The holiday season is one of the most romantic times of the year, so it’s natural to want to wine and dine your one-and-only. Or maybe you’re going on chingos of dates because you don’t want to be alone and – well, it’s cuffing season y’all. Whatever your reason, holiday shopping has left most of us broke or just about. Get some inspiration from our picks on how to have some fun without breaking the bank.

Get festive at ¡Feliz Tamalidad! Free, Saturday, December 9, Noon-6pm, Hangar 9, 8081 Inner Circle Road, livebrooks.com Not only can you and your sweetie pie fill your pansitas with tamales, but also enjoy fun activities and live music from Los Texmaniacs, Bombasta and James Keith & The Moondogs. Photo via catoskitchenhtx / Instagram Credit: Photo via catoskitchenhtx / Instagram
Remember the Alamo: Christmas Edition Free, Through Saturday, December 23, 5:30-7pm, The Alamo, 300 Alamo Plaza, thealamo.org Stay true to your Texan roots and remember the Alamo! The prized piece in history will be staying open late during most of December so you and your beloved can take a stroll through the Alamo and enjoy Christmas lights. Have you heard of such a date infused with such Lone Star pride? It’ll be the best way to know whether your date is a keeper. Photo via fr8ers68 / Instagram
Enjoy a free screening of a holiday movie Free, Saturday, December 9, 5-8pm, Greenline Park, 2532 Sidney Brooks, livebrooks.com With ABC Family Freeform cancelling the Harry Potter marathon during the holidays (seriously, a travesty), you’ll have to find another way to get your holiday flicks. Opt for a classic and laugh along to Home Alone. City Base Entertainment will even provide free popcorn! Just remember to bring your own blankets and lawn chairs. Photo via homealoneofficial / Instagram
Stick to tradition with La Pastorela $10, Friday, December 8 & Saturday, December 9, 7:30-9pm; Sunday, December 10, 2:30-4pm, San Antonio Mennonite Church, 1433 S. St. Mary’s Street, teatroaudaz.com Your mama might make you go to la posada, but you and your boo can hit up La Pastorela instead. This comedic, bilingual play is inspired by the centuries-old tradition of recreating passages of the bible with a modern twist. Don’t worry, La Pastorela stays true to the themes of hope, joy and peace. Photo via Teatro Audaz San Antonio / Facebook
Keep up with the culture at Virgen de Fideo Cook Off $2 samples, Saturday, December 9, 7pm, Brick at Blue Star, 108 Blue Star, facebook.com It’s no secret that San Antonians love us some fideo. Show your date you really care by taking them to this cook-off that is not only guaranteed to be delicious, but cute AF with a virgen-centric market. Treat you and your boo to some fideo samplings and maybe buy a little gift to show them you care. Photo via jesselizarraras / Instagram
Indulge in tamales at La Gran Tamalada at Market Square Free, Saturday, Dec. 14, 11am-7pm, Historic Market Square, 514 W Commerce St, .facebook.com La Gran Tamalada honors the holiday-time tradition of making tamales. If you and bae are foodies, there will be a hands-on tamale making workshop from noon to 4 p.m. that will guide you through all the steps. There will also be lectures on the history of tamales that you can attend, if you’re into that. Even if you and your sweetheart aren’t much of the cooking type and don’t care to learn, there will also be tons of tamales available for purchase to take home and enjoy later. Photo by Drew Patterson / Neptune9 Photography
Stroll through the botanical garden for Holidays in Bloom $9-$12, Through December, San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston, (210) 536-1400, sabot.org If you and your S.O. are into nature, then this is a must-see for you. The botanical garden will be decked out in special displays just for the holiday season, including garlands, red ribbons and more. Invite a third wheel to snap some disgustingly adorable pics throughout the garden, and just hope that y’all make it through cuffing season. Photo via courtneylv70 / Instagram
Be social at the Quarry Village Holiday Block Party Free, Thursday, December 14, 6-9pm, Quarry Village, 260 E Basse Road, (210) 832-9211, facebook.com The third annual block party hosted by Quarry Village gives you and your cutie the chance to play in the snow, a Christmas tree lighting, carolers and free printed photos with Santa by Dru Photography. Just bring a toy or gift card donation. And you can enjoy complimentary refreshments, live music, and specials from retailers in the village. Plus the first 150 guests will get a free swag pack. Credit: Matt Garza
Get matching ugly sweaters and party it up Free admission with an ugly sweater ($10 otherwise), Friday, December 15, 6:30pm-2am, 111 W. Crockett, (210) 212-4770, hubs.howlatthemoon.com What is the holiday season without an ugly sweater party? Get ugly with your cutie at the annual party hosted by Howl at the Moon, which will offer drink specials and live music. Photo via howlhouston / Instagram
