Holiday markets, pet adoption opportunities and Santa Claus parading around Hollywood Park are among the featured events scheduled the weekend before Christmas.
Dec. 15-16
Centro San Antonio presents Paseo Market on Houston, featuring artisan vendors with pop-up performances, DJ sets, and prize giveaways on Thursdays and Fridays through Dec. 23. 5-8 p.m. Free admission. Market is along the Frost Tower promenade, East Houston Street between North Flores Street and San Pedro Creek. www.centrosanantonio.org
Dec. 16-18
Alamo City Arts present its 30th production of Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet “The Nutcracker” with Alamo City Symphony Viva performing in each show. 7 p.m. (Dec. 16 sensory-friendly performance), 2 and 7 p.m. (Dec. 17-18). Tickets start at $20. San Antonio College McAllister Auditorium, 1300 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio. www.alamocityperformingartsassociation.com/nutcracker-ticket-information.html
Dec. 17
Hollywood Park Community Association encourages residents to greet Santa Claus, who will ride a Hollywood Park fire truck around town. Residents may also visit the city’s Memorial Park for refreshments and photos with Santa. The parade starts at 10 a.m. at City Hall, 2 Mecca Place, ending at City Hall; photos with Santa begin at 11 a.m. at Memorial Park at the corner of Sunway and Mecca drives. www.hpcatx.com
Dec. 17
San Antonio group The TubaMeisters perform classic holiday songs in a public concert. Noon. Free. Arneson River Theatre, 418 Villita St., San Antonio. www.thetubameisters.com
Dec. 17
The Downtown Dog Market, featuring several vendors with attire, toys, accessories, food and treats for pups, will take place along with a doggy holiday costume contest and a visit from Santa Paws. There will also be refreshments for humans. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free admission. Legacy Park, 103 W. Houston St., San Antonio. www.dogfriendlysanantonio.com/
Dec. 17
K9 Cafe Boutique and Spa will offer opportunities for pet photos with Santa Claus. All animals are welcome. Service is first come, first served. Noon-4:30 p.m. Free admission ($7 per printed photo). www.k9cafesa.com
Dec. 17-18
San Antonio Chamber Choir and singers from the Children’s Chorus of San Antonio will present “El Mesías,” or “Messiah,” based on composers George Frederic Handel’s masterwork. Interspersed throughout the program will include traditional Mexican carols as well as Steven Sametz’s Los Pastores. 8 p.m. (Dec. 17), 3 p.m. (Dec. 18). $30 (discounts for military and seniors). Immaculate Conception Memorial Chapel, 285 Oblate Drive, San Antonio. www.sachamberchoir.org
Dec. 18
Arbor Park Weekend Market will have a holiday market at Travis Park, featuring special guest characters, photos with Santa, ice skating, refreshments and children’s activities. 3-9 p.m. Free admission. 301 Travis St., San Antonio. www.facebook.com/theweekendmarketatarborpark
Dec. 18
Spay-Neuter-Inject-Protect San Antonio will have pet adoption opportunities at Whole Earth Provision Co. Noon-4 p.m. Free. Alamo Quarry Market, 255 E. Basse Road, San Antonio. www.snipsa.org
Dec. 19-21
San Antonio Center for Refugee Services is hosting its annual toy drive benefiting refugee families living across the San Antonio area. The center is accepting donations of toys for children ages 0-18 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The center says basic toy donations are best, and urges donors to avoid battery-operated electronics, books or toys that require English-language proficiency, and any violent themes or reference to military or weaponry. Congregation Agudas Achim and National Council of Jewish Women secured $1,500 to buy more than 2,000 pairs of underwear that will also be distributed to Afghan children served by the center as part of a community project called “Undies for Kids.” Dec. 19: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Dec. 20 and 21: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. 7420 Huebner Road, Leon Valley. 210-949-0062. www.sarefugees.org
Dec. 21
Pearl will host the eighth Chanukah at Pearl celebration in collaboration with Young & Jewish San Antonio, Rabbi Eli Block, musician Yaakov Chesed and chef Jason Goldblum. Guests are invited to gather near the shopping complex’s shaded structure and enjoy the lighting of the menorah and a special message from Block. Guests will also be able to experience traditional Chanukah music and kosher foods. The menorah at Pearl will be on display at the shade structure through Dec. 26. 6-8 p.m. Free. 303 Pearl Parkway, San Antonio. www.atpearl.com
