San Antonio, December 23, 2025
San Antonio is transformed into a dazzling display of holiday lights, with events like the Ford Holiday River Parade, Zoo Lights, and more lighting up the city. Residents and visitors can experience a variety of festive activities, from drive-thru light shows to ice skating rinks, ensuring a magical holiday season filled with joy and community spirit. With activities running through January, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate the season in this vibrant Texas city.
San Antonio’s Holiday Light Displays Illuminate the City
San Antonio is aglow with festive holiday light displays, offering residents and visitors a variety of dazzling experiences to celebrate the season.
Ford Holiday River Parade and Lights
The 44th Annual Ford Holiday River Parade, themed “Merry Movie Magic,” took place on November 28, 2025. This cherished event featured over 100,000 lights adorning the River Walk, transforming it into a winter wonderland. The parade showcased 27 illuminated floats, five entertainment barges, and a special appearance by Santa Claus. The lights will continue to shine nightly until January 13, 2026.
Zoo Lights at San Antonio Zoo
The San Antonio Zoo’s “Zoo Lights” event, powered by CPS Energy, offers a captivating holiday experience with miles of dazzling lights, festive music, and whimsical displays. Visitors can enjoy attractions like the Holiday Express Sing-A-Long, Cowboy’s Yuletide Trail, and the Lakeside Laser Light Show. The event runs daily from November 18 to December 31, 2025.
Lights of Esperanza at Texas A&M-San Antonio
Texas A&M-San Antonio’s annual “Lights of Esperanza” event, held on December 2, 2025, illuminated the Southside campus with over 40,000 lights. The celebration featured food trucks, family entertainment, a holiday market, and a light show in the CAB Courtyard. Activities included an ice slide, mechanical reindeer, and ornament decorating.
Illuminate at San Antonio Botanical Garden
The San Antonio Botanical Garden’s “Illuminate” exhibit, running from November 21, 2025, to January 21, 2026, showcases handcrafted lanterns and glowing trails throughout the garden. New for 2025, the exhibit features special theme nights, including Sensory-Friendly Night, Family Night, Ugly Sweater Night, and a sparkling New Year’s Eve “All the Glitters Party.”
Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Fiesta Texas
Six Flags Fiesta Texas’s “Holiday in the Park” event, running select dates from November 22 to December 23, 2025, offers dazzling lights, festive live shows, select rides, and specialty holiday food and drinks. The event is included with park admission, with additional costs for food, drink, merchandise, and select holiday experiences.
Lights Alive Christmas Light Park and Festival
Located at 5931 Roft Road, San Antonio, TX 78253, “Lights Alive” is a 1-mile drive-thru musically synchronized light show followed by a Winter Wonderland Park-n-Play festival. The event features attractions like a 50 ft. Animated Light Show Tree, escape rooms, ornament crafts, and a holiday marketplace. The drive-thru is open rain or shine.
Windcrest Light Up
The annual “Windcrest Light Up” is a decades-old tradition where residents decorate their homes with elaborate displays of holiday lights. The event includes a dedication tree lighting ceremony, Candy Cane Lane, and an evening filled with music, vendors, food, hot chocolate, and photos with Santa. The public is invited to drive along neighborhood streets to view the brightly lit house displays.
Carriage Tours in Windcrest
White Horse and Carriage Company offers horse-drawn carriage tours through the famous Windcrest Christmas lights. The tours provide a magical experience for families to create lasting memories together. Reservations are recommended to avoid wait times and ensure availability.
Hopscotch Art Experience
Hopscotch San Antonio, located at 6100 Airport Blvd., offers a 20,000 square-foot space featuring fifteen installations, including “Down the Rabbit Hole,” “GAZE,” “Onion Skin,” and “Rainbow Cave.” The venue also includes a bar offering cocktails, non-alcoholic beverages, and small snacks, occasionally partnering with local food trucks on the patio.
La Villita Historic Arts Village
La Villita Historic Arts Village, a city block offering art by local and regional artists, hosts a Night in Old San Antonio during Fiesta San Antonio each April. The event features dozens of booths offering various kinds of food, attracting 85,000 celebrants. The outdoor festival is a major fundraiser for the San Antonio Conservation Society.
Travis Park’s Holiday Tree and Ice Skating Rink
Travis Park features the city’s official holiday tree and an ice skating rink from November 15 to January 5. The area is adorned with festive decorations, offering a picturesque setting for holiday photos and activities.
La Cantera’s Holiday Lights
La Cantera, a shopping center in San Antonio, is known for its elaborate holiday light displays, attracting visitors from across the region. The center features synchronized light shows and festive decorations, creating a magical atmosphere for shoppers and families.
Conclusion
San Antonio’s vibrant holiday light displays reflect the city’s entrepreneurial spirit and community collaboration. Each event not only supports local businesses but also enriches the local culture, fostering connections among residents and visitors alike. As San Antonio shines bright this season, let’s celebrate the joyful spirit and resilience of our community. We encourage everyone to explore these magical light displays and support the local businesses that make them possible.
FAQ
- What is the Ford Holiday River Parade? The 44th Annual Ford Holiday River Parade, themed “Merry Movie Magic,” took place on November 28, 2025. The lights will continue to shine nightly until January 13, 2026.
- When does the Zoo Lights event take place? The Zoo Lights event runs daily from November 18 to December 31, 2025.
- What features does the “Lights of Esperanza” event include? The “Lights of Esperanza” event featured food trucks, family entertainment, a holiday market, and a light show in the CAB Courtyard.
- What is the duration of the “Illuminate” exhibit at the San Antonio Botanical Garden? The “Illuminate” exhibit runs from November 21, 2025, to January 21, 2026.
- What are the dates for “Holiday in the Park” at Six Flags Fiesta Texas? “Holiday in the Park” runs select dates from November 22 to December 23, 2025.
- Where is the “Lights Alive” event located? “Lights Alive” is located at 5931 Roft Road, San Antonio, TX 78253.
- What special activities does the “Windcrest Light Up” event include? The event includes a dedication tree lighting ceremony, Candy Cane Lane, and an evening filled with music, vendors, food, hot chocolate, and photos with Santa.
- What are the operating dates for Travis Park’s Holiday Tree and Ice Skating Rink? The ice skating rink is open from November 15 to January 5.
Key Features of Holiday Light Displays in San Antonio
| Event | Date | Location | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Holiday River Parade | Nov 28 – Jan 13, 2026 | River Walk | Over 100,000 lights, 27 floats, Santa Claus |
| Zoo Lights | Nov 18 – Dec 31, 2025 | San Antonio Zoo | Miles of lights, festive music, laser show |
| Lights of Esperanza | Dec 2, 2025 | Texas A&M-San Antonio | 40,000 lights, food trucks, holiday market |
| Illuminate | Nov 21, 2025 – Jan 21, 2026 | San Antonio Botanical Garden | Handcrafted lanterns, theme nights |
| Holiday in the Park | Nov 22 – Dec 23, 2025 | Six Flags Fiesta Texas | Dazzling lights, live shows, rides |
| Lights Alive | Ongoing | 5931 Roft Road | Drive-thru light show, Winter Wonderland |
| Windcrest Light Up | Dec 2025 | Windcrest area | Home displays, community festivities |
| Travis Park’s Holiday Tree and Ice Skating | Nov 15 – Jan 5 | Travis Park | Ice skating rink, holiday tree |
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Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
