A Map of San Antonio Christmas Lights

By Sara Branstetter | November 16, 2022

One of our 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. From the tasteful and elegant to the flashy and garish, there is something for everyone to see and enjoy. Below is our list of some of the best places in San Antonio to check out 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.

San Antonio Christmas Lights

Holiday Lights on the River Walk

Christmas lights on the San Antonio River Walk

There is no place in San Antonio more enchanting at Christmas than the River Walk. The combination of boats floating peacefully down the river, carolers serenading the visitors to the restaurants and shops, 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.

Bonus: From December 2-18, 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 25 – January 9, lighting ceremony will take place on November 25 at 7pm

Cost: Free

Event Information: Here

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

Alamo Lights

The Alamo Historical Mission rings Christmas every year with a beautiful lights display and an imposing tree in the Alamo plaza. The Oak and Pecan trees that dot the grounds of the Alamo will be wrapped in shimmering twinkle lights and will be accompanied by a number of lighted ground installations featuring famous historical figures such as Davy Crockett and Juan Seguín.

Dates: November 25 – January 2, 6 pm to 8 pm

Cost: Free

Event Information: Here

WEBSITE | 300 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205

Lightscape at the San Antonio Botanical Garden

Now in its second year, Lightscape at the San Antonio Botanical Garden is a holiday lights display unlike any other. Guests to Lightscape will stroll the 1-mile lighted trail to the sounds of beloved Christmas music while enjoying more than 1 million lights, glowing light installations, and dramatic lighting shining on the flora of the gardens. In addition, guests will have the opportunity to purchase festive food and drinks and roast some s’mores. This is one of the most popular San Antonio Christmas light events! Many nights last year sold out, so be sure to purchase your tickets online in advance.

Parking Info: If you plan to drive to Lightscape, you must make a parking reservation in advance at the time that you book your tickets. Guests will park at the UIW Founders Hall Garage and then take a free shuttle to the Botanical Garden. A map of the parking plan can be viewed here. Limited VIP parking at the Garden will be available for $30.

Dates: November 11 – January 8, entry times between 5:30 pm and 9 pm

Cost: $26 - $28

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. Don’t forget to take some time to meet Santa and then go for a ride on the Zoo train’s Holiday Sing-along Express.

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

Dates: November 19 – January 1

Cost: Standard zoo admission covers admission to Zoo Lights, $23.50/adults, $18.57/kid ages 3-11, and under 3 are free

Ticket Information: Here

Photo Credit: Facebook

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

Windcrest Light Up

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 and Alamo Heights. While these neighborhoods do not offer officially sanctioned public light displays, the residents do remarkable job-making seasons bright with their colorful lights and holiday decorations.

Dates: December 1 – 31

Cost: Free

Event Information: Here

Photo Credit: Emily A. Yelp

WEBSITE | Windcrest, TX 78239

Santa’s Railroad Wonderland

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 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, and 18, from 5:30 pm to 9 pm

Cost: Adults/$12, kids (ages 4-12)/$10, and children under 4 are free.

Ticket Information: Here

Photo Credit: Facebook

WEBSITE | 11731 Wetmore Rd, San Antonio, TX 78247

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: November 24 – December 24, Thursday through Sunday

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

Ticket Information: Here

Photo Credit: Facebook

WEBSITE | 242 TX-46 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 36th 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 19 – January 6

Cost: Free

Event Information: Here

WEBSITE

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, a nativity show, and more.

Dates: November 18 – January 1

Cost: $36.95-$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

Photo Credit: Facebook

WEBSITE | 5931 Roft Rd, San Antonio, TX 78253

Santa’s Ranch

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 11 – January 1, Sunday-Thursday 6 pm to 10 pm, and Friday-Saturday 6 pm to 11 pm

Cost: $35 per vehicle

Ticket Information: Here

Photo Credit: Johnnie G. Yelp

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 Blue Spruce 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 25 – January 1

Cost: Free

Event Information: Here

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

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.

Protip: Before purchasing your tickets, be sure to check out the “attendance meter” on the Light Park homepage where info on expected wait times is provided.

Dates: November 4 – January 1

Cost: $29-$49 per vehicle, for an additional $36, guests can upgrade to a dasher pass to skip the line on select evenings

Ticket Information: Here

Photo Credit: Facebook

WEBSITE

The Historic Pearl

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 25 – January 1

Cost: Free

Event Information: Here

WEBSITE | 303 Pearl Pkwy, San Antonio, TX 78215