Ring in the holiday season with these events around San Antonio

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The holiday season is here and events across the city are going all out to get San Antonians in the holiday spirit. 

From holiday markets to ice skating and ballet performances — there are so many ways to celebrate the holidays this year.

SeaWorld San Antonio

Check out one of Texas’ largest Christmas light displays at SeaWorld San Antonio, where guests can listen to carols sung by the Merry Mariachis and have dinner with Santa and Mrs. Claus. 

The celebrations start at 1 p.m. every day the park is open. Watch a retelling of the nativity scene from the perspective of the animals present called “O’ Wondrous Night” and visit the 15 themed areas of the park, including Snowman Village and Christmas Cove, a 1950s-inspired wonderland. 

The festivities are included in admission to the park, which can be purchased here.

SeaWorld San Antonio’s Christmas Celebration
Thursday, Nov. 13 – Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026
10500 SeaWorld Drive, San Antonio, TX 78251

San Antonio Zoo

The annual Zoo Lights celebrations are back in full swing, powered by CPS Energy. Families are welcome to enjoy hot cocoa while they roam the Zoo Lights realms, which debuts its Enchanted Tree, Lights on the Lawn, and Cathedral Tunnel areas this year. Guests can participate in various daily activities, such as Pick-a-Present and Santa photos at the zoo’s Beastro restaurant. The zoo glows with Christmas lights every evening when it gets dark. 

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Admission to the light show and daily activities are included in admission to the park, which can be purchased here. Santa photos can be purchased separately here. 

San Antonio Zoo Lights
Sunday, Nov. 15 – Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026
3903 North St. Mary’s Street, San Antonio, TX 78212

The Giving Machines that will be featured at Pearl until Dec. 7. Credit: Courtesy / Julie Moreno for the San Antonio Light the World Giving Machine

Pearl

Support local organizations like Haven for Hope and the San Antonio Food Bank and international causes like Water for Good with Pearl’s Light the World Giving Machine.

The Giving Machine is a custom vending machine that lets users donate items ranging from $5 to $200 in value. Those interested can donate meals, vaccines, a beehive or even a goat to those who need it this holiday season. The Giving Machine will be open for use until Sunday, Dec. 7.

The iconic Pearl Christmas tree lighting will take place Friday, Nov. 28 from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Holiday night markets will light up Pearl every Wednesday until Dec. 17 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Holiday celebrations at Pearl
Monday, Nov. 17 – Wednesday, Dec. 17
303 Pearl Parkway, San Antonio, TX 78215

Holiday in the Park at Six Flags features a tree lighting ceremony in Rockville Plaza on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. Credit: Laura Garcia / San Antonio Report

Six Flags Fiesta Texas

Check out Six Flags Fiesta Texas’ hundreds of trees and millions of lights set up for this year’s holiday season. The amusement park has several shows lined up for the season, such as A Christmas Carol and The Majesty of Christmas, a retelling of the nativity scene featuring live animals. 

The park will host a nightly tree lighting ceremony to kick off its evening events, like its Holiday Illuminations light show. Seasonal food and drinks will be sold with 20 new additions to the menu. 

Six Flags Fiesta Texas’ Holiday in the Park
Saturday, Nov. 22 – Tuesday, Dec. 23
17000 IH-10 West, San Antonio, TX 78257

Holidays at Hemisfair

For the first time since its construction, Hemisfair’s Civic Park will host several events throughout the holiday season, as well as an ice skating rink surrounded by local food vendors. 

From noon to 9 p.m. every weekend from Saturday, Nov. 29 through Sunday, Dec. 21, local businesses will set up in the park for its Holiday Gift Markets.

Holiday in the Garden, an event featuring interactive crafts, music and activities for all ages celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20 at Yanaguana Garden. 

A historic home lighting ceremony will light up East Nueva Street from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 29. 

The park will also host free holiday movie nights at 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. every Tuesday from Dec. 2 through Dec. 23.  

Holidays at Hemisfair
Friday, Nov. 28 – Saturday, Jan. 3
600 Hemisfair Plaza Way, San Antonio, TX 78202

LEGOLAND

Guests are welcome to build new memories at LEGOLAND’s MINILAND Winter Wonderland this holiday season. Visit LEGO Santa and build seasonal snowflake and gingerbread house sets.

