An ice exhibit, holiday markets, a new ice rink in Gruene and a Christmas drive-thru light show are just a few festive events to check out. This list is not comprehensive.

San Antonio

Rotary Ice Rink at Travis Park

The Rotary Ice Rink will return at Travis Park in downtown San Antonio.
  • Nov. 15-Jan. 5, times vary
  • $15 (general admission)
  • Travis Park, 300 E. Travis St., San Antonio
  • www.rotaryicerink.com
Coca Cola’s Classic Christmas

The Christmas experience will run Nov. 22 to Dec. 29 and features a 55,000-square-foot section of Christmas lights, sculptures and interactive Coca Cola displays. Guests can ice skate, shop, visit Santa and Mrs. Claus, as well as enjoy other activities.ICE!


The holiday exhibit will feature 20,000 square feet of over 10 immersive tunnels, arches and slides made of ice from scenes and characters of Dr. Seuss’ "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." 40 master ice artisans from Harbin, China, will dedicate nearly 40 days to hand-sculpting the attraction.
ICE! will feature 20,000 square feet of over 10 immersive tunnels, arches and slides made of ice from scenes and characters of Dr. Seuss’ "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" (Courtesy ICE!)
45th annual Christmas Showcase

The holiday shopping event will host over 300 vendors where shoppers can expect a wide selection of items. Attendees can also expect holiday-themed food, workshops, wine and more. Children can enjoy a visit with Santa and other activities in the kids zone.
  • Nov. 23, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Nov. 24, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • $10 (general admission)
  • Freeman Coliseum Expo Hall, 3201 E. Houston St., San Antonio
  • www.christmasshowcase.com
The Rock at La Cantera Winterfest

The Spurs-affiliated entertainment park will host its first holiday event featuring ice skating, a holiday market, photos with Santa and other holiday activities. There will be movie nights and seasonal drinks to purchase.Ford Holiday River Parade

The 43rd annual Ford Holiday River Parade will bring illuminated floats and over 100,000 holiday lights to the San Antonio River Walk. The lights will remain on the River Walk until the weekend after the start of the new year.Ford Holiday Boat Caroling on the River Walk


Friends and family will be able to spread joy this holiday season by caroling on a river boat at the San Antonio River Walk. Boat capacity is for 12 people. Registration starts at the International Building, 203 S. St. Mary's St., San Antonio.Santa’s Wonderland

Families will be able to take free photos with Santa, make crafts, enjoy a petting zoo and a bouncy house at Tuscany Center next to the Stone Oak Plaza retail center.Holiday weekends at Historic Market Square

Starting Dec. 8, guests can enjoy live music and shop local vendors' food and artisan booths during select weekends in December. Photos and letters with Santa will also be available.Boerne

Old West Christmas Light Fest


The Christmas Festival at Enchanted Springs Ranch will feature an immersive walk-through light show, live music, food, activities, laser tag and more.
  • Select dates starting Nov. 29-Dec. 3, 5-10 p.m.
  • $25 (general admission)
  • Enchanted Springs Ranch, 242 Hwy. 46 W., Unit C, Boerne
  • www.christmaslightfest.com
Dickens on Main

This Thanksgiving weekend, downtown Boerne will transform into a vintage holiday wonderland, featuring snow, Christmas lights, activities, live music, entertainment and food vendors. The event is part of Holidays in Boerne, which includes three other holiday-themed events through late December.Northeast

The Light Park

The drive-thru holiday light show returns to offer an array of Christmas lights and decorations. Trips through the light park feature holiday music.Nighthawk Winterfest


Northeast Lakeview College will have a winter-themed event for all ages. The Nighthawk Winterfest will feature photos with Santa, vendors, food trucks, games, activities and alpacas.Holidazzle

The city of Schertz will host its annual holiday event Dec. 7, which kicks off with breakfast with Santa. Families can shop at the Kris Kringle Market or take a ride down Mt. Schertz snow hill and ice skate. Festivities will end with the Festival of Angels night parade.
  • Dec. 7, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
  • Free (Breakfast with Santa tickets are $10)
  • Hal Baldwin Municipal Complex, 1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz
  • www.schertz.com
Christmas at the Caverns

