Sights & Sounds of Christmas Festival
San Marcos Plaza Park • San Marcos, TX
📅 Dates
December 3-12, 2026 (select dates)
Hours: 5:30 PM - 11:00 PM
💰 Cost
$10 nightly admission. Kids 12 and under free.
Kids 12 and under
🎯 Best For
Families with children of all ages
♿ Accessibility
Buses at the park & ride locations are handicap accessible.
🅿️ Parking
Park & ride shuttle buses serve the festival. Check the official website for locations.
🍽️ Food & Drink
Food stalls serve full plates, funnel cakes and other festival treats, with hot chocolate and apple cider to drink.
San Marcos Plaza Park fills up with thousands of sparkling Christmas lights, carnival rides and a full-sized Ferris wheel with a view over the whole park. There's a free petting zoo, photos with Santa, life-size reindeer games, local gift booths and a live nativity in A Night in Old Bethlehem. Grown-ups can take a break at the riverfront lounge.
🌟 What You'll Experience
- Thousands of sparkling Christmas lights
- Carnival rides and a full-sized Ferris wheel
- Free petting zoo and photos with Santa
- Live nativity in A Night in Old Bethlehem
- Local gift booths and food vendors
- Christmas Spirits, a grown-ups-only lounge
💡 Pro Tips
- Bring a clear bag or a small bag under 5.5 by 8.5 inches; backpacks, purses and folding chairs are not allowed
- Bring a card rather than cash: cash is accepted only at Santa's Gift Shop
- Load a Magic Money band before heading to the carnival, since it's the only way to pay for rides and games
- Keep your Magic Money band afterward; leftover credits don't expire and work again next year
- Buy the collector mug if your group drinks a lot of hot cocoa or cider; it includes unlimited hot drink refills that night
❓ Frequently Asked Questions ❓
❓ What kind of bag can I bring?
Small bags under 5.5 by 8.5 inches, clear bags under 12 by 6 by 12 inches, clear backpacks, 1-gallon freezer bags, and medically necessary or diaper bags. Regular backpacks, purses, camera cases, oversized totes and folding chairs aren't allowed.
❓ How do I pay for carnival rides?
Rides and games are paid for only with a Magic Money band. The bands are reusable and reloadable through the app, kiosks or reload stations around the grounds, and leftover credits carry over to next year.
❓ Can I use cash?
Cash is accepted only at Santa's Gift Shop. All other vendors in the park take debit and credit cards.