Christmas in the Off-Season: How We Prepare for Old West Christmas Light Fest All Year Long
While the lights may only shine during the holiday season, planning for Old West Christmas Light Fest happens year-round. Creating a seamless Christmas experience for thousands of guests takes months of preparation behind the scenes, and our team would not have it any other way.
Planning Starts Long Before December
As soon as the last night of the festival wraps, we start listening. We read every review, sort through guest feedback, and talk through what worked and what could be even better next year. That is how new favorites are born. This year, it is the Barrel Train, a ride made just for our smallest guests. Through the spring and summer we book musicians, line up food vendors and plan activities, so that by fall the entire season is mapped out night by night.
Preparing the Ranch and the Old West Town
Enchanted Springs Ranch is a working event venue all year, which means our Old West town gets plenty of love between seasons. We maintain the streets, porches, play areas and gathering spaces so everything is safe and ready for families. We care for Santa’s Holly Jolly Herd of longhorns year-round, too. In November, the big transformation begins: lights go up on every storefront, tree and fence line, décor comes out of storage, and the whole team gathers for orientation before opening night.
Why Off-Season Work Matters
All of that preparation is what lets the festival feel relaxed and joyful once you arrive. It means shorter waits, friendly staff who know where everything is, and a town full of surprises around every corner. When you step through the gates this December, you are stepping into months of thoughtful work by a team that loves Christmas as much as you do.
We are open 5:00–10:00 PM on 15 nights: November 27, 28 and 29; December 4, 5 and 6; December 11, 12 and 13; and every night from December 18 through December 23, 2026.