Nov 24, 2024 - Things to Do
Holiday guide: Festive things to do around San Antonio this winter
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Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios
Holiday cheer has arrived in San Antonio in the form of light shows, musicals, skating rinks and pop-up bars.
The big picture: Here are some of our favorite things to do in the Alamo City this time of year:
🎄 Holiday light displays
Twinkling lights on the River Walk are synonymous with holidays in San Antonio. The famous lights power on this season on Friday in conjunction with the Ford Holiday River Parade.
- Extend the downtown fun by checking out the second year of Holidays on Houston Street, which is returning with lights, music and more, starting Friday and lasting through Jan. 2.
- Check out Classic Christmas, a new immersive light display at Toyota Field, until Dec. 29.
- Don't forget the classics like Zoo Lights (open until Dec. 31) and the Old West Christmas Light Fest, which runs Friday through Dec. 1, Dec. 6-8 and Dec. 13-23.
🍸 Holiday pop-up bars
Make spirits bright with a stop at one of San Antonio's festive spots.
- The Holiday Hideaway is open at Chicken N Pickle until Dec. 31.
- Hard Rock Cafe's Candy Cane Cantina will be open Friday through mid-January.
- Elsewhere will host its annual Grinchmas pop-up — this year with a wonderland twist — starting tomorrow and running through Jan. 1.
- Miracle, a national network of holiday pop-up bars, will be at Esquire again this year until Dec. 31.
- Blitzen Bar is opening on Friday at Omni La Mansión del Rio with a menu of fun drinks crafted by star mixologist Julie Reiner.
- Krampus' Cove will pop up at Three Star Bar for the first time Dec. 6-25 for a darker twist on holiday happenings.
⛸️ Ice-skating
There's no denying the winter magic of outdoor ice-skating. Check out our local offerings:
- The Rotary Ice Rink returned to Travis Park and will be open until Jan. 5.
- The inaugural Winterfest at The Rock at La Cantera features an outdoor ice-skating rink and holiday market on Friday and Saturday nights. It opens tomorrow and lasts through Jan. 6.
🎭 Christmas shows
Watch the holiday spirit come to life on stage with these performances:
- Catch "The Velveteen Rabbit" at The Magik Theatre through Dec. 29.
- San Pedro Playhouse will present "A Christmas Carol" Friday through Dec. 22.
- See "The Nutcracker" at the Tobin Center Dec. 6-8 and Dec. 13-15, at the Lila Cockrell Theatre Nov. 30-Dec. 1, or at the Majestic Theatre Dec. 27-28.
- Ride along on "The Polar Express" at Charline McCombs Empire Theatre, Dec. 6-8.