turned on when the ground is wet.  You can find updates regarding the Walkway, including a list of event sponsors and a schedule for the organizations manning the concession stand.