Whether you’re new to San Antonio and looking to get the scoop on local holiday traditions or a longtime resident eager to spice up your seasonal celebrations, anyone can benefit from finding out all the ways to partake in holiday cheer here.

We rounded up 25 seasonal festivals, events and activities that San Antonians keep coming back to year after year.

Catch the Ford Holiday River Parade Watching the brightly illuminated barges of the Ford Holiday River Parade — which is held on the Friday after Thanksgiving each year — light up the River Walk is a great way to kick off a season full of cheer. This year’s parade theme is “Holiday Stories.” Credit: Jaime Monzon
See Trans-Siberian Orchestra play Perfect for San Antonians who like their Christmas music on the metal side, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra rolls into town every year to put on a holiday show fitted out with pyrotechnics. The rock group’s tour, dubbed The Ghosts of Christmas Eve: The Best of TSO and More, lands at the Frost Bank Center on Dec. 9. Credit: Jason McEachern
Visit Pearl’s Chanukah Village Pearl’s ninth annual Chanukah celebration will include a nightly menorah lighting from Dec. 7-15. On Dec. 13, Pearl will present a Chanukah Village in partnership with Young & Jewish San Antonio. The event, which coincides with one of Pearl’s Holiday Night Markets, will feature live music and children’s activities as well as that evening’s menorah lighting. Credit: Courtesy Photo / Pearl
Kayak the illuminated San Antonio River If you’re feeling outdoorsy, partake in the recently-established holiday tradition of Holly Jolly Kayaking, where attendees can view the Museum Reach’s River of Lights display from the water. This year, the event takes place on Dec. 2 and it’s $15 to reserve a kayak, or free if you bring your own. Credit: Courtesy Photo / San Antonio River Authority
Attend Incarnate Word’s Light the Way Festival The University of the Incarnate Word doesn’t just string countless colorful lights all over its campus. The school also holds an annual Light the Way fest to celebrate turning them all on. This year’s celebration takes place on Nov. 18. Credit: Courtesy Photo / University of the Incarnate Word
Go ice skating at Travis Park It doesn’t take long to become a tradition in San Antonio. Although it only debuted in 2019, the Rotary Ice Rink at downtown’s Travis Park has already become a must for many residents. The rink will be open from Nov. 17-Jan. 15, 2024 this year. Credit: Courtesy Photo / City of San Antonio Center City Development & Operations
Carol in style on the San Antonio River Forget going door-to-door— from Nov. 30-Dec. 23, carolers can hop on a river barge and spread the holiday spirit on the San Antonio River Walk. Reservations can be made on an individual basis, or for an entire boat. Credit: Courtesy Photo / Visit San Antonio
Head up to Boerne for Dickens on Main On Thanksgiving weekend each year, Boerne transforms into a Victorian wonderland with Dickens on Main. The event kicks off four weekends of Yuletide shopping and fun, which wrap up with Kinder Fest Dec. 15-17. Wander back in time and enjoy the fun. Credit: J. Repak
Visit a craft cocktail bar for a holiday libation San Antonio’s had an explosion in craft cocktail bars, and some local restaurants and bars also put together holiday pop-ups featuring lively decor and festive drinks, like the Esquire Tavern’s Miracle on Commerce Street. So now’s the time to drop the Bud Light, call up a date and savor some amazing seasonal cocktails. Credit: Courtesy Photo / The Esquire Tavern
Shop at a local makers market It’s great to spend your money with local creators instead of at a big box store. Markets pop up all over town during this time of year, including the Tobin Center’s Holiday Art Market, Esperanza Center’s Mercado De Paz, SAMA’s Holiday Museum Market and more. Credit: Courtesy Photo / San Antonio Museum of Art
Watch the Nutcracker The Nutcracker is a can’t-miss holiday tradition, whether you keep it classy with Ballet San Antonio’s production at the Tobin Center, catch a charming show by the Children’s Ballet of San Antonio at Lila Cockrell Theatre, or check Alamo City Arts’ take on the Tchaikovsky classic. Credit: Marty Sohl Photography
Having the hookup on good homemade tamales at the holidays so you don’t have to get them at H-E-B with all the gabachos. Credit: Shutterstock / Marcos Castillo
