AUSTIN, Texas — Hundreds of people came out for the 51st annual Zilker tree-lighting ceremony on Sunday.

The tradition dates back to 1967 and Mayor Steve Adler says it's one that binds the city

"With so many things changing in the city, change happening so rapidly as we're growing, we want to hold on to those institutions that really make us a community and this is one of them,” Mayor Adler said.

The tree is more than 150 feet tall and has more than 3,300 bulbs in a spiral pattern designed by City of Austin electricians.

The Zilker Holiday Tree will be on display nightly from Nov. 27 through Dec. 31 from 6 p.m. to midnight.

 

The Trails of Lights will run in conjunction with the Holiday Tree from Dec. 9-23. On these evenings, surrounding area roads will be closed. Additional details are available on the Trail of Lights website at austintrailoflights.org.