Where Can I See San Antonio Christmas Lights? (2024)

By Sara Branstetter | November 5, 2024

One of my absolute, most favorite things about the Christmas season is the décor. It’s nearly impossible not to be in the holiday spirit when everywhere you look are festive trees, inflatable reindeer, and vibrant lights. It’s eye candy at its very best. And here in San Antonio, we have some of the most beautiful and unique places in Texas to take in the sights of Christmas, including ALL THE LIGHTS. Below is our list of some of the best places for San Antonio Christmas lights.

*If you are interested in more than just seeing lovely Christmas lights, there are a number of holiday events and activities occurring in and around greater SA. For a complete rundown of all our favorite Christmas happenings (including SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration and Six Flags Fiesta Texas Holiday in the Park), check out our ultimate guide to holiday events in San Antonio.

ABOUT US

We’re Kelsey and Sara, two local foodies with a combined 29 years of eating in San Antonio, two travel books, and millions of blog readers. We adore local spots, rarely visit chain restaurants, and we aren't afraid to tell you the truth. After spending thousands of our own $$$ at hundreds of local hot spots, we're sharing the best with you.

San Antonio Christmas Lights

Holiday Lights on the River Walk

There is no place in San Antonio more enchanting at Christmas than the Riverwalk. The combination of boats floating peacefully down the river, carolers singing merry songs, and 100,000 twinkling lights dangling from the magnificent cypress trees make for true Christmas magic. A mug of hot chocolate and a stroll along the river may just be the best thing you do all year long.

Christmas lights on the San Antonio River Walk

*Bonus: On December 6-9, 13-15, and 20-22, you can enjoy the added magic of the Ford Fiesta de las Luminarias. For three weekends only, 2,000+ luminarias will light up the banks of the San Antonio river enhancing the glow and beauty of the Christmas celebration.

Dates: November 30, 2024 - January 5, 2025

Cost: Free

Event Information: Here

WEBSITE | 849 E Commerce St, San Antonio, TX 78205

Alamo Lights

The Alamo Historical Mission celebrates Christmas every year with a beautiful lights display and an imposing tree in the Alamo plaza. Unfortunately for 2024, this year's display will be much pared down due to the ongoing construction on the area around the Alamo.

But don't despair, the Christmas tree will still be standing tall and a few small displays will be set up. So while it won't be the typical eye-popping spectacle it usually is, a visit to the Alamo will still be worth it.

Alamo Lights will return in full for Christmas 2025.

Dates: November 29 – January 2, 6 pm to 8 pm

Cost: Free for 2024

Event Information: Here

WEBSITE | 300 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205

Illuminate at the San Antonio Botanical Garden

The San Antonio Botanical Garden will be ringing in the holidays with a new partnership with Tianyu Arts and Culture, a world class lantern provider. Guests to Illuminate will stroll the 1-mile lighted trail of displays that blend light, art, and nature. Most visits to Illuminate will last approximately 90 minutes.

In addition, guests will have the opportunity to purchase festive food and drinks and roast some s’mores.

Parking Info: A limited number of first-come first-served parking spaces will be available in the Botanical Garden Main Lot for $20. These will fill up almost instantly. Additional overflow parking will be available on Old Austin Rd. for free (but it is nearly a mile walk so plan ahead).

Dates: November 29 – January 12, withentry times between 5:30 pm and 9 pm

Cost: $23 - $30/adult, $18 - $21/ages 3-12, 2 and under are free.

Ticket Information: Here

WEBSITE | 555 Funston Pl, San Antonio, TX 78209

Zoo Lights at the San Antonio Zoo

The annual Zoo Lights tradition returns to the San Antonio Zoo this year with acres of lights, holiday snacks, displays, and photo opportunities. Additional events include the Lakeside Laser Lightshow and an exhibition of NBA All-Star Tony Parker's personal collection of FAO Schwartz animals.

And of course, don’t forget to take some time to meet Santa and then go for a ride on the Zoo train’s Polar Express.

If you are interested in a visit to the San Antonio Zoo's, Zoo Lights event, check out our complete holiday guide to Zoo Lights.

Parking is free at the San Antonio zoo in the surface lots and in the San Antonio Zoo Parking Garage.

Dates: November 16 – December 31

Cost: Standard zoo admission covers entry to Zoo Lights, $31.99/adults, $27.99/kid ages 3-11, and under 3 are free.

