It’s the most wonderful time of the year – and mostly because of the beautiful Christmas lights displays! Whether you want to stay in San Antonio or don’t mind a reason to drive up to Austin or the Hill Country, here are the absolute best light displays to get you in the holiday spirit.

Enchanted Springs Ranch 242 State Hwy 46 W Unit C, Boerne, (210) 570-7669, christmaslightfest.com Just up the road in Boerne you’ll be able to enjoy the Old West Christmas Light Fest. The magic of the holidays will be alive with this Texas-themed light display that’s synchronized to special tunes. Just don’t forget your festive face mask — the ranch requires them. This display opens Thanksgiving night and will run through Christmas Day. Photo via Instagram / christmaslightfest
Santa’s Ranch 9561 IH 35 North, New Braunfels, (830) 743-1293, santasranch.net From now through January 3, you’ll be able to make the quick trip to New Braunfels for this long-running light display. You’ll be able to stay warm in the car as you take a drive through more than a mile of Christmas light displays – which vary from blankets of lights to specialized designs. If you’d like, you can even score treats like hot cocoa and kettle corn on the grounds to enjoy during the ride. Photo via Instagram / jesserieser
Trail of Lights 2400 Barton Springs Road, Austin, austintrailoflights.org From November 28 through January 3, San Antonians can make the trip up to Austin to hit up the famed Trail of Lights. The display, back for a 56th year (!), brings more than 400,000 visitors each year to take in the 40+ displays and more than 2 million lights — this time as a drive-through experience. Though the event has featured amusement rides and concessions in past years, this year they are not available. You are, however, allowed to bring food and non-alcoholic drinks to enjoy in your vehicle. Photo via Instagram / atxlights
Windcrest If you’re from the South Side or West Side, you should already know that checking out the Christmas lights in Windcrest is an unofficial tradition for many. Plenty of Windcrest residents go all out, so you’re bound to see an abundance of over-the-top but absolutely gorgeous displays. Photo via Instagram / missjenflowers
Lights Alive 5931 Roft Road, seelightsalive.com Remember that Star Wars light show at that house near Dignowity Park a couple of years ago? Well, the folks recognized that the show was so popular that they decided to put together a whole drive-thru light display — new this year! Venture out to Alamo Ranch and you’ll be able to enjoy this massive display, all with music to complete the show. Photo via YouTube / Matt Johnson Credit: Matt Johnson / YouTube
Travis Park 301 E Travis St, (210) 207-3677, travisparksa.com The holiday season in San Antonio officially begins with the lighting ceremony of the city’s 50-foot Christmas tree on Friday, November 27. This year’s festivities will be virtual, so that everyone can enjoy safely from home. Just tune in at 7 p.m. to H-E-B’s YouTube channel to enjoy the lighting, which will be followed by a performance by Mariachi Las Altenas. Photo via Instagram / skylinedronetx
Morgan’s Wonderland 5223 David Edwards Dr, (210) 495-5888, morganswonderland.com Head on over to the most inclusive park in Texas for a day of seasonal fun. The Wonderland Christmas will bring twinkling lights, a petting zoo, hot chocolate and cookies, photos with Santa themed entertainment and even a simulated ice rink! This holiday attraction is only offered on select nights, so you may want to plan ahead of time. Photo via Instagram / morganswonderlandtexas
Elf Acres 1475 Grosenbacher Road, (210) 643-8662, elfacres.com There’s plenty of fun to be had at this Far West Side attraction, which boasts a 15-acre drive-through trail and thousands of lights that are animated and set to music that plays along. You can get in on the holiday spirit now through December 30. Photo via Instagram / elfacresvenue
Boerne Map will be provided, ci.boerne.tx.us Boerne residents might be battling it out for who has the most festive display or which is decorated best, but we can just enjoy how extra they’ll be. Guaranteed to go all out (it is Boerne after all), these houses make for the quick getaway to enjoy lights without dealing with crowds or entrance fees. Judging will take place on December 16. Photo via Facebook / Hinojosa Family Lights – Boerne, TX
Natural Bridge Caverns 26495 Natural Bridge Caverns Road, (210) 651-6101, naturalbridgecaverns.com Experience Christmas on a whole new level — literally. On weekends in December up until Christmas, you’ll find holiday lights scattered about the grounds, as well as fun activities like caroling in the caverns, a hayride, campfire and a maze to find Santa’s reindeer. New this year is an ice skating rink and an underground nativity show. Sounds like a lot of fun for the family. Photo via Instagram / azulita__
Don Strange Ranch 103 Waring Welfare Road, Boerne, christmas.donstrangeranch.com From November 27 through December 24, folks will be able to head up to Boerne for the drive-through Christmas light display at Don Strange Ranch. The Texas-sized display has more than 4 million lights and even moving displays that you’ll be able to enjoy from your car. For even more socially distanced fun, they’ll be hosting a regular schedule of drive-in movies. Photo via Instagram / henrylee1968
