Where to See the Best Christmas Lights in San Antonio

My family and I enjoy putting on our pajamas, making hot cocoa and driving around to look at Christmas lights. It started as a tradition I bought from childhood and I love that I’ve been able to pass it on to my own kids. Over the years, I’ve come to realize that San Antonio has some stunning Christmas light displays (as do surrounding areas) so I wanted to compile a list of my personal favorites for easy reference. Enjoy my list of Where to See the Best Christmas Lights in San Antonio:

Where to see the Best Christmas Lights in San Antonio –

The Riverwalk
Address: 849 E. Commerce St., SATX 78205
Cost: FREE
Dates: November 12, 2020 – January 4, 2021
Time: 6:01 p.m. – 6:30 a.m.
Details: Come experience the spectacular display of over 100,000 lights (2,250 strings of light) draped over the towering bald cypress trees that line the River Walk.

Santa’s Ranch
Address: 9561 IH 35 North, New Braunfels, 78130
Cost: $35 + tax per vehicle or $70 + tax per vehicle for a season pass
Dates: November 6, 2020 – January 3, 2021
Time: 6 – 10 p.m. Sunday – Thursday and 6 – 11 p.m. Friday – Saturday
Details: Bring your friends and family and enjoy one of the best holiday light exhibits in the state! You’ll take a drive through over a mile of winding country roads while taking in the beautiful lights, animated Christmas displays, and enjoying homemade hot cocoa, kettle corn, and snacks.

Christmas Light Fest
Address: 103 Waring Welfare Rd., Boerne, 78006
Cost: $15 per vehicle or $45 per vehicle for a season pass
Dates: November 28 – December 25, 2020
Time: 6 – 10 p.m.
Details: A drive thru Christmas light spectacular! Laser Tag & Escape Rooms for additional fee. Military and first responders receive $5 off every night.

Windcrest
Address: 8601 Midcrown Dr., SATX 78218
Cost: FREE
Dates: December 5 – 31, 2020
Details: For over 50 years, the residents of Windcrest have been outdoing themselves with intricate and awesome holiday lights and decorations. 

The University of the Incarnate Word
Address: 4301 Broadway St., SATX 78209
Cost: FREE
Dates: November 20, 2020 – January 6, 2021
Time: 3:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Details: Light the Way truly is UIW’s gift to the San Antonio community and celebrates history rooted in tradition. We hope that you will enjoy this year’s celebration and come back for years to come!

San Antonio Zoo Lights
Address: 3903 N St Mary’s St., SATX 78212
Cost: Included with General Admission – $21.99 for adults (12+) | $18.99 for kids (3 – 11)
Dates: November 20, 2020 – January 3, 2021
Time: 12:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Sunday – Friday and 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. on Saturday
Details: Lights is a holiday tradition for the whole family! Stroll under an array of twinkling lights while you sip hot cocoa, roast s’mores, ride camels and enjoy our Lakeside Lightshow.

Sea World Christmas Celebration
Address: 10500 Sea World Dr., SATX 78251
Cost: Prices Vary
Dates: November 14 – December 31, 2020
Time: Times vary by day but generally 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Details: The park is covered with 8 million lights, the largest Christmas light display in Texas, and guests can meet Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and friends. ‘Tis the season to create family memories, only found at SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration.

Fiesta Texas Holiday in the Park
Address: 17000 IH-10 West, SATX 78257
Cost: Prices Vary
Dates: November 21, 2020 – January 3, 2021
Time: Hours vary – check the operating schedule
Details: The park is transformed into a winter wonderland with millions of colorful twinkling lights throughout the park, magical musical shows and personalized meet-and-greets with Santa Claus and his helpers. Enjoy a ride on the Holiday Express Train through Fiesta Texas and view heartwarming and whimsical Yuletide scenes designed to captivate your entire family.

Elf Acres
Address: 1475 Grosenbacher Rd., SATX 78245
Cost: $30 + tax per vehicle 
Dates: December 12 – 25, 2020
Time: 6:00 – 10:00 p.m. Sunday – Thursday and 6:00 – 11:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Details: Get ready to experience the magic of the holiday season as you wind your way thru 15 acres full of hundreds of thousands of Christmas lights, delight in our animated displays and sing along to our very own Elf Acres radio station!

Braun Station West
Address: 8630 Tezel Rd., SATX 78254
Cost: FREE
Dates: Thanksgiving – December 31, 2020
Time: Unknown
Details: Recommended by several of my friends, this is a drive by or park and walk type of thing. “Many houses are lit up, there’s music and it’s a ton of fun.”

Austin Trail of Lights
Address: Zilker Park, 2100 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, 78704
Cost: General Admission: $25 – $35 per Vehicle (depending on entry time – view calendar) | Dash Pass: $60 per Vehicle 
Dates: November 28, 2020 – January 3, 2021
Time: 7 – 10 p.m. (Unless you have a ZIP or Platinum Pass and then hours are 6 – 10 p.m.)
Details: What began as a small gathering in 1965 known as the “Yule Fest,” a gift to the city of Austin from Austin Parks and Recreation Department, has now grown to be a community-wide celebration of the unique spirit and people that make Austin the place we love to call home. The event showcases everything that we love about Austin—from music and food to creativity and family fun. Thanks to the Trail of Lights Foundation, we are able to keep it free for at least ½ of the nights to make sure that anyone who wants to be part of the experience has a way to do so.

Go enjoy the best Christmas lights in San Antonio!

Morgan’s Wonderland: A Wonderland Christmas
Address: 5223 David Edwards Dr., SATX 78233
Cost: Special Needs – Free | Children 2 and under – Free | Children ages 3-17 – $ 11.00 | Adult ages 18-61 – $ 17.00 | Military with valid ID – $ 11.00 | Seniors 62+ $ 11.00
Evening Dates/Time: November 29 – 30, December 7, 14, 15 and 20 – 23 from 4:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Details: In addition to the park’s regular attractions and wheelchair-accessible rides, A Wonderland Christmas will offer a tree-lighting ceremony each evening, visits with Santa Claus, a petting zoo, complimentary cookies and hot chocolate, Christmas caricatures, skating on a simulated ice rink and Christmas decorations throughout the 25-acre park.  Pictures with Santa will be taken from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. for a nominal fee.