Ultimate List of Christmas Events in San Antonio: 2023 Edition

It’s the most magical time of year! And, since 2016, I’ve been putting together a magical list of events and activities for our Christmas Advent Calendar. Every year looks different because we have moved a lot, but the holidays have been even more exciting since moving to San Antonio. San Antonio takes on a really special persona during the holidays – the whole city lights up and has multiple events almost every single night of December! I LOVE San Antonio and all the amazing festivities! So, it brings me great joy to bring you my annual Ultimate List of Christmas and Holiday Events in San Antonio, Texas!

If you’re not in San Antonio, or maybe just traveling here for a few days, I’ve also thrown ideas together for anyone, anywhere here: Christmas Advent Activities. Plus, this is also helpful for those days when you just need to chill at home. We always include Christmas movie nights, cocoa bars, and Christmas books in our mix!

Furthermore, I encourage you to keep this post handy to come back to as you plan your calendar for Christmas events in San Antonio, especially as events are added as often as I find them!

HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES WITH MULTIPLE DATES IN THE SAN ANTONIO AREA

Some of the below events don’t run every single day or end before the 31st, so please check their website for the most up-to-date info.

Nov 1-Dec 24: Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops
Nov 3-Dec 30, select dates: Campfire Lights: A Holiday Drive-Thru Light Show
Nov 3-Dec 31: Santa’s Ranch in New Braunfels
Nov 3-Jan 1: The Light Park in Selma
Nov 9-Jan 2: Sea World Christmas Celebration
Nov 13-Jan 2: The Jones CHRISTmas Ranch in Boerne
Nov 17-Dec 31: Lights Alive
Nov 17-Jan 1: Lightscape at the San Antonio Botanical Garden
Nov 17-Jan 15: Rotary Ice Rink at Travis Park
Nov 18-Dec 23, select dates: Photos with Cowbow Kringle, New Braunfels
Nov 18-Dec 24: The Velveteen Rabbit, Magik Theatre
Nov 18-Dec 31: Zoo Lights
Nov 18-Dec 31, select dates: Holiday in the Park at Fiesta Texas
Nov 18-Jan 7: Frostival at the Doseum
Nov 18-Jan 8: Elf Acres
Nov 20-Dec 3: Light the World Giving Machines, The Pearl
Nov 23-Dec 31: San Antonio Ice Rink, The Pearl area
Nov 24-Dec 17, Saturdays & Sundays: Christmas CountryFest, Devine Acres Farm
Nov 24-Dec 23, Thursdays-Sundays: Old West Christmas Light Fest in Boerne
Nov 24-Dec 23, Fridays-Sundays: Photos with Santa, Tower of the Americas
Nov 24-Dec 23, select Thursdays-Sundays: Christmas in Jazz, TX, Jazz, TX *adults only
Nov 24-Jan 2: Alamo Lights 
Nov 24-Jan 2: Holidays on Houston Street
Nov 24-Jan 7: Holiday Lights on the River Walk 
Nov 24-Jan 7: Lights Spectacular in Johnson City
Nov 25-Dec 16, Saturdays: Pictures with Santa and the Dinosaurs, The Witte
Nov 28-Dec 23, Tuesdays-Saturdays: Holiday Lights Downtown Cruise
Nov 29-Dec 20, Wednesdays: Pearl Holiday Market
Nov 30–Dec 22: Winter Wonderland at Palo Alto College
Nov 30-Dec 23: Ford Holiday Boat Caroling on the River Walk
Dec 1-Dec 17, select dates: A Christmas Carol The Musical
Dec 1-Dec 18, Fridays-Sundays: Westover Field of Lights at Westover Sports Complex
Dec 1-Dec 23, select dates: Meet Me In St. Louis, Wonder Theatre
Dec 3-Dec 18, Sundays & Mondays: Holiday Lights Museum Reach Cruise
Dec 2-Dec 17, weekends: Ford Fiesta de las Luminarias on the River Walk
Dec 2-17, weekends: Santa’s Railroad Wonderland at the Texas Transportation Museum
Dec 2-Dec 30, select dates: Christmas at the Caverns
Dec 2-Dec 31: Annual Windcrest Light-Up
Dec 18-Dec 24: The Magic of Christmas, The Magicians Agency Theatre

Below, I’m listing all the Christmas and Holiday events in San Antonio, in the order of their dates starting in November. I used to begin on December 1st, but it seems like events are starting earlier and earlier in November!

One more thing, If you’re looking for 25 days of Christmas Activities anywhere or at home, check out that separate post here: Christmas Advent Activities.

