From a Simple Drive-Thru Light Show to a Full Christmas Experience

The Jones CHRISTmas Ranch

If you’re looking for a holiday experience in Boerne that is magical, nostalgic, faith-filled, and full of wonder for every age — The Jones Christmas Ranch is it.
Located right off IH-10 West, this dazzling drive-thru display features over 4 million synchronized lights, transforming the ranch into a glowing wonderland that draws families from all over Texas.

But what makes it even more special is the heart behind it — the Jones family… and the way their story has become part of so many Boerne families’ traditions.

The Story Behind the Lights: A Family Mission Rooted in Faith

Mike and Mandy Jones didn’t start this as engineers, electricians, or lighting professionals.
Mike is actually a banker, and Mandy works in roofing and sales — but together, they’ve built one of the most impressive Christmas displays in Texas.

Where it all started…

Their journey began in 2006, when they started synchronizing lights to music at their home. The crowds grew… the traffic grew… and by 2019, their display was featured on ABC’s The Great Christmas Light Fight.

Eventually, they outgrew their neighborhood.
After lots of prayer in 2022, they found the perfect property — formerly a Christian school — and when they drove in, they saw a sign that said:

“Christmas Town.”

A God-wink.
And confirmation that this was meant to be.

How Our Family First Found the Jones Lights

When our family moved to Boerne in 2019, we didn’t know many people and had no idea where the best Christmas lights were. We only knew about big displays in San Antonio, but we were hopeful for something closer — something small-town and family-oriented.

So we asked in a Facebook group:

“Where are the best Christmas lights around here?”

Everyone said the same thing:

“Go to the Jones house off Sisterdale Road.”

We’ll never forget that night.
It was donation-based, but the experience felt priceless. The way the lights danced to music… the joy our kids felt… and the beauty this family created in their own yard — it felt like a gift to the whole community.

Watching the Jones family grow from their home display to a full ranch with millions of lights has been incredible. Each year gets bigger, brighter, and even more meaningful. And our kids still get the message of Jesus every time we tune in and drive through.
For us, it's become a cherished holiday tradition.

Keeping Christ at the Center: Worship Music & the Heart of Christmas

One of the most beautiful things about The Jones Christmas Ranch is this:

✨ Jesus is the reason for the season — and you can feel it the entire time.

When you tune your radio to 94.5 FM, you’ll hear worship songs woven throughout the show. The lights move in sync with lyrics that point back to hope, joy, peace, and the miracle of Jesus’ birth.

It becomes more than a light display —
it becomes a moment of worship right in your car.

For our family, this is the part that stays with us.
In the middle of the sparkle and excitement, our kids aren’t just seeing lights — they’re hearing the Gospel. They’re reminded that Jesus came as Light into the world.

No matter how much the display has grown, the Jones family has kept Christ at the center — and that’s what makes this place unforgettable.

A Drive-Thru Wonderland (Open Every Night!)

The Ranch is open every night from
November 7 – December 31, including Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.

Hours:
• Sun–Thurs: 6–10 PM
• Fri & Sat: 6–11 PM

Cost:
• $40 per vehicle
• $75 season pass

Families tune into 94.5 FM and drive through millions of lights — tunnels, towering trees, glowing displays, animated scenes, and fun surprises like the nightly hunt for Stitch, who moves to a different spot every evening.

Indoor Market + Christmas Experience (Right in the Middle of the Display!)

On select weekends, families can step out during the drive-thru to enjoy:

🎅 Santa photos
🎨 Crafts
🍪 Cookie decorating
☕ Hot cocoa + treats
🎁 Shopping small and local

Because the experience is located within the light trail, it feels like you’re stepping right into a Christmas village glowing all around you.

A Ministry of Light: Shine Bright Ministries

The Jones family’s heart for others shines just as brightly as their lights.

They donate:

✨ 10% of profits to Shine Bright Ministries
✨ 1,500+ free passes every year to foster families, kids in crisis, and school fundraisers

Their ministry creates joyful experiences for children going through incredibly hard seasons. They also open their indoor building year-round to nonprofits serving women and children.

