The Christmas season has officially arrived in New Braunfels, and with it comes one of the Hill Country’s most beloved traditions: Santa’s Ranch. For more than 20 years, families have driven through its glowing mile of holiday lights, animated scenes, and custom-built displays that transform a quiet stretch of countryside into a festive winter wonderland.
This year, Santa’s Ranch is open from November through early January, operating every single night of the season, including holidays, weekends, and rainy evenings.
Visitors can take a slow drive through more than 3 million lights, sip hot chocolate, enjoy homemade kettle corn, and take in the handcrafted displays that have become a hallmark of the experience.
Located just north of New Braunfels at 9561 I-35 North, Santa’s Ranch has grown from a small family operation into one of the most recognizable Christmas attractions in Texas. The owners describe it as a place where families can slow down, reconnect, and enjoy the season together.
The route winds along more than a mile of gravel roads lined with towering light tunnels, glowing nativity scenes, animated displays, and countless handmade features that change and expand each year. All tickets are sold per vehicle, making it an easy and affordable outing for families, carpool groups, or anyone looking for a holiday drive.
Season passes and single-entry passes are available at the gate or online, and all vehicles must remain in motion with guests staying inside their cars throughout the tour. Restrooms are available at multiple locations along the way.
A Special Offer for New Braunfels Life Plus Members
To celebrate the start of the season, The New Braunfels Life has partnered with Santa’s Ranch to offer a limited number of free passes exclusively for The New Braunfels Life Plus members.
Spots are already filling quickly. This benefit is one of the many perks offered to our growing community of members, who also enjoy special invitations, local discounts, deeper coverage, and insider access throughout the year.
If you’re not yet a Plus member, there is still time to join and claim a pass while supplies last. Memberships help support local journalism and the work we do daily to keep New Braunfels informed.
Click here to sign up now and we’ll get you all set up for your free visit to Santa’s Ranch.
Plan Your Visit
Santa’s Ranch is open nightly through early January, with hours of 6 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 6 to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Tickets are valid for any night of the season, even during holidays.
Visitors should stay in the right lane of the frontage road when approaching the entrance. Trailers, buses, limousines, and RVs are not permitted, and vehicles must be under eight feet in height and shorter than 30 feet in length.
For those planning to make the trip, here are the key details:
Location: 9561 I-35 North, New Braunfels
Season: November 1, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Hours: Open nightly, rain or shine
Tickets: Sold per vehicle; single-pass and season-pass options available
Whether it’s a yearly family outing or your first time experiencing the lights, Santa’s Ranch continues to be one of the most memorable Christmas attractions in the Hill Country. With new displays, returning favorites, and more than three million lights, it remains a tradition that draws crowds from across Texas.
And for New Braunfels Life Plus members, this year comes with a little extra holiday magic.