Installation of 'Bigger, Better, Brighter' Christmas Decorations at Plaza Underway

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at San Jacinto Plaza.

Crews have been busy little elves the last several weeks hanging lights on bridge rails, columns, and trees readying the park for its first lighting ceremony since 2012.

After spending several years and nearly $6 million to renovate the park, City Council didn't want the same old decorations from years past so they voted to allocate about $150,000 for new lighting, displays and accessories, and contracted a San Antonio company that specializes in outdoor commercial Christmas displays to design and decorate the plaza.

The new "bigger, better and brighter" holiday lighting and decor includes more than 400,000 mini-lights adorning 120 trees, a 30-foot artificial tree with 900 ornaments and 18,400 mini-lights, several large lighted displays in the shapes of a gift box, star and ornament, and a large walk-through tunnel. All of which are going to make selfie taking that much more festive!

Additionally, the Afghan pine that has served as the city’s living Christmas tree for years has been tricked out with 455, 3ft falling snowflake light tubes.

The plaza lights won't shine until the city’s holiday season officially begins with the Celebration of Lights, and Winterfest on Saturday, December 3. The celebration will include a lighting ceremony and light parade.

It will remain decorated and lit through January 8, 2017.