The ranch isn’t just entertainment —
it’s a ministry of joy, hope, and healing.

Behind the Scenes: A True Labor of Love (and Mike’s Genius!)

The scale of this display is unbelievable:

• 4+ million lights
• 60+ miles of extension cords
• 100+ computer boxes — which Mike personally programs for every single song
• Thousands of hand-built displays
• A full year of preparation

And here’s the part that absolutely deserves recognition:

➡️ Mike does 99% of the entire display himself.
Every line of programming.
Every mile of wiring.
Every element of design.

Mandy helps with lights when she can, and she manages the business side, events, communications, and coordination — but the physical build, systems, and programming is almost all Mike.

It’s truly a masterpiece created by a family powered by faith, grit, and love.

Tips for Visiting

⭐ Arrive before 6:30 PM or after 9 PM to avoid longest lines
⭐ Weeknights are the calmest
⭐ Have payment ready at the booth
⭐ Stay in the car during the drive except at the indoor market stop
⭐ If traffic allows, you can drive through twice!

Why Our Family Returns Every Year

For us, the Jones Christmas Ranch isn’t just about lights — it’s about tradition, wonder, faith, and family. It’s about taking a slow drive through millions of lights while worship music plays and our kids are reminded that Jesus is the Light of the world.

We’re grateful for the Jones family, their ministry, and the joy they bring to Boerne and beyond.

If you’re looking for a Christmas outing that is magical AND meaningful — this is it. More Info Here

Local Moms Halloween Outreach

A Driveway Full of Light

How Boerne Moms Turned Halloween Into a Night of Prayer

Darah and Amy are two Boerne moms with elementary-aged kids and hearts that beat hard for their community. This year, the Lord placed something new on their hearts. Instead of opting out of Halloween like they had in the past, both families felt called to step in with purpose and love.

So they set up a simple “driveway outreach” — Scripture glowing along the sidewalk, worship music drifting into the night, and 200 Christ-centered goodie bags ready to hand out.

And then something amazing happened.

Neighbors didn’t just pause for candy.
They paused for prayer.

More than 90 percent of the people who walked up said yes when asked, “Is there anything we can pray for?” Kids, teens, parents, and grandparents poured out real-life burdens — school struggles, sickness, fear, family hardship. Tears fell. Hands were held. Lives were lifted up right there in the driveway.

What started as a small idea became a night overflowing with the love of Jesus.

Darah and Amy showed that you don’t need a big platform to make a big impact. Sometimes all it takes a little caulk, open hands, and a creative way to be a blessing.

From Local Zoo to Boerne Classrooms

How a Teacher, Zoo Animals, and April Ancira Are Bringing Joy to Boerne Classrooms

Some of the sweetest community stories start small—like a stuffed animal in a first-grade classroom.

For the past six years, Van Raub Elementary teacher Krista Kimball has carried on a tradition that brings joy to students, supports teachers, and even helps real zoo animals. Each year, Krista organizes a program where teachers at two Boerne ISD campuses “adopt” a stuffed animal from the San Antonio Zoo’s Adopt-an-Animal program. Teachers purchase the zoo animal of their choice as a class pet, and local business leader April Ancira Thompson generously steps in to cover the adoption fees.

That means the money goes directly to support the zoo’s animals, and teachers get to bring a little piece of the wild into their classrooms.

For Krista’s students, the fun doesn’t stop in the classroom. The “class pets” go home with children for weekend adventures—complete with pictures and journal entries about their time together. It’s a hands-on way for kids to practice writing, storytelling, and responsibility, while also connecting with the world around them.

“The support of April Ancira allows us to do this each year and I just want to shout thank you to her from the rooftops! She’s always wanting to support teachers and schools—it just makes my heart happy with her love and compassion to serve our community,” Krista shared.

This year marked the 6th annual zoo animal pickup, and Krista’s family joined in the tradition of collecting the new “pets.” The lineup has included everything from capybaras to flamingos to tigers—each one inspiring imagination, learning, and joy.

