Final Up to date On – thirtieth November, 2025
The Windcrest Christmas Lights is certainly one of San Antonio’s most beloved vacation traditions and for good cause. For many years, this close-knit group has turned its streets into one large neighborhood showcase, as residents go all out adorning their houses with lights, inflatables, and do-it-yourself shows.
Uncover what’s new this 2025 and take advantage of the Windcrest Mild Up 2025 together with your family members.
Waiting for the weekend? Don’t miss our full information to Issues to do in San Antonio this weekend, together with free festivals, dwell music, and hidden gems.
Editor’s Observe: We do our greatest to maintain listings updated, however particulars could change. All the time confirm with occasion organizers or taking part areas earlier than heading out.
This text could comprise affiliate hyperlinks. Purchases made by way of them could earn us a small fee at no additional price to you.
Additionally, take a look at our submit on Monte Vista San Antonio Christmas Lights, New Braunfels Christmas Lights, Alamo Heights Christmas Lights, and Boerne Christmas Lights!
Windcrest Christmas Lights 2025: Dates, Time, and Theme
Picture credit score: Dan Reese, Mayor, Metropolis of Windcrest Fb
Windcrest kicks off its 2025 Mild-Up celebrations on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, with the annual Dedication Tree Lighting Ceremony. This yr’s dedication tree honors Windcrest Households, setting a heartfelt tone for the season.
As soon as the celebrations start, guests can drive by way of the neighborhood and revel in its vivid, imaginative shows. This 2025, the theme for the Windcrest Christmas Lights is “A Storybook Christmas!” So, anticipate designs impressed by traditional tales, beloved characters, and tales that maintain particular that means.
You’ll be able to view these great shows till December 31, 2025.
Windcrest Mild Up Contest
The very best adorned houses will win the highest spots within the Windcrest Mild-Up Contest, which highlights essentially the most spectacular houses throughout a number of judging classes. These classes embody:
Greatest Avenue and/or Cul-de-sac
Craft / Greatest Use of Selfmade Decor
Greatest Multimedia
Greatest Use of Inflatables
Non secular
Greatest Use of Lights
Most Welcoming
Greatest Enterprise
Greatest Use of Theme
The theme encourages sturdy creativeness, private type, and loads of nostalgic attraction. Colour selections additionally keep versatile, giving residents room to show their houses into glowing scenes pulled straight from the pages of a ebook.
With that, you’re certain to be in for an exquisite night time leaping right into a storybook wonderland as you’ve by no means seen earlier than.
Are Windcrest Christmas Lights Free?
Sure, the Windcrest Christmas Lights expertise is totally free. The Metropolis of Windcrest retains this long-standing custom open to everybody, inviting guests to cruise by way of the neighborhood and benefit from the glowing shows with none admission price.
Windcrest Mild-Up Occasions for 2025
Picture Credit score: Metropolis of Windcrest
Right here’s a rundown of the official Mild-Up occasions in 2025:
Dedication Tree Lighting Ceremony – November 12, 2025, at 6:00 PM
Windcrest opens the Mild-Up season with the Dedication Tree Lighting Ceremony at Jim Seal and Crestway, with a give attention to Windcrest households, giving the occasion a heat, community-centered tone.
Right here, you possibly can take pleasure in cookies and cocoa whereas taking pictures with Santa earlier than watching the tree come to life. The Magik Theatre may also carry out a particular storybook studying to tie into this yr’s “A Storybook Christmas” theme.
Sweet Cane Lane – November 19, 2025, at 6:00 PM
Sweet Cane Lane brings a burst of vacation attraction to Windway and Patriot Island, turning the road right into a glowing path lined with festive lights, cheerful décor, and loads of neighborhood vitality.
You and your loved ones can stroll or drive by way of the world to soak within the sweetness of the shows, which set the tone for the remainder of Windcrest’s vacation season.
Mild-Up Celebration Kickoff – December 6, 2025, at 4:30 PM
The most important gathering of the Windcrest Christmas Lights occasion takes place at Metropolis Corridor on Midcrown Drive. Because the solar units, collect for the lighting of the official Mild-Up Tree, which marks the official begin to Windcrest’s vacation lights celebration.
Music will fill the plaza whereas native distributors serve meals and treats. Santa may also be becoming a member of the enjoyable for pictures, giving children an opportunity to share their want lists.
