Events

Where To See Texas Sparkle!

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Winter holiday season. Christmas, New Year concept. Funny happy woman spend time having fun near illuminated and decorated showcase on city street.

Your Guide To Some Of The Best Free Or Low Cost Christmas Light Displays In The Lone Star State

By Nancy Foster

Nothing gets you in the mood for Christmas more than holiday lights, and folks here in Texas know how to get their sparkle on when it comes to Yuletide holidays. From small-town squares to big-city spectacles, every community rises to the challenge to be merry and jolly and bright. During this magical time of year, many of us reflect on childhood memories when we’d climb into our parents’ car and drive around the neighborhoods gazing at all the dazzling lights. We think of Christmas lights in terms of wonder, togetherness, and joy…so isn’t it time to make new memories?

 

Whether you’re a new Texan, a visitor, or just ready to discover a few new favorites, spend a few minutes with us here for a crash course on the festive side of the Lone Star State. Giving a nod to the “12 Days of Christmas” carol, we’ll showcase 12 different communities, most right here in the Texas Hill Country, giving you, your family, and friends ideas where

you can enjoy the sights, sounds, and foods of the holiday season….and most of them are free or low cost.Add to your experience and take in the quiet elegance of area churches and missions that celebrate the true meaning of Christmastime. Before we start, we offer two tips: Wherever you go, make sure your smart phone is charged – these winter wonderland events are a photographer’s dream. And, make sure to check each website before you go for exciting updates and additions! Ready to plan? Let’s go!

 

Holiday Lights: San Antonio Area

  1. New Braunfels – Nov. 2–Dec. 30
    This German-rooted Hill Country town celebrates the season with old-world markets, parades, and plenty of lights.

Festive Markets: Weihnachtsmarkt (Nov. 21-23) bring German traditions to life with artisan crafts, food, music, and visits with Santa at the Sophienburg Museum.

Parades & Street Fun: Don’t miss the Hometown Holiday Christmas Parade, Jingle Jolly Christmas Fest, and Wassailfest when downtown fills with music, shopping, and samples of warm wassail. visitnbtx.com

Christmas at the Caverns at Natural Bridge Caverns features a 5000 sq. ft. outdoor maze, 30’ Christmas tree, trail of lights, ice-skating and Santa and Mrs. Claus. Select nights in December. Check out naturalbridgecaverns.com

Santa’s Ranch: Holiday Lights & Music: A 1.5 million–light drive-through display (Nov. 2–Dec. 30) dazzles nightly, and Gruene Hall hosts the Jingle Bell Run & Walk (Dec. 8) plus Caroling on the Plaza (Dec. 14).santasranch.com

  1. Windcrest – Nov. 12–Dec. 31
    Nicknamed the “City of Lights,” Windcrest has turned neighborhood holiday displays into a beloved tradition for decades. It’s like walking into a Hallmark movie.

“A Storybook Christmas” is the theme of this year’s holiday festivities which includes a Light Up Ceremony Kickoff (Dec. 6), complete with music, vendors, bake-offs, hot chocolate, and photos with Santa, and Candy Cane Lane (through Dec. 31). Cruise or stroll the streets as residents compete for prizes in categories including best homemade décor, multimedia displays, religious themes, and even “most creative inflatables.” More fun, music, and food is at The Ho Ho Ho Market on Dec. 13. windcrest-tx.gov/lightup.

Don’t miss the ticketed Santa’s Ranch and a one-mile drive-through wonderland. Purchase hot chocolate, kettle corn and snacks as you wend your way through three million lights. Santsranch.com

  1. San Antonio – Nov. 22–Jan. 6
    In true big-city style, San Antonio shines with tons of holiday events, including these:

Light the Way at the University of the Incarnate Word (Nov. 22–Jan. 6): A million sparkling lights transform the Broadway campus nightly through Epiphany in this 39th annual event. Opening night features choir performances, kids’ activities, Santa and Mrs. Claus photos, holiday market, food trucks and a blaze of fireworks at 9 p.m. (Free: uiw.edu/lighttheway)

The River Walk (Nov. 28): The 44th Annual Ford Holiday River Parade launches the season with dozens of illuminated floats and more than 100,000 lights reflected in the river. Bonus fun includes Holidays on Houston Street (Dec. 5-14) with 393,000 LED lights on 80 trees, a Holiday Market (Dec. 12–14), and the Taste of Holidays on Dec. 6. (thesanantonioriverwalk.com)

Christmas at the Missions – Dec. 5–Jan. 7: While this annual event may not entice with thousands of lights, it definitely belongs on your “must go” list. The historic missions of San Antonio each feature special events including beautiful nativity scenes, the Christmas from Around the World Exhibit, MatachineFestival, and La Gran Posada procession. caminosanantonio.org

  1. Boerne – Nov. 28–Dec. 29
    This Hill Country town embraces its German heritage with festive markets, lively parades, and plenty of small-town charm.

