Below is a list of select holiday events happening in the San Antonio area. Have a local event you would like Focus On San Antonio to promote? Email all the details to eortiz@journalist.com
STAGE
Now through Dec. 23
San Antonio Playhouse will host performances of Disney’s “Frozen,” the stage musical inspired by the popular animated movie. Show times generally are 7:30 p.m. Fri. and Sat., and 2 p.m. Sun. Some performances offer extra features or themes. Tickets: $35-$60. 800 W. Ashby Place.
Now through Dec. 24
Magik Theatre will present performances of “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” based on the famed television program. Special themed performances are scheduled throughout the run. Show times vary. Tickets: $26.50-$33.50. 420 S. Alamo St.
Nov. 28-Dec. 23
Wonder Theater will host performances of “The Sound of Music.” Based on the memoir of Maria Augusta Trapp, the famed story follows an aspiring nun who serves as governess to the seven children of retired naval officer Captain von Trapp. She brings music, joy and calm to the household while they are surrounded by tension and fear brought on by the rise of Nazism. 7:30 p.m. Fri. and Sat., and 3 p.m. Sun. through Dec. 23. Tickets: $18-$32. Wonderland Mall of the Americas, 4522 Fredericksburg Road, Suite A-90, Balcones Heights
MUSIC
ART
Now through Nov. 30
Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center is hosting a display of altars paying tribute to Dia de los Muertos, as well as a special exhibition that celebrates the life and legacy of the late Flaco Jimenez, and his contributions to music and culture. The exhibit features rare photographs and memorabilia from community archivist Ramón Hernández. The exhibit remains open to the public through Nov. 30. Admission is free; donations are accepted. 1300 Guadalupe St.
Now through Dec. 20
San Antonio Art League and Museum is hosting a sale of original works by SAAL members. The works are part of SAALM’s current exhibit, “Season of Lights,” a multimedia display inspired by the warmth and joy represented in holiday lights. Admission is free. 130 King William. (210-223-1140)
Now through Jan. 11, 2026
San Antonio Botanical Garden will host “Illuminate,” an exhibit of handcrafted lanterns and glowing trails that transform the garden on holiday season evenings. Special themed evenings are scheduled. Tickets: adults $23-$31; children ages 3-12 $18-$24; free for infants ages 0-2. 555 Funston Place.
ONGOING HOLIDAY LIGHT DISPLAYS
Now through Dec. 25
The Jones CHRISTmas Ranch is a ranch-sized lighting and musical display that celebrates the reason for the season. Guests can enjoy seeing more than 3 million holiday lights. Open 6-10 p.m. Sun.-Thu., 6-11 p.m. Fri. and Sat. Open 6 p.m.-midnight Dec. 21 and 22, and 6-9 p.m. Dec. 24 and 25. Admission: $35 weekdays, $40 Friday/Saturday per vehicle, $75 season pass. 43360 I-10 W., Boerne.
Nov. 28-Dec. 28
Coca-Cola Classic Christmas features a 90,000-square-feet holiday winter wonderland, complete with immersive light trails, snow slides, ice skating, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, ski dance parties, holiday craftmaking, festive refreshments and more. There are special themed days/nights including movie screenings and opportunities to bring your dog(s) for extra holiday fun. Visitors can reserve an arrival time. Admission: $21-$37. Toyota Field, 5186 David Edwards Drive.
Now through Jan. 1
Windcrest’s Candy Cane Lane is festively decorated and illuminated with Christmas lights, which can be seen by visitors between Windway Drive and Patriot Island during the holiday season.
Now through Jan. 4
The Light Park is a drive-thru Christmas light village where visitors can enjoy the illumination, a DJ, and festive drinks, food and accessories. Open 5:30-10 p.m. Sun.-Thu., 5:30-11 p.m. Fri. and Sat. Vehicle admission: $39.99 Sun.-Thu., $49.99 Fri. and Sat. and holidays. Season passes are also available. Retama Park, 1 Retama Pkwy., Selma
Now through Jan. 4, 2026
The Gruene Ice Rink has reopened. Ice skaters may enjoy the 100-by-40-foot outdoor ice rink beneath holiday lights while taking advantage of hot cocoa, cookies, and a chance to shop for souvenirs. Skates are available for rent. Not in the mood for ice skating or want more fun? Gruene Mini Golf is located on the same site. Regular hours: 3-10 p.m. Mon.-Thu., 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Fri.-Sun.; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. daily Nov. 24-Dec. 1 and Dec. 16-Jan. 4. Admission starts at $18. Location: Behind The Pomegranate, 1613 Hunter Road, New Braunfels.
Now through Jan. 6
University of the Incarnate Word’s Light the Way continues, as visitors may come to UIW and see up close the thousands of Christmas lights that are strung all across the campus through Jan. 6. Admission is free. 4301 Broadway St.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Nov. 28
The city of San Antonio will get the holiday season rolling with the annual H-E-B Christmas tree lighting event. Festivities begin at 4 p.m. and include live entertainment, food trucks, letters to Santa, giveaways, holiday crafts, a special visit from Santa, and more. The tree lighting ceremony starts at 6 p.m. VIA Metropolitan Transit will offer free rides to the tree lighting ceremony. Riders can tell their drivers they are heading to the tree lighting event for a complimentary ride. 4-7 p.m. Admission is free. Travis Park, 301 E. Travis St.
