River Walk Lights

Enjoy the  holiday lights along the River Walk from November 28 to January 1.

November 28
Ford Holiday River Parade & Lighting Ceremony
Watch as thousands of brightly colored lights that drape the River Walk's gigantic cypress trees come to life. The parade begins after the lights come on. You need a ticket for river level seating. Get tickets now 

November 29 - December 21
Holiday Boat Caroling
Barges filled with carolers serenade River Walk visitors during the holiday season.

December 5 - 21, weekends
Fiesta de las Luminarias
Stroll the River Walk lit by more than 2,500 candles in sand-filled bags. The centuries-old tradition is at dusk Friday, Saturday and Sunday only.

More Holiday Lights

Just north of downtown, the sprawling, tree-studded campus of the University of the Incarnate Word glitters with a million twinkling lights during its annual Light the Way celebration. Visitors can take a driving tour of campus; the lights stay on through the first week of the new year.

Handmade Gifts

December 5 – 7
Hecho a Mano/Made by Hand
A juried fine art exhibit and sale  with high quality traditional and contemporary crafts. Sponsored by the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center. Learn more

November 28 - 29
Mercado de Paz
Arts and crafts with themes of peace, social justice, cultural diversity and ecological concerns. You'll be supporting the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center. Learn more

December 6
Kristkindlmarkt
A traditional German holiday outdoor market with gingerbread houses, pottery baskets, ornaments, quilts, floral arrangements and more. Learn more

December 8
Bazaar Sabado
Textiles, jewelry, pottery and treasures from the global village. Sponsored by the San Antonio Museum of Art. Learn more

December 13
Art.i.copia
The Southwest School of Art & Craft holds an annual holiday show to sell the works of accomplished artists. Learn more
 

Family Holiday Fun

SeaWorld San Antonio: Adventure village, special Shamu holiday show

Six Flags Fiesta Texas: Special holiday show, winter wonderland

Schlitterbahn Waterpark: Snow, iceskating and sledding

Enchanted Springs Ranch: Cowboy Christmas with a Cowboy Santa
Santa's Railroad Wonderland: Festivities at the Texas Transportation Museum

Fiesta Navidenas: Festivities at El Mercado, the nation's largest Mexican market.

Holiday Performances

November 30 - December 6
Mariachi Vargas
The longest running Latin music festival in Texas. The final concert features the internationally famous Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan. Get tickets now

December 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14
The Nutcracker
The San Antonio Symphony and Ballet San Antonio stage the traditional holiday favorite. Get tickets now 

December 27
Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutracker
The Moscow Ballet, one of the world's most renowned, comes to San Antonio's Lila Cockrell Theatre. Get tickets now

December 19 to 21
Holiday Pops
The San Antonio Symphony, Children's Chorus of San Antonio and other guest artist features traditional holiday songs and a sing-a-long. Get tickets now

New Year's Eve

Ring in the New Year with San Antonio’s biggest New Year’s Eve party downtown when fireworks pop, flash, and sparkle at midnight from the 750-foot-tall Tower of the Americas at Celebrate San Antonio! Musical entertainment, 50 food and beverage booths, an HEB children’s area in La Villita, carnival games and more make a memorable start of another year of fun, San Antonio-style!