Natural Bridge Caverns will have a Christmas experience for families for eight select nights, with Christmas caroling, a trail of lights, s’mores, hot chocolate, Santa and Mrs. Claus, as well as a Reindeer Roundup Maze.
  • Dec. 7, 4:30-9 p.m.
  • Tickets start at $24.99 (adults), $18.99 (children)
  • Natural Bridge Caverns, 26495 Natural Bridge Caverns Road, San Antonio
  • www.naturalbridgecaverns.com
New Braunfels

Weihnachtsmarkt


The annual Christmas market, which benefits the Sophienburg Museum & Archives, will have breakfast and photos with Santa as well as arts and crafts.Downtown lighting and Santa’s arrival

Christmas lights will light up Main Plaza as Santa Claus arrives in a fire truck at 6:30 p.m. There will be remarks from the mayor, a performance from the Comal Community Band and photo opportunities with Santa.Ice skating in Gruene

A new ice skating rink—Gruene Ice Rink—will open for the first time beginning Nov. 23 and lasting into the first week of January. The 100-by-40-foot rink will be open daily through Jan. 5, just behind The Pomegranate women's clothing store. Skate rentals start at $18. Hot cocoa, cookies and Gruene merchandise will be available.
  • Nov. 23-Jan. 5, 3-10 p.m. (Mon.-Thu.); 10 a.m.-10.p.m. (Fri-Sat.) (until 11 p.m. when school is out on Fridays and Saturdays)
  • $18 (skate rental)
  • Gruene, 1613 Hunter Road, New Braunfels
  • www.gruenetexas.com/rink
The Polar Express Experience

“The Polar Express” will be screening at the Brauntex Performing Arts Theatre. Children will receive a golden ticket, and there will also be a photo opportunity with Santa Claus before the movie.
  • Nov. 24, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
  • $11-$24
  • The Brauntex Performing Arts Theatre, 290 W. San Antonio St., New Braunfels
  • www.brauntex.org
Hope Hospice’s 39th Annual Tree of Lights

Santa will light a 65-foot-tall tree at New Braunfels MarketPlace. Guests can enjoy live music and holiday-themed drinks and snacks. The Light Up a Life campaign will honor deceased loved ones by shining a light to keep their memory alive.Wassailfest

The annual event will have local businesses and nonprofit organizations compete for the best wassail, a traditional hot, spiced cider. Attendees can visit vendor booths and listen to Christmas carols while tasting and voting on the best wassail recipe.New Braunfels Renaissance Faire

The New Braunfels Renaissance Faire is back for its second year at the Heritage Society of New Braunfels. The two-weekend event will feature a troupe of jousters, viking group matches, glassblowers, blacksmiths, candlemakers, food vendors and other performances.
  • Dec. 6-8 and 13-15, 5-10 p.m. (Friday); 10 a.m.-10 p.m. (Saturday); 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (Sunday)
  • $12 (early online sale), $15 (general admission), free (children under 12)
  • Heritage Society of New Braunfels, 1370 Church Hill Drive, New Braunfels
  • www.nbrenfaire.com
Gruene Town Lighting

A brass band street performance will play at 5 p.m. followed by the town lighting at 6 p.m., when Cowboy Kringle will ride into town on horseback and hand out candy canes to children.Breakfast with The Grinch

The Grinch will be visiting Landa Haus for breakfast, crafts and Grinch-themed cookie decorating. Photo opportunities will also be available.
  • Dec. 7, 8-11:30 a.m.
  • $15 (registration required)
  • Landa Haus, 360 Aquatic Circle, New Braunfels
  • www.newbraunfels.gov
Christmas Market at Historic Old Town

The New Braunfels Conservation Society will host its annual Christmas market, which will have a variety of gift baskets and other items.Santa’s Ranch

Drive through over a mile-long trail of 2.5 million Christmas lights and animated displays at Santa’s Ranch. Guests will be able to enjoy hot cocoa, kettle corn and snacks.
  • Through Jan. 4, 6-10 p.m. (Sun.-Thu.), 6-11 p.m. (Fri.-Sat.)
  • $37+
  • Santa’s Ranch, 9561 I-35 N., New Braunfels
  • www.santasranch.com