Snapshot for today (Sunday, Nov 30, 2025)

  • Weather: 49°F, cloudy, 10% precip, 49% humidity, 13 mph wind. It'll feel brisk, especially after dark, so confirm real-time conditions via the National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio and plan wind-proof layers.
Pro Tip

Use the current NWS forecast plus your own “feels-like” test when you step outside—wind at 13 mph can make kids cold much faster once they stop running around, so lean warmer on layers and extras.

Why today matters

Heads Up

Today is the final night for the Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail and tickets are timed-entry only, with last entry at 8:30pm and no late grace or refunds. Build in extra buffer for parking, bathrooms, and wrangling kids so you don’t miss your window.

Smart sample schedules

Option A: Littles-first (toddlers + early elementary)

  • 8:40–9:00am: Arrive and park before the lot fills.
  • 9:00–11:00am: Fortlandia. Hit the sailboat with crow's nest and spinning rainbow prisms early for photos before crowds.
  • 11:00–12:00pm: Snack/picnic on-site; bathroom break; exit before nap meltdown.
  • 12:00–3:30pm: Home base reset and nap.
  • 4:15–5:00pm: Early dinner nearby; layer up.
  • 5:15pm: Back to campus; park and do bathrooms.
  • 5:30–6:30pm timed entry to the Light Trail. Aim for the first slot to align with bedtimes and double-check any last‑minute updates in the official “Know Before You Go” guide.

Option B: Big kids + tweens

  • 10:00am–12:30pm: Fortlandia plus build-your-own-fort area.
  • 12:30–2:00pm: Lunch break.
  • 2:00–3:30pm: Optional side quest or rest.
  • 6:30–8:00pm: Light Trail entry window; enjoy the later vibe. Be inside gates no later than 8:30pm.

Fortlandia—what to know

  • Hours: Daily 9am–4pm through Feb 1, 2026 (verify any changes on the Wildflower Center’s Fortlandia page before you go).
  • Pricing: Adults $15; Seniors $10; Youth 5–17 $8; 4 and under FREE; Members FREE.
  • Features: 8 custom-built forts by local artists, including a climbable sailboat with crow's nest, spinning rainbow prisms, climbable cacti structures, plus a build-your-own-fort zone. One additional hidden fort is on the Lady Bird Lake trail (not on campus—save for a separate downtown stroll); you can pair it with a walk on the Lady Bird Lake Hike-and-Bike Trail.
  • Strollers: Family Garden trails are established and stroller-friendly.
  • Parking: Large lot on-site; it fills at peak times. Arrive by opening or after 2pm for easier parking.
  • Strategy:
    • Start at the high-demand forts (sailboat, prisms) and loop back to build-your-own before you exit.
    • Snap your family photo in the first 20 minutes to beat lines and wind-ruffled hair later.
    • If you're a member, admission is free—bring your member card/ID.
    • Budget: Family of four with two kids (5–10) is about $46 before tax/fees.
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Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail—final night specifics

  • Timing today: 5:30pm–9:00pm; last entry 8:30pm sharp.
  • Tickets: Timed entry; separate from Fortlandia admission. Starts at $25; discounted pricing for ages 2–12. No late entry, refunds, or exchanges—build buffer time and confirm fine print via the official ticketing site.
  • Plan:
    • Choose a slot that matches your family's dinner and bedtime. The 5:30pm window is the most "kid bedtime-friendly."
    • Arrive 20–30 minutes before your time to park, layer up, and do bathrooms.
    • Keep digital tickets ready; cell service can bog down—screenshot your QR codes.
    • It will feel colder after sundown with 13 mph wind. Add windproof layers and warm footwear. For even more hyper-local tips, see our deep-dive guide to the Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail at the Wildflower Center.

What to pack (today-specific)

  • For all ages: Windproof jacket, beanie, gloves, warm socks, closed-toe shoes, lip balm.
  • Littles: Fleece blanket for stroller, thin mittens, a spare base layer if kids get sweaty on forts.
  • Helpful extras: Compact umbrella (10% precip + wind), hand warmers, labeled water bottles, small flashlight or headlamp for walking after dark (teach kids to point lights down).
  • Snacks: Simple, non-sticky, non-crumbly options; pack a trash bag. Confirm any site food policies at the gate or on the official Wildflower Center site.