HO-HO-HO Market – December 13, 2025, from 2:00 PM to six:00 PM
The HO-HO-HO Market at 8101 Midcrown Dr. will flip your Saturday afternoon right into a cheerful vacation procuring soiree.
Native artisans and small companies can be establishing cubicles stuffed with handmade items, seasonal crafts, décor, and scrumptious treats, providing you with the prospect to select up distinctive Christmas finds whereas having fun with the Mild-Up environment.
Mild-Up Bake-Off – December 14, 2025, from 4:00 PM to six:00 PM
Windcrest’s Bake-Off on the Takas Park Civic Heart invitations residents and native companies to point out off their greatest vacation creations.
Contestants can enter classes like candy breads, savory breads, muffins, cookies, pies, and even tamales. Every entry requires no less than 36 servings, so there’s a lot for judges to pattern as they consider creativity, taste, and presentation.
Judging begins at 4:30 PM, and winners, together with the coveted Grand Champion, are introduced on the shut of the occasion. Solely Windcrest residents or companies with a Windcrest deal with could take part.
Mild-Up Bike Evening – December 16, 2025, at 6:00 PM
Mild-Up Bike Evening invitations cyclists of all ages to collect at 8101 Midcrown Dr. for a festive night trip. Riders usually adorn their bikes with strands of lights, glowing equipment, and vacation touches, turning the group right into a shifting parade of coloration.
The route winds by way of Windcrest’s most adorned streets, giving contributors an up-close have a look at the shows in a extra interactive approach than a conventional drive-through. It’s energetic, cheerful, and stuffed with group spirit, good for anybody who enjoys a bit of motion with their vacation sightseeing.
Windcrest Christmas Lights Map & Driving Route
Picture Credit score: Metropolis of Windcrest FB Web page
Discovering essentially the most great shows within the Windcrest Christmas Lights is simple with the official Mild-Up Map, which highlights each contest winners and taking part houses. Residents can register their addresses to be included on the map, making it easy for guests to identify essentially the most dazzling shows.
The Metropolis of Windcrest presents printed maps throughout the Mild-Up season for a donation that advantages the Windcrest Volunteer Hearth Affiliation and different native nonprofits.
You’ll be able to avail of those maps at a number of areas throughout town, together with the Hearth Administration Workplace at 8601 Midcrown Dr., which is open Monday by way of Friday from 8:00 AM to three:00 PM.
Parking
For parking, the occasion gives a number of handy choices.
The within lanes of Eaglecrest Boulevard, the within lane of Bayou Bend, and the alley portion of Candleglo supply quick access to the shows whereas maintaining autos safely off the primary streets.
When you plan to go to actions at Metropolis Corridor or choose up maps and supplies, the Metropolis Corridor parking zone at 9290 Paseo de Conde is good.
Tricks to Keep away from Site visitors
o keep away from site visitors throughout the Mild-Up season, preserve the following pointers in thoughts:
Arrive early or later within the night: Round 6 PM is good for lighter site visitors.
Use beneficial entry factors, comparable to Midcrown/Walzem, the place you can even choose up a map from the Hearth Division.
Contemplate biking for a extra relaxed expertise and to take pleasure in designated bike-only areas, which scale back automobile site visitors in sure sections.
Observe barricades and site visitors move preparations arrange by town to maintain neighborhood streets secure and easy for all guests.
With a bit of planning, you possibly can take pleasure in Windcrest’s glowing shows with out the stress of heavy site visitors.
Close by Vacation Points of interest
When you’re making a visit out to Windcrest for the Mild‑Up, you’re truly in a fantastic spot to hit another standout vacation sights close by. Listed here are just a few that convey very completely different sorts of Christmas magic from underground caverns to large theme parks.
Christmas on the Caverns – Pure Bridge Caverns
Only a brief drive from San Antonio, Pure Bridge Caverns turns into an entire new world throughout its Christmas on the Caverns occasion. You’ll be able to stroll the Path of Lights below towering dwell oaks draped in vacation colours, roast s’mores round a campfire, and skate on an artificial rink.
Deep contained in the caverns, the “Caroling within the Cavern” tour fills the caves with wealthy vocal harmonies (The pure acoustics make it particularly magical). Additionally, epect appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus, a reindeer maze, yard video games, and even storytime with Mrs. Claus herself.
