With December in full swing, San Antonio has positively lit up with holiday lights and Christmas cheer. There are plenty of ways to savor the holiday season – eat breakfast with Santa Claus, watch a holiday film at the Alamo, and sample tamales at the annual Tamale Festival. And for those of you still resisting the holiday spirit, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon is back too. Read on for more ideas on how to spend your weekend.
It’s a Wonderful Life in Bexar County
The county courthouse celebrates the holiday season by lighting up on Friday evening. Play in the snow, take pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, snack on buñuelos, cookies, and s’mores, and enjoy Christmas carols. Free parking is also available from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Bexar County Parking Garage.
Friday, 6-8 p.m.
Bexar County Courthouse, 100 Dolorosa St.
Free
Alamo Lights Movie Night
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman make appearances at the Alamo’s free outdoor movie night on Saturday in their respective holiday classic feature films. Viewers are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets, and snacks, but no alcohol is allowed at this event.
Friday, 7-9 p.m.
The Alamo, 300 Alamo Plaza
Free
ReDo: Adult Nights – Classic Holiday Movies
San Antonio’s children museum hosts its December “Adult Night” on Friday, with a classic holiday movie theme. Local restaurants provide snacks for attendees, and grown-ups can roam the DoSeum throughout the night. Themed cocktails pair with films such as The Grinch, Elf, and The Nightmare Before Christmas. Must be 21 years or older to attend. Find tickets here.
Friday, 7-9:30 p.m.
The DoSeum, 2800 Broadway St.
$35
First Friday at Brick: Volcán + Mírame
It’s the first Friday of December and Southtown will be filled with music, art, and local vendors. Latinx bands Volcán and Mírame perform at Brick at Blue Star Arts Complex at 7:30 p.m. First Friday roamers can do a little holiday shopping, snap holiday photos, and enjoy the crisp December night in Southtown.
Friday, 7:30-8 p.m.
Brick at Blue Star Arts Complex, 108 Blue Star
Free
Real Texas Legends with Bun B, Z-Ro, Slim Thug, Lil’ Keke & Lil Flip
H-town representing in Alamo City! Five Houston rappers join forces for a show at the Aztec Theatre on Friday. Find tickets here.
Friday, 7:30 p.m.
The Aztec Theatre, 104 N. St. Mary’s St.
$43.50 and up
Celebrando Tradiciones: Fiesta de Navidad
The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center kicks off the holiday season with a Texas-Mexican celebration. The Guadalupe Dance Company and Mariachi Azteca de America both bring their dancing and music to the bicultural holiday show. Find tickets here.
Friday, 8 p.m.
Guadalupe Theater, 1301 Guadalupe St.
$10-$25
Breakfast With Santa
Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the JW Elves make breakfast at 18 Oaks a special holiday treat. Bring a camera to snap photos of your kiddos meeting these holiday legends and eat some good food while you’re there. Adults pay $38 and children pay $28 per seat. Make a reservation at 210-491-5825.
Saturday, 8-11 a.m.
JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa, 23808 Resort Pkway
$28-$38
Yoga at Mission San José
Free yoga at Mission San José, compliments of Mobile Om. Bring your own mat and water bottle and dress warmly, as it might be a bit chilly.
Saturday, 9 a.m.
Mission San José, 701 E. Pyron Ave.
Free
Geology Walk
Geologist Bob Hixon will take the curious through the Crownridge Canyon trail and talk about local limestone features and plant identification. Reserve a spot at fosana.org and call 210-207-3782 or email nicole.mcleod@sanantonio.gov for more information.
Saturday, 10 a.m.-noon
Crownridge Canyon Park, 7222 Luskey Blvd.
Suggested donation, $3
How the Grinch Stole Brunch
The Grinch drops by SweetFire Kitchen to spread mischief and hijinks during an animated, interactive brunch on Saturday at La Cantera Resort and Spa. Admission for children costs $25, $70 for adults, and $5 from each seat goes back to the San Antonio Public Library Foundation. Call 210-558-2479 for reservations.
Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
La Cantera Resort and Spa, 16641 La Cantera Pkwy.
$25-$70
Holiday Market Day
Find your Christmas gifts early this year and save yourself the last-minute stress: the Tower of the Americas is hosting its Holiday Market on Saturday. Browse local vendors and warm your hands on a cup of hot cocoa while you meander through the booths.
Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Tower of the Americas, 739 E. César E. Chávez Blvd.
Free
SA Tamale Fest 2019
More than 15 tamale vendors will bring their delicious wares to Toyota Field on Saturday for the annual Tamale Holiday Festival. There will also be live music, children’s activities, and family-friendly fun. There’s no admission fee to enter, but food and drink cost between $1 and $5. Register for the event here.
Saturday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Toyota Field
Free
Free Family Night: Victorian to Steampunk
Head to the San Antonio Museum of Art on Saturday for Victorian art activities, ranging from the traditional to the sci-fi historically-inspired steampunk style. Attendees can make ornaments, collages, and more.
Saturday, 4-8 p.m.
San Antonio Museum of Art, 200 W. Jones Ave.
Free
River of Lights Illumination
The San Antonio Museum of Art is marking the Museum Reach River of Lights Illumination with free general admission and family-friendly activities. Find event information here.
Saturday, 4-8 p.m.