ULTIMATE LIST OF CHRISTMAS EVENTS & HOLIDAY FESTIVITIES IN SAN ANTONIO

November 17
6-9pm: Christmas in God’s Country, Hondo (also: Nov 18)
7-11pm: Polar Express Viewing Party, Tower of the Americas
7:30pm: Sarah Brightman: A Christmas Symphony, Magestic & Empire Theatres

November 18
9-10am: Breakfast with Santa, Sweet Paris Crêperie & Café
10am-6pm: Christmas Showcase, Freeman Coliseum (also: Nov 19)
3-9:30pm: Light the Way Holiday Festival, University of Incarnate Word
6-10pm: The Polar Express, Mission Marquee Plaza

November 24
10am-6pm: International Peace Market, Esperanza Peace & Justice Center (also: Nov 25 & 26)
12-9pm: Dickens on Main, Boerne (also Nov 25)
4pm: H-E-B Christmas Tree Lighting, Travis Park
5:30-9pm: Bulverde Christmas Lighting
6-9pm: Ford Holiday River Parade and Lighting Ceremony

November 25
10am: Holiday Art Market, Tobin Center
11am-5pm: Fantasyland at Woodlawn Lake
11am-5pm: Cultural Artisan Holiday Market, Eye of the Beholder Art Gallery
2-6pm: Holiday Market, Mikey’s Chicken & Tavern
7pm: Floresville Christmas Parade

November 27
5:30pm: Movie Mondays, A Christmas Story, The Pearl

November 28
10am-2pm: Christmas Faire, The Woodward Mansion (also: Nov 29-30)
6-8pm: Lights of Esperanza, Texas A&M University-San Antonio
6:30pm: Candy Cane Lane Light Up, Windcrest
7-8:30pm: A Concert Under the Stars, Casa Navarro Historical Site

November 29
6pm: Gattis Pizza with the Grinch

November 30
4pm: Gordon Hartman Family Foundation Holiday Party, Morgan’s Wonderland Event Center
5-8pm: Opening Lighting Ceremony & Community Festival, Palo Alto College
6pm: Deck the City Hall, Schertz
7-9pm: Annual Tree Lighting & Reception, La Cantera Resort
7:30pm: Las Nuevas Tamaleras, Carver Community Cultural Center (also: Dec 1-3)

December 1
5-8pm: Nutcracker Spectacular
5-8pm: Jingle Jangle Mix & Mingle Donation Drive, The Good Kind Southtown
6pm: Weihnachts in Boerne: A Magical Family Tradition, (also: Dec 2)
6pm: Posadas & Poinsettias, Mi Familia at The Rim (*adults only)
6-7:30pm: Lighting of the Lights, Helotes
6-8pm: McKenna’s Merry Celebration
6-9pm: Sip & Stroll, Seguin
6-9pm: A Night in Bethlehem: A Drive Thru Live Nativity, Hondo (also: Dec 2)
6-10pm: Old Fashion Christmas, Castroville (also: Dec 2)
6-10pm: Tri County Antique Tractor Pullers Jingle Bell Pull, Marion
6:30-8:30am: Family Holiday Dance, Schertz Family YMCA
6:30-9pm: Holiday in the Park, The Greenline
7pm: Elf in Concert, Majestic & Empire Theatres (also: Dec 2)
8-9pm: Jingle & Mingle with Crazy Kringle, La Cantera Resort (*adults only)

December 2
8am: Holidazzle, Schertz
8am-2pm: ‘Tis The Season Coffee Flight Event, Alamo Ranch Food Truck Park
9-11am: Breakfast with Santa, Leon Valley Community Center
9am-1pm: Holiday Pop-Up, Little Sunshine’s Playhouse
9am-3pm: Homemade Christmas, The Alamo
10-10:30am: Pony Express Ride, Gruene
10am-12pm: Donuts with Santa, Skateland West
10am-2pm: Santa @ The San Antonio Fire Museum
10am-2pm: Gather Christmas Market, Gather Brewing Company
10am-2pm: Brunch with Crazy Kringle & His Fairytale Elves, La Cantera Resort
10am-3pm: WinterFest, Baptist Health System
10am-4pm: Shop Local San Antonio Christmas Market, Brick at Blue Star
10am-4pm: Pipe Creek Dance Hall Christmas Market Days (also: Dec 3)
10am-5pm: Kristkindlmarkt, Beethoven Maennerchor
10am-6pm: San Antonio Tamales Festival (also: Dec 3)
11am-3pm: Santa Paws Photo & Adoption Event, Dog & Pony
11am-5pm: King William Holiday Home Tour
11am-3pm: Nightmare Before Christmas Bash, Wonderland of the Americas
12pm: Christmas in the Park Parade, Elemendorf
1-3pm: Beacon House Holiday Tea by Table Talk
3-6pm: Shavano Park Holiday Event
4-10pm: Noche Buena, San Fernando Cathedral
4:30pm: Fredericksburg Christmas Parade
5pm: Gruene Town Lighting
5:30-7:30pm: Holly Jolly Kayaking
6-8pm: 30th Annual Spirit of Christmas Tree Lighting, La Vernia

