20 Ways to Celebrate the Holidays in San Antonio This Season

By San Antonio Current Staff

        
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San Antonio has plenty of holiday events to celebrate the season, so you can certainly keep busy if you so wish. We've rounded up super awesome festivals and events happening in December (but we'll get to New Year's Eve later) for you to get into the holiday spirit.

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Ford Holiday Boat Caroling
Running Tuesday-Sunday in December, 6:15-9:30pm, River Walk, 849 E. Commerce, thesanantonioriverwalk.com
Enjoy the twinkling lights on the River Walk and truly get into the spirit of the season with good ole fashioned caroling. Carolers will fill the river barges and make their way down the river, so post up and enjoy the show.
Photo via The San Antonio River Walk

Urban-15’s Annual Holiday Laser Show
Sun Dec. 2, 4pm, Lila Cockrell Theatre, 200 East Market Street, urban15.org
This annual offering is a spectacular multimedia show with choreographed laser beams, #D animation and light effects timed to electronic tunes and classic Christmas hits. Seriously, what more could you want in a light show?
Photo courtesy of URBAN-15

Old West Christmas Light Fest
Open Thursday-Sunday through Dec. 16 and daily Dec. 20-30, 6-10pm, 242 State Highway 46 West, Boerne, (830) 249-8222, Enchanted Springs Ranch, christmaslightfest.com
What’s better than taking a visit out to the Old West? Doing so when it’s illuminated by Christmas lights! Take a short drive out to Boerne and visit this ranch that brings the Old West to you and lets you be enamored by the Christmas lights (including a whole walkway to completely immerse you in lights). Trust us, this display is mesmerizing and the setting makes it all the more special.
Photo via Instagram / enchantedspringsranch

Santa’s Railroad Wonderland
Weekends beginning Dec. 8 through Dec. 23, 6-9pm, 11731 Wetmore Road, (210) 490-3554, txtransportationmuseum.org
Stop by the Texas Transportation Museum for a wintery wonderland on an old-school mode of travel. The trains and the rest of the grounds are filled with lights and Santa will be there too. You’ll even get a free train ride with admission!
Photo via Facebook / Texas Transportation Museum

Chanukah at Pearl
Mon Dec. 3, 6pm, The Historic Pearl, 303 Pearl Pkwy, (210) 212-7260, atpearl.com
The Pearl is welcoming all its Jewish patrons and those who wish to learn more about the Hanukkah for a special Menorah lighting. Now in its fourth year, the annual offering spotlights a giant Menorah and features live music from Tera Ferna.
Photo via The Historic Pearl

La Gran Tamalada
Sat Dec. 8, 11am, Market Square, 514 West Commerce Street, facebook.com
The annual tradition returns to Market Square for a second year. You and your family can witness live demonstrations from La Familia Cortez and even make some yourself to take home. There will be tamales galore as well as live music and plenty of activities for the little ones.
Photo by Dan Payton

Fiesta Texas’ Holiday in the Park
Through Sun Jan. 6, 17000 IH-10 West, sixflags.com/fiestatexas
While Fiesta Texas is plenty of fun on any old day, it’s all the more special during the holidays. The amusement park is offering enchanting experiences like musical performances, singing Christmas trees, a portrayal of the nativity, seasonal eats (like s’mores made over a fire pit) and a giant ornament for you to take selfies in front of.
Photo via Instagram / seki_b

Christmas at the Caverns
Times vary throughout December, 26495 Natural Bridge Caverns Road, (210) 651-6101, naturalbridgecaverns.com
Venture out to Natural Bridge Caverns for seasonal events that you and your family will remember for years to come. There’s caroling in the caverns, which is exactly what it sounds like, as well as Christmas hayrides, campfires, a reindeer roundup through the giant maze and a photo op with Santa “Spelunker” Claus.
Photo via Instagram / naturalbridgecaverns

Christmasville, Texas
Sun Dec. 9 & Sun Dec. 16, 5-7:30pm, multiple locations, facebook.com/christmasville texas
Head on over to Castle Hills and/or Leon Springs to take part in this “hometown Christmas celebration.” Each day will consist of attractions like a snow slide, ferris wheel, swings, train rides, food and more. Of course, Santa will be there to say hello, and there will be a special area for little ones to play with the snow.
Photo via Facebook / Christmasville, Texas

