Funky Austin Christmas lights at 37th Street
Would it be Christmas in Austin without a spin under the Zilker Tree and a stroll down 37th Street? We intended to do both last night, but a welcome rain shower allowed only 37th Street. No matter—the Zilker Tree is lit until New Year’s Eve, and a dizzying spin still awaits. Here, meanwhile, are the lights of 37th Street for your enjoyment.
The spectacle that was once 37th Street has faded considerably since its heyday a decade ago, but we still make the pilgrimage to see Austin’s funky Christmas spirit alight with playful, good-spirited humor. We appreciate the gift these neighbors (many of them new to the street’s holiday tradition) continue to give their fellow citizens by lighting up their homes and front yards so uniquely for everyone to enjoy. You won’t see a lot of Santas or tasteful lighting on this block. Expect the unexpected. Here a model airplane soars through the trees, with—what on earth?—wing-walking Christmas geese and perhaps a winged blimp.
Inflatable monkeys dangle from tree limbs at this house. Actually, monkeys were a theme at several houses this year. Wonder what’s up with that?
A tall pole is transformed into a tree of lights.
Parked beneath it? A scooter with Frosty the Snowman…
…and an inflatable, fire-breathing dragon on board.
Elsewhere, a foil-covered motorcycle glowed with lights…
…and a red yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora) imitated Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree, a single red ball dangling from its dead flower stalk.
A bigger light display beckoned a block south, so we moseyed over to see what the 36th Street neighbors were up to.
Festive red lanterns had been raised…
…as well as strings of Japanese cat lights.
A blue-lit tunnel of bamboo led to…
…a supremely Austin style front yard. Doesn’t this look like a fun place to hang out?
Next door, sock monkeys ruled. Here’s one in a Santa suit riding a trike with a snowman.
These sock monkeys, each in costume, made up a unique Nativity scene. (Not the most unusual Nativity scene I’ve seen on 37th Street, however. That honor goes to a miniature manger populated by the Baby Cheeses.)
A Christmas tribute to the birds and the bees?
A festive and cheery stroll it was, despite the drizzle. After we got home the rain came down in earnest—another gift of rain for parched Austin. It’s the best Christmas gift I can think of right now. I am grateful.
May your Christmas wishes come true as well. Have a wonderful holiday, wherever you are!
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For more 37th Street Austintatiousness, click for a politically themed 37th St. display from 2008.
All material © 2006-2011 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
Merry Christmas to you & yours Pam. I enjoyed the lights.
Merry Christmas to you too, Lola! —Pam
Nice low-light photography! We likely won’t make it out to this, so I appreciate your photos even more. Thanks for taking us along!
My pleasure, Caroline. I should have taken a tripod or monopod along, but the camera did a pretty good job without it. —Pam
Haven’t been down there in years. Thanks for the tour.
One year, we came on a house with tables of lights in the driveway. A man was hand painting each bulb with purple paint. I was amazed at his patience.
It is quite a show.
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Stay warm…
I remember when people on 37th Street used to hand tint their lights. They got the most beautiful colors that way! Linda, I hope you and yours have a wonderful Christmas too. —Pam
What a delightful experience! Great photos, thanks for the tour. We’ve been waiting for better weather to take in the sights around San Antonio too.
Merry Christmas!
Luckily, it’s hard to feel gloomy about all the rain, since we need it so badly. Have a wonderful Christmas, Shirley! —Pam
What a fun street of lighting. Whimsy is good! (I love the baby cheeses idea!)Thank you for sharing! A very, very Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Whimsy is good. And a merry Christmas to you and yours too, Cheryl. —Pam
Keeping Austin weird at Christmas 🙂
You bet, Toni! —Pam
Lots of fun. Have a Merry Christmas Pam.
And the same to you, Greggo! —Pam
WOW, great job capturing the lights, Pam. We love 37th street and can’t wait to go every year!
Enjoy your 37th Street stroll, Mamaholt. Merry merry! —Pam
I can almost see walking in there, and all the Austin plant nerds are hanging out at the table in that front yard! You all are bundled up against the brutal 45F night air, and I get welcomed, even in my OU Sooners sweatshirt.
Red Yucca, Agave, etc stalks make great ornament props!
Yes, we’d definitely be bundled up against a brutal 45 F night, David, and you’d be most welcome among Austin plant nerds. There’d have to be a roaring firepit too. —Pam
I’m excited to see that 37th Street is going strong and as funky as ever. Great pics!
I’m glad you enjoyed them, Ally. Happy Christmas! —Pam
Pam, omg, I’d forgotten about the Baby Cheeses! You made me laugh out loud. This street used to always be my merriest part of Christmas. Remember the ‘waterfall’ created by blue lights timed and cascading down one guys house? And the volcano erupting out of another chimney? I also loved how they would carry the lights across the street, connecting neighbor’s homes together so everyone walked underneath a light tunnel. I’m glad to see some of the new neighbors are carrying on the tradition. Was anyone out selling hot chocolate?
Oh yes, I remember the waterfall of lights, the volcano, and the connecting lights. Remember the guy who wrapped his house in lights, and you could walk around to the back yard and see tic-tac containers and pill jars filled with lights and strung on long strings? The whole place was a wonderland of humorous lighting. That kind of thing is no more, alas, but there’s still humor and still good cheer. We didn’t see a hot chocolate vendor this time, only a guy selling lighted necklaces for the kids. —Pam
Pam,
What a lovely display of lights. Hoping that the rest of your Christmas will be a Merry and Festive.
Merry Christmas
Yael
And the same to you and yours, Yael! —Pam
Maybe we’ll see you spinning under the tree?!? Merry Christmas to you and your family, Pam!
We’ll be the ones laughing our heads off, Cat. Merry Christmas to you and yours also! —Pam
I wish my neighborhood was that cool, then again I would feel pressure to participate, and that looks like a lot of work. I am glad one of your Christmas wishes is coming true with the rain. Merry Christmas and happy new year to you and your family.
Thank you, Les. Merry Christmas to you and your family too! —Pam
What an imaginative city! I hope you had a lovely day. Now, on to the New Year!
Beautiful! I love Christmas lights. We haven’t put hung lights outside before, but next year I’d like to. Uh, maybe we’ll hire a handyman to put them up.