Spread holiday cheer in San Antonio! Find all the events and activities that make this season special with our guide. Whether you've lived in San Antonio for years or just for the season, this guide maximizes your festive experience.
One of the highlight events is the Ford Holiday River Parade and Lighting Ceremony, where the picturesque River Walk lights up with festive floats and joyous festivities. Additionally, the Holiday Lights on the River Walk showcases a dazzling display of twinkling lights that transforms the area into a winter wonderland. And the SeaWorld Christmas Celebration is something you definitely don’t want to miss, featuring enchanting shows and delightful seasonal attractions. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around San Antonio
- Ford Holiday River Parade and Lighting Ceremony
- Holiday Lights on the River Walk
- Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Fiesta Texas
- SeaWorld Christmas Celebration
- Ford Fiesta de las Luminarias
- Ford Holiday Boat Caroling
- Holidays on Houston Street
- Windcrest Light Up (Windcrest)
- Holiday Market in the Park
- Holiday Bricktacular at LEGOLAND
See these and even more events listed below!
San Antonio Holiday Light Displays
Ford Holiday River Parade and Lighting Ceremony
What to Expect:
27 beautifully illuminated floats and over 100,000 holiday lights.
Description:
The Ford Holiday River Parade and Lighting Ceremony is a cherished San Antonio tradition featuring 27 beautifully illuminated floats, 5 entertainment floats, and over 100,000 holiday lights. This year's theme, Toy Box Adventures, promises a whimsical experience for all ages. The event includes a pre-parade show, the lighting of the River Walk, and a televised parade with Santa on the last float.
Where: San Antonio | More Info: Ford Holiday River Parade and Lighting Ceremony
Holiday Lights on the River Walk
What to Expect:
Dazzling display of 100,000 lights on the River Walk.
Description:
Over 100,000 lights draped over towering bald cypress trees along the San Antonio River Walk create a spectacular display.
Where: San Antonio | More Info: Holiday Lights on the River Walk
SeaWorld Christmas Celebration
What to Expect:
Largest Christmas light display in Texas.
Description:
SeaWorld San Antonio's Christmas Celebration features Christmas shows, festive foods, Santa Claus, and the largest Christmas light display in Texas, creating a memorable holiday experience.
Where: San Antonio | More Info: SeaWorld Christmas Celebration
Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Fiesta Texas
What to Expect:
Live entertainment and extensive Christmas light displays.
Description:
Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Fiesta Texas features live entertainment, thousands of Christmas lights, visits with Santa Claus, and family-friendly activities.
Where: San Antonio | More Info: Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Fiesta Texas
Ford Fiesta de las Luminarias
What to Expect:
Guided stroll by 2,000 Luminarias along the San Antonio River.
Description:
The Ford Fiesta de las Luminarias features over 2,000 traditional Mexican Christmas lanterns, known as Luminarias, lighting up the San Antonio River Walk. This centuries-old tradition includes holiday lights overhead and Ford Holiday Boat Caroling, creating a serene holiday atmosphere.
Where: San Antonio | More Info: Ford Fiesta de las Luminarias
Holidays on Houston Street
What to Expect:
Extensive holiday lighting and local art installations.
Description:
San Antonio Holidays on Houston Street transforms historic downtown into a vibrant holiday destination with over 400,000 mini-LED lights, family-friendly events, and diverse restaurant offerings.
Where: San Antonio | More Info: Holidays on Houston Street
Windcrest Light Up
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday light display with multimedia elements and themed decorations.
Description:
The Windcrest Light Up is a decades-old tradition where residents decorate their homes with elaborate holiday light displays. The event begins with the Windcrest Dedication Tree Lighting Ceremony, followed by Candy Cane Lane and the official Light-Up Celebration Kickoff. The public can drive through neighborhood streets to view the brightly lit house displays, and the Windcrest Light-Up Contest is held to pick the most beautifully decorated homes in various judging categories.
Where: Windcrest | More Info: Windcrest Light Up
Zoo Lights - San Antonio Zoo
What to Expect:
Dazzling LED light displays and festive music.