Ticket information or to reserve your photo op with Santa: Click Here

WEBSITE | 3903 N St Mary's St, San Antonio, TX 78212

Windcrest Light Up

Photo Credit: Emily A. Yelp

For decades now, the city of Windcrest (which lies just outside the I-35/410 loop interchange) has been a premiere Christmas light viewing destination for residents of the Alamo city. Each year, the homeowners of Windcrest pull out all the stops to decorate their homes with brilliant lighting and extravagant displays as they vie for the coveted first-place win in the local “People’s Choice Awards.”

Visitors can drop by the Windcrest Volunteer Fire Department at 8601 Midcrown to pick up a map of the neighborhood and lights. This event is free and has long been held to be one of the best places to see Christmas lights in San Antonio.

*A few other neighborhoods worth visiting to see Christmas lights include Monte Vista, Alamo Heights and the King William District. While these neighborhoods do not offer officially sanctioned public light displays, the residents do a remarkable jobmaking seasons bright with their colorful lights and holiday decorations.

Dates: November 13 - December 31

Cost: Free

Event Information: Here

WEBSITE | 8601 Midcrown Dr., Windcrest, TX 78239

Santa’s Railroad Wonderland

Photo Credit: Facebook Texas Transportation Museum

Occurring on select dates in December at the Texas Transportation Museum, Santa’s Railroad Wonderland is the perfect place to bring the littles to gawk at both the lovely Christmas lights and towering trains.

Each year, the TTM decorates every square inch of the museum from the model train displays to the full-size locomotives, creating a distinctly magical experience for young children who will marvel as they stroll around the grounds with a cup of hot chocolate in hand.

Visitors, who are sure to see some snow, will also enjoy train rides, photo ops, and a meet-up with Santa Claus. It's a veritable winter wonderland and a great family activity for those with kids.

Dates: December 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, and 22 from 5:30pm to 9pm

Cost: $12/adult, $10/child ages 4-10, and children under 4 are free.

Ticket Information: Here

WEBSITE | 11731 Wetmore Rd, San Antonio, TX 78247

Old West Christmas Light Fest

Photo Credit: Facebook Old West Christmas Light Fest

For those interested in the whole holiday package – dazzling lights, delicious food, Santa Claus meet and greets, photo opportunities, shopping, mechanical bull rides, and more (much more!) – the Old West Christmas Light Fest is the perfect place to take the family to ring in the season.

Located at Enchanted Springs Ranch in Boerne, TX, the Old West Christmas Light Fest transports families back in time as they wander through the 6-acre old West Christmas town, aglow in thousands of shimmering lights. While there, don’t forget to stop by and wish a Merry Christmas to Santa’s Holly Jolly Herd of Texas Longhorn.

Dates: Select nights November 29 – December 23, from 5-10pm.

Cost: $25/per person, ages 6 and up. Discounts are available for military, first responders, and family groups.

Ticket Information: Here

WEBSITE | 242 State Hwy. 46 Wst, Unit C, Boerne, TX 78006

Light the Way at the University of the Incarnate Word

University of the Incarnate Word Christmas Lights in San Antonio

One of the all-time most popular places to see Christmas lights in San Antonio is at the Light the Way Holiday Event at the University of the Incarnate Word.

This annual tradition is in its 38th year and packs a celebratory punch with music, food trucks, shopping, meet and greets with Santa, and more than a million shining lights illuminating the campus. Fireworks cap off the evening, making for a wonderful way for you and yours to have a merry little Christmas.

Parking will be available in three locations with info and a map available here.

Dates: November 23 – January 6

Cost: Free

Event Information: Here

WEBSITE | 4301 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209

Lights Alive!

Photo Credit: Facebook Lights Alive

If seeing lights from the comfort of your climate-controlled car is more your speed, then this one’s for you.

Located in Alamo Ranch off of 1604 and Culebra, Lights Alive! touts itself as a 100% computer-controlled, musically synchronized, mile-long, drive-thru Christmas light experience.

At the end of the drive-thru route, guests can park, exit their vehicles and enjoy holiday-themed activities and food including Christmas crafts, a gingerbread escape room, inflatable axe-throwing, theme nights, and more.

Dates: November 22 – January 4

Cost: $29.95-$46.95 per vehicle, to avoid crowds and pay the cheapest price, look for ticket availability on Sunday-Thursday evenings through the middle of December

Ticket Information: Here

WEBSITE | 5931 Roft Rd, San Antonio, TX 78253

Santa’s Ranch

Photo Credit: Johnnie G. Yelp

Another drive-thru light show occurs annually at Santa’s Ranch in New Braunfels, TX. This mile-long experience takes visitors through meandering country roads with thousands of gleaming lights and Christmas displays. Guests can purchase homemade hot cocoa, kettle corn, and other snacks to munch on as they enjoy the brightly lit ranch from their personal vehicles.