December 3
8-10:30am: Breakfast with Santa, Leon Valley Community Center
9am-3pm: Homemade Christmas, The Alamo
10am-2pm: Cowboy Christmas, Briscoe Western Art Museum
12-5pm: Witte Museum Holiday Market
1-3pm: Favorite Things! Holiday Candle Making, Mission Crafts Chandlery
4-8pm: Guenther House Holiday Extravaganza
8pm: A Drag Queen Christmas, Aztec Theatre (*adults only)

December 4
5:30pm: Movie Mondays, The Polar Express, The Pearl
5:30pm: Annual Christmas Tree Lighting, Leon Valley

December 5
6pm: A Walk in Bethlehem, Boerne
6-8pm: Universal City Tree Lighting
7:30pm: Marie Osmond: An Orchestral Christmas, Majestic & Empire Theatres

December 6
10am: The Nutcracker, Tobin Center (also: Dec 7, 8)
5:30-8:30pm: Down Home Christmas, Live Oak
7:30pm: Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis, Majestic & Empire Theatres

December 7
5-8pm: Free ornament workshop, Son of a Sailor (*ages 13+)
5-8pm: Quarry Village 7th Annual Holiday Block Party
5-9:30pm: Holiday Night City, Legacy Park
6-9pm: Wassailfest, New Braunfels
6-8pm: Cookies with Santa, Schertz Family YMCA
7pm: Christmas in Black Vol.II, Carver Community Cultural Center

December 8
A Toast to Olde Town, Boerne (also: Dec 9 and 10)
11am-1pm: Latched Little Learners Social – Christmas Party
5:30pm: A Christmas Story, Legacy Park
5:30-8pm: The Grinch, Will’s Plaza
6-8:30pm: Christmas In Bethlehem, Cibolo (also: Dec 9 and 10)
6:30-8:30pm: Christmas Pajama Party With Mickey & Minnie Mouse, EMMAzing Play
7-9pm: The Children’s Nutcracker, Lila Cockrell Theatre (also: Dec 9)

December 9
8-11am: Jingle Paws Classic K Run, OP Schnabel Park
8-11am: Pancakes with Santa, Converse
9-10am: Breakfast with Santa, Neiman Marcus
9-11am: Breakfast with The Grinch, Hard Rock Cafe
9am-1pm: Third Annual Fishing Lines at Christmas Time, South Side Lion’s Park
9am-2pm: Floresville Community Christmas Market
10am: Cibolo Holiday Parade
10am: Kids Christmas Special!, Spring Creek Gardens
10am-3pm: Holiday Pup Party, Camp Bow Wow Live Oak
10am-4pm: Holiday Museum Market with Family Fun, San Antonio Museum of Art
10am-4pm: SoFlo HOLIDAY Market
10am-5pm: Winter Wonderfest at The DoSeum
10am-5pm: Renaissance Christmas Yule Fest (also: Dec 10)
10am-6pm: La Villita Holiday in the Village
10am-6pm: Deck the Halls, Rolling Oaks Mall
12-3pm: Santa Saturday & Santa’s Grand Arrival at Village at Stone Oak
12-5pm: Kwanzaa Market Festival
12-8pm: Christmas Extravaganza, Good News Lutheran Church (also: Dec 10)
12:30-3pm: Holiday Hop, Magik Theatre
12pm-12am: Honky Tonk Christmas, Screaming Goat Yard & Tap
1-5pm: Whoville Christmas Party, SASassy Cat
1-8pm: San Antonio SantaCon 2023 (*adults only)
2-3pm: Christmas Mariachi Performance, Collins Garden Library
3pm & 7:30pm: Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Frost Bank Center
4-6pm: Black History Holiday Lights Boat Tour
4-6pm: Festival de Navidad, Alamo Heights United Methodist Church
4-6:30pm: Christmas Fest, Toyota Field (also: Dec. 16 and 21)
4-8pm: Museum Reach River of Lights
5- 8:30pm: Christmas Paradise Runway Fashion Show, The Parish
5:30pm: The Santa Claus Movie, Tower of the Americas
5:30pm: Annual Winter Wonderland, Cibolo Family YMCA
5:30pm: A Night in Bethlehem, Spring Creek United Methodist Church
6-10pm: Christmas Ball & More, Woodward Mansion
7:30-8:30pm: Helotes Hill Country Christmas Parade
8pm: Michael Martin Murphey’s Cowboy Christmas, Majestic & Rempire Theatres

