Things to Do in San Antonio at Christmas: A 2026 Family Guide to Old West Christmas Light Fest
When December rolls around, San Antonio families start hunting for the holiday outing that will become the memory of the season. The city has no shortage of twinkle, but if you want Christmas lights, Santa, live music and a little Texas grit all in one night, point your sleigh up I-10. Just north of San Antonio in Boerne, Old West Christmas Light Fest turns a real Old West town into a walk-through holiday festival for 15 nights, November 27 – December 23, 2026.
Why Old West Christmas Light Fest Belongs on Your San Antonio Christmas List
Most light displays are something you drive past. At Old West Christmas Light Fest, you park the car and step right into the scene. Millions of lights wrap more than 40 Old West storefronts across a 6-acre town at Enchanted Springs Ranch, a ranch that began as a Hollywood film set and still looks the part. Families stroll at their own pace, kids run from one surprise to the next, and every corner is a photo op.
- Free photos with Santa every night at the Six Gun Saloon – bring your wish list and your camera
- Live holiday music on the Silver Spur Saloon stage every festival night
- Falling snow in the Old West town (yes, in South Texas!)
- Walk-through light tunnels glowing with thousands of twinkling lights
- The Grinch Room, a roaming trick roper and free line dancing lessons on select nights
- The NEW Barrel Train ride for little ones, plus a scavenger hunt, coloring, ornament making and glitter faces
An Easy Holiday Day Trip from San Antonio
Getting here is the easy part. Take I-10 West to exit 540, turn onto Highway 46 and drive three quick miles west. You will know you have found us when you see the glow. Parking is free, gates open at 5:00 PM, and the lights stay on until 10:00 PM, so it works for a weeknight outing after school or a full Saturday evening.
Make a day of it: spend the afternoon exploring downtown Boerne and the Texas Hill Country, grab dinner from the food trucks on our Green Lawn, then walk the lights as the sun goes down. Coming Thanksgiving weekend? Boerne’s Main Street celebrates with Dickens on Main, which makes for a perfect holiday-weekend pairing with our opening nights, November 27–29.
Christmas Fun for Every Kind of Crew
Families with little kids love the Barrel Train, the snow and meeting Santa. Big kids and teens head straight for Laser Tag in the Lights and the mechanical bull (both available for an additional fee). Couples come for the twinkle, the live music and a cozy spot by the campfire, and groups of 20 or more can save with group tickets. Well-behaved, leashed pups are welcome too.
2026 Dates, Hours and Tickets
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.
Tickets go on sale online October 1, 2026. General Admission (ages 6 and up) is $25, Military and First Responder tickets are $20, and kids 5 and under are always free (online prices are plus fees). Coming back for more? The NEW 2026 Season Pass ($37.50) is good for every night of the season. Buying online is the best way to lock in your night, since gate tickets are full price and only available if the night has not sold out. Get every detail on our Plan Your Visit page or in our FAQs.
If you are searching for things to do in San Antonio this Christmas, make this the year you start a new tradition. We will save you a spot by the fire!