Sights & Sounds of Christmas

December 4-6 and 11-13, 2025
5:30-11pm
San Marcos Plaza Park

It’s the most wonderful time of year – time for Sights & Sounds of Christmas, again! Sights & Sounds is six days full of holiday cheer and merriment. That’s right, six days and a ho-ho-whole lot of fun! (Sorry, we had to…) Carnival rides, petting zoos, concerts, really good food and so much more will kick off your holiday season on a very festive note.

Carnival

From daring coasters to charming thrills for the little ones, the carnival at Sights & Sounds has lots of options for traditional carnival games, exciting views from above, and adrenaline. The carnival is open nightly Wednesday-Saturday and rides range from $1-$7 through Magic Money wristbands.

Petting Zoo

Who could possibly not enjoy cuddling a baby goat? Not us, that’s for sure. Pet (gently) a variety of animals, including llamas, lambs, goats, bunnies, and more. It couldn’t possibly get any better than that, right? Wrong – it’s FREE! There is feed for the animals available for purchase, which may tempt them into some extra loving…

Food Court and Santa’s Gift Shop

Unique holiday gifts, holiday-themed treats, and classic carnival cuisine – you have to check out the goods, wares, and delicious offerings at the Food Court and Santa’s Gift Shop.

Ice Skating

No, the San Marcos River isn’t frozen over. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t ice skate in San Marcos! The ice-skating rink is highly entertaining whether you plan on strapping some skates on and going for a spin or just watching the action from the sidelines as Texans unfamiliar with the sport give it a go themselves…

Santa Visits

Is it a plane? A firetruck? A motorcycle? Well, it could be any of those things, but the important part is that it’s bringing in the big man himself – Santa! Every night Santa arrives in style before setting up for photos.

Town of Bethlehem

Journey back in time and explore the ancient traditions of old Bethlehem. You can expect live music, candle making, costumes, and more about the history of Bethlehem.

Things To Know Before You Go

Admission is free for kids 12 and under, $5 for nightly admission, and $15 for a 6-day pass. Once you are inside, Magic Money Bands are how you’ll pay for most things at Sights & Sounds. It’s an electronic token system you can load money onto at kiosks around the premises.

To ensure safety at Sights & Sounds, bags should be clear and will need to be smaller than 12”x6”x12”. 

Visit sights-n-sounds.org for more information.

Jingle Bell Run

December 13, 2025

Start the day off with a festive run for all ages and abilities! Wear your best holiday attire and join us for the 5K or 1K. Finishers and top racers will receive prizes and awards.

• 7:30am—Packet Pickup and Walk Up Registration opens*
• 8:50am—Online Registration closes
• 9am—Ainsley’s Angels—5K Start
• 9:03am—All others—5K Start
• 10:05am—1K Starts (as soon as 5K is finished)
• 10:30am—Awards Ceremony (as soon as 1K is finished)
• 11am—Meet at Blacks BBQ for the After Party! Those who attend will be entered to win a new TV!