Dickens on Main – Nov. 28–29: The season opens with live music, performers, kids’ activities, and a sparkling light display along Main Street. holidaysinboerne.com

Weihnachts Weekend – Dec. 5–6: Enjoy the Wassail Walk, a caroling contest, and the 38th annual Weihnachts Parade featuring more than 100 floats (plus the ticketed Stocking Stroll shopping event).

Boerne Bright – Dec. 6–Dec. 22: Hosted by First Baptist Church, this dazzling display synchronizes more than 500,000 lights to holiday music, with a Gingerbread Village and photo ops in the snow globe add to the magic. ( ci.boerne.tx.us/2156/Celebrate-the-Season-in-Boerne · boernebright.com)

 

A Sleigh Ride Away (an easy drive)

  1. Marble Falls – Nov. 21–Jan. 3
    At Lakeside Park, more than two million twinkling bulbs shimmer against the Colorado River during the Marble Falls Walkway of Lights. Open nightly from 6–10 p.m., this beloved Hill Country tradition adds extra cheer with holiday music, Santa visits, and hot cocoa. Bonus fun includes the Jingle Jubilee, breakfast with Santa, and a Polar Express movie night in the park, complete with train ride. visitmarblefalls.org/christmas-season/
  2. ​Kerrville – Nov. 22 to early January

Downtown Kerrville glows with Hill Country warmth during Merry on the Square, beginning Nov. 22 with a courthouse lighting ceremony, shopping vendors, food trucks, and live entertainment. At 6 p.m., the Annual Holiday Lighted Parade rolls through downtown, followed by the Salvation Army Divisional Headquarters brass band leading to the debut of a 50-foot Christmas tree adorned with 37,000 warm, white lights. This year, in a moving tribute to honor victims of the July 4th flood, illuminated green bows will shine brightly on the tree. kerrvillechristmaslighting.com

  1. Wimberley – Nov. 29–Dec. 6
    The Emily Ann Trail of Lights Tree Lighting kicks off the Nov. 29 festivities in this pretty town at 5 p.m. followed by the downtown Hometown Holiday Parade with marching bands, festive music and holiday-themed floats. Don’t miss the Tree Lighting ceremony in the Christmas Courtyard that starts at 7 p.m. hometownholidays.com; emilyann.org/trailoflights

8.Johnson City – Nov. 29–Jan. 4
Nicknamed the “Twinkliest Town in Texas,” Johnson City’s Lights Spectacular has been a Hill Country tradition since 1995. It’s so bright and large that NASA once spotted the two million lights from space! Festivities begin Nov. 29 with the lighting ceremony, followed by performances from the Clickety Cloggers, a holiday parade, and a blaze of fireworks.  Downtown glows from dusk to midnight each night, with bonus fun scheduled with the Holiday Market (Nov. 28–29) and Santa’s visit on Dec. 6. (lightspectacular.com)

  1. Fredericksburg – Nov. 25–Jan. 6.
    With its German heritage on full display, celebrate Weihnachtszeit in Fredericksburg each evening at 6 p.m. at the Marketplatz with the Nightly Lighting of the German Christmas Pyramid. Holiday carols, festive cheer, and traditional German foods blend Old World tradition with Texas Hill Country charm. Take time to stroll through the downtown shops, all bedecked in festive decorations. visitfredericksburgtx.com/events/holiday

 

A Bit Further – But Worth the Drive

10.Grapevine – Nov. 14–Jan. 4
Fittingly known as the “Christmas Capital of Texas,” Grapevine dazzles with over 1,400 seasonal events.You’ll want to plan time for the Carol of Lights on historic Main Street, the parade of lights and a ride on Santa’s North Pole Express®.

The amazing showstopper has to be ICE! at the Gaylord Texan, Nov. 14–Jan. 4.  Larger-than-life sculptures and slides are carved from more than two million pounds of ice, all kept at a frosty nine degrees (parkas provided). Overnight packages at this classy resort make it easy to turn your icy adventure into a quick and memorable holiday getaway. (christmascapitaloftexas.com) christmasgaylorodnational.marriott.com

  1. South Padre Island – Dec. 4–7
    Holiday spirit meets ocean breezes as South Padre Island lights its towering Christmas tree on Dec. 4. Festivities continue with the Lighted Boat Parade on Dec. 6, the Holiday Sandcastle Village, and a free Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 7. Palm trees wrapped in twinkling lights give this island celebration a uniquely coastal Texas flair. southpadreisland.com
  2. Austin – Dec. 10–Dec. 23
    Zilker Park once again plays host to the 60thAnnual Austin Trail of Lights, a nationally recognized holiday tradition that draws visitors from across the country. More than two million lights crete a dazzling display of 90 decorated trees and 70 festive installations, with nightly music, dancing, and food vendors to keep the merriment going. It’s Austin at its most magical. austintrailoflights.org

We hope you’ll make time to enjoy these fabulous events and some of the warm Texas hospitality that seems to shine even brighter this time of year. Take pause to reflect that the glow of the season isn’t all about the lights…but in the moments we share. Making Christmas memories is one tradition that never goes out of style. Don’t you agree?