Christmas concerts, plays, holiday shopping events and pet adoptions will dominate the community activities scheduled around San Antonio from Dec. 14-19.

Blattman Elementary School concert

Kindergarteners along with first, second and fifth grade students at