San Antonio Museum of Art, 200 W. Jones Ave.
Free
Free Movie Screening: The Muppet Christmas Carol
Slab Cinema will screen the 1992 holiday film The Muppets Christmas Carol at Juarez Plaza on Saturday. Bring your own chairs, blankets, snacks, and anything else you might need for an outdoor movie.
Saturday, 6-9 p.m.
Juarez Plaza, 398-498 Villita St.
Free
25th Annual Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza
Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán, “El Mejor Mariachi del Mundo,” performs at the 25th annual Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza. The group was founded in 1897, and Saturday’s concert marks the 25th year of the longest-running mariachi music festival in the world. Find tickets here.
Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
Lila Cockrell Theatre, 900 E. Market St.
$35 and up
Architecture and Light Tour
Irby Hightower from Alamo Architects leads a tour about the architecture of Ruby City; designer David Adjaye focused on the relationship of light and architecture in his creation. RSVP at events@rubycity.org.
Sunday, 2-3 p.m.
Ruby City, 150 Camp St.
RSVP required
Candlelight Christmas
On Sunday, the San Antonio Choral Society will sing a mix of holiday classics, including Vaughan Williams’ beloved Fantasia on Christmas Carols, excerpts from Haydn’s glorious Lord Nelson Mass and the holiday movie Home Alone. There is also a 2 p.m. sensory-friendly dress rehearsal. Students ages 13 and up pay $6.22; seniors, military members, and TPR members pay $13, and general admission tickets cost $18. Find tickets here.
Sunday, 4-5:30 p.m.
Laurel Heights United Methodist Church, 227 W. Woodlawn Ave.
$6.22-$18
Christmas Vespers
Welcome the Christmas season with a free Christmas Vespers worship service at Trinity University. Oakmont Open Houses will provide a variety of refreshments and musical offerings after the service.
Sunday, 6-7 p.m.
Margarite B. Parker Chapel at Trinity University, 1 Trinity Pl.
Free
Jonathan Van Ness: Road to Beijing
It’s only one-fifth of the Fab Five, but we are so blessed already. JVN is bringing his comedy/gymnastics/life advice tour to San Antonio, serving “cirque-du-so-gay-realness” through stand-up. Find tickets here.
Sunday, 8 p.m.
The Majestic Theatre, 224 E. Houston St.
$35 and up
2019 Humana Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio Marathon & 1/2 Marathon
It’s time to dust off your running shoes for the annual Humana Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon! The 5K and 10K races will take place on Saturday morning at 7:30 a.m. starting at Hoefgen Avenue and Heiman Street. The marathon, half-marathon, and half-marathon relay races start on Sunday at 7:15 a.m at West Market and South Alamo Streets. There’s also a kids 1-mile race at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, starting at Travis Park. Find the full schedule here and the course maps here. Online registration is closed, but you can still register on-site.
Saturday-Sunday
$35-$199
Christmas Renaissance Festival 2019
Hear ye, hear ye, all ye Ren Fair aficionados! The Christmas Renaissance Festival at the Jackson Ranch brings a small version of the grand Texas Renaissance Festival to San Antonio. Enjoy arts and crafts, archery, food trucks, live music, and a costume contest at the festival. Admission will be granted with a canned or packaged donation to the San Antonio Food Bank or $5 per family.
Saturday-Sunday
The Jackson Ranch, 8910 Callaghan Rd.
$5 donation
Christmas at the Caverns
Natural Bridge Caverns kicks off its Christmas at the Caverns event on Friday. Hear carols echo through the underground cavern system, take a photo with a spelunking Santa Claus, and enjoy hayrides and s’more roasting after dark. Attendees can also ice skate, enjoy a giant snow globe, and visit an underground Nativity scene. Bring a non-perishable food item to give each donor $2 off an adult ticket or $1 off a child ticket for any cavern tour. Find tickets here.
Saturday-Sunday
Natural Bridge Caverns, 26495 Natural Bridge Caverns Rd.
$23.99 and up
Disney’s Frozen Jr.
The Magik Theatre hosts royalty this weekend when Princesses Anna and Elsa take the stage. Disney’s Frozen Jr. is an hour-long adaptation of the Broadway musical (which was adapted from the hit animated movie) that expands on the relationship between the sisters, and tells a story of magic, adventure, and humor. Find tickets here.
Saturday-Sunday, 7-8:30 p.m.
The Magik Theatre, 420 S. Alamo St.
$10
The Nutcracker 2019
Ballet San Antonio will put on the last five performances of The Nutcracker this weekend at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets start at $35, and can be found here.
Friday-Sunday
Tobin Center for the Performing Arts
$35 and up
Ford Holiday Boat Caroling
Enjoy boats full of carolers floating down the San Antonio River from now through Dec. 22. More than 185 school, church, company, and civic groups rent boats each year to spread Christmas cheer. Boats for caroling are sold out, but enjoying the music is free.
Friday-Sunday, 6-9:30 p.m.
The San Antonio River Walk, 110 Broadway St.
Free
Alamo Lights
Now that the holidays have started, the Alamo gardens will be illuminated each night until Jan. 5, 2020. Enjoying the lights is free, and the grounds are open until 7 p.m.
Friday-Sunday, 5:30-7 p.m.
The Alamo, 300 Alamo Plaza
Free