If you’re a teacher, Krista encourages you to look into your local zoo to see if they have a similar program. It’s a beautiful way to connect your students to wildlife and give them a class pet experience that’s both fun and meaningful.

From Toys to Cocktails

Love Local: Meet Veronica Brown of Salvador Dobbs

Born and raised right here in Boerne, Texas, Veronica Brown’s roots run deep in our community. In fact, the building where Salvador Dobbs now thrives once housed her parents’ beloved toy shop for over 30 years — meaning Veronica has literally grown up in this space.

Her journey into hospitality began in college while working at a local restaurant, where she discovered her passion for connecting with people and giving back to the community. That passion led her and her mom to open Little Gretel on River Road, where Veronica ran the business side for 15 years while her mom served as chef.

By 2018, Veronica recognized Boerne was missing something — a lively nightlife spot where women and moms could feel welcome and safe. That vision became Salvador Dobbs, a go-to destination for cocktails, live music, and community connection.

“Boerne is home — it’s my bubble,” Veronica says. “Even though the town is growing, it still has that small, friendly charm. Giving back here means everything to me.”

When she’s not at Salvador Dobbs (either behind the scenes keeping things running smoothly or out front chatting with guests), you’ll likely find Veronica supporting other local favorites. She loves grabbing a bite at Sunny’s Brunch All Day, Las Guitarras, Sauced, and El Chaparral, and enjoys shopping at Pearl Antler and Hey Love. Outside of work, she’s busy chasing her three kids between school, sports, and activities and proudly serves as Second Vice President of Das Festival of Kendall, helping preserve Boerne’s cherished German traditions.

For a night of good drinks, live music, and a warm community vibe, you can connect with Veronica and her team at Salvador Dobbs on River Road.

📍 Salvador Dobbs
Website: www.salvadordobbs.com
📞 830-249-5508
📧 salvadordobbs@gmail.com

From the Post Office to Post Haus

Love Local: Meet Joseph & saige Diaz of Boerne Post Haus

When we first moved to Boerne, I was a mom with two little ones—a one-year-old and a newborn—just trying to figure out life with babies. Joe had gotten a job at the Post Office here in town, and honestly, if it hadn’t been for that, who knows if we ever would have moved this way.

For us, time together has always been important. Having Joe close to home made a huge difference for me during those early days of motherhood. It meant I wasn’t doing it all on my own, and he could be nearby when I needed the extra support (which, let’s be real, with a toddler and a newborn was often! lol).

Fast Forward…

As the years went by, Boerne became more than just the place where Joe worked—it became our home. We fell in love with the community, the people, and the slower pace of life compared to bigger cities. Somewhere along the way, we started dreaming about doing something of our own here.

Joe’s time at the Post Office gave him experience with shipping and customer service, but it also gave us a vision: we could build a business that not only helped people get their packages out but also served the community in a personal way. We started looking at business opportunities, and with a lot of prayer, we decided to take a leap of faith Summer of 2023 after a local pack and ship business closed.

The Birth of Boerne Post Haus

That leap turned into Boerne Post Haus. From day one, it’s been a family business in every sense of the word. Our kids have grown up running around the store, helping pack boxes, and learning what it means to work hard and serve others (also making messes with the packing materials).

We don’t just see shipping as logistics—it’s connection. Every package tells a story, and we love being part of those stories. Whether it’s a gift going out to a loved one, a small business shipping their products, or a neighbor printing something important, it feels good to know we get to help. Joe especially loves getting to know the story behind the package!

Our Heart for This Town

The Post Office may have brought us to Boerne, but it’s the community that has kept us here. We’re so thankful for the people who have supported our little shop, cheered us on, and chosen to do business with us.

Looking back, it’s wild to think that a job at the Post Office is what first planted us here. Now, years later, we get to run our own business in the same town we love and raise our kids surrounded by this community.

And honestly? We wouldn’t have it any other way.

Want to learn more about the Boerne Post Haus visit our website here.

xo- Saige