Campus logistics in one place

  • Address: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Ave, Austin, TX 78739.
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Ave, Austin, TX 78739
  • Parking: On-site lot; may fill—carpool if you can. Allow 10–15 minutes to walk from your spot to entry.
  • Strollers/wheels: Family Garden trails at Fortlandia are stroller-friendly. For the light trail, keep your party close and lights low to preserve visibility for others.
  • Safety: Kids should climb only on designated climbable structures (e.g., the climbable cacti). Review "stay-with-your-buddy" rules beforehand and check the event “Know Before You Go” for any additional rules.

If the light trail sells out (or you want a second holiday hit)

  • Peppermint Parkway at COTA: Drive-thru lights with park-style extras; book ahead for prime times. See official site: https://peppermintparkway.com
  • North Pole Flyer train rides (Austin Steam Train Association): Classic holiday rail experience—often sells out; check for cancellations or weekday options: https://www.austinsteamtrain.org
  • Winter Wonderland at The Pitch: Open-air food court and sports village with festive add-ons; easy for multi-family meetups.
  • Blue Genie Art Bazaar: Gift shopping with local makers—go early for easier parking and kid stamina; you can pair it with other local-only finds like our guide to Hidden Austin’s tiniest patio bar when you’re planning adults-only time.
  • Vista Brewing outdoor movies: Dress warmly; bring camp chairs and blankets.
  • CYT Austin theater: Youth-led productions—great for arts-loving kids.

Insider intelligence (local-pro tips)

  • Beat-the-crowds window: 9:00–10:30am at Fortlandia is the calmest stretch for families; midday swells with traffic.
  • Two-ticket trap: Families get tripped up by thinking Fortlandia covers the light trail—it doesn't. Buy both in advance for today.
  • Final-night buffer: For the light trail, plan to be on-site 20–30 minutes before your entry. Last entry is 8:30pm with no late grace.
  • Nap math: If you have a 1–3pm napper, choose the 5:30pm light trail slot and do an early dinner at 4:30–5:00pm.
  • Photo ops: The sailboat's crow's nest and spinning prisms are top shots—hit them first before wind picks up and lines form.
  • Hidden fort hack: The extra fort is on the Lady Bird Lake trail—not at the Wildflower Center. Schedule it as a separate daytime micro-adventure when you're downtown, and consult the city’s trail overview for routing.
  • Stroller success: Family Garden trails are friendly for wheels, but bring a wind cover for today’s breeze and a small blanket for warmth.
  • Parking Plan B: If the lot is near full, assign one adult to unload kids and start bathroom runs while the driver parks and meets at the gate.
  • Budget reality: Fortlandia for four is around $46; the evening light trail will run about $100+ for a family of four at starting prices, before fees and food.
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Beat the two-ticket trap by buying both Fortlandia and light trail tickets before you leave the house—then build in 20–30 minutes of “just in case” time so nap math and parking drama don’t eat your entry window.

Local parent playbook

Dining add-ons and warm-up treats

Quick FAQ for today

  • Do we need two tickets? Yes. Fortlandia admission and the Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail are separate; book both via the Wildflower Center and the official light trail ticketing link.
  • Are strollers OK? Fortlandia uses established Family Garden trails that are stroller-friendly.
  • What's the last light trail entry? 8:30pm, no late entry. Event runs to 9:00pm.
  • Parking? On-site lot can fill during peak times. Arrive early and allow buffer time, especially if you’re tacking this onto other weekend events from the Visit Austin calendar.

Budgeting at a glance

  • Fortlandia: Adults $15; Seniors $10; Youth 5–17 $8; 4 and under FREE; Members FREE.
  • Light trail: Starts at $25 per ticket; discounted for ages 2–12. For a family of four, plan from about $100+ before fees; see current tiers when you select seats on the official ticketing page.

Primary source links

Final checklist before you go

  • Tickets: Fortlandia + separate timed light trail tickets screenshotted.
  • Layers: Windproof jacket, hats, gloves, warm socks, closed-toe shoes.
  • Stroller wind cover, small blanket, hand warmers.
  • Water, simple snacks, small trash bag.
  • Portable battery + downloaded tickets.
  • Leave 20–30 minutes early for parking and bathroom stops.

Have a magical kickoff day—capture your family photo early, build a fort together, then bundle up for one last night of lights.