Visitors are also encouraged to participate in LEGO’s Build to Give campaign, in which participants build a brick heart and post it on social media. LEGO will donate a brick set to a child in need for each post made. 

At 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, kids can have milk and cookies with LEGO Gingerbread Man. Tickets to the event include milk and cookies, a LEGO set, and admission to the Discovery Center.

LEGOLAND’s Holiday Bricktacular
Saturday, Nov. 22 – Wednesday, Dec. 24
849 East Commerce Street, Suite 910, San Antonio, TX 78205

The Magik Theatre

Watch the stage adaptation of a Christmas classic at the historic children’s theatre. With special nights for pay-what-you-wish, ASL-interpreted, and military and first responder appreciation performances, everyone can enjoy this timeless show. 

Tickets and more information are available on the Magik Theatre’s website.  

The Magik Theatre’s A Charlie Brown Christmas
Saturday, Nov. 22 – Wednesday, Dec. 24
420 South Alamo Street, San Antonio, TX 78205

Miracle holiday pop-up bars

The Miracle holiday cocktail bars make a return at the Esquire Tavern and Hugman’s Oasis this holiday season. Their themed cups and punny drinks — like the Chrismapolitan and Silent Nightcap Shot — are back in town just in time to warm up visitors.

The two different locations offer different experiences, with Miracle serving traditional Christmas-themed drinks while Sippin’ Santa serves beach-themed holiday cocktails. Specific hours are available on Miracle and Sippin’ Santa’s websites. 

Miracle on Commerce St. (The Esquire Tavern)
Monday, Nov. 24 – Wednesday, Dec. 31
155 East Commerce Street. San Antonio, TX 78205

Sippin’ Santa at Hugman’s Oasis (Hugman’s Oasis)
Saturday, Nov. 29 – Wednesday Dec. 31
135 East Commerce Street, San Antonio, TX 78205

The Esperanza Peace and Justice Center

The Esperanza Peace and Justice Center’s 36th annual International Peace Market continues a tradition of cultural resistance and community engagement by providing an open-air market alternative to Black Friday. 

The market will present live music from local performers, as well as food vendors. Visitors will be able to check out more than 60 local and international artists and artisans at the market. 

Admission is free to the public. 

The International Peace Market
Friday, Nov. 28 and Saturday, Nov. 29 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 30 from noon to 6 p.m.
922 San Pedro Avenue, San Antonio, TX 78212

Toyota Field at a previous Coca-Cola’s Classic Christmas. Credit: Courtesy / Social House Holiday, LLC

Coca-Cola’s Classic Christmas

Ice skate a path of holiday cheer and take photos with Santa Claus at Toyota Field this holiday season at Coca-Cola’s Classic Christmas. The field will glow with light sculptures and a sparkling trail called “Memory Lane.” Mrs. Claus will read stories, a Coca-Cola truck bar will travel the field, and country music will flood the space during one of many themed nights. 

Tickets and more information are available on the event website.  

Coca-Cola’s Classic Christmas
Friday, Nov. 28 – Sunday, Dec. 28
5106 David Edwards Drive, San Antonio, TX 78233

The Ojeda Foundation’s Tamalada

Join former Rey Feo Richard Ojeda as he teaches a class on how to make his mother’s tamale recipe for the Christmas season. Every participant gets to take home the two dozen they make.

Entry is $100 with proceeds going toward student scholarships, charitable initiatives and non-profit organizations in San Antonio. Guests are asked to bring an unwrapped gift to donate for children at Haven for Hope.  

The Ojeda Foundation’s Tamalada
Monday, Dec. 1 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
4431 Horizon Hill Boulevard, San Antonio, TX 78229

The Tobin Center

On Saturday, Nov. 29 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Tobin Center is also hosting a holiday art market, featuring a mechanical reindeer, lawn games and over 50 artisan vendors. The market is free to attend and guests are welcome to purchase food, drink and gifts from local vendors at the market.  

Visit the Tobin Center for its holiday programming, including performances of the Nutcracker and a performance of a Merry-achi Christmas. 

