The Best Christmas Light Displays Within Driving Distance of San Antonio

By San Antonio Current Staff

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.

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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. There’s also other fun activities on site, from laser tag to a themed escape room. Just don’t forget to take a picture with Santa! 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 4, you’ll be able to make the quick trip to New Braunfels for this long-running light display. Whether you decide to go with family or friends, 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 December 10 through 23, San Antonians can make the trip up to Austin to hit up the famed Trail of Lights. The display, back for a 55th year (!), brings more than 400,000 visitors each year to take in the 40+ displays and more than 2 million lights. Fall in love with the walk-through display, and relax toward the end of the trail with food trucks, activities and live entertainment. Some nights even offer free admission, so plan accordingly.
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

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 29. While the lighting won’t take place until 6 p.m., all the seasonal activities begin as early as 3 p.m. This year, the local park will be all the more festive thanks to an ice rink that will pop-up at the park for the holiday season.
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
Whether you choose to drive through the 15-acre trail or walk around to explore the seasonal offerings, there’s plenty of fun to be had at this Far West Side attraction. With thousands of lights that are animated and set to music that plays along, you and yours will surely be in the holiday spirit. Be sure to hit up the concession stand for hot chocolate, popcorn, funnel cakes and more. Be sure to stop by before closing night on December 29.
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 Tuesday, December 10.
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__