An annual tradition, the lighting of the towering Christmas tree in Travis Park brings crowds every year. Credit: Courtesy Photo / City of San Antonio Center City Development & Operations
The River Walk 849 E. Commerce Street, (210) 227-4262, thesanantonioriverwalk.com Want a super romantic date idea that won’t break the bank? Take your sweetheart to the River Walk and fall in love with the lights. The lights will be on every night from Saturday, November 30 to January 12, and special events like the Ford Holiday Boat Caroling and Ford Fiesta da Luminarias will take place throughout December. Credit: Shutterstock / Kevin Seagrave
Watch the lighting of the menorah on the River Walk Head down to the Arneson River Theatre for the annual Chanukah on the River festival, presented by the Chabad Center for Jewish Life & Learning, on Dec. 10. Credit: Courtesy Photo / Chabad Center for Jewish Life & Learning
Visit a Pearl Holiday Night Market The Pearl puts on a night market in the four Wednesdays running up to Christmas, featuring live music, carolers, and over 60 local vendors. Grab something to eat, enjoy the live music and indulge in some laid-back Christmas shopping. Credit: Courtesy Photo / Pearl
Jazz up Christmas with Doc Watkins Catch a holiday show by local jazz bandleader Doc Watkins and enjoy swinging Yuletide classics, including the infectious music from the band’s album, A Tribute to A Charlie Brown Christmas. This year, Doc Watkins and His Orchestra will bring the Charlie Brown Christmas show back to the Tobin Center on Dec. 22. Credit: Courtesy Photo / Tobin Center for the Performing Arts
Throw a tamalada No, this isn’t one for beginners, but if you’re serious about having a Puro San Antonio Christmas, invite the relatives over to make your own tamales. Just be ready for your Tia to tell you exactly how it should be done. Credit: Photo via Unsplash / Jacob Thomas
See Las Nuevas Tamaleras If you’re not ready to host a tamalada, the next best thing may be watching Las Nuevas Tamaleras, the long-running holiday comedy written by San Antonio playwright Alicia Mena. Tickets are on sale now, and the production runs from Nov. 30-Dec. 3 at the Carver Community Cultural Center. Credit: Courtesy Photo / Carver Community Cultural Center
Listen to underground caroling Natural Bridge Caverns’ Christmas at the Caverns is a popular way to celebrate the holidays. Guests will find holiday lights scattered about the grounds as well as fun activities like caroling in the caverns, story time with Mrs. Claus and a maze to find Santa’s reindeer. Credit: Courtesy Photo / Natural Bridge Caverns
Volunteer with the San Antonio Food Bank San Antonians love to give back and help out. Helping ensure local families have food on the table is one of the best ways to live up to the spirit of the holiday. Demand is usually higher around Thanksgiving and Christmas, so whether you are donating goods or your time to the San Antonio Food Bank, it is sure to be appreciated! Credit: Courtesy Photo / San Antonio Food Bank
Saddle up for Cowboy Christmas at the Briscoe The Briscoe Western Art Museum’s annual Cowboy Christmas features a day full of family-friendly fun. The free-to-attend event — slated for Dec. 3 — features a variety of activities including photos with Cowboy Santa, a 12 days of Christmas scavenger hunt, holiday crafts and more. Credit: Courtesy Photo / Briscoe Western Art Museum
Attend mass at one of the Missions The Spanish frontier outposts that make up the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park are all functioning Catholic churches and hold Christmas Eve mass. Credit: Shutterstock / Richard A McMillin
Drive through Windcrest for the light displays This Northeastern burb is all about the over-the-top Christmas light displays. One family even took home the $50,000 grand prize on ABC’s The Great Christmas Light Fight in 2021 for their holiday display. Pile into the car and marvel at just how seriously some folks take decorating their houses. Credit: Photo via Instagram / topo_tron
Participate in a toy drive If you’re looking for another way to give back this season, help spread cheer to those in need by donating to or volunteering with a toy drive. With many nonprofits putting toy drives together across San Antonio, choose an organization that speaks to you! Credit: Photo via Unsplash / Tim Gouw

Additional Slideshows

The 25 San Antonio holiday traditions everyone should try at least once