Hit up Betty’s Battalion for the Winter Holiday Meltdown $3, Friday, December 15, 9pm-1:45am, Betty’s Battalion, 1524 E. Grayson Street, (210) 227-9255 This hidden gem of a dive bar is bringing you a night full of tunes from Snowbyrd, Sweet Charbonneau and the Fur Trappers, Harvey McLaughlin, Fear SnakeFace, the Saturday Night Satellites and DJ Smoove Eggnogg. Plus there will be a Christmas sweater contest, which is always reason enough to leave the house. Photo via bettysbattalionsatx / Instagram
Practice your Chewbacca call at the Star Wars Christmas Party Free, 21+, Saturday, December 16, 9pm, Brass Monkey, 2702 N St. Mary’s, (210) 480-4722, facebook.com This annual favorite at Brass Monkey is one not to be missed for Star Wars fans, or just anyone looking to get lit. Whether you and your boo regularly hit up Comic Con or just like having an excuse to do a little cosplay, this party is the best time to dress up in your best Star Wars gear. Seriously – costumes are encouraged. Plus, there will be $2 cherry vodka sours all night long, so expect to get lit. Credit: Courtesy
Suit up in your Christmas pajamas for a special HEAT Nightclub party Sat Dec. 22, 9pm-3am, 1500 N Main Ave, (210) 227-2600, heatsa.com With no cover before 11pm and various drink specials, this is the place that you would least expect to hang out with your sweetie in your jammies. And yet, here we are. Can you say YAS QUEEN to going clubbing in your PJs? Because we can. Photo via HEAT Nightclub / Facebook
Follow the lanterns at Ford Fiesta de los Luminarias Free, Sunday, December 17, 6-7pm, San Antonio River Walk, 200 S Alamo Street, thesanantonioriverwalk.com Take a romantic stroll along the River Walk with your one and only while more than 3,000 Mexican Christmas lanterns (aka luminarias) flow down the river. Photo via jdobbers / Instagram
Take a short trip to Austin for Trail of Lights Free or $3+, Through December 23, 2400 Barton Springs Road, austintrailoflights.org While most of the big name light displays cost $20+ a vehicle/person, Trail of Lights comes in clutch with free or discounted admission on select nights. There’s also music, fun games and food trucks to be enjoyed, so you and your date will definitely make your time in Austin worthwhile. Photo via atxlights / Instagram
Dress up and bowl with Santa Claus Free with costume, Monday, December 18, 11am-midnight, Bowl & Barrel, 17619 La Cantera Pkwy., Ste. 102, (210) 920-1102 You and your one-and-only can dress up as Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, or in ugly Christmas sweaters, to get a free hour of bowling. Splurge on some cocktails and you’ll have an interesting date night to remember. Photo via quatto35 / Instagram
Make your abuela proud and enjoy the Posada at the Pearl Free, Tuesday, December 19, 6:30-9pm, Pearl Brewery, 200 E. Grayson, (210) 212-7260, atpearl.com The Pearl is dishing out plenty of holiday-related events, but the Posada is one that can’t be missed – even your abuela will encourage you to go. You can sing along with Mariachi Mexica and enjoy crafts, buñuelos, tamales, Mexican hot chocolate and piñatas. Photo via kassihall / Instagram Credit: Photo via Instagram / kassihall
Celebrate the holiday on the Boardwalk Free, Open through December 23, times vary, 4001 Broadway Street, (210) 249-8030, facebook.com This pop-up artisan shop is best for getting shopping done, but also provides live music, jazz to be specific. Plus, there’s a make-and-take bath bomb class. Splurge a little if you can so you and your honey can enjoy some relaxation. Credit: Shutterstock
Listen to some caroling on the River Walk Free, Friday, December 22, 6:15-9:30pm, San Antonio River Walk, 100 Villita Street, thesanantonioriverwalk.com Go for a cheesy (or pure if you’re not an a**hole like us) date night and enjoy some good ole fashioned caroling on the River Walk. Choose to stroll alongside the river barges carrying the carolers or park yourself for dinner out on the patio, just be sure to sing along if you’re in tune. Photo via mariaaarl / Instagram
Have an improv date night with some smooth jazz Free, Saturday, December 23, 6:30-8pm, Rolling Oaks Baptist Church, 6401 Wenzel Road, artistecard.com Arguably one of the sexiest music genres, jazz will have your and your piece feeling – shall we say – saxy. On that note, Rolling Oaks Baptist Church will offer a free Christmas jazz concert featuring the sounds of Johnny Holliday. If you can’t make it to this show, Johnny will also perform at Market Square on Christmas Eve at 2pm. Photo via Johnny Holliday / Facebook
Jam out to REO Speedwagon and Pat Benatar at the New Year’s Eve bash/tricentennial kick-off Free, Sunday, December 31, 6pm-12:30 am, Hemisfair Park, 434 S. Alamo, (210) 260-5678, sanantonio300.org After a few hours of pregaming, ring in the new year with a free concert and other celebrations brought to you by the City of San Antonio and the Tricentennial Commission. Being in the open space of Hemisfair Park, it’s a great spot to live it up but also enjoy the festivities with your boo. Photo via REO Speedwagon / Facebook