San Antonio
H-E-B Christmas tree lighting at Travis Park
Starting at 4 p.m., the annual tree lighting event will have food trucks, live entertainment, letters to Santa, a free movie screening of “Home Alone 2”, holiday crafts and giveaways. VIA will be offering complimentary rides to and from the tree lighting ceremony.
- Nov. 29, 4 p.m.; 6 p.m. (tree lighting)
- Free (admission)
- Travis Park, 301 E. Travis St., San Antonio
- https://www.facebook.com/travisparksa
The classic holiday tale of the Velveteen Rabbit will be showing at The Magik Theatre. The story follows the journey of a shy velveteen toy rabbit who longs to become real.
- Nov. 23-Dec. 29, times vary
- $20-$25, free (children 2 years old and under)
- Magik Theatre, 420 S. Alamo St., San Antonio
- www.magiktheatre.org
Holiday lights on the San Antonio River Walk will turn on Nov. 29. Guests will be able to see the lights for free until Jan. 12.
- Nov. 29, recurring nightly
- Free
- Downtown, San Antonio
- www.visitsanantonio.com/holidays/
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.
- Nov. 29, 6-9 p.m.
- Free (some viewing areas require ticket purchase)
- San Antonio River Walk, San Antonio
- www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com
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
Guests will be able to shop from local businesses vendors at Painted Tree Boutique. Painted Tree Boutique offers a unique shopping experience from small business owners all under one roof.
- Nov. 30, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Free (admission)
- Painted Tree Boutique, 522 Northwest Loop 410, Ste. 211, San Antonio
- www.facebook.com/paintedtreesanantonio
The San Antonio Botanical Garden will illuminate its gardens with light displays made up of hundreds of handcrafted lanterns as well as flower and animal sculptures.
- Runs through Jan. 12, 5:30-9 p.m.
- $23-$30 (adults), $18-$21 (children ages 3-12)
- San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston Place, San Antonio
- www.sabot.org/illuminate/
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
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.
- Nov. 29-30, noon-9 p.m.
- Free (admission)
- Main Plaza, 100 N. Main St., Boerne
- www.holidaysinboerne.com
Pure Country BBQ and Grill will be hosting its inaugural Christmas market. There will be local business vendors, live music and photos with Santa.
- Nov. 30, noon-6 p.m.
- Free (admission)
- Pure Country BBQ and Grill, 1481 S. Main St., Boerne
- www.purecountryboerne.com
Movie night at Ghoulish Books
Ghoulish Books hosts a free movie screening on the last Saturday every month. The movie title is kept secret until showtime. The bookstore also sells snacks and drinks.
- Nov. 30, 7:30-10:30 p.m.
- Free (admission)
- Ghoulish Books, 9330 Corporate Drive., Ste. 702, Selma
- www.facebook.com/GhoulishBooks
The drive-thru holiday light show features an array of Christmas lights, decorations and holiday music. Guests are able to purchase holiday-themed drinks and snacks to enjoy the show.
- Nov. 1-Jan. 5, times vary
- $29+
- Retama Park Parking Lot, 1 Retama Parkway, Selma
- www.thelightpark.com
Guests can shop from local small business vendors at The Mill Boutique & Mercantile. The first 50 guests will receive a free swag bag.
- Nov. 30, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
- Free (admission)
- The Mill Boutique & Mercantile, 200 N. Main St., Cibolo
- www.facebook.com/TheMillBoutique
Ice skating in Gruene
A new ice skating rink—Gruene Ice Rink—will open for the first time beginning Nov. 23 and last 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 Comal Cops for Kids 16th annual Gruene Turkey Trot begins in front of Gruene Hall in New Braunfels and features a 5K Run and Walk and a quarter-mile Kid's Turkey Chase, with in-person registration available on race day.
- Nov. 28, 8 a.m.
- $15 (quarter-mile Kid's Turkey Chase), $25 (5K run and walk)
- 1601 Hunter Road, New Braunfels
- www.athleteguild.com
Five Stones Artisan Brewery will have a Christmas market featuring local vendors, a kids craft market, live music from Colton’s Kin and face painting. The brewery will release its special holiday brew: Merry Christmas.
- Dec. 1, noon
- Free admission (RSVP required)
- Five Stones Artisan Brewery, 11335 FM1863, New Braunfels
- www.5stonesbrewery.com
