How to Make The Most of Your Visit to Santa's Wonderland

Plan Ahead with the Park Map

Santa's Wonderland is a truly Texas-sized experience! Print out the Park Map ahead of time (or save it on your phone) and plan a route through the park before you get there. This way, you can make sure you get to see and do everything that's on your bucket list while you're there!

Reserve Parking Ahead of Time

During the holiday season, hundreds of people visit Santa's Wonderland. Save time and energy by reserving a parking spot before your visit. On-site parking sells out quickly, so this is the best way to make sure you have a parking spot within walking distance of the fun. Each on-site lot opens 1 hour prior to park opening each night. Please note, early entry to your reserved lot will only be available 30 minutes before your reservation at Santa's Wonderland.

What to Wear & What to Bring

Although Texas weather isn't as cold as the North Pole, Santa's Wonderland does have real snow (and some evenings are sure to be chilly!). Here's a few things you'll want to bring:

• Jackets and sweaters so that you can bundle up if you get cold.
• Gloves and boots for playing in the real snow!
• A portable charger, just in case your phone starts running low on battery. You definitely want to have it at the ready to take photos of this winter wonderland!
• Strollers and wagons for little ones — Santa's Wonderland does allow strollers and wagons (and they have an area where you can leave it during your hayride through the trail of lights.)
  

When is the Best Time to Go?

With so many people planning to visit Santa's Wonderland during the holidays, it's best to plan ahead and prepare for potentially busy nights. Check Santa's Attendance Forecast to see estimated crowds for each night based on past season's attendance. Weekends are usually the busiest, especially as it gets closer to Christmas.

Pro Tip: Turn It Into a Weekend Holiday Getaway

If you're driving in from out of town, the best way to make the most of Santa's Wonderland is to plan a 2-3 day trip around your visit.

This way, you can spend as much time as you want at the more than 150-acre Christmas park, and have holiday fun during the day!

Giant Texas Flag

As soon as you enter Santa's Wonderland, you'll see the giant Texas flag on your right. This is a great photo op for anyone who is visiting Texas or who was born and raised in Texas!

Freedom Tunnel

In the West Pole, next to Santa's Buckin' Bull and Rowdy Reindeer, you'll find the Freedom Tunnel. It's a red, white, and blue tunnel that's a perfect photo for any patriot.

Santa's Sleigh

Who wants to go to the North Pole? Located at the end of the Freedom Tunnel is Santa's Sleigh, a fun photo-op that's sure to look great on the fireplace mantle for years to come!

Frostbite's Frozen Forest

Strike a post next to Texas-sized, twinkling Christmas Trees in Frostbite's Frozen Forest. This background always makes for an enchanting photo! It's on the west side of the park, near the Illuminations Ice Arena and snow playground.

Walkable Trail of Lights

Next to Frostbite's Frozen Forest is the Walkable Trail of Lights, a fantastic light tunnel that's great for photos with family and friends.

Take a Hayride

See the millions of holiday lights from a different point of view during a hayride! The hayrides are included in general admission to Santa's Wonderland and are located next to the Freedom Tunnel.

Meet Texas Santa

With big black boots and huge cowboy hat, there's no one quite like Texas Santa! Whether you visit him on your way into the park or as you head out, a trip to Santa's Wonderland isn't complete without meeting the man himself. On select nights, you can reserve a time slot with Santa at Santa's Station, just to the left of the park entrance (near Poncho the Longhorn).

Play in the Snow!

We may not see it a lot in Texas, but at Santa's Wonderland, they have real snow! Head to Frostbite's Snow Playground and Frostbite's Mountain to play in the snow and go snow tubing.

See the Live Nativity

Just past the Trail of Lights is the Santa's Wonderland Nativity Scene. Say "howdy" to the live animals in the barn, including cows, camels, and donkeys.

Go on a Train Ride

At the West Pole Express Train Depot, children of all ages can catch a ride on a train covered in Christmas Lights! This fun attraction is located in Santa's Farm, where parents and kiddos can enjoy pony rides, Santa's horse barn, tractor bounce, and more.

Christmas Shopping

There are plenty of places to find unique gifts while you're in town! Historic Downtown Bryan is home to a lot of locally-owned businesses, including Brazos Glassworks, Bird's Nest Gifts & Antiques, Wonderful Words Bookshoppe, and Old Bryan Marketplace. Need some inspiration? Click here for a guide to holiday shopping in Bryan, TX.

Holiday Movies at the Queen

The historic Queen Theatre was initially opened in 1939 as one of the finest movie houses in Texas. It's since been restored to its former glory as a boutique movie theatre with comfy lounge seating and in-theatre dining. The Queen will be showing classic Christmas movies throughout the season. Click here for the full schedule.

Santa Mailboxes

Send a letter to Santa in Bryan, Texas! Santa's Mailboxes are located at The Carnegie History Center, the Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History, and POV Coffeehouse. If you send a letter with your address before December 11th, Santa will send a response!

Christmas Events & Markets

The holiday season is also filled with family-friendly events and holiday markets. Plan your visit to Santa's Wonderland around one of the great events happening in Bryan, Texas.

North Star Bar & Lounge

On the weekends, those 21+ can unwind with a fun holiday-themed pop-up bar at the Stella Hotel! Throughout December, Hershel's Bar will transform into a festive place to grab a drink, complete with fun mugs and tons of holiday decor.

The LaSalle Hotel

The newly renovated LaSalle Hotel is in the heart of Historic Downtown Bryan, filled with holiday cheer for the Christmas season. Click here to book your stay.

Best Western Premier

Find comfortable amenities at the Best Western Premier, including a deluxe breakfast buffet, complimentary high-speed wi-fi, and free parking. Click here to find available rooms.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites

With easy access to Highway 6, staying at Holiday Inn Express & Suites is a great option for any Santa's Wonderland visit. Click here to find reserve your room.

Candlewood Suites

Relax and unwind at Candlewood Suites with an apartment-style stay. These suites are pet-friendly and feature a kitchenette and workspace with plenty of room. Click here to book your stay.

Hilton Garden Inn

Find more great rates at Hilton Garden Inn. This convenient location is pet-friendly and has an indoor pool. Click here to find available rooms.