Main Plaza in downtown New Braunfels will once again play host to the official kickoff of the holiday season when thousands of twinkling lights are turned on and Santa makes his arrival in New Braunfels!
The annual downtown lighting event is set for Friday, November 21, 2025. The streets around the Main Plaza will close at 4:30pm and the program begins at 5:45pm with a dance performance by American Dance Co. and holiday music performed by the New Braunfels Community Band. A free shuttle will be provided beginning at 5:30pm at New Braunfels City Hall, located at 550 Landa Street. The shuttle will take participants to and from downtown until 9:30pm. Mayor Neal Linnartz will address the crowd at 6:30pm where he will count down and flip the switch, turning on the dazzling display of downtown lights.
“The Downtown Lighting is a cherished tradition that brings joy and holiday spirit to our community, made possible by our longstanding event partners Comal County, New Braunfels Utilities, the New Braunfels Downtown Association, the New Braunfels Parks Foundation, and H-E-B,” said Communications and Community Engagement Director Jenna Vinson.
New This Year:
After the lights are on, Santa Claus will make his grand entrance on the balcony of the Comal County Courthouse! Santa will then be available for you to take your own photos for FREE near the Comal County Courthouse until 8:30pm. Bring your camera or cell phone to capture your free photo with Santa with a special backdrop designed just for this event. Please note that no one will be allowed to enter the line after 8:30pm (those already in line at 8:30pm will still be served).
The streets around the Main Plaza will be reopened to traffic at approximately 9:30pm.
For more about the Downtown Lighting and Santa’s Arrival, visit www.newbraunfels.gov/downtownlighting.
For more about other City-sponsored special events, visit www.newbraunfels.gov/specialevents.