In one month it will be time for Austin's annual Trail of Lights tradition. This year the festival is giving the gift of a friendlier and healthier environment

Green Trail of Lights

KVUE's Steve Alberts reports

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Ralf Buschmann Friday was hanging lights for the annual Trail of Lights festival.

“When it comes to Christmas time this is terrific,” he said.

This year the Trail of Lights is going green.

Denise Todd and her daughter Ashley Brown look forward to the Trail of Lights every year. They say they are excited to hear the city is doing its part to reduce its carbon footprint.

"I think it's awesome," said Brown

"I think anything the city can do to enhance our natural resources and conserve them is wonderful," said Todd

The main reason for the energy savings is a switch to LED lights, which are brighter and use less energy. Austin Energy says 30 percent of the Trail of Lights exhibits use the lights.

Officials say converting the light bulbs is a bright idea in terms of cost and the environment. LED lights save 80 percent to 90 percent in cleaner energy and will dramatically cut the festival's overall energy bill.

Bill Wise, a creative director for the Trail of Lights, said there's a bigger picture to going green.

"A lot of it is repurposing some of the existing inventory. It's a real(ly) gradual integration of LED,” said Wise.

The more than one million lights will be powered by Austin Energy using wind power.

Victor Ovalle with the Austin Parks & Recreation Department said the city is making a commitment to use renewable resources. The ultimate goal is for the trail of lights to shine brighter and be a holiday gift that will include a healthier environment.

“Just to see people walking through and their faces that's what live for,” said Buschmann.

The Trail of Lights runs from December 14-23.