The River Walk 849 E Commerce Street, (210) 227-4262, thesanantonioriverwalk.com In what’s been a tough year for many, the San Antonio River Walk turned on the holiday cheer a little bit early this year to try to lift locals’ spirits. The annual light display is on view through January 4. Photo via Instagram / thesanantonioriverwalk
Marble Falls Buena Vista Dr, (844) 635-4448, marblefalls.org The Marble Falls Walkway of Lights is now open, allowing locals to take a short drive to get away and enjoy some seasonal goodness. The 30th annual offering of the display, which features two million twinkling lights adorning festive outdoor sculptures, is open nightly from 6 to 10 p.m. now through January 2. Masks are encouraged at this outdoor event, and there will be no Santa this year due to safety concerns. Just keep an eye on the forecast — the event will close on days with bad weather. Photo via Instagram / amani_family
San Antonio Zoo 3903 N St Mary’s Street, (210) 734-7184, sazoo.org Zoo Lights returns so you and your family/friend group can hit up this jam-packed Christmas offering. With the theme of “A Starry Safari” this year, the annual event is back with winter wonderland complete with twinkling lights, camel rides, hot cocoa, s’mores, cookie-decorating with Mrs. Claus and visits with Santa. This year, there’s even a Latin-inspired Lakeside Light Show toward the back of the zoo. Zoo Lights is open now through New Year’s Eve. Photo via Instagram / sanantoniozoo
Fiesta Texas’ Holiday in the Park Through Sun Jan. 6, 17000 IH-10 West, sixflags.com/fiestatexas While Fiesta Texas is plenty of fun on any old day, it’s all the more special during the holidays. The amusement park is offering enchanting experiences like musical performances, singing Christmas trees, a portrayal of the nativity, seasonal eats (like s’mores made over a fire pit) and a giant ornament for you to take selfies in front of. Photo via Instagram / seki_b
University of the Incarnate Word 4301 Broadway, lightthewaysa.com Though the opening weekend festivities of Light The Way — which was converted to a drive-through event this year — are completely sold out, the beautiful display of lights across the UIW campus remain. You’ll find lights nestled on numerous trees that literally light the way across campus. Photo via Instagram / uiw.international
Monte Vista Christmas lights just look better when they’re carefully placed on beautiful homes. Though not an official display or event, Monte Vista makes for a prime spot for tricked-out displays. Take a drive through the neighborhood and admire these homes that fit the season just right. Photo via Instagram / sun_carlos
Wimberley’s Trail of Lights 1101 FM 2325, Wimberley, emilyann.org A short drive away in Wimberley, you’ll be able to enjoy a free light display presented in a trail (though donations will be accepted). There’s also live music and complimentary hot chocolate with marshmallows for you to enjoy while you walk the path and take in all the lights. Photo via Instagram / bellatasca
The Historic Pearl 303 Pearl Pkwy, atpearl.com In the heart of the Historic Pearl you’ll find a tall, decked out Christmas tree that you’ll definitely want to get a few selfies in front of. Aside from your photoshoot, you may want to make plans to hit up a number of holiday events happening at the hotspot — from Chanukah at Pearl and the Posada at the Pearl to the weekly Holiday Night Markets. Photo via Instagram / historicpearl
SeaWorld 10500 Sea World Dr, (210) 520-4732, seaworld.com Though folks may stay clear of SeaWorld the rest of the year, the park’s holiday offerings certainly draw in a crowd. Now through January 5, locals will have the chance to check out the park all decked out for its annual Christmas Celebration. SeaWorld is transformed into a wintery, but watery, wonderland with Christmas shows, music performances, Santa Claus appearances, festive foods and, of course, holiday light displays — all of which make up more than nine million lights. Yes, million. Photo via Instagram / seaworldtexas
Boerne’s Parade of Lights Free, Boerne (map will be provided), ci.boerne.tx.us Boerne residents might be battling it out for who has the most festive display or which is decorated best, but we can just enjoy how extra they’ll be. Guaranteed to go all out (it is Boerne after all), these houses make for the perfect little spot to enjoy lights without dealing with crowds or entrance fees. Judging will take place on December 13. Photo via ci.boerne.tx.us Credit: Griswold-Hinojosa Family
Country Christmas Ranch 1045 County Rd 317, La Vernia, facebook.com/countryChristmasranch Head to La Vernia and you’ll be able to take in a country-themed Christmas show now through December 29. The drive-thru display is also accompanied by a Santa’s Barn. Admission is included with the light show, so you’ll definitely want to make time for the jam-packed festivities. There will be free pictures with Santa (or the Grinch if that’s your vibe), snacks and a playground. Photo via Facebook / Country Christmas Ranch