Nov. 28
The 44th annual Ford Holiday River Parade will take place along the San Antonio River Walk with festive floats. This year’s theme, Merry Movie Magic, features floats dedicated to the holiday season’s most iconic films. The parade starts at 6 p.m. at Lexington Avenue, and ends near Commerce and St. Mary’s streets. There are many areas along the route that are free; ticketed seating is available at the Arneson River Theater, La Villita, 418 Villita St.
Nov. 28
Pearl will host a holiday tree lighting ceremony. Festivities will begin at 3:30 p.m. with photos with Santa Claus, storybook readings by Mrs. Claus, music, creative art activations, and roaming carolers, dancing ballerinas, toy soldiers and other performers. The lighting happens at 5:45 p.m. The event ends at 7 p.m. Admission is free. 303 Pearl Pkwy.
Nov. 28 and 29
Dickens on Main is a two-day transformation of Main Street in downtown Boerne. The landscape becomes a vintage holiday wonderland complete with vendors and performers dressed in late 19th century Victorian attire. There will be music, food, holiday shopping, snow, an ice carving competition, a birds of prey demonstration, a children’s play area, live theatrical performances and readings, and more. The Christmas tree lighting takes place at 6 p.m. Nov. 28 at the Main Plaza gazebo, 100 N. Main St. Admission to the Main Street is free, but no parking on the street is allowed during event hours. Visit this link for parking and other details.
Nov. 28-30
Esperanza Peace and Justice Center will present its annual Peace Market/Mercado de Paz, where more than 30 local vendors and 20-plus artisans from Mexico will display and sell their handcrafted wares, from jewelry and attire to accessories and art, in a traditional open-air market setting. There will also be music. Refreshments will be available. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 28 and 29; noon-6 p.m. Nov. 30. Admission is free. 922 San Pedro Ave.
Nov. 29
The Christmas tree at Alamo Plaza will be lit in a special ceremony. 6-8 p.m. Admission is free. 300 Alamo Plaza.
Nov. 29
Bihl Haus Arts will host its annual holiday art market, featuring handcrafted art, jewelry, home decor and other gift items created by local artisans. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is free. 2803 Fredericksburg Road.
Nov. 29
Holiday on Jones at the San Antonio Museum of Art will be filled with opportunities to do holiday shopping with 50-plus local artists and makers. There will also be family-friendly activities, including artmaking, live performances, workshops and demonstrations by community partners, and storytelling—all inspired by SAMA’s exhibit, “Canvas to Clay: Georgia O’Keeffe and Maria Martinez to Mata Ortiz and Tonalá.” Food and beverages will be available for purchase. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is free. 200 E. Jones Ave.
Nov. 29 and 30
San Antonio Dance will perform Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet, “The Nutcracker,” at the Carver Community Cultural Center. 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 29, and 2 p.m. Nov. 30. Tickets start at $32. 226 N. Hackberry St.
Nov. 29 and 30
Holidays at Hemisfair Gift Market will feature 60-plus local vendors selling a variety of handmade gift items, such as art, jewelry and sweet treats. Noon-9 p.m. Nov. 29 and 30. Admission is free. Hemisfair Civic Park, 210 S. Alamo St.
Nov 30
The city of Converse will hold its holiday parade and tree-lighting ceremony. The parade starts at 6:30 p.m. The tree lighting takes place at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall, 402 S. Seguin Road, and includes refreshments and appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus and The Grinch. Admission is free.
Nov. 30
The city of Castle Hills will host the “Lighting of the Lights,” the illumination of holiday lights around The Commons park area at City Hall. Santa Claus will be on hand for the festivities, which include refreshments and performances. 4-6:30 p.m. Admission is free. 209 Lemonwood Drive, Castle Hills
Dec. 1
Leon Valley’s annual Christmas tree lighting event will include a visit from Santa, a snow slide, refreshments, entertainment from local school students, and community booths. 5:30 p.m. City Hall, 6427 Evers Road, Leon Valley
Dec. 1
The Creamery District, the fledgling retail destination near Pearl, U.S. 281 and the North St. Mary’s Street strip, will host its a holiday lighting, which will include live music, specialty hot chocolate, carolers, festive cocktails, and photos with Santa. The district is holding this event in collaboration with the Majestic Empire Foundation to benefit the restoration of the Josephine Theatre. 6 p.m. Admission is free. 875 E. Ashby Place.
Dec. 2
The city of Universal City will hold its Christmas tree lighting at City Hall. The event will include complimentary refreshments, while Santa Claus greets attendees. 6 p.m. Admission is free. 2150 Universal City Blvd.
Dec. 2
Texas A&M University-San Antonio will host the annual Lights of Esperanza event. Community members are invited to view 30,000-plus Christmas lights strung across the South Side campus. This event will include food trucks, entertainment, a holiday market, and a light show finale. 6-8 p.m. Admission is free. One University Way.
