The Mozart’s light show has been a tradition for many Austin families for years. From synchronized lights set to holiday music to the festival it is today, the celebration has evolved since it began in 2010.
So what should you expect at Mozart’s Coffee light display in 2025? And is it worth going to with your family this year? Here’s everything you need to know, from parking to prices to tips.
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What is Mozart’s Festival of Lights?
The Festival of Lights has sparkling lights and displays all through the cafe area, photo ops, a light-up dance floor, a market for buying treats, multiple performances a night, and boat rides (extra fee).
This year’s Festival of Lights features hourly shows from a Broadway-style performer, McKenna Michels and her holiday band. She tells the story of The Nutcracker and sings familiar holiday songs throughout the telling. As she narrates the battle between the mouse king and nutcracker, performers from Floki fire dancers act out the battle with impressive flames on a floating dock on the lake.
From Dec. 12-20, instead of the McKenna Michels show, Festival of Lights will feature He Rules the World (two showings a night), a rock-infused retelling of the nativity. The pre-show will still have a performance by McKenna Michels and the Floki Fire Troupe.
Is there a light show at Mozart’s?
Mozart’s no longer does the synchronized light show set to holiday music on the side of the building like they did in 2023 and before. The two big LED screens may show some images or video synchronized to the performance, but there are no traditional Christmas lights involved in the show.
There are plenty of Christmas lights displayed around the cafe; there is no show with moving holiday lights anymore.
Where is Mozart’s Festival of Lights?
Mozart’s Festival of Lights takes place at Mozart’s Coffee Roasters on Lake Austin. The address is 3825 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703.
The festival takes place in the parking lot and outdoor space of Mozart’s, as well as on the lake itself.
When is Mozart’s light display in 2025?
Mozart’s Festival of Lights is happening Nov. 22 through Jan. 3 in 2025. Shows start at 7 pm.
Where do I park for Mozart’s Christmas event?
There is free parking available across the street from Mozart’s Coffee (the additional parking for Oyster Landing Marina). There’s a pedestrian light so you can safely cross the street to Mozart’s.
How much does Mozart’s holiday show cost?
There are a few different options for pricing depending on what experience you’re looking for at Mozart’s holiday event this year. Note: if you are planning to attend between Dec. 12 and 20, it will be for the He Rules the World show, which is a different format and has higher prices.
General admission
General admission costs $3 per person (everyone 18 months and older needs a ticket). This will give you access to the market area and the lower deck for open seating for a time slot of either 6:30-8:30 or 8:30-10:30.
With general admission, you can play on the light-up dance floor, take photos at all the photo ops, see the movie playing on the lake, watch the fire show, and see some of the stage show on the big screen (I think the view will depend on where you’re sitting/standing). You likely won’t be able to see the stage.
Reserved seating
If you’d like a guaranteed table with a view of the stage and big screens, choose a reserved table. It’s on the upper deck and the price is per table, rather than per person. Your time slot is for one hour.
For a 4-person table, it’s $45 (plus fees); for a 2-person table, it’s $25 (plus fees). Any person 18 months or older counts as a person.
These seats give you a view of the stage. If you want to have a better view of the fire spinning and dancing during the battle scene, choose a seat closer to the water.
He Rules the World show
From Dec. 12 to Dec. 20, the show at Mozart’s is He Rules the World, with 2 shows a night and several seating options, ranging from $45 to $75 per seat.
Boat rides
If you want to enjoy the lights from the water, float through light tunnels, and see a little cove with more lights and some lighted figures, you can book a boat ride. There are pontoon boats ($30/person or $20/child) and donut boats ($300 for the boat that fits 10 people, plus a captain) for 45 minutes.
Is Mozart’s Festival of Lights worth it?
The most common questions I’ve been asked are if the Festival of Lights is worth it and how it compares to former holiday seasons.
I think that if you loved the old light show and have a sentimental attachment to it, you may be disappointed by the festival now. It is different, and the show may not hold the attention of kids as much as the old show.
But if you didn’t particularly care about the old light show or didn’t like it once you had to pay for reserved tables, you may enjoy this totally different experience. It’s great for hanging out under twinkling lights, running around on the dance floor, enjoying a live show (including the super cool fire show portion), having some treats and taking festive photos at the photo ops.
If you are thinking of taking a boat, here’s what to expect. It’s a 45-minute ride on either a shared pontoon boat (if you have a big group, you can rent the whole thing) or a donut boat for 10 people. You go past the rainbow light tunnel near Mozart’s, ride peacefully across the lake to a little cove, where there are more lights, 7 or so lighted sculptures (like animals, Willie Nelson, surfing Santa) and another tunnel to go through.
How does it compare to past years?
This year’s festival is similar to 2024’s all-new set-up, with a market area, live performance and boat rides.
The light-up dance floor is back this year (they didn’t have it last year) but smaller than in the past — maybe a quarter of the size. It has moving images across the floor that kids love to run around, jump and dance on.
The old light shows used to start at 6 pm, but now the shows start at 7 pm (pre-show for He Rules the World starts at 6:30).
Looking for more holiday fun? Check out these festive events, where to see Santa or how to celebrate for free!