Zoo Lights
Open daily through Dec. 31, noon-9pm, 3903 N St Mary's Street, (210) 734-7184, sazoo.org
Take your chance to explore the zoo at night and stop by for the seasonal affair. Whether you love animals or just love holiday events, you can witness this wild display and hang out with these lovable critters (or maybe not, since most will be asleep). Just save some extra bucks for s’mores and hot cocoa (there’s an adult version if you so wish) or maybe even a camel ride. Photo via Instagram / sanantoniozoo

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Light the Way
4301 Broadway Street, lightthewaysa.com
Though the opening night festival has since passed, you can still swing by the university for beautiful lights that will stay up through the holiday season. Perhaps you can have a snack at Brew’s Lee and then take a stroll through campus? Sounds romantic enough for us.
Photo via Instagram / _beauty_in_ordinary_

Concordia’s Annual Drive-Thru Nativity
Sat Dec. 1-Sun Dec. 2, 5-9pm, Concordia Lutheran Church, 16801 Huebner Road, (210) 479-1477, concordia.cc
If you’re all about remembering the reason for the season, you’ll want to check out a local church’s drive-thru nativity. This outdoor production brings the story of Jesus’ birth to live with live animals and dozens of actors.
Photo via Facebook / Concordia Lutheran Church

The Nutcracker
Sat Dec. 1 and Sun Dec. 2, 2pm, 7:30pm, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle, (210) 223-8624, tobincenter.org
Ballet San Antonio brings the perennial holiday favorite The Nutcracker with live accompaniment of the Tchaikovsky score provided by the San Antonio Symphony under the direction of Noam Aviel.
Photo courtesy of Alexander Devora Photography

SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration
Through Sun Jan. 6, 10500 Sea World Drive, seaworld.com/san-antonio
From the chance to meet Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer and Santa Claus to plenty of seasonal shows (including the Sesame Christmas parade), the Christmas Celebration at SeaWorld is made all the more special by the 9 million Christmas lights across the park grounds.
Photo via Instagram / seaworldtexas

Ford Fiesta de las Luminarias
Friday-Sunday, Nov. 30-Dec. 2, Dec. 7-9, 14-16, starts at dusk, River Walk, 849 E. Commerce, thesanantonioriverwalk.com
Immerse yourself into the Mexican cultura with the luminarias along the River Walk. Along the lush banks of the river, the three miles of walkways will be lined with more than 2,000 luminarias.
Photo via The San Antonio River Walk

Feliz Tamalidad
Sat Dec. 8, The Greenline SA, 2532 Sidney Brooks, facebook.com
Back for a second year, Feliz Tamalidad returns with a day all about tamales. Bring the family and celebrate the cultural traditions, music, and of course food that makes San Antonio so special.
Photo via Instagram / viedfinder

Holidays in Bloom
Running now through Dec. 31, San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston Pl, (210) 536-1400, sabot.org
Over at this beautiful garden you’ll find a seasonal display that makes the grounds all the more breathtaking. While you’ll just have to swing by the 12-foot Christmas tree carefully decorated by volunteers, walk around and discover magical displays throughout.
Photo via Instagram / sachartermoms

A Charlie Brown Christmas
Sat Dec. 22, 1pm & 4pm, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle, (210) 223-8624, tobincenter.org
Throw it back to the original OG Charlie Brown to help you teach you all about the true meaning of Christmas. From the classic tunes of Vince Guaraldi to the lovable Charlie Brown and company, this is a perfect treat for you and the little ones – even if just young at heart.
Photo courtesy of the Magik Theater

Holiday Block Party at Quarry Village
Thu Dec. 13, 6pm, Quarry Village, 300 E. Basse, facebook.com
Back for a fourth year, the 2018 block party brings a family-friendly event with live music, food and drink samples, and the chance to play in real snow! Nearby shops will also be offering discounts and activities so everyone can get in on the fun.
Photo by Matt Garza

Holiday Artisan Show
Fri Dec. 14-Sun Dec. 16, times vary, River Walk, 849 E. Commerce, thesanantonioriverwalk.com
Take a stroll along the River Walk and take a few breaks to look at what the artisans have to offer. They’ll be excited to talk about their crafts and you’ll want to buy unique, carefully-made crafts for your home, wardrobe or garden. Think of the lights along the River Walk and fall in love with the season.
Photo via The San Antonio River Walk

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