Dec. 4 and 5
East Central High School choir and theater students will perform Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” the famed tale about a miserly businessman who learns the true meaning of Christmas. 7 p.m. Dec. 4 and 5. Admission is free. Patterson Center for the Performing Arts, 7173 FM 1628.
Dec. 5
Northeast Lakeview College will host Nighthawk Winterfest, which will feature photos with Santa, food trucks, vendors, games, a petting zoo and a fireworks finale. 5:30-8 p.m. Admission is free. 1201 Kitty Hawk Road, Universal City.
Dec. 5
Helotes’ Lighting of the Lights will involve the lighting of the city’s Christmas tree, performances by local school groups and the Helotes Area Community Band, and refreshments.,6-7:30 p.m. Admission is free. 12951 Bandera Road, Helotes
Dec. 5
Garden Ridge’s Christmas tree lighting will include a visit with Santa Claus, letters to Santa, hot chocolate and cookies, and a performance by the Garden Ridge Elementary School Choir. 5:30-7 p.m. Admission is free. Garden Ridge Community and Event Center, 9400 Municipal Pkwy.
Dec. 5
San Antonio Krampus Parade returns for a second year. The parade’s debut on First Friday of December 2024 was an instant smash, attracting attention from thousands of onlookers. The parade is inspired by a centuries-old Alpine folkloric legend, Krampus, who was said to walk alongside St. Nicholas in an effort to ensure not-so-good kids do good in their lives. The parade will starts at 7:30 p.m. and ends at Beethoven Maennerchor, 422 Pereida St., with the route going through the King William neighborhood.
Dec. 6
Schertz’s Holidazzle is a daylong yuletide celebration. Following breakfast with Santa (spots already filled), visitors may enjoy the Kris Kringle Market from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Schertz Civic Center, 1400 Schertz Pkwy., snowy festivities at Holiday Hoopla 4-6 p.m., and the Festival of Angels Parade, which kicks off at 6:30 p.m. at Pickrell Park, 703 Oak St., and ends at Community Circle Drive. Check the event link for details.
Dec. 6
Bexar County Pct. 3 Commissioner Grant Moody will present Holidays in the Park, a family friendly holiday celebration with a snow area, photos with Santa, a holiday market, inflatable games, face painting, food trucks and more. Attendees may bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate to the Elf Louise Christmas Project. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Admission is free. Raymond Russell Park, 20644 Frontage Road/Interstate 10 West in the Leon Springs area.
Dec. 6
The city of Shavano Park will have a holiday event involving a visit from Santa Claus, snow, a Christmas tree lighting, entertainment from Blattman Elementary School spirit groups, a vendor market, a cookie contest, free hot cocoa, and more. 3-6 p.m. Admission is free. City Hall, 900 Saddletree Court, Shavano Park
Dec. 6
The city of Cibolo will present Holidays on Main, a daylong event featuring a parade, which this year has a cowboy Christmas theme. The parade starts at 11 a.m. at Borgfeld Road and Everyday Way, continues through Cibolo Valley Drive, travels down Main Street, and concludes at Cibolo City Hall, 200 S. Main St. The fun goes on with a holiday vendor market 3-7:30 p.m. at Pfeil Road and Main Street. A Christmas tree lighting wraps up the festivities at the market site at 6 p.m. Admission is free.
Dec. 6
Balcones Heights’ Christmas tree lighting will include refreshments, entertainment and a visit from Santa. 7-9 p.m. City Hall, 3300 Hillcrest Drive, Balcones Heights
Dec. 6
A holiday market will be held in the Monte Viejo neighborhood, featuring a visit with Santa, vendors, food, music and more. Noon-5 p.m. Admission is free. 4011 Emory Oak Drive.
Dec. 6
Converse Citizen Firefighters will present a Breakfast with Santa fundraiser for the Converse Fire Department. This family friendly event will offer pancakes, photos with Santa, and a chance for children to send a letter to the jolly old elf. 8-11 a.m. Costs: $8 adults, $5 children, $5 photo with Santa. 602 Toepperwein Road, Converse
Dec. 6
WinterFest SA is an annual Stone Oak holiday celebration that includes 80,000 pounds of snow, performances by local school students and groups, a carnival, photos with Santa Claus, holiday shopping, refreshments and more. Some proceeds go to benefit Brighton Center, a local nonprofit that helps children with developmental disabilities and delays. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Admission starts at $7.77. North Central Baptist Hospital parking lot, 520 Madison Oak.
Dec. 7
The city of Fair Oaks Ranch will present “Santa at the Ranch,” which will have a holiday market, photos with Santa, crafting in Santa’s workshop, live music, letters to St. Nick, food trucks and treats. 2-5 p.m. Admission is free. City Hall, 7286 Dietz Elkhorn Road, Fair Oaks Ranch
Dec. 7
Briscoe Western Art Museum will host its annual Cowboy Christmas. Cowboy Santa will be on hand for free photos and holiday wishes from young cowboys, cowgirls, vaqueros and vaqueras. There will also be hands-on holiday crafts and other family friendly activities. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Admission is free, but advance registration is required. 210 W. Market St.