Description:
San Antonio Zoo transforms into a dazzling display of lights and music from November 16 to December 31, featuring attractions like the Holiday Express and Water Wonderland.
Where: San Antonio | More Info: Zoo Lights - San Antonio Zoo
Elf Acres
What to Expect:
Synchronized music light show on 3 mega trees.
Description:
Elf Acres offers a 1-mile drive-thru trail of Christmas lights and animated displays, accompanied by a synchronized music light show. Visitors can also explore Santa's Village, take photos with Santa, and enjoy delectable treats and cool light-up toys and gifts.
Where: San Antonio | More Info: Elf Acres
Lights Alive
What to Expect:
Musically synchronized light show with high-energy Christmas songs.
Description:
Lights Alive is a 1-mile drive-thru light show in San Antonio, featuring a musically synchronized display with high-energy Christmas songs. After the drive, visitors can enjoy activities like Santa photos, inflatable axe throwing, holiday crafts, and more in the Winter Wonderland area.
Where: San Antonio | More Info: Lights Alive
Light the Night Christmas Parade - Fredericksburg
What to Expect:
Beautifully illuminated parade with significant community engagement.
Description:
The Light the Night Christmas Parade in Fredericksburg features an illuminated holiday night parade rolling down Main Street, between Washington and Bowie Streets, with a record number of entries and a large audience. H-E-B is the presenting sponsor, and the event includes food, drinks, and Santa at Marktplatz Market Square.
Where: Fredericksburg | More Info: Light the Night Christmas Parade - Fredericksburg
San Antonio Holiday Markets and Shopping
Holiday Market in the Park
What to Expect:
Unique holiday shopping experience with local vendors.
Description:
The 3rd Annual Holiday Market in the Park offers a variety of unique crafts, gift ideas, and holiday-themed items from local artists, crafters, and bakers. Enjoy holiday music, Santa Claus meet-and-greet photo ops, and good food in a festive atmosphere.
Where: San Antonio | More Info: Holiday Market in the Park
Pearl Holiday Night Market
What to Expect:
Local vendors selling festive goods and live holiday music.
Description:
The Pearl Holiday Night Market features over 60 local vendors offering festive goodies, live music, and a Santa Express Mailbox for children to drop off their wish lists.
Where: San Antonio | More Info: Pearl Holiday Night Market
Holidazzle - Schertz
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday celebration with diverse activities.
Description:
Holidazzle in Schertz features Breakfast with Santa, the Kris Kringle Market, and a lighted night parade with winter wonderland activities like ice skating and a snow angel play area.
Where: Schertz | More Info: Holidazzle - Schertz
San Antonio Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Ford Holiday Boat Caroling
What to Expect:
Live Christmas carols performed by various groups from boats on the River Walk.
Description:
Celebrate the timeless tradition of spreading joy with a San Antonio twist by singing holiday carols from a boat on the River Walk. The public is encouraged to enjoy the caroling for free from the banks of the river or while seated on a restaurant patio.
Where: San Antonio | More Info: Ford Holiday Boat Caroling
San Antonio Other Holiday Activities
Holiday Bricktacular at LEGOLAND
What to Expect:
Seasonal build activities and life-size LEGO holiday decorations.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at LEGOLAND Discovery Center San Antonio with seasonal build activities, special appearances, and holiday theming throughout the attraction.
Where: San Antonio | More Info: Holiday Bricktacular at LEGOLAND
Santa's Railroad Wonderland
What to Expect:
Themed train rides with holiday decorations.
Description:
Santa's Railroad Wonderland is a holiday event at the Texas Transportation Museum featuring themed train rides and festive decorations.
Where: San Antonio | More Info: Santa's Railroad Wonderland
Christmas Countryfest - Devine Acres
What to Expect:
Immersive winter wonderland experience with "Texas snow."
Description:
Devine Acres Farm presents Christmas Countryfest, a festive event featuring over 40 acres of attractions, including pre-cut and choose-your-own Christmas trees, live music, "Texas snow," and a variety of activities like Santa visits, food and drinks, and photo ops.
Where: Devine | More Info: Christmas Countryfest - Devine Acres
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- New Braunfels (29 miles)