2025 Zilker Holiday Tree Youth Art Contest underway
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Calling all young artists! The 2025 Zilker Holiday Tree Youth Art Contest is now underway.
Austin Parks and Recreation invited local artists between 5 and 10 years old to participate in the annual Zilker Holiday Tree art contest.
Artists were encouraged to enter their works, and the top three selected artwork winners from two age categories would be recognized in the tree lighting ceremony Nov. 30.
The deadline for art entries is Nov. 1. A 4:30 p.m. deadline was given for mail/drop-off submissions. Mailed submissions must include the entry form information and be sent to Austin Parks and Recreation Department at 200 South Lamar. An 11:59 p.m. deadline was given if uploaded online.
Only one entry is allowed per child, and the artwork cannot be larger than 8.5 x 11 inches and must fit into an 8.5” x 11” flat frame. Larger artwork will be automatically disqualified.
About the Zilker Tree
According to the city of Austin, the Zilker Holiday Tree was 155 feet tall and composed of 39 streamers, with 3,309 multicolored LED lights total. The tree also has a double star at the top, which measures 10 feet from point to point. It has 150 frosted bulbs.
The base of the tree is made up of 19 utility poles arranged in a circle around the Moonlight Tower, and the circumference of the tree measures 380 feet, according to the city.
Electricians with the city created the unique spiral pattern of the Zilker Tree.