San Antonians, lace up your skates. The San Antonio Parks Foundation is debuting its first Winter Carnival on November 21-22, transforming Arnold Park on the South Side into a festive wonderland filled with ice skating, carnival rides, and holiday cheer.
The free event at 1011 Gillette Blvd. promises fun for the whole family. Guests can practice triple salchows on the outdoor rink or bumble around like a baby deer taking its first steps. Either way, it will make for tons of good content for TikTok or Instagram.
Between spins on the ice, attendees can sip hot cocoa, sample seasonal treats, or pose for photo ops. Holiday carols will fill the air, giving locals the chance to get into the holiday spirit before Thanksgiving.
The Winter Carnival will also be an opportunity to check off a few names on your list. A San Antonio maker’s market will be stuffed with handcrafted gift ideas from 5-10 pm on November 21 and 11-7 pm on November 22.
“This event was designed with families in mind,” said Mary Jane Verette, president and CEO of the San Antonio Parks Foundation, via a news release. “With free admission and affordable attractions, we want everyone in the community to come out and enjoy the season together.”
That community-first spirit has long been a hallmark of the foundation, which hosts a variety of free events from yoga to jazz concerts. During the holidays, the nonprofit will also host a Yuletide disco party at the Japanese Tea Garden and screen classic Christmas movies at Hemisfair.
The Winter Carnival runs 3-10 pm on Friday, November 21, and 10 am-10pm on Saturday, November 22. Entry is free, but skating costs $15 per person, including skate rentals. Holiday revelers can also purchase a $25 wristband to get unlimited access to the rink and rides. A full list of the San Antonio Park Foundation’s winter activations is available online.