This Neighborhood In Austin Has The Brightest And Best Christmas Lights In The City

The city may be changing, but this time-honored tradition lives on. If you’re looking for a healthy dose of Christmas cheer, venture down to 37th Street near Guadalupe for Christmas in Austin. This might just be the best neighborhood Christmas light display in Austin. This charming neighborhood has been decking the halls for decades, and it’s started to become a city-wide attraction. There’s no doubt about it. This neighborhood in Austin has the brightest and best Christmas lights in the city.

It all started in the '80s.

Neighbors didn't originally intend for this tradition to garner so much attention. It started as just a quirky art piece. Residents found leftover lights at the nearby sorority and fraternity houses and decided to string them across the street.

Soon, it wasn't just a simple string of lights.

Neighbors kept adding to the displays every year. Eventually, it got so large people took notice.

In 1993, people thought this tradition might dwindle.

City workers removed the lights over the streets due to hazard concerns. The next day, the neighbors protested by turning off all of their holiday displays. Their efforts worked, and the officers returned the next day to reinstall the lights.

The holiday lights took another dip in recent years.

As time continued on, the street's original residents moved away. University of Texas students started renting the properties, and the light show seemed to just be a memory from a bygone era.

Thankfully, a 37th Street homeowner banded the neighborhood together

Robert Foster encouraged his neighbors to keep 37th Street weird, and they definitely listened.

Today, it's bigger and better than ever.

Thousands of people come by to look at the whimsical lights. If you stroll through this season, you'll find a stuffed animal petting zoo and a kid-friendly outdoor disco. Amy's Ice Creams even set up a hot chocolate stand, so you can really get in the spirit.

It's clear that this quirky holiday tradition isn't going anywhere.

If you want to see these lights, enter from the Guadalupe side of the street. Please drive slowly and dim your lights.

Have you enjoyed a trip down 37th Street at Christmas? If not, what do you think is the best neighborhood Christmas light display in Austin? Let us know with a comment -- we would love to hear from you!

If you are all about keeping Austin weird during the holidays, this one strange tradition is a complete mystery, but it's awesome anyway.

And don't forget to check out our ultimate gift-giving guide!