Peppermint Parkway has returned to Circuit of The Americas with a fully reimagined outdoor walk‑through format—and for Austinites who want fresh air, movement, and holiday magic all in one place, this year’s experience is the most wellness‑forward yet. Open nightly through December 28, the 1.25‑mile illuminated route transforms COTA into a vibrant, car‑free holiday playground, as confirmed on the official Peppermint Parkway site.
Peppermint Parkway at Circuit of The Americas
$$This is a fully outdoor, 1.25‑mile walk‑through experience with no cars on the route. Dress for changing December weather and wear comfortable walking shoes.
Here’s your premium guide to everything new, everything essential, and the intel that makes a visit smoother, cheaper, and way more fun.
WHAT’S NEW FOR 2025
• Circuit Breaker roller coaster (the park’s major new thrill ride) joins the lineup at COTA’s Peppermint Parkway.
• A redesigned pedestrian‑only pathway for slower strolling and immersive light interactions anchors the fully walkable format highlighted on the Peppermint Parkway homepage.
• Rudolph’s Scavenger Hunt, a kid‑friendly, movement‑boosting trail challenge, is one of the featured activities in this year’s walk‑through experience.
• Expanded Peppermint Plaza with more outdoor activity zones gives families extra room to play before or after the route.
Visiting with active kids or wellness‑minded friends? Prioritize time on the pedestrian‑only pathway and Rudolph’s Scavenger Hunt—those two additions pack in the most movement and exploration.
ESSENTIAL DETAILS
Location: Circuit of The Americas, 9201 Circuit of The Americas Blvd, Austin, TX 78617 — the same address listed on Visit Austin’s official event page.
Dates: Nightly through December 28 (see date grid on the Peppermint Parkway ticketing page for specific nights).
Hours: 6:00 PM–10:00 PM
Nightly, 6:00 PM–10:00 PM through December 28 (check the ticketing calendar for any date‑specific changes).
Admission: From $45 per group, with add‑ons for rides and activities, as outlined in the event’s online ticket portal.
Primary Source Links: circuitoftheamericas.com, peppermintparkway.com
If you’re building a bigger holiday night around your visit, pair it with the family‑focused strategies in Austin Holiday Lights With Kids: The Insider Playbook 2025.
WHAT TO EXPECT ON THE PARKWAY
The illuminated route is now fully walkable, inviting slow exploration instead of stop‑and‑go driving—a shift emphasized in the official event overview. Expect:
• Millions of lights, themed zones, and interactive displays
• Holiday performers and character moments
• Up‑close photo stations built for families
• Ample room for strollers and steady walking
Because the route is stroller‑friendly and car‑free, it’s one of the easier big holiday light events to navigate with little kids, grandparents, or mixed‑ability groups.
After the walk, Peppermint Plaza extends your visit with COTA Karting, an 18‑hole mini golf course, holiday amusement rides, Santa photo ops, and a Christmas Village marketplace for local gifts and crafts, all called out on the Peppermint Parkway experience page. For even more local gifting inspiration, you can stitch this into a full shopping circuit using the guide to Austin Holiday Markets 2025: The Insider’s Cost‑Saving Circuit.
THE NEW CIRCUIT BREAKER
COTALAND’s new tilt coaster is the year’s headline addition. You can add it to your ticket or purchase on‑site, and official event info notes that ride access is offered as an upgrade. Express Pass is available and valuable on weekends.
If Circuit Breaker is a must‑do, budget for the ride upgrade and consider the Express Pass on Friday and Saturday nights only—other nights typically don’t justify the extra cost.
TRACK LAP EXPERIENCE
For a fee, guests can drive the famed F1 track at 25 MPH. It’s not part of general admission, but thrill seekers often pair it with the Parkway walk; package details and availability are bundled on the Peppermint Parkway ticketing portal.
SPECIAL NIGHTS (December 2025)
Discounted or themed nights include Scouts Night, DVISD Night, Santa‑Paws (dog‑friendly), E‑Recycle Night, and First Responders Night, which are outlined on the official event calendar. Bring ID when applicable. If you’re planning around Santa‑Paws or other pet‑friendly outings, cross‑check with the tips in the Holiday Pet Photos in Austin insider guide.
Themed and discounted nights can sell out faster than standard nights. Lock in tickets early if you’re targeting Santa‑Paws, school‑specific evenings, or First Responders Night.
INSIDER INTELLIGENCE
• Arrive between 6:00–7:30 PM for lower wait times; this lines up well with the 6:00 PM–10:00 PM window confirmed by Visit Austin’s listing.
• Weekends peak sharply between 8:00–9:00 PM.
• Children under 2 enter free.
• Express Pass for Circuit Breaker is worth it only on Fridays and Saturdays.
• For multi‑hour visits, book onsite RV camping.
• Scavenger Hunt is the best crowd‑management tool for kids—it guides your route naturally.
• Food options rotate; menus are not published online. Choose tents with shorter lines and order earlier (6:00–7:00 PM) before queues grow.
Weekend evenings between 8:00–9:00 PM are the most congested across the route, rides, and food tents. Build in extra time for parking and lines, or shift to a weeknight or earlier arrival.
Make Rudolph’s Scavenger Hunt your first stop with kids: it gives them a mission, naturally paces your walk, and helps avoid meltdowns while adults take in the lights.
Food options and menus change, and nothing is published online. If you have picky eaters or dietary needs, arrive on the early side (around 6:00 PM) to scout tents and grab food before lines spike.
- Fully walkable
- car‑free light route
- Kid‑friendly scavenger hunt and characters
- Expanded Peppermint Plaza with rides and mini golf
- New Circuit Breaker tilt coaster upgrade
- On‑site Track Lap add‑on for F1 fans
- Ride upgrades and Track Lap cost extra on top of admission
- Weekend crowds and peak 8:00–9:00 PM congestion
- Rotating food options with no published menus
- Long drive for many Austinites out to COTA in 78617
A high‑energy, walkable holiday lights experience that shines for active families and coaster fans. Factor in upgrade costs and avoid the 8:00–9:00 PM weekend crush, and Peppermint Parkway delivers a big‑scale, once‑or‑twice‑per‑season night out.
RELATED AUSTIN GUIDES
• Austin Holiday Lights With Kids: The Insider Playbook 2025 (Free Nights, Crowd Hacks, Age‑by‑Age Plans)
• Austin Holiday Markets 2025: The Insider’s Cost‑Saving Circuit (Free Entries, Best Days, Last‑Minute Deals)
• Fortlandia at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: Ultimate Parent Guide
• Austin December 2025 Mobility & Money Hacks
Related Austin Data
Inside Peppermint Parkway 2025: Austin’s Outdoor Holiday Wonderland With New Wellness‑Forward Experiences
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