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Holiday Cocoa Cruise

Daily, Monday, December 1 thru Monday, December 22

Departures various times between 6:15 PM & 9:15 PM

GO RIO River Cruises, 202 E Nueva

"Cozy up and celebrate this season with a cup of hot cocoa as you glide through the stunning holiday lights along the Riverwalk. Enjoy festive music, twinkling lights, and the warmth of the holidays—all from the comfort of a GO RIO riverboat. Make it a tradition to remember with family and friends. Ticket includes: 50-minute river cruise through the downtown route, hot chocolate, holiday music, and a sarape blanket for an additional fee."

Skate the City

Friday, November 28 through Saturday, January 3

Various times

Hemisfair, E César E Chávez & S Alamo

"In partnership with the San Antonio Parks Foundation, skate the season at Civic Park’s festive synthetic ice rink, surrounded by lights, music, and holiday cheer. Tickets are $15 with rentals included."

Christmas Island Holiday Bar

Daily, through Sunday, January 11

Various times

Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville, 849 E Commerce

"This holiday season, trade snowflakes for sea breezes and let your heart escape to Christmas Island, where the warmth of the islands meets the magic of the holidays... Margaritaville San Antonio transforms into glowing coastal wonderlands filled with twinkling lights, tropical cheer, and the feeling that maybe… you’ve found a new holiday tradition. Sip your way through festive island cocktails like the Sleigh Ride or Beachside Grinch. Get ready to unwrap this year’s surprise: the new Secret Santa drink that comes with a side of holiday cheer..."

Holiday Sights and Festive Nights Tour

Daily, thru January 3

6:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Old Town Trolley Tours, 111 W Houston outside of the Frost Tower Building

"Get ready for a one-of-a-kind holiday experience in San Antonio! Climb aboard our festively decorated trolley and join us for a joyful sing-along tour through the beautifully lit streets of downtown. Perfect for families, friends, and anyone looking to soak in the holiday cheer, this 45-minute trolley ride is filled with classic carols, twinkling lights, and festive fun. Journey through Travis Park, home to the city’s Christmas tree, ice skating rink, and a variety of holiday vendor stands and activities. You’ll enjoy the sights and sounds of San Antonio’s cheerful holiday scene..."

Photos with Santa

Select days through December 24

5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Tower of the Americas, 739 E César E Chávez

"Capture the joy of the season with a photo with Santa... Enjoy all the winter wonderland fun: Meet Santa Claus; Hot cocoa & hot cider; Holiday music; Gingerbread house contest & More. All ages welcome..."

Holidays at Hemisfair Gift Market

Saturday, November 29

12:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Civic Park, 210 S Alamo

"Organized by Galaxy Productions and curated by SA Local Market, this festive outdoor event will showcase more than 60 local vendors offering one-of-a-kind gifts! From handcrafted jewelry and artisan goods to delicious treats by cottage bakers, chocolatiers, and more. Experience the magic of the season at Hemisfair while supporting San Antonio’s vibrant community of small businesses and makers."

Christmas Tree Lighting at The Alamo

Saturday, November 29

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

The Alamo, 300 Alamo Plaza

"Delight in the magic of the holiday season at the Shrine of Texas Liberty with the lighting of the Alamo Christmas Tree. Join us after hours in Alamo Plaza to experience the iconic site decorated for the holiday season – from the traditional Christmas tree on the Plaza to festive lights illuminating Plaza de Valero. Visiting the Alamo during this time of the year is a must-see for all Texans! Please note the Alamo Church and grounds will not be open during this event."

HEB Christmas Tree Lighting

Friday, November 28

4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Travis Park, 300 E Travis

"Kick-off the holiday festivities with us at the Annual H-E-B Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at Travis Park! Festivities begin at 4pm and include live entertainment, food trucks, letters to Santa, giveaways, holiday crafts, and a special visit from Santa! The tree lighting ceremony begins at 6pm. This event is free and open to the public."

The Nutcracker Ballet

Saturday, November 29 and Sunday, November 30

11:00 AM & 7:30 PM Sat., 2:00 PM Sun.

Jo Long Theatre at The Carver, 226 N Hackberry

"San Antonio Dance proudly presents its annual production of The Nutcracker Ballet – a timeless classic that has enchanted audiences for generations. Join us for this magical performance filled with dazzling costumes, unforgettable music, and the joy of the holiday season. Perfect for families and audiences of all ages. The Nutcracker is sure to brighten your holidays and create memories to last a lifetime."

LUNA - A Journey to the Moon

Fridays through Mondays, through Sunday, January 4

Various times - 10:00 AM thru 6:40 PM

Shops at Rivercenter, 849 E Commerce

"Prepare for liftoff with Luna, a new experience that redefines the way we explore the stars. Step into the role of a real astronaut—from pre-flight training and countdown launch sequences to the breathtaking lunar landing itself. Guided by authentic astronaut audio and cinematic visuals, you’ll orbit Earth, navigate through space, and take humanity’s first steps on the Moon. Feel the weightlessness, the silence, and the wonder of standing on another world. Luna is more than virtual reality—it’s a journey across space and time..."

Holiday Movies by Moonlight

Tuesday, December 2

6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Civic Park, 210 S Alamo

"Kick off the holiday season with Elf under the stars! Enjoy this festive favorite as part of our Holiday Movies by Moonlight series, presented by the City of San Antonio Center City Development & Operations Department. Enjoy free Downtown Tuesday parking in city-owned lots after 5:00 PM and grab to-go items from Hemisfair businesses before the movie begins!" Starring Will Ferrell, James Caan, Bob Newhart, Edward Asner, Mary Steenburgen and Zooey Deschanel.

SABF's Get Lit Event with Skip Hollandsworth

Wednesday, December 3

6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Texas Public Radio Malú and Carlos Alvarez Theatre, 321 W Commerce

"In partnership with Texas Public Radio, San Antonio Book Festival will host author Skip Hollandsworth for his new book 'She Kills: The Murderous Socialite, the Cross-Dressing Bank Robber, and Other True Crime Tales'. This event is free and open to the public. Registration is recommended so that we may gauge attendance. Walk-ins are welcomed. Author signing to follow with book sales provided by Nowhere Bookshop..."

Arts & Entertainment Events

LNF Weekly publishes a free weekly newsletter that alerts you to all the arts and entertainment events going on in the neighborhood and the broader downtown area, by which we mean everything from The Pearl to Lone Star. Each newsletter covers more than one hundred events, including art gallery openings, live music, festivals, and theater.

In addition, on this page, we highlight a dozen or so events coming up soon that we think you might especially enjoy. We update this list every day to keep it current.

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