San Antonio
Holidays on Houston Street Market
The seasonal market will have over 50 vendors, including artisan crafts, treats, candles, and clothing by local artists. Guests can enjoy carolers, photo ops, and holiday lights. A holiday drone show will also happen with views spanning from Legacy Park all the way down Houston Street to the Alamo.
- Dec. 13-15, 2-9 p.m. (market); Dec. 13-14, 7-9 p.m. (drone show)
- Free (admission)
- Houston Street, San Antonio
- www.visitsanantonio.com/holidays/holidays-on-houston
San Antonio Animal Care Services hopes to give hundreds of shelter pets the gift of a family this festive season. Fee-waived adoptions will be offered at the Home for the Howlidays Adoption Fair and Holiday Market at the municipal shelter, with shuttle parking from the nearby Pre-K 4 SA campus at 1235 Enrique M. Barrera Parkway. Guests can enjoy photos with Santa, activities, complimentary gift wrapping, food trucks, a hot cocoa station and more.
- Dec. 14, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Free (admission); $25 (early access at 10 a.m.)
- City Of San Antonio Animal Care Services, 4710 Hwy. 151, San Antonio
- www.sa.gov/Directory/Departments/ACS
La Gran Tamalada is an annual tradition at Historic Market Square hosted by La Familia Cortez Restaurants. Guests will learn the history and traditions of tamales, enjoy storytelling, take photos with Pancho Claus, sample Abuelita hot chocolate, win giveaways and listen to live music.
- Dec. 14-15, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Free (admission)
- Historic Market Square, 514 W. Commerce St., San Antonio
- www.marketsquaresa.com/Whats-Happening
Pullman Market will host a tasting and class on holiday wines, lead by wine manager Mia Altman. The $10 ticket fee will go towards attendees' purchase of 2 or more bottles.
- Dec. 16, 6:30 p.m.
- $10
- Pullman Market, 221 Newell Ave., San Antonio
- www.pullmanmarket.com
"How the Grinch Stole Christmas" will be screening for free at the Pearl. Guests can bring blankets and lawn chairs.
- Dec. 16, 7:30-9 p.m.
- Free (admission)
- Pearl Brewery, 303 Pearl Parkway, San Antonio
- www.atpearl.com
The Fun Run will start and finish at Travis Park, beginning at 6:30 p.m. and will be followed by an after-party at Travis Park, with activities beginning at 5 p.m., with live music, food, ice skating, games, giveaways and a free concert by The Spazmatics at 7 p.m.
- Dec. 17, 5 p.m.; 6:30 p.m. (run starts)
- $40 (5K run/walk); $30 (family run/walk); $35 (athletes with disabilities)
- Travis Park, 301 E. Travis St., San Antonio
- https://tinyurl.com/59hwcc35
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.
- Recurring nightly
- Free
- Downtown San Antonio
- www.visitsanantonio.com/holidays
A Toast to Olde Town in Boerne
Guests can celebrate the town’s heritage with live music, holiday-themed beverages, strolling carolers, shopping and more.
- Dec. 13-15, times vary
- Free (admission)
- Downtown Boerne
- www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075582681493
The Christmas Festival at Enchanted Springs Ranch will feature an immersive walk-through light show, live music, food, activities, laser tag and more.
- Dec. 13, 5-10 p.m.
- $25 (general admission)
- Enchanted Springs Ranch, 242 Hwy. 46 W., Unit C, Boerne
- www.christmaslightfest.com
Lamp making workshop
Pedalisa Art will host a mosaic lamp workshop. Guests will choose their desired lamp type and the quantity online prior to the class.
- Dec. 14, 10 a.m.
- Prices start at $69
- Staybridge Suites Schertz, 5601 Schertz Parkway, Schertz
- www.pedalisaart.com/pages/upcoming-event
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.
- Through Jan. 5, times vary
- $29+
- Retama Park Parking Lot, 1 Retama Parkway, Selma
- www.thelightpark.com
New Braunfels Renaissance Faire
Guests can enjoy the last weekend of the New Braunfels Renaissance Faire with live music, fire spinners, jousters and games with food and beverage vendors at Heritage Village.
- Dec. 13-15; 5-10 p.m. (Friday), 10 a.m.-10 p.m. (Saturday), 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (Sunday)
- $10 (free ages 12 and under)
- Heritage Village, 1370 Church Hill Drive, New Braunfels
- https://www.nbrenfaire.com/
The Shops at Gruene Lake Village will be having a holiday market featuring crafts, food, jewelry, home decor, boutiques, hot cocoa, a Santa letter station and surprise guests.
- Dec. 15, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Free (admission)
- The Shops at Gruene Lake Village, Gruene Lake Drive, New Braunfels
- www.gruenelakevillage.com
Freiheit Country Store will host a holiday market with local vendors and photos with Santa.
- Dec. 15, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Free (admission)
- Freiheit Country Store, 2157 FM 1101, New Braunfels
- www.magictimemarkets.com
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. frontage road, New Braunfels
- www.santasranch.com
Gruene's new ice skating rink is open daily through Jan. 5. The rink is located behind The Pomegranate women’s clothing store. Hot cocoa, cookies and Gruene merchandise will be available for purchase.
- Through 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