Last Updated On – 29th November, 2025
Jump To: Downtown| Neighborhood & Suburban | Near San Antonio
San Antonio goes all out for the holidays, and nothing kicks off the season like a good Christmas tree lighting San Antonio style. From the giant H-E-B tree in Travis Park to small-town plazas glowing just outside the city, you’ll find ceremonies with live music, parades, markets, and plenty of hot cocoa.
This 2025 guide rounds up the best Christmas tree lighting in San Antonio and nearby towns, with dates, times, ticket info, and what to expect at each celebration.
Editor’s Note: Our staff works hard to bring you the most up-to-date information. However, all information is subject to change! As always, please verify with the organizer before heading out!
Also, check out our post on New Braunfels Christmas Lights, Alamo Heights Christmas Lights, and Boerne Christmas Lights!
Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting San Antonio Events 2025
H-E-B Christmas Tree Lighting
Image Credit: Travis Park FB Page
The H-E-B Christmas Tree Lighting San Antonio at Travis Park is an annual, free community celebration in San Antonio featuring live entertainment, holiday activities, and the ceremonial lighting of a large, donated Christmas tree.
- Cost: FREE
- When: November 29, 2025 | 4:00 pm
- Where: 301 E Travis St, San Antonio, TX 78205
Ford Holiday River Parade & Lighting Ceremony
The Ford Holiday River Parade and Lighting Ceremony is a spectacular San Antonio tradition featuring a nighttime procession of illuminated floats along the River Walk that officially kicks off the city’s holiday season.
- Cost: $15.03 – $120.88
- When: November 28, 2025
- Where: San Antonio, TX 78205
Alamo Christmas Tree Lighting
The Alamo Christmas Tree Lighting San Antonio is an annual tradition where the Christmas tree in Alamo Plaza is illuminated along with festive lights throughout the historic site to welcome the holiday season.
- Cost: FREE
- When: November 29, 2025 | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
- Where: 300 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205
Hotel Contessa Annual Christmas Tree Lighting
The Hotel Contessa Annual Christmas Tree Lighting is a free, festive ceremony held on the River Terrace right before the Ford Holiday River Parade, featuring a performance and complimentary seasonal treats.
- Cost: FREE
- When: November 28, 2025 | 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
- Where: 306 W Market St, San Antonio, TX 78205
La Cantera Resort & Spa Annual Tree Lighting
The La Cantera Resort & Spa Annual Tree Lighting is a festive San Antonio holiday tradition featuring the illumination of a grand Christmas tree, accompanied by family-friendly entertainment and activities.
- Cost: $5 per child | $10 per adult
- When: November 21, 2025 | 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
- Where: 16641 La Cantera Pkwy, San Antonio, TX 78256
Lights of Esperanza
The Lights of Esperanza is a free, family-friendly Christmas tree lighting event hosted by the City of San Antonio and Community Bible Church at the newly renovated San Pedro Creek Culture Park.
- Cost: FREE
- When: December 2, 2025 | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
- Where: One University Way, San Antonio, TX 78224
Neighborhood & Suburban Christmas Tree Lighting San Antonio Area
Windcrest Light-Up Tree Lighting Ceremony
Image Credit: Micah Yoder FB Page at City of Windcrest
The Windcrest Light-Up Tree Lighting Ceremony serves as the official beginning of the decades-old holiday tradition where residents decorate their homes with elaborate displays of Christmas lights in the city of Windcrest.
- Cost: FREE
- When: November 12, 2025 – December 31, 2025
- Where: Windcrest, TX 78239
Leon Valley Annual Christmas Tree Lighting
The Leon Valley Annual Christmas Tree Lighting San Antonio has is a free, family-friendly event featuring festive musical performances and a visit from Santa Claus before the grand illumination of the holiday tree.
- Cost: FREE
- When: December 1, 2025 | 5:30 pm
- Where: 6427 Evers Rd, Leon Valley, TX 78238
Lights Alive! Drive Through & Festival
Lights Alive! is a family-friendly, high-tech Christmas attraction in San Antonio featuring a musically synchronized drive-through light show and a Winter Wonderland festival with activities and food.
