San Antonio Christmas Events: Everything You Need to Know for a Jolly December 2025

There’s something extra magical about San Antonio Christmas celebrations in 2025. Think glittering lights on palm trees, tamales for dinner, and carols echoing along the River Walk.

This city doesn’t just decorate for the holidays, it goes full Mariah Carey. From light-studded parades to festive markets and over-the-top experiences, San Antonio Christmas events bring serious cheer to the Lone Star State.

Whether you’re planning a girls’ trip, a family getaway, or just want to feel like you’re living inside a snow globe (but, like, 70 degrees), this guide has all the seasonal sparkle you need. We’ve rounded up the most up-to-date info, local tips, and unforgettable things to do in San Antonio in December 2025.

Grab your peppermint latte and let’s sleigh this season together!

What Are the Best Things to Do During San Antonio Christmas in 2025?

Celebrating San Antonio Christmas in 2025 means diving headfirst into a holiday season packed with lights, music, culture, and cheer. Among the top things to do in San Antonio in December is strolling through the twinkling Pearl District, where artisan markets and live music bring serious festive vibes.

For a more traditional take, head to Historic Market Square on the weekends for folklórico dancing and mariachi performances that feel like a block party with a Christmas twist. Families looking for classic Christmas things to do in San Antonio should lace up their skates at Travis Park’s Ice Rink or enjoy a cozy carriage ride past the city’s glowing landmarks.

Meanwhile, shoppers and culture lovers can hit the Holiday Market at the San Antonio Museum of Art, where local makers, live jazz, and art-filled activities come together. Keep reading to discover even more magical things to do in San Antonio for Christmas this year!

Explore Historic Market Square

One of the most vibrant places to celebrate Historic Market Square during the 2025 holiday season is the weekend entertainment series featuring live music and folklórico dancing. Hosted nearly every Saturday and Sunday through December, this open-air event transforms the plaza into a mini fiesta with a holiday twist.

Located at 514 W Commerce St., it’s the city’s cultural heartbeat with local vendors, seasonal décor, and plenty of photo ops. While the official Christmas event schedule hasn’t been released yet, expect festive performances and community fun—stay tuned for updates!

Stroll Through the Pearl District

The Pearl District goes all in on the holiday vibes with twinkling lights, festive window displays, and its signature weekend Makers Market. From November through December 2025, Pearl’s plaza becomes a one-stop holiday wonderland, featuring local vendors, cultural events, and seasonal music at venues like Jazz TX and Stable Hall.

The community’s beloved “Pearl in Motion” fitness and dance events will likely get a Christmas spin too. Think yoga under the lights and winter dance pop-ups. Full event details for the 2025 season haven’t dropped yet, but this one’s worth bookmarking and checking back for.

Go Ice Skating at Travis Park

During the 2025 holiday season, the iconic ice skating at Travis Park tradition is expected to return under the twinkling lights of downtown San Antonio. In past years, the Rotary Club of San Antonio has hosted this outdoor rink from mid-November through mid-January, making it a must-do winter activity.

The park—nestled at 301 E Travis St.—gets a full-on holiday glow-up, complete with Christmas music and towering light displays. While 2025 opening dates haven’t been confirmed yet, dust off your mittens and keep an eye out for the official announcement.

Take a Festive Carriage Ride

Nothing says old-world holiday charm quite like a carriage ride through downtown San Antonio, especially when it’s offered by Yellow Rose & H.R.H. Carriage Company. Starting near the Hard Rock Café on Crockett Street, these horse-drawn tours cruise past the River Walk, Alamo Plaza, and the city’s most lit-up holiday scenes.

In 2025, look for special themed rides—past years have featured Christmas light tours and romantic holiday routes. Exact holiday ride times haven’t been released yet, but they’re expected to kick off after Thanksgiving. Stay tuned for their seasonal schedule.

Shop the Holiday Market at the San Antonio Museum of Art

The Holiday Market at the San Antonio Museum of Art is set for Saturday, November 30, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the museum’s Luby Courtyard. Over 50 local artists and makers will showcase handcrafted gifts, from jewelry and home décor to folk art and leatherwork.

Live music will fill the air thanks to performances by Jorge and Nicole in the morning and The Dirty River Jazz Band in the afternoon, with family fun like art-making and story time from Magik Theatre in between. It’s a lively, culture-packed event you won’t want to miss if you’re holiday shopping in downtown San Antonio.

What Are the Top San Antonio Christmas Events to Attend in 2025?

If you’re planning your holidays right, San Antonio Christmas events in 2025 are where tradition meets Texas-sized sparkle. This year, Christmas in San Antonio brings back crowd-favorites like Homemade Christmas at The Alamo, where frontier-style festivities come alive.