December 10
9am-12pm: Deck the Paws, San Antonio Botanical Garden
9am-3pm: Christmas Market @ Olla Express
10am-2pm: See Live Reindeer, Murdoch’s in Schertz
11am-1pm: Christmas Cookie Decorating Class, Pink Cappuccino (*adults only)
11am-8pm: Holiday River Walk Artisan Show (also: Dec 10 and 11)
2-4pm: Winter Wonderland at Kallison Ranch
3-5pm: Cookies & Milk with Santa Micky and Minnie Mouse, Emmazing Play
4pm: Black Nativity, Carver Community Cultural Center
5:30-7:30pm: Arfordable’s Woof & Wag Dog Walk: Holiday Edition, The Pearl
6:30-8:30pm: Santa Clause visits Emmazing Play featuring The Grinch

December 11
5:30pm: Movie Mondays, Home Alone, The Pearl

December 12
6pm: A Taste of Holidays on Houston Street – Community Dinner
7pm: Bravo Winter Showcase, performers ages 3-11, Wonder Theatre

December 13
8pm: Christmas With the 5 Browns, Tobin Center

December 14
5-8pm: Jingle & Mingle, Olympia Hills Golf & Event Center
5-8:30pm: Christmas in the Village, Bracken Village
7pm: Bravo Winter Showcase, performers ages 12-18, Wonder Theatre
7pm: for KING + COUNTRY A Drummer Boy Christmas, Frost Bank Center

December 15
6-11pm: Small Business Holiday Party, Pedrotti’s Ranch Venue
10am-5pm: Boerne’s Kinder Fest (also: Dec 16 & 17)
7pm: La Vernia Christmas Parade: Candy Cane Lane
7:30pm: AMAHL and the Night Visitors, Magik Theatre (also: Dec. 16)
8pm: DRUMLine Live Holiday Spectacular, Tobin Center

December 16
9-11am: Breakfast with Santa, Hard Rock Cafe
9am-2pm: Holiday Pop-Up, Somerset CoffeeHaus
10am-2pm: Santa Paws Parade, Legacy Park
10am-3pm: Slow Roll with HotRod Claus, Historic Stintson Airfield
11am-2pm: Christmas Gift Wrapping Swap, Collins Garden Library
11am-7pm: CRIT Carnival
12-2pm: Holiday Soap Making Class, The Carmel Soap Company
1-5pm: Mickey’s Holiday PopUp, The Block SA (also: Dec 17)
3-8pm: Grinchmas Fest, Crockett Park
4-7pm: Wiskey Unwrapped – Women & Wiskey Finale, La Cantera Resort
4-11:30pm: Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl, Elsewhere
5pm & 8pm: A Magical Cirque Christmas, Majestic & Empire Theatres
7-10pm: Roarin’ 20s Christmas Party, The St. Anthony (*adults only)

December 17
3pm: Christmas Wonder, St. Johns Lutheran Church
7pm: It’s a San Antonio Christmas, Carver Community Cultural Center

December 18
5:30pm: Movie Mondays, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, The Pearl

December 19
3pm & 7pm: Holiday Laser Show, Lila Cockrell Theatre
6-9pm: Holiday Market, Bar Rojo
6:30pm: Holidays on Houston Street Fun Run: 5K and One Mile

December 20
7-9pm: Cirque Musica – Holiday Wonderland, Tobin Center

December 21
9:30am: Winter Solstice Coffee & Cocoa, Leon Valley Public Library
6:30pm: Polar Express Reading, Leon Valley Public Library
10pm-2am: Naughty Christmas, Leon Valley (*adults only)

December 22
5:30pm: Home Alone, Legacy Park

December 23
7:30am: Jingle All the Way: A Merry Christmas Run, Lady Bird Johnson Park
11am-6pm: Que Retro Arts Christmas Market, Rolling Oaks Mall

December 25
10am-8pm: Christmas Feast at Sweetfire Kitchen, La Cantera Resort
10:30am-2pm: Christmas Day Brunch, San Antonio Marriot Rivercenter

WORTH THE DRIVE – AUSTIN AREA
Peppermint Parkway
Trail of Lights
Mozart’s Christmas Light Show
North Pole Flyer

WORTH THE DRIVE – HOUSTON AREA
Space Center Houston’s Galaxy Lights
Magical Winter Lights
The Polar Express Train Ride
Holidays at the Garden

WORTH THE DRIVE – COLLEGE STATION
Santa’s Wonderland

If you made it this far – you are a true Christmas champ! This season is all about making memories and having a good time, and I am glad I could help make it a little easier for you. If you loved this Ultimate List of Christmas Events in San Antonio, I hope you’ll share it with your friends! Feel free to tag me in your activity posts on Instagram and Facebook.

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

 

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