Holiday lights near San Antonio for families (2026)
Checked · Covers Oct 28 – Jan 15 · All times are local Central Time
We list 3 holiday light events around San Antonio for Oct 28 – Jan 15: 1 display running for weeks and 2 one-night events. 1 list free admission. Displays that run for weeks come first, then one-night parades and tree lightings around San Antonio. Popular nights can sell out, so check the official page before you go.
Light displays open for weeks
Zoo Lights at San Antonio Zoo
- When
- Sat, Nov 14 – Sun, Jan 3 (Nov 14 – Jan 3) · 2026 evening hours not posted yet; check the zoo calendar
- Cost
- Included with standard zoo admission; free for members
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
The zoo turns into a winter wonderland after hours: miles of lights, glowing tunnels, holiday music and photo spots. Santa photos are by reservation on select dates.
✓ Checked Oct 28, 2026 on the organizer's official page
One-night light parades and tree lightings
Ford Holiday River Parade
- When
- Fri, Nov 27 · Starts 6pm
- Cost
- Free viewing area on the parade route (first come, first served; bring a chair); reserved seating sold separately
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Illuminated floats on the River Walk and the lighting of the River Walk holiday lights. Starts at the Tobin Center.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Wassailfest
- When
- Thu, Dec 3 · 6–9pm
- Cost
- See site
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Downtown New Braunfels holiday evening on and around Main Plaza.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Frequently asked questions
When do holiday lights open around San Antonio in 2026?
1 light display on our list runs for weeks: Zoo Lights at San Antonio Zoo (San Antonio, Nov 14 – Jan 3).
Which holiday light events near San Antonio are free?
1 light event lists free admission on the official page: Ford Holiday River Parade (San Antonio, Fri, Nov 27).
How much do ticketed light displays near San Antonio cost?
Prices from the official pages: Zoo Lights at San Antonio Zoo (Included with standard zoo admission) and Wassailfest (See site). Prices can change by night.
Which holiday lights events near San Antonio need tickets or registration?
1 event on our list says on the official page that it needs advance tickets, timed entry or registration: Zoo Lights at San Antonio Zoo (San Antonio). Book through each official page.
Which San Antonio-area cities have holiday lights events?
We list holiday lights events in 2 cities, including San Antonio (2) and New Braunfels (1).
Our weekend search covers Phoenix Metro & Arizona for now, and more areas are coming soon. This guide is hand-checked the same way.
How we build this page: each event comes from the organizer's official website and shows the date we checked it. An event is called free only when its official page says so. Read how we verify listings.
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