MAP: Where to find Christmas lights in the San Antonio area

SAN ANTONIO — It feels like just last week that we were breaking cascarones over our friends’ heads, just yesterday that San Antonians were huddling at Woodlawn Lake Park for a July Fourth drone show. 

But the calendar doesn’t lie and nor does the arrival of Christmas decorations at your local H-E-B: We are deep into the holiday season, and millions are twinkling lights are set to flicker on across the San Antonio area in the coming days. 

Read on for some of the headlining light displays set to bring festive cheer to San Antonio, including drive-through attractions and spectaculars you can take a stroll through. To see which one is nearest you, keep scrolling until you find our map. 

Perhaps the city’s most iconic holiday display, 200,000 lights will blink to life Nov. 28 along the famous downtown attraction, lending it an even bigger sense of grandeur. November 28 will also bring the annual Ford Holiday River Parade and tree lighting ceremony at Travis Park. 

The River Walk holiday lights will remain on through Jan. 11. 

Cost: Free
Where: Downtown River Walk

For a 39th straight year, the UIW campus will glow bright starting Nov. 22, with “ceremonial flip of the switch” scheduled for 6:45 p.m. and a fireworks show set for 9 p.m. While the Light the Way Holiday Festival is a one-day event, the lights will return nightly for visitors to enjoy until Jan. 6. 

Cost: Free
Where: UIW (4301 Broadway)

Officials are touting a “winter wonderland” at the San Antonio Zoo, with the lights on now until Dec. 31. Visitors can explore miles of lights and “whimsical displays” on evening visits, as well as a new “Lakeside Lightshow.” 

Cost: Included with general admission to the San Antonio Zoo
Where: San Antonio Zoo (3903 N. St. Mary’s St.)

Light displays and holiday-themed activities will sprout at the northwest-side theme park for the Christmas season. Six Flags’ Holiday in the Park attraction will be available to visit on select dates from Nov. 22 to Dec. 23. 

Cost: Included with general admission to the park 
Where: Six Flags Fiesta Texas (17000 Interstate 10 West) 

This other northwest-side theme park says its holiday celebration is the “biggest in Texas.” We’ll let you be the judge when you visit their Christmastime attraction featuring shows, themed festive foods and a display made up of millions of lights. It’s running until Jan. 4. 

Cost: Include with general admission to the park
Where: SeaWorld San Antonio (10500 SeaWorld Drive) 

The home of San Antonio FC will trade soccer fans for families when the Coca-Cola Classic Christmas celebration returns Friday to turn the field into a “walk-through spectacular.” Toyota Field is touting a reimagined attraction with a new walking trail and surprises across “90,000 square feet of holiday magic.”

Visitors will have the chance to enjoy massive light sculptures, festive treats, even ice skating. The Wander Memory Lane is an all-new sparkling walking path, but for those who’d rather be sitting down, there’s also an area for snow tubing. The attraction runs from Nov. 28 to Dec. 28. 

Cost: Individual tickets start at $21 for adults depending on your preferred date and arrival time, with costs hovering closer to $30 over the weekend. Youth tickets are cheaper, and children under 3 years old get in for free. See ticket information here. 
Where: Toyota Field (5106 David Edwards Drive)

A short drive will bring you to a Christmas sight you won’t be able to catch in San Antonio proper: The holiday season in the Hill Country’s underground caves. 

Christmas at the Caverns returns on select dates (Dec. 6-7, 13-14, 19-23), complete with a trail of lights, outdoor maze, live music and the chance to catch carolers in the caves themselves. 

Cost: Tickets start at $17.49 for children and $23.99 for adults, with the caroling tour option also available for a higher price. Click here for more.
Where: Natural Bridge Caverns (26495 Natural Bridge Caverns Road)

Touting itself as “the most spectacular Christmas event in Texas,” this drive-through light park is a mile long and synchronized to music to get you in the mood for the most joyful time of the year. Holiday-themed treats, photo opportunities with Santa and event Christmas-themed escape rooms will also be on hand. 

Cost: Drive-through tickets cost $36.95 per vehicle, with other options available for photos with Santa, ornament craft kits and more. Buy here. 
Where: 5931 Roft Road

Popping up at two San Antonio locations, the Light Park is packed with glowing installations for families to drive through and experience. It’s open through Jan. 4, rain or shine, all through the week. 

Cost: Admission is $40 per car when purchased online for both the Retama Park and Wolff Stadium locations. If you want to skip the queue, it’ll cost $90. 
Where: Wolff Municipal Stadium (5757 U.S. Highway 90) and Retama Park (1 Retama Parkway)

The east Bexar County community is once again expected to glow brightly as neighbors continue the annual tradition of turning their homes into elaborate holiday-season displays. 

But if you’re looking to ditch the car for something more magical, the White Horse and Carriage Company is providing the opportunity: They’re inviting Texans to take a ride on a horse-drawn carriage through the light displays, and recommending reservations for anyone thinking of taking them up on it. 

Cost: $150 for a 25-minute carriage ride, $295 for a 50-minute carriage ride. Make your reservation here.

“Illuminate” has returned with an even brighter show at the botanical garden, brightening up one of the city’s most serene environments with eye-popping installations turning night into day. “Illuminate” runs through Jan. 11.

Cost: Tickets start at $18 for children and $23 for adults. 

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