United States Texas San Antonio San Antonio Guide Things To Do Essentials Where to Stay Getaways All San Antonio The Best Christmas Lights in San Antonio River Walk, Zoo, and SeaWorld are all aglow By Melissa Martinez Melissa Martinez Melissa is freelance writer from San Antonio who has been writing about her hometown for more than a decade. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 10/14/19 Fact checked by Erin Medlicott Fact checked by Erin Medlicott LinkedIn Twitter New York University Rutgers University Erin Medlicott is a fact checker and researcher with a background in lifestyle and finance. Prior to her work at TripSavvy, she did financial research for the American Express Departures Magazine as well as the Wall Street Journal. She earned a TripSavvy's fact-checking Nan Palmero/Flickr When the sun goes down each day during the holiday season, San Antonio lights up with thousands of twinkling lights. If you're going to be in the San Antonio area during December, here's where you can partake in the festivities, Texas-style. 01 of 06 River Walk Gabriel Perez/Getty Images View Map Address 849 E Commerce St, San Antonio, TX 78205, USA Get directions Phone +1 210-227-4262 Web Visit website Every year, thousands of lights are turned on to light the renowned San Antonio River Walk on the day after Thanksgiving, which is November 23, 2018. On that day, the Ford Holiday River Parade is held on the River Walk, and only those with a ticket will have access to the River Walk. But starting November 24 and continuing until January 6, 2019, everyone can take a look at the River Walk's 100,000 holiday lights for free. The lights will be on from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. every night, dusk to dawn. The River Walk is open 24/7. 02 of 06 Light the Way at University of the Incarnate Word Nick Juhasz/Wikimedia.com/ Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 View Map Address 4301 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209-6318, USA Get directions Phone +1 210-829-6000 Web Visit website The University of the Incarnate Word starts off the holiday season with a lighting ceremony and entertainment at 6:30 p.m. on November 17, 2018. The lights will stay on at the university every night until January 6, 2019. At the lighting ceremony, you can get snacks and drinks from food trucks and visit the Holiday Shoppe to check out the wares. There will also be fireworks, live entertainment, and concerts to kick off the lighting ceremony. 03 of 06 Christmas Light Fest View Map Address 242 SH46 West unit a, Boerne, TX 78006, USA Get directions Phone +1 830-249-8222 Web Visit website The Christmas Light Fest at the Old Wild West-style Enchanted Springs Ranch (35 miles northwest of San Antonio) boasts that it is the most dazzling holiday light show in the San Antonio area. You can walk through miles of holiday light tunnels on select dates from Thanksgiving to December 16 and every night between 6-10 p.m. on December 20-30, 2018. Stop into Santa's Village, a rustic barn filled with holiday goodies and, yes, see Santa Claus while you're there. 04 of 06 Ford Fiesta de las Luminarias Gabriel Perez/Getty Images View Map Address 849 E Commerce St, San Antonio, TX 78205, USA Get directions Phone +1 210-227-4262 Web Visit website If you prefer a more low-key experience, you might like the Ford Fiesta de las Luminarias, which takes place on the River Walk over three weekends in December: November 30 through December 2; December 7-9; and December 14-16. The 2,000 luminarias (traditional Mexican Christmas lanterns) will be lit starting at dusk on these nights, and you can enjoy them while having dinner at one of the River Walk's many restaurants. Continue to 5 of 6 below. 05 of 06 SeaWorld San Antonio Nan Palmero/Flickr/CC BY 2.0 View Map Address 10500 SeaWorld Dr, San Antonio, TX 78251, USA Get directions Phone +1 210-520-4732 Web Visit website SeaWorld San Antonio sparkles with 9 million lights in what it dubs the biggest holiday lights display in Texas. The show is on from November 17, 2018, through January 6, 2019. Besides millions of lights in this unusual winter wonderland, you'll get a glimpse of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and get to chat with Santa. 06 of 06 ZooLights at San Antonio Zoo TripSavvy / Vincent Mercer View Map Address 3903 N St Mary's St, San Antonio, TX 78212, USA Get directions Phone +1 210-734-7184 Web Visit website At ZooLights at the San Antonio Zoo, you can do a regular zoo stroll, holiday style, under bright Christmas lights strung throughout the zoo. But there's more: You can get hot chocolate and roast marshmallows on your visit and watch the Lakeside Light Show, take a ride on a camel, or go ice skating. Santa will be there if you want to remind him what's on your list. ZooLights opens on November 17 and runs through December 31, 2018. Hours are noon to 9 p.m. every day except for Saturdays, when ZooLights will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit Share Pin Email