For something uniquely magical, Christmas at the Caverns lets you experience a dazzling Christmas tree underground—yes, really. Families looking to build unforgettable memories should head to the Holiday Bricktacular at LEGOLAND San Antonio. Or immerse themselves in the full-park transformation at Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Fiesta Texas.

And for lights, music, and marine life dressed in red and green, the SeaWorld San Antonio Christmas Celebration is a can’t-miss spectacular. Read on for everything you need to know to visit San Antonio and make the most of this holiday season!

Experience Homemade Christmas at The Alamo

At the heart of the city, Homemade Christmas at The Alamo offers a deep dive into 1800s Texas holiday traditions. Taking place on Saturday, December 13, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Plaza de Valero, the event features hands-on crafts like yarn dolls and pomander balls.

Moreover, living historians in period attire will demonstrate blacksmithing, leatherwork, carol singing, and even old-fashioned candy making. It provides a rare, interactive glimpse into what Christmas looked like for early Texas settlers.

Explore Christmas at the Caverns

The iconic Natural Bridge Caverns brings the underground to life with Christmas at the Caverns, one of the most visually stunning holiday attractions in Texas. Guests will experience Christmas lights woven through ancient cave formations, plus surface-level festivities including campfires, carolers, and hayrides.

The event is set to include a Christmas Village and the 5k Night Run on December 10, 2025, along the illuminated Hayride Route. While full details are still unfolding, the massive underground Christmas tree centerpiece is always a must-see. Stay tuned for more updates!

Join the Holiday Bricktacular at LEGOLAND San Antonio

The beloved Holiday Bricktacular at LEGOLAND San Antonio transforms the Discovery Center into a mini winter LEGO-land each year with builds, decor, and Santa photo ops. While the official 2025 event schedule hasn’t been released yet, past years have featured holiday-themed LEGO build zones, scavenger hunts, and festive workshops perfect for kids aged 3–10.

In addition, expect MINILAND San Antonio to be decked out with intricate seasonal touches. Keep an eye on LEGOLAND Discovery Center’s site for exact dates and surprise additions!

Celebrate Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Fiesta Texas

San Antonio’s biggest thrill park turns festive during Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Fiesta Texas, where millions of lights, themed rides, and live holiday shows take over the grounds. While the 2025 dates have not been officially confirmed, previous years ran select dates from late November to late December.

Expect the return of holiday attractions like Candy Cane Lane, Looney Tunes Meet & Greets, and The Majesty of Christmas musical. Check back soon as the 2025 lineup is expected to bring even more new surprises!

Enjoy SeaWorld San Antonio Christmas Celebration

Every year, SeaWorld San Antonio Christmas Celebration dazzles guests with Texas-sized lights, festive performances, and holiday-themed experiences. Running from November 14 through January 5, 2026, it boasts the largest Christmas light display in the state. Plus favorites like “O Wondrous Night,” Merry Mariachis, and meet-and-greets with Rudolph and Santa.

Cowboy Santa, complete with boots and a hat, makes an appearance for those one-of-a-kind family photos. With seasonal treats and interactive shows, it’s the perfect blend of marine magic and holiday cheer.

What Can You Expect From the San Antonio Riverwalk Christmas Experience This Year?

The 2025 San Antonio Riverwalk Christmas experience is full of festive cheer and sparkling views. It begins with the Ford Holiday River Parade and Lighting Ceremony on November 28 at 6 PM. This event features 27 themed floats and thousands of twinkling lights.

Afterward, the Holiday Lights on the San Antonio River Walk shine nightly through January 13, 2026. From December 12 to 23, join in on the fun with Ford Holiday Boat Caroling or enjoy it from a patio along the river walk.

It’s a joyful, music-filled celebration that brings the holidays to life. Expect dazzling sights, live entertainment, and waterfront cheer at every turn!

Photo Credit: San Antonio Zoo [/caption]

Where and When Can You See How The Grinch Stole Christmas San Antonio in 2025?

The 2025 How The Grinch Stole Christmas San Antonio experience takes place at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa. This immersive attraction is expected to return in late November and run through early January 2026.

Walk through 10 scenes carved from 2 million pounds of ice, including Who-ville, the Grinch’s lair, and a glowing Nativity. The event also includes ice tubing, scavenger hunts, and a festive breakfast with the Grinch himself.

Additionally, it will be hosted at 23808 Resort Parkway, just outside the city center. Exact dates and ticket details will be announced closer to the season, so stay tuned for updates.

Where Are the Best Christmas Lights San Antonio Displays Happening This Holiday Season?

If you’re looking for the most dazzling Christmas Lights San Antonio has to offer in 2025, you’re in for a seriously bright holiday season. The Zoo Lights at San Antonio Zoo will transform the zoo into a glowing winter escape.

