A guide to Johnson City's must-see lights
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Johnson City's Lights Spectacular continues through Jan. 5. Photo: Nicole Cobler/Axios
Some of the best Christmas lights in Texas are just an hour's drive from Austin.
The big picture: Johnson City's 35th annual Lights Spectacular runs through Jan. 5 with thousands of lights illuminating the Pedernales Electric Cooperative campus and surrounding area from around 5:45pm until midnight each day.
- Local restaurants and shops also decorate for the holidays, so it's worth parking and walking around downtown.
Catch up quick: The Pedernales Electric Cooperative displays more than 1.6 million sparkling LED lights, which the town claims NASA can see from space. We'll let them have it.
Zoom in: The Blanco County Courthouse is draped with lights, along with surrounding shops.
- Take the family on a carriage ride or tractor hayride around the square, snap photos with Santa and check out local stores, which often stay open late for Lights Spectacular.
Where to shop: The courtyard of antique store Camp Bubba, in walking distance from the courthouse, is just as magical as the PEC campus.
- Camp Bubba stays open late during Lights Spectacular and features curated antiques and Christmas decorations.
- June Bloom Lavender, situated in the same courtyard, is overflowing with lavender goods. Owner Melissa June harvests her lavender in California to stock her Johnson City store.
- Hill Country Ice Cream shares the same courtyard for a sweet treat to wrap up your night.
Before the show: Stop by a nearby Hill Country winery or brewery, or spend the day in Fredericksburg for German food and plenty of shopping.
Pro tip: Drop by during Johnson City's Market Days on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month, where local vendors sell gifts, clothes and art at the courthouse square. The next Market Days take place Dec. 28-29.
- And check out their events schedule to learn more about activities on the square each night.
📍 If you go: Make dinner reservations in advance. It's busy — even on nights without Market Days.