San Antonio-area residents looking for something to do during the second week of December will get to choose from Christmas holiday musical performances, markets, plays, pet events and other seasonal festivities. This list is not comprehensive.

Mingle and Jingle

The Alley on Bitters retail center will host Mingle and Jingle, a family-friendly holiday event with refreshments, kids writing letters to Santa Claus and cookie decorating.‘It’s a Wonderful Vida’

Teatro Audaz will present the Texas premiere of “It’s a Wonderful Vida,” a play that takes a darkly satirical look at Mexican-Americans during Christmas in 1957. Set in Corpus Christi, the play revolves around an immigrant family trying to assimilate in American culture only to encounter a mysterious, life-changing visitor from Mexico.
  • Dec. 7-17; Thu.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 5:30 p.m.
  • $15-$35
  • San Antonio College McCreless Theater, 799 W. Dewey Place, San Antonio
  • www.teatroaudaz.com
‘Petra’s Pecado’

Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center will present “Petra’s Pecado,” a comedy about a small-town tortilla factory owner whose efforts to fend off newly arrived business competition take an unexpected turn.Santa in Stone Oak


Santa Claus will visit guests at The Village at Stone Oak retail center. The event will include a mini-parade, entertainment, kids’ holiday crafts and free keepsake photos with Santa. Additionally, attendees are free to donate a new toy for the U.S. Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots.
  • Dec. 9, noon-4 p.m. (parade starts at noon near the old Wells Fargo building, and ends between Carranza Jewelers and Francesca’s)
  • Free (admission)
  • 22502 N. US 281, San Antonio
  • www.facebook.com/villageatstoneoak
Carols in the park

Churchill High School Choir will perform Christmas carols at Hollywood Park’s Voigt Center. There will be refreshments for attendees.
  • Dec. 9, 5-6:30 p.m.
  • Free admission
  • 701 El Portal Drive, Hollywood Park
  • 210-494-2023
Jingle Paws Run

Helotes Humane Society will hold its Jingle Paws Classic 5K Run and Dog Walk benefit. Individuals and groups along with their leashed, vaccinated dogs are welcome to take part. Holiday attire is encouraged. An awards ceremony will follow.Holiday pup party

Camp Bow Wow Live Oak will have holiday festivities, including pet adoption opportunities, free pet microchipping, pet vendors, refreshments and raffle prizes.Photography program


Briscoe Western Art Museum will have “From Glass Plates to Pixels: A History of Photography and Craft Your Own Camera,” a program and pinhole camera workshop. Texas-based fine art photographer Miguel Maltos Gonzales will guide guests on a historical journey of efforts to evolve photography. He’ll then help guests craft their own pinhole camera to take home.
  • Dec. 9, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Admission included with museum admission for nonmuseum members; free for Briscoe members
  • 210 W. Market St., San Antonio
  • www.briscoemuseum.org
Museum holiday market

San Antonio Museum of Art will host a holiday market, featuring 40-plus local vendors offering homemade and handmade products and foods.
  • Dec. 9, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Free admission
  • 200 W. Jones Ave., San Antonio
  • www.samuseum.org
‘The Nutcracker’

San Antonio Youth Ballet, a nonprofit program of the San Antonio Ballet School, will have their annual performances of “The Nutcracker” ballet, with one show featuring a tea brunch fundraiser. SAYB will be accompanied by the South Texas Symphonic Orchestra.Classical holiday music

Musical Bridges Around the World will present Belgian duo violinist Jolente De Maeyer and pianist Nikolaas Kende in “Holidays Gifts,” a performance of works of composers Fritz Kreisler, Franz Schubert and Richard Strauss as well as holiday favorites and new music.
  • Dec. 10, 7 p.m.
  • Free admission (online registration required)
  • San Fernando Cathedral, 115 Main Plaza, San Antonio
  • www.musicalbridges.org
Deck the Paws


San Antonio Botanical Garden will present Deck the Paws, a chance for pet owners to bring their dog to enjoy the garden and its displays, including the ongoing “Lightscape” installation. Attendees may also enjoy a dog costume contest, a pooch parade, a pet vendor market, entertainment and refreshments.
  • Dec. 10, 9 a.m.-noon
  • Admission included with garden admission
  • 555 Funston Place, San Antonio
  • www.sabot.org
Alzafar kids’ Christmas party

Alzafar Shrine will present a Christmas community party, featuring games, refreshments and toys for kids age 12 and younger.
  • Dec. 10, 2-5 p.m.
  • Free admission
  • San Antonio Shrine Auditorium, 901 N. Loop 1604 W., San Antonio
  • RSVP: 210-496-1625
‘Angels Among Us’

University Methodist Church’s chancel choir, orchestra and handbell choir will perform “Angels Among Us,” a program of holiday favorites.Pearl holiday market

Pearl will host a holiday night market with more than 60 local vendors offering various homemade and handmade items and foods. There will also be live music.
  • Dec. 13, 5-9 p.m.
  • Free admission
  • 303 Pearl Parkway, San Antonio
  • www.atpearl.com