Over at the Old West Christmas Light Fest in Boerne, explore a lit-up frontier town, laser tag under the stars, and snap free photos with Santa. The Windcrest Light Up tradition kicks off November 12 and turns the entire neighborhood into a storybook-inspired wonderland.

And while dates haven’t been announced yet, the 39th Annual Light the Way Holiday Festival at UIW promises over a million lights and a fireworks finale. Keep reading to discover which light displays you can’t miss this year!

Experience Zoo Lights at San Antonio Zoo

The Zoo Lights at San Antonio Zoo will return from November 15 through December 31, 2025, lighting up the grounds at 3903 N. St. Mary’s Street. Powered by CPS Energy, this event features themed zones such as Fa La La Flamingos, Cowboy’s Christmas Trail, Peppermint Path, and Starry Safari.

Explore interactive displays, seasonal music, and holiday decorations spread across the entire zoo. Evening visits offer cooler temps and ideal lighting conditions to enjoy the full effect of the illuminated walkways and exhibits.

Celebrate the 39th Annual Light the Way Holiday Festival

The 39th Annual Light the Way Holiday Festival will once again take over the University of the Incarnate Word’s campus at 4301 Broadway Street. Though exact dates and times for 2025 have not yet been announced, the event is expected to return in late November.

Past festivals have included a holiday market, food trucks, live performances, a Kids’ Corner, and a fireworks finale. The lighting of over one million twinkling lights across the campus remains the main draw for visitors.

Step Into the Old West Christmas Light Fest

The Old West Christmas Light Fest runs from November 28 to December 23, 2025, at Enchanted Springs Ranch in Boerne, Texas. You’ll find classic Western holiday charm, light displays, laser tag under the stars, mechanical bull rides. And nightly appearances from Santa.

The event runs Fridays through Sundays until December 14, then nightly from December 19 to 23. Located at 242 State Hwy 46 W, this event blends small-town Texas nostalgia with big light-show energy.

Discover Windcrest Light Up

The 2025 Windcrest Light Up launches on November 12 with a Dedication Tree Lighting Ceremony at Jim Seal and Crestway. The season continues with themed events like Candy Cane Lane, Bike Night, the HO-HO-HO Market, and a Light-Up Kickoff Celebration at 8601 Midcrown Drive on December 6.

This year’s theme, “A Storybook Christmas,” encourages residents to decorate with literary flair, turning entire streets into scenes from beloved tales. Don’t miss the chance to drive through and view the neighborhood displays!

What Are the San Antonio Christmas FAQs?

Are There Any Christmas San Antonio Hotel Packages?

You don’t have to chase down Christmas Hawaii hotel packages to score serious savings! With Tripster, you can bundle top attractions and hotels for up to 48% off, taking the stress out of holiday planning.

One of the best steals this season is the SeaWorld San Antonio Hotel Package, which offers a massive 48% discount when you book your stay and tickets together. You can also dive into the Aquatica San Antonio + Hotel Package, saving up to 37% without cutting corners on fun.

These bundles make it easy to plan a getaway that’s both memorable and budget-friendly. Skip the endless searching and let Tripster handle the holiday magic!

What Christmas San Antonio Vacation Packages Are Available?

No, you don’t have to splurge to enjoy Christmas San Antonio Vacation Packages that feel five-star. Tripster lets you bundle two attractions tickets together for up to 53% off.

No coupon hunting required. That means more holiday lights, less budget stress. The savings stack fast when you build your own adventure. Make this season the one where you see more and spend less!

SeaWorld Aquarium San Antonio – Combo Tickets

Save up to 53% with the SeaWorld Aquarium San Antonio – Combo Tickets and get double the marine magic for less. Dive into unforgettable aquatic encounters while keeping your holiday budget on track.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! San Antonio + SEA LIFE San Antonio

Save up to 40% with the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! San Antonio + SEA LIFE San Antonio combo and explore the weird and wonderful in one exciting day. Perfect for curious minds and thrill-seekers who want big experiences without the big price tag.

Aquatica San Antonio + Caverns at Natural Bridge Combo Tickets

Save up to 39% with the Aquatica San Antonio + Caverns at Natural Bridge Combo and experience splash-worthy fun plus underground adventure. It’s the ultimate above-and-below-ground holiday pairing your whole group will remember.

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So, What’s My Next Move?

With so many San Antonio Christmas experiences happening in 2025, now is the time to start making real plans and not just pinning ideas. The variety of San Antonio Christmas events means there’s something for every type of traveler.

Begin by locking in your dates, then use Tripster to book attraction tickets and hotels all in one place. It’s a streamlined way to bundle top experiences and take advantage of exclusive offers.

Planning ahead also helps avoid sellouts, especially for high-demand events. Make this the year you skip the stress and celebrate smart!