Cost: $36.95 per vehicle
When: November 1, 2025 – January 3, 2026
Where: 5931 Roft Rd, San Antonio, TX 78253
The Light Park San Antonio
Image Credit: The Light Park FB Page
The Light Park San Antonio is a mile-long drive-thru holiday spectacular featuring millions of LED lights synchronized to a festive mix of music.
- Cost: $29.99 – $60
- When: November 7, 2025 – January 4, 2026
- Where: 5757 US-90 Parking Lot, San Antonio, TX 78227
Christmas Tree Lighting Near San Antonio – Hill Country & Small Towns
Seguin Holiday Stroll Parade & Tree Decorating Contest
This event is a festive, illuminated holiday parade in Seguin, Texas, that culminates with a Christmas tree display and photos with Santa.
- Cost: FREE
- When: December 4, 2025 | 6:30 pm
- Where: 201 S Austin St, Seguin, TX 78155
New Braunfels Downtown Lighting & Santa’s Arrival
The New Braunfels Downtown Lighting and Santa’s Arrival is an annual holiday event held at Main Plaza that officially kicks off the season with the illumination of thousands of twinkling lights and the grand entrance of Santa Claus.
- Cost: FREE
- When: November 21, 2025 | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
- Where: 500 Main Plaza, New Braunfels, TX 78130
Cibolo Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting
Image Credit: Katie Cunningham – Cibolo City Council, District 4 FB Page for Cibolo
The Cibolo Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting is a festive, family-friendly event featuring a local parade and the lighting of the community Christmas Tree Lighting San Antonio celebrates.
- Cost: FREE
- When: December 6, 2025 | 11:00 am – 7:30 pm
- Where: Cibolo, TX 78108
La Vernia Downtown Tree Lighting
The La Vernia Christmas Tree Lighting is a festive, family-friendly event marking the start of the holiday season in the San Antonio area with the illumination of the town’s Christmas tree.
- Cost: FREE
- When: December 6, 2025 | 7:30 pm
- Where: 102 Chihuahua E, La Vernia, TX 78121
Castle Hills Lighting of the Lights
The Castle Hills Lighting of the Lights is an annual San Antonio area event where the community gathers for a tree lighting ceremony, visits with Santa, caroling, and holiday treats.
- Cost: FREE
- When: November 30, 2025 | 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm
- Where: Castle Hills, TX 78213
Pleasanton Merry on Main Tree Lighting Ceremony
Image credit: Merry On Main
The Pleasanton Merry on Main Tree Lighting Ceremony kicks off a weekend of holiday cheer in the nearby town of Pleasanton with Santa’s arrival, live music, and other family-friendly festivities.
- Cost: FREE
- When: December 5, 2025 | 6:00 pm
- Where: 831 Stadium Dr, Pleasanton, TX 78064
Bulverde Christmas Lighting
The Bulverde Christmas Lighting is an annual tree lighting ceremony and holiday festival in the Old Village of Bulverde featuring vendors, food trucks, children’s activities, and a visit from Santa.
- Cost: FREE
- When: November 28, 2025 | 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm
- Where: Bulverde, TX 78163
Floresville Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting
The Floresville Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting is a festive annual Christmas Tree Lighting San Antonio, Texas, featuring a parade followed by the official lighting of the town’s Christmas tree.
- Cost: FREE
- When: November 29, 2025 | 7:00 pm
- Where: 4th & C Streets, Downtown Floresville, Floresville, TX 78114
There are always lots of fun events going on in and around the Alamo City for the Christmas season. Check out our weekly updates to Things to Do in San Antonio this Weekend – all curated by a local.
Exploring festive celebrations around Texas? Don’t miss the Houston Christmas Tree Lighting Guide and the Austin Christmas Tree Lighting Guide to find even more sparkling tree lightings this year.
- Free and Fun Events in San Antonio December 5 – December 7 - December 4, 2025
- San Antonio Highlights: Dec. 1 to 4 – Food, Music, Arts & More - December 1, 2025
- Windcrest Christmas Lights 2025 – Full Guide to Light-Up Season - November 30, 2025
