At 6pm on the first Saturday in December, Cowboy Kringle rides into Gruene on horseback and the whole town lights up at once. That's one night. Christmas in the Texas Hill Country runs from early November into the new year, spread across New Braunfels, Gruene, Boerne, and Canyon Lake. Spring Branch sits north of San Antonio, right in the middle of it all, so you can see a different show every night and come home to your own space.
For couples, our geodesic domes, Slate Serenity and Riverstone Retreat, each have an openable skylight. After the lights in town, open it up and lie back under stars like no city environment could ever deliver. For families, Retro Revival and Wanderlust each have a big two queen bedroom with its own bath, plus a queen sleeper sofa and a second full bath, and sleep up to six.
Hill Country Christmas 2026 at a glance
- Santa's Ranch, New Braunfels: nightly Nov 6, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027
- Dickens on Main, Boerne: Fri and Sat, Nov 27 to 28
- Old West Christmas Light Fest, Boerne: 15 select nights, Nov 27 to Dec 23
- Wassailfest, New Braunfels: Thu, Dec 3, 6 to 9pm
- Holidays in Gruene Town Lighting: Sat, Dec 5, 5 to 9pm (Christmas Market Days Dec 5 to 6)
- Canyon Lake Noon Lions Christmas Parade: Sat, Dec 12, 11am
- Christmas at the Caverns, Natural Bridge Caverns: opens December 2026
Santa's Ranch drive-thru lights in New Braunfels
Santa's Ranch is open every night from Nov 6, 2026 through Jan 3, 2027, rain or shine and holidays included. Hours are 6 to 10pm Sunday to Thursday and 6 to 11pm Friday and Saturday. You stay in the car the whole way, so it's perfect for little kids and chilly nights. A single pass is $37 plus tax per vehicle, and a season pass is $74. Santa's Ranch tickets
Wassailfest in downtown New Braunfels
Wassailfest is Thursday, Dec 3, from 6 to 9pm around Main Plaza, and it's free. Downtown shops pour wassail "leaded" or "unleaded" while you stroll. Park free at City Hall (550 Landa St) and take the shuttle, which runs 5 to 11pm. Uber and Lyft also run to the property, so nobody has to drive home after the leaded kind. City of New Braunfels: Wassailfest
Holidays in Gruene: the 43rd Town Lighting
The Gruene Town Lighting is Saturday, Dec 5, from 5 to 9pm, and it's free. A brass band starts at 5, then at 6 Cowboy Kringle rides in on horseback and the lights come on. Christmas Market Days run Dec 5 to 6, 10am to 5pm, with about 100 vendors and free admission, so you can shop Saturday morning and stay for the lighting. Gruene has public parking plus a lot across from Rockin' R at 1404 Gruene Rd. Holidays in Gruene · Gruene parking
Old West Christmas Light Fest in Boerne
Old West Christmas Light Fest at Enchanted Springs Ranch runs 15 nights from 5 to 10pm: Nov 27, 28, and 29; Dec 4, 5, and 6; Dec 11, 12, and 13; and every night Dec 18 to 23. Expect falling snow, campfires, and free photos with Santa. General admission is $25 for ages 6 and up, $20 for military and first responders, and free for kids 5 and under (online prices add fees). Popular nights can sell out, so book ahead. Parking is free. Plan your visit
Dickens on Main in Boerne
Dickens on Main fills Boerne's Main Street the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving, Nov 27 to 28, 2026, with the tree lighting Friday night at Main Plaza. Streets close at 4pm both nights, so arrive early and park on the side streets or in nearby lots. City of Boerne: Dickens on Main
Canyon Lake Noon Lions Christmas Parade
For a hometown morning, the Canyon Lake Noon Lions Christmas Parade rolls down FM 2673 in Sattler on Saturday, Dec 12, at 11am. It's free. The route closes to traffic, so come a little early and park along the side roads. Canyon Lake Noon Lions
Christmas at the Caverns at Natural Bridge Caverns
Christmas at the Caverns opens in December 2026, with a Trail of Lights, Santa, s'mores, and ice skating. Caroling in the Cavern tours are an add-on and tend to sell out. Tickets and current prices are on the official page. Check the official page for 2026 dates. Christmas at the Caverns
Two ways to plan the weekend
A couples' long weekend: Wassailfest on Thursday night, a slow Friday, then Christmas Market Days and the Gruene Town Lighting on Saturday, Dec 5. Each night ends back in the dome with the skylight open.
A family weekend: Old West Christmas Light Fest on a Friday or Saturday night (kids 5 and under are free), Santa's Ranch from the warmth of the car another night, and the Lions parade on Saturday morning, Dec 12.
Where to stay for Christmas in the Hill Country
The Casitas at Sun Valley has six private casitas and two geodesic domes in Spring Branch, TX, with every event above within about an hour. Bringing the whole family? Retro Revival and Wanderlust book together and sleep up to twelve. See the lights, drive home past the deer, and settle into your own place for the night.
Hill Country Christmas FAQ
When is Wassailfest 2026? Thursday, Dec 3, 2026, 6 to 9pm, in downtown New Braunfels. It's free.
When is the Gruene Town Lighting 2026? Saturday, Dec 5, 2026. Events run 5 to 9pm, and the lights come on at 6pm.
How long is Santa's Ranch open? Every night from Nov 6, 2026 through Jan 3, 2027, with tickets priced per vehicle.
Where should we stay to see Christmas lights near New Braunfels and Gruene? Spring Branch, just north of San Antonio, puts New Braunfels, Gruene, Boerne, and Canyon Lake all within about an hour, with private casitas and geodesic domes at The Casitas at Sun Valley.