Santa’s Ranch – New Braunfels
About 40 minutes north of Windcrest, Santa’s Ranch is a traditional drive-through mild park with greater than three million lights illuminating a mile of winding Hill Nation roads. The show options animated Christmas scenes, towering lit bushes, and enjoyable tunnels.
In your trip, you possibly can take pleasure in sizzling chocolate, kettle corn, and seasonal snacks from the concession stand.
The Mild Park (Retama Park)
When you’re searching for a drive-through expertise a bit nearer, The Mild Park at Retama Park in Selma delivers massive time. The occasion includes a one-mile route stuffed with synchronized lights that dance to vacation music, all considered from the consolation of your automobile.
SeaWorld San Antonio Christmas Celebration
Over at SeaWorld San Antonio, the park transforms into an enormous winter wonderland with tens of millions of lights unfold throughout 250 acres. You’ll be able to stroll by way of a “Tunnel of Lights,” catch dwell reveals like “O Wondrous Evening”, and watch performances that mix puppetry, music, and Christmas storytelling.
There’s additionally hearth pits for s’mores, seasonal foods and drinks stations, and nightly fireworks on choose dates.
Six Flags Fiesta Texas – Vacation within the Park
If you need thrills + lights, head to Six Flags Fiesta Texas for Vacation within the Park (working Nov. 22–Dec 23, 2025). The park is lit up with 2.5 million lights and over 75,000 decorations, together with a 70-foot Christmas tree that’s onerous to overlook.
You’ll additionally discover 14 dwell reveals, meet-and-greets with Santa and Looney Tunes characters, and seasonal meals and drinks. Trip lovers may also hop on choose coasters below vacation lights, making this a enjoyable mixture of adrenaline and Christmas spirit.
Ideas for Visiting Windcrest Christmas Lights
Picture credit score: Metropolis of Windcrest
Listed here are some sensible, actionable ideas that can assist you take advantage of your Windcrest Mild-Up expertise:
Choose up a Map EarlyThe map highlights contest winners and different standout houses, serving to you intend a route that maximizes your viewing.
Time Your Go to WiselyArriving round 6:00 PM tends to strike the very best steadiness: the lights are absolutely seen, and site visitors is lighter than later within the night. Some locals even recommend ready till 6:30–7:00 PM, when it’s really darkish, and the shows pop extra.
Use the Advisable Entry PointsEntering by way of Midcrown/Walzem offers you a smoother begin, particularly since volunteers from the Hearth Division usually hand out maps there.
Drive Slowly & Be AlertThe velocity restrict in Windcrest is 20 mph, and lots of guests cease their vehicles to take pictures. Look ahead to individuals exiting their autos, and if it’s good to pause, flip in your hazard lights so others know.
Contemplate Strolling or Biking for a Extra Relaxed ViewThere’s a bike-only part for a quieter, extra intimate expertise, and riders usually mild up their bikes to affix within the enjoyable. When you want foot site visitors, parking close to the fireplace station and strolling the route permits you to skip among the worst of the site visitors.
Be Affected person — and Deliver Scorching ChocolateWith so many individuals coming to see the lights, site visitors can again up. Decelerate, benefit from the trip, and convey one thing heat to sip when you cruise. It helps make the wait really feel a part of the vacation magic.
Don’t Block the FlowIf you cease to take photos, attempt to use designated pull-off areas or aspect streets. Blocking important routes creates gridlock, and locals emphasize being courteous to maintain the expertise easy for everybody
Nominate Your FavoritesUse the map to search out houses you like, then head to the Mild-Up web site to appoint them for the Individuals’s Alternative Award. It’s a enjoyable technique to get entangled and assist group shows.
And if you need much more methods to discover what’s taking place in San Antonio, take a look at the most recent Issues To Do This Weekend in San Antonio earlier than planning your subsequent outing.
Maya is a lifelong Texan native to the San Antonio space. Between her English research at UTSA, two younger youngsters, and small herd of canine, she’s at all times searching for methods to get out and get entangled. When she’s inside she’s studying, writing, or taking part in video video games, however she’s at all times prepared for a aspect quest to native museums, exhibitions, and occasions.
