06/12/2024
Celebrate the holidays in downtown San Antonio! Enjoy free, family-friendly events, and shop for one-of-a-kind holiday gifts for your loved ones while supporting local independent small businesses at Market Square and La Villita.
River Walk Holiday Lights
The world-famous San Antonio River Walk is illuminated by thousands of lights through January 13.
Holidays on Houston Street
Set against the backdrop of one of the city’s most historic and charming streets, San Antonio Holidays on Houston Street runs through January 2. The City of San Antonio, Centro San Antonio and Visit San Antonio have partnered to bring more holiday sparkle to five blocks of Houston Street, from Legacy Park to the Alamo.
Featured events:
Holidays on Houston Cocktail Crawl, This self-guided tour runs through January 1
Holidays on Houston Street Market, Friday, December 13 – Sunday, December 15
Holidays on Houston Fun Run, Tuesday, December 17, 5-9 p.m.
San Antonio Coffee Festival presents Hot Holidays on Houston, Rescheduled to Friday, December 20, 5-9 p.m.
La Villita Events (418 Villita Street)
La Villita Market Days
Every Saturday, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.; free
La Villita Market Days transforms Maverick Plaza into a vibrant, open-air marketplace featuring local artisans, craftspeople, and food vendors. Visitors will enjoy unique arts and crafts, cooking demonstrations, guest artists at work on their craft, live music and performing dance troupes. For more information, visit the La Villita website.
La Villita Holiday in the Village
Saturday, December 14, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.; free
La Villita Historic Arts Village hosts their annual Holiday in the Village, featuring unique hand-crafted items, art, and jewelry created by local artists and artisans. There is something for everyone on your gift list! Enjoy holiday food, live music, theater performances, kids’ corner with Santa, cuddling goats, ‘real snow’, and more. For more information, visit the La Villita website.
Carols by Candlelight
Sunday, December 15, 5-8:30 p.m.; free
Share in the Christmas spirit with the annual Carols by Candlelight hosted by Mission Point Christian Church. This free concert will highlight some of your favorite seasonal carols at the Arneson River Theatre. For more information, visit the La Villita website.
TubaMeisters Christmas Concert
Saturday, December 21, 12 p.m.; free
Local favorites, the TubaMeisters, present their annual Christmas concert at the Arneson River Theatre featuring holiday tunes played by tuba, euphonium, and baritone horn players. For more information, visit the TubaMeister’s website.
Ricos River Rally
Thursday, December 26, 5 p.m.; free
The San Antonio River Walk plays host to college football’s most unique pep rally to celebrate the Valero Alamo Bowl. While the head coaches, team captains, and cheerleaders take part in a spirited pep rally at the Arneson River Theatre on the River Walk, the school bands and the rest of the players excite the crowd by making a grand entrance on river cruisers. For more information, visit the event website.
Chanukah on the River
Monday, December 30, 4-6 p.m.; free
In celebration of Chanukah, the Chabad Center for Jewish Life and Learning hosts their annual Chanukah on the River event. This event will feature local entertainers, food, and a lighting of a menorah at the Arneson River Theatre. For more information, visit the event website.
Celebrate SA: San Antonio's Official New Year’s Eve Celebration
Tuesday, December 31, 6 p.m. – 12 a.m.; free
Ring in the new year at Celebrate SA, the City’s official New Year’s Eve celebration in downtown produced by the San Antonio Parks Foundation and the City of San Antonio. Enjoy live music, carnival rides, food and drinks, and a fireworks show at midnight. For more information, visit the event website.
Market Square Events (514 W. Commerce Street)
La Gran Tamalada
Saturday, December 14 and Sunday, December 15, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; free
La Gran Tamalada is an annual cultural tradition at Historic Market Square hosted by La Familia Cortez Restaurants. At this family-friendly event, learn the history and traditions of tamales, enjoy storytelling, take photos with Pancho Claus, and Abuelita hot chocolate sampling and giveaways, and listen to live music. For more information, visit the Market Square event page.
Holiday Crafts: Paint a Wreath
Saturday, December 21, 1-2:30 p.m.; free
Kids 12 and under are invited to unleash their creativity and design a festive wooden wreath to take home. All materials will be provided. For more information, visit Facebook event page. Seating is limited; sign up online.
Holiday Night Market
Saturday, December 21 and Sunday, December 22, 4-7 p.m.; free
Celebrate the season and support local store owners at the Market Square Holiday Night Market. Browse 100+ local shops and vendors, offering unique gifts, handmade crafts, and delicious treats. Enjoy festive decor, live music, and holiday cheer in a family-friendly atmosphere. For more information, visit the Market Square event page.
Market Square Weekend Programming
Every weekend in December, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; free
Enjoy music, working artists, and food booths at Market Square every weekend. For more information, visit the Market Square event page.
Travis Park Events (301 E. Travis St.)
Rotary Ice Rink at Travis Park
Open through January 5, 2025; rink is ticketed
The Rotary Ice Rink, presented by Valero, is back through January 5, 2025! Visit the coolest place in town and enjoy the festivities in Travis Park. For more information, including hours of operation, pricing, and specials, visit RotaryIceRink.com.
H-E-B Christmas Tree
Enjoy a spectacular holiday light display every evening through January 7. Adorned with more than 10,000 lights and custom-made ornaments, the tree is H-E-B’s gift to the city. Travis Park is decorated with holiday lights across the park. For more information, visit the Travis Park website.
Choose Joy! Holiday Yoga with Mobile Om
Tuesday, December 10, 2024, 6 p.m.; free
Unroll your mat in the heart of downtown San Antonio for a JOY-ful and festive yoga flow beneath the twinkling holiday lights at Travis Park. Free parking after 5 p.m. in the St. Mary’s Garage for Downtown Tuesday. For more information, visit the Facebook event page.
Eat & Play in Travis Park
Friday, December 13, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.; free
Every second Friday of the month, enjoy a variety of food trucks, music, and activities during lunchtime at Travis Park. For more information, follow on Instagram.
Houston Street Events
Lunch Break on Houston Street (in front of the Majestic Theatre, 224 E. Houston Street)
Thursday, December 19, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Make your way to Houston Street for food trucks and music in front of the Majestic Theatre. For more information, follow on Instagram.
Make a Plan
Downtown can get very busy during the holidays, so make a plan. Visitors are strongly encouraged to arrive early to avoid disruptions caused by traffic and construction projects. Consider using public transportation, ride-share services, taxis, biking, or walking. Plan to leave early and consult a navigation app, such as Google Maps or Waze, to find the best route to your destination. For more information about parking and event-related activities, visit the City’s Know Before You Go Downtown website.
Visitor Parking
For easy, convenient, and affordable parking, visit the City’s SAPark website. Our parking map provides a full list of City-owned garages and lots. Note that event parking rates (up to $15 at City parking facilities) may be in effect at some parking facilities during busy event weekends.
The St. Mary’s Garage (205 E. Travis St.) and the City Tower Garage (60 N. Flores St.) are located just steps from the River Walk, Houston Street and Travis Park and they generally have many parking spots. Downtown Tuesday offers free parking on Tuesdays from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. in City-owned parking facilities, and City Tower Sundays offers free parking on Sundays from 7 a.m. to midnight at the City Tower Garage, 60 N. Flores St.
Info courtesy City of San Antonio - Municipal Government Center City Development and Operations
