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Roger Ho / Waterloo Greenway, Creek Show 2024. Archive photograph at the former setting; the 2026 route is farther south.
Checked October 26, 2026. Prices are USD snapshots before any checkout fees unless stated otherwise. Availability and organizer policies can change.
The biggest planning change for Creek Show 2026 is its location. If you remember starting near Waterloo Park, do not reuse that route automatically. This year’s light-art evening takes place farther south, making your entrance, parking choice and dinner plan worth checking together.
The essential 2026 details
Creek Show runs November 13–21, 6–10pm, with ten installations along Waller Creek between 4th Street and Lady Bird Lake. Enter at 4th and Sabine, 703½ E. 4th Street. Choose a 6–8pm or 8–10pm arrival window; join the line by 9:30pm. Children five and under need no ticket. Official schedule and ticket link.
Pick a night before buying
| Choice | What to know |
|---|---|
| Community Night, November 16 | Free, but a reservation is required |
| Family Night, November 14 | Family programming alongside the light installations |
| General admission | Select your night and entry window; check the live checkout total |
| Fast Pass | An addition to general admission, not a replacement |
| Four-pack | Compare the discounted pack with four individual tickets |
The organizer’s page did not display a single dependable base ticket price during this check, so we are not copying an old-year price into this guide. See the organizer’s live ticket listings.
Parking and the correct map pin
The organizer lists $5 parking, 5–10pm on show nights, at the Convention Center garage, 601 E. 5th Street, with limited spaces. Garage map · Show entrance map. Source: Creek Show visit information.
The wider Greenway also has access points near 2nd and Sabine, Cesar Chavez, and Lady Bird Lake, but those are not interchangeable with the show’s ticket entrance. Its visitor guide identifies nearby Downtown Station and Cesar Chavez bus stops. Use CapMetro’s planner for service on your chosen night rather than assuming the last train fits your exit.
What to expect from the setting
The Confluence opened in June 2026 and includes restored creek-side landscape, pedestrian connections, a boardwalk and lakeside gathering areas. The Greenway describes this section as designed for universal accessibility. Event access can differ from an ordinary park visit: ask the organizer about your specific route or mobility needs before reserving. Read the destination and accessibility details.
Our planning recommendation is to treat this as your main evening outing, not a quick stop between tightly timed reservations. Eat before your arrival window or leave dinner flexible. Save your ticket offline, carry only what you want to walk with, and leave room for your group to stop without blocking the path. These are planning suggestions, not a promised tour duration.
See the atmosphere, not last year’s route
The photo above and the video below are from 2024. They show the character of the event, not the 2026 layout or a guarantee that the same installations will return. Waterloo Greenway’s annual commissions change; judge this year’s route using the current event page.
Archival video: Kris Adams / Waterloo Greenway. Original recap and credits.
Make it a two-day Austin plan
Booking disclosure: Some registration or experience links carry affiliate attribution. We may earn a commission on eligible bookings. Recommendations are based on the planning differences below, not payment for placement.
For visitors wanting another evening experience, compare the Austin Live Music Crawl. Its FareHarbor calendar lets you check a separate date before committing. Do not assume a tour includes Creek Show or starts near the light-art entrance. Keep the two bookings on separate evenings unless the actual times and meeting points leave enough room.
For a lower-cost daytime plan, compare free and inexpensive Austin outings. For December visitors, the Trail of Lights comparison covers a different event at Zilker Park.
Frequently asked questions
Can I go for free? Reserve Community Night rather than assuming every night has free entry.
Can I navigate to Waterloo Greenway’s office? Use the current show entrance linked above, not the organization’s general mailing address.
Should I buy a Fast Pass alone? No. Read the product description carefully: it supplements admission. Check the total for your entire party before purchasing.