Tickets are available on the Tobin Center’s website. 

The Tobin Center’s Christmas shows
Friday, Dec. 5 through Sunday, Dec. 28
100 Auditorium Circle, San Antonio, TX 78205

The Majestic Theatre 

The Majestic Theatre has a line-up of holiday shows available for the season. From a ballet performance of the Polar Express to a performance from the Vienna Light Orchestra, there are many shows available throughout the month. 

Tickets are available on the Majestic Theatre’s website.  

The Majestic Theatre’s holiday shows
Saturday, Dec. 6 to Tuesday, Dec. 30
224 East Houston Street, San Antonio, TX 78205

Kwanzaa Market Festival

All are welcome to the Pan-African Cultural Community’s 16th annual Kwanzaa Market Festival, featuring live music, cultural foods and local African- and African-American-owned businesses. The event will also have hands-on workshops, storytelling sessions, children’s crafts and interactive performances to teach guests about the history and culture of Kwanzaa. 

The event is free to the public, and guests are encouraged to donate to support the Pan-African Cultural Community. More information about the event and the holiday can be found here. 

Kwanzaa Market Festival
Saturday, Dec. 6 from noon – 4 p.m.
3310 East Commerce Street San Antonio, TX 78220

Cowboy Santa at a previous Cowboy Christmas at the Briscoe Western Art Museum. Credit: Courtesy / Briscoe Western Art Museum

Cowboy Christmas at the Briscoe Western Art Museum

The Briscoe Western Art Museum welcomes Cowboy Santa on Dec. 7. The event falls on the last day admission will be free for furloughed federal employees and the museum’s monthly locals day, where admission is free for Bexar County residents.

Hands-on holiday crafts, a 12 Days of Christmas scavenger hunt and photos with Cowboy Santa are included with admission, free for children 12 and under and active duty military members. 

Guests are encouraged to register in advance on the Briscoe’s website.  

Cowboy Christmas at the Briscoe Western Art Museum
Sunday, Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
210 West Market Street, San Antonio, TX 78205

Morgan’s Wonderland

The annual Snowball Run, Walk, Roll, Stroll event is set to start at 7 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 20 at Morgan’s Wonderland. Participants can sign up for a 1K and are encouraged to go at their own pace. 

Those looking for a more intense race can join one of four divisions for the 5K: running, adaptive, wheelchair or duo. 

The path comes across various festivities and decorations around the park and the park will offer a t-shirt and ornament to participants. Those looking to participate in the 1K or 5K can sign up on the Morgan’s Wonderland website.  

Morgan’s Wonderland Snowball 5K and 1K
Saturday, Dec. 20 at 7 a.m.
5223 David Edwards Drive, San Antonio, TX 78233

URBAN-15

URBAN-15 will present a laser show at the Edgewood Theatre of Performing Arts, featuring the performance group’s dance and drum ensemble. The laser show will only be presented for one day with two performances.

The show is free to the public, and guests are encouraged to RSVP on URBAN-15’s website to secure a seat.  

URBAN-15’s Holiday Laser Show
Sunday, Dec. 21 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
402 Lance Street, San Antonio, TX 78237

Chanukah on the River

Chabad SA is hosting its 28th annual Chanukah on the River celebration at the Arneson River Theater, featuring community leaders and dignitaries, kosher concessions and a live concert from Israeli musician Noam Buksila. 

Visitors interested in boarding the 3:30 p.m. Chanukah boat ride must be registered. The 9-foot menorah lighting and concert start at 4 p.m. and is free to the public. 

Chanukah on the River
Sunday, Dec. 21 at 3:30 p.m. 
Arneson River Theater, 418 Villita Street, San Antonio, TX 78205 

Santa’s Ranch

Drive through over a mile of animated Christmas lights while munching on some homemade kettle corn and sipping a cup of hot chocolate at Santa’s Ranch in New Braunfels. It’s open every night of the season, including holidays. 

Ticket pricing and directions are available on the Santa’s Ranch website. 

Santa’s Ranch
Saturday, Nov. 1 – Sunday, Jan. 4
9561 I-35, New Braunfels, TX 78130

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