Dates: November 1 – December 31, Sunday-Thursday 6 pm to 10 pm, and Friday-Saturday 6 pm to 11 pm

Cost: $37 per vehicle single entry or $74 per vehicle for unlimited entries

Ticket Information: Here

WEBSITE | 9561 I-35, New Braunfels, TX 78130

Travis Park

Travis Park, located in the middle of downtown San Antonio, plays home to some of San Antonio’s most cherished Christmas traditions including the lighting of the HEB Christmas tree, a 50-foot evergreen bedecked in 10,000 lights, and the Rotary outdoor ice skating rink.

Throw in a bunch of food trucks, live music, merry movie nights, outdoor activities, and trees that are filled with Christmas lights, and you have a San Antonio Christmas event built for the whole family.

Dates: November 29 – January 1

Cost: Free

Event Information: Here

WEBSITE | 301 E Travis St, San Antonio, TX 78205

The Light Park

Photo Credit: Facebook The Light Park

This year, Retama Park will host the popular drive-thru light event, Light Park. This pet-friendly event invites families to load up their minivans and enjoy the sights (millions of lights), sounds (by a DJ spinning Christmas tunes), and tastes (concessions available for purchase) of the holiday season.

Dates: November 5 – January 5

Cost: $25-$49 per vehicle

Ticket Information: Here

WEBSITE | 1 Retama Pkwy., Selma, TX 78154

The Historic Pearl Brewery

The Pearl Brewery offers a number of Christmas events throughout November and December where guests can come and shop, eat, and enjoy the beautiful lights that fill the trees around the historic district. Be sure to grab a selfie in front of the 25-foot Fraser Fir Christmas tree that will be set up right in the heart of the Pearl.

While there is no charge to visit the Pearl Brewery, parking fees will apply for visits of 2 hours or more. A map of parking options is available here.

Dates: November 29 – January 1

Cost: Free

Event Information: Here

WEBSITE | 303 Pearl Pkwy, San Antonio, TX 78215

Lights Spectacular TX - Hill Country Style

Photo Credit: Facebook Lights Spectacular TX

No one does Christmas lights quite like Johnson City, the “Twinkliest town in Texas.” This Christmas behemoth lies about an hour north of San Antonio and features more than 2 million lights which NASA has reported is visible from space.

Beginning November 29, the city’s main square and historic downtown will be alight with one of the most brilliant displays of Christmas lights in Texas, or anywhere in the world for that matter. In addition to the display, light gawkers will be rewarded with access to local food, beer, and wine options.

November 30 plays host to the city’s Lighted Parade which is set to begin at 6:30pm and will take place no matter the weather. This is a super fun and festive way to celebrate the season with your family.

This is one of the most popular lighting displays in the area and crowds can be a significant problem. Try to visit on a weeknight (Sunday-Thursday) to avoid the worst of the crowds.

Dates: November 29 – January 5, lighting ceremony will take place on November 29 and the parade will occur on November 30

Cost: Free

Event Information: Here

WEBSITE | 101 E. Pecan Dr., Johnson City, TX 78636

Museum Reach River of Lights

Photo Credit: SA River Authority

San Antonio’s river north area gets in on the fun by hosting the Museum Reach River of Lights. The SA River Authority will kick off the event at the lock and dam on Brooklyn Ave. with lots of beautiful lights, food vendors, cookie decorating classes, and photos with Santa Claus.

Be sure not to miss the musical Christmas tree light show which choreographs the sounds of the season to the sites of the season with a 30-ft tall, brightly lit tree.

Dates: December 14, 4pm - 8pm

Cost: Free

Event Information: Here

WEBSITE | 550 Brooklyn Ave., San Antonio, TX 78215

Westover Field of Lights

Westover Hills Church hosts this annual event at the Westover Hills Sports Complex. Guests to the Field of Lights can stroll through a field lit up by more than 350,000 shimmering lights, which have been synchronized to the sounds of the festive Christmas music that is playing.

Kid-friendly activities, photo ops, food, and games round out the offerings at this free event. Be sure to head to the website to reserve your free tickets and entry time.

Dates: December 5-21, Thursday - Sunday Evenings

Cost: Free, but you must reserve your spot online

Event Information: Here

WEBSITE | 9340 Westover Hills Boulevard, San Antonio, TX