The 24 best places to see Christmas lights in driving distance of San Antonio

The Light Park
1 Retama Pkwy., thelightpark.com
Every day through New Year’s Day, The Light Park offers a drive-thru holiday light show at Retama Park in Selma. The show features millions of lights synchronized to an electric mix of music powered by DJ Polar Ice from the North Pole’s #1 Hit Radio station, K-GLO, in a mile-long series of displays and tunnels. Guests can pick up food and drink on site and experience the display from the comfort of their vehicles.

University of the Incarnate Word
4301 Broadway, uiw.edu/lighttheway
After the opening ceremony and festivities of Light The Way on Nov. 18, the beautiful display of lights across the UIW campus remain throughout the holiday season. You’ll find lights nestled on numerous trees that illuminate this historic campus.

Old West Christmas Light Fest
242 State Hwy 46 W. Unit C, Boerne, (830) 215-0686, christmaslightfest.com
Just up the road in Boerne is Enchanted Springs Ranch, which hosts the Old West Christmas Light Fest each year. The magic of the holidays will be alive with this Texas-themed light display that’s synchronized to special tunes. In addition to admiring the lights, attendees can roast s’mores over a campfire and enjoy live music! The Christmas Light Fest is open on select dates from Nov. 24-Dec. 23.

Lights Alive
5931 Roft Rd., seelightsalive.com
Venture out to Alamo Ranch to enjoy a massive drive-thru light display, synchronized with music to complete the show. If that’s not enough, the attraction also features a variety of activities that even includes escape rooms and axe throwing. The display is open nightly through Dec. 31, including holidays.

The River Walk
849 E. Commerce Street, (210) 227-4262, thesanantonioriverwalk.com
Want a super romantic date idea that won’t break the bank? Take your sweetheart to the River Walk and fall in love with the lights. The lights will be on every night from November 24-January 7, 2024, and special events like the Ford Fiesta de las Luminarias will take place on select weekends throughout December.

Marble Falls Walkway of Lights
Lakeside Park, 305 Buena Vista Dr., Marble Falls, (844) 635-4448, visitmarblefalls.org/christmas-season
The Marble Falls Walkway of Lights is a great way for locals to take a short drive to get away and enjoy some seasonal goodness. The display features 2 million lights and over 350 lighted sculptures, and is open nightly from 6-10 p.m. through Dec. 31.

Lightscape at the San Antonio Botanical Garden
555 Funston Place, (210) 536-1400, sabot.org/light-scape
Back for its third year, Lightscape transforms the grounds of the San Antonio Botanical Garden into a twinkling wonderland that can be explored on select dates through New Year’s Day. This year, returning installations include the 40-foot-high Pixel Tree and 16-foot Star Show, and the attraction will also feature new displays like the Heart Arch Walk. Visitors can amp up their holiday spirit with festive food and drinks, like roasted s’mores.

Austin Trail of Lights
2400 Barton Springs Road, Austin, austintrailoflights.org
From Dec. 8-23, San Antonians can make the trip up to Austin to experience the famed Trail of Lights. The Zilker Park display features over 2 million lights, 90 lighted holiday trees and more than 70 other holiday displays and lighted tunnels.

Westover Field of Lights
9340 Westover Hills Blvd., (210) 523-1505, westoverlights.com
At Westover Sports Complex guests can view a walk-through light show with over 300,000 lights synchronized to classic Christmas music and get a free printed photo with Santa at his workshop. This illuminated experience also offers free games, and concessions are available for purchase on site. The Field of Lights is open on weekends from Dec. 1-18 this year.

Santa’s Ranch
9561 IH 35 North, New Braunfels, (830) 743-1293, santasranch.net
Open daily through Dec. 31, this long-running light display is just a quick trip away in New Braunfels. Visitors can stay warm in the car as they take a drive through more than a mile of Christmas light displays which vary from blankets of lights to specialized designs, and treats like hot cocoa and kettle corn are available to enjoy during the ride.

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 H-E-B Christmas tree on Nov. 24. While the lighting won’t take place until later in the evening, seasonal activities are scheduled from 3-9 p.m. The Rotary Ice Rink is also back at the park so visitors can glide on the ice and enjoy the festive holiday lights throughout December.

Museum Reach River of Lights
sariverauthority.org
It isn't just the downtown portion of the River Walk that gets the holiday treatment. The San Antonio River Authority's annual Museum Reach River of Lights extends the Christmas cheer further down the river. The holiday season kicks off on Dec. 2 with the annual Holly Jolly Kayaking event, followed by the River of Lights celebration on Dec. 9.

Natural Bridge Caverns
26495 Natural Bridge Caverns Road, (210) 651-6101, naturalbridgecaverns.com
Experience Christmas on a whole new level — literally. On select nights from Dec. 2-30, guests will find holiday lights scattered about the grounds as well as fun activities like caroling in the caverns, story time with Mrs. Claus and a maze to find Santa’s reindeer.

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 1-mile drive-thru trail and thousands of lights that are animated and set to music. This year’s season runs until Jan. 7, 2024.

Monte Vista
Residents of Monte Vista tend to deck the halls in a major way. 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.

Alamo Lights
300 Alamo Plaza, (210) 225-1391, thealamo.org
From Nov. 24-January 2, 2024, the Alamo will have its halls decked for the holiday season, giving San Antonio's famous landmark an extra dose of festive cheer. The live oak, pecan and other trees on the Alamo grounds will be illuminated with twinkling lights, and historical light installations of the Alamo Defenders will also be up for viewing.

San Antonio Zoo
3903 N. St. Mary's St., (210) 734-7184, sazoo.org/zoo-lights
The annual Zoo Lights at the San Antonio Zoo is full of animal-themed holiday cheer. This year's edition includes the brand new Polar Playground and Lakeside Laser Lightshow, plus attractions including the Holiday Sing-a-Long Express train ride and Cowboy’s Yuletide Trail. Zoo Lights is open through Dec. 31.

Six Flags Fiesta Texas
17000 IH-10 West, sixflags.com
The annual Holiday in the Park is a great time to visit Fiesta Texas. This enchanting experience brings holiday-themed sights, sounds, tastes and attractions (including Christmas lights) to the park on select nights through Jan. 7, 2024. There’s also the Winter Wonderland, which lets visitors get their fix of snow. If you stop by, make sure to take a ride on the Holiday Express and catch some of the live entertainment perfect for the season.

Wimberley’s Trail of Lights
1101 FM 2325, Wimberley, emilyann.org
A short drive away in Wimberley, is a free holiday display presented along a walking trail that wends its way through eight acres of lighted exhibits. There’s also live music and concessions like hot chocolate with marshmallows and frito pie for visitors to enjoy while they walk the path and take in all the lights.The attraction, which is supported by donations, is open from Dec. 2-26 this year.

The Historic Pearl
303 Pearl Pkwy., atpearl.com
In the heart of the Historic Pearl guests will find a tall, decked out Christmas tree that they may want to get a few selfies in front of. Aside from a photoshoot, visitors can also hit up a number of holiday events happening at the hotspot including holiday-themed Movie Mondays, a Chanukah Village and weekly Holiday Night Markets.