Holidays

Peppermint Parkway Brings the Holiday Spirit to COTA

Published by
Hayden Walker
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Peppermint Parkway returns to Circuit Of The Americas for another year of holiday magic, starting on November 26, through December 26. New this year – guests can visit two brand-new villages, get involved with an interactive Rockette-style dance performance, ride in an open-air shuttle through the Parkway, and much more. Guests will also be invited to the Peppermint Plaza, in the Grand Plaza, for rides, food trucks, a meet & greet with Santa, and more.

New this year, guests can share a kiss with loved ones in the Mistletoe Kissing Booth for an unforgettable photo op that’s perfect for your holiday card. Families can take a photo with Santa, write a letter to Santa, and travel to the top of the COTA Candy Cane, COTA’s 251-ft tall Observation Tower which offers an amazing view of the Parkway and illuminated Austin skyline. COTA will also offer Twinkle Trams this year, a chance to ride in an open-air shuttle through the Parkway with all your friends, which makes it a great option for parties and group events.

Circuit of The Americas is expanding the holiday experience with two new villages including ONEderland, a whimsical world of giant illuminated mushrooms mixed with mesmerizing mosaic sculptures, and Twinkle Trail, a dazzling golden display of dancing lights that is sure to leave guests breathless.

The North Pole Palooza is also new this year as the perfect finale to a night. It features a 15-minute nightly spectacular, with performances at 7, 8, and 9 p.m., allowing guests to enjoy a Rockette-style performance before the crowd is invited to join them on-stage with Santa for the Santa Shuffle. No holiday celebration would be complete without a reading of “The Night Before Christmas” by Santa and a holiday dance number, complete with falling snow. Between shows guests will have the opportunity to meet and snap a pic with the event’s mascots, Pepper and Mint.

Race fans can also enjoy the Candy Cane Cruise, an exclusive opportunity that will allow guests to take their own cars for a parade lap on COTA’s world-famous 3.41 mile FIA-grade Formula 1 track, where many world champions have raced.

In addition to over 6 million lights illuminating their path, guests returning to Peppermint Parkway will recognize special hosts, Pepper and Mint, as they embark on their journey down COTA’s Tunnel Road to deliver their letters to Santa. Families & friends will watch the Parkway come to life with the help of dozens of live characters, including dancing elves, roller skating snowflakes, and everyone’s favorite holiday grump, the Grinch. These characters will interact with guests’ vehicles, creating an immersive holiday experience not found anywhere else.

Ticket packages start at $35 and on-sale now on-site and at PeppermintParkway.com.

Hayden Walker

Hayden Walker is the Editor in Chief and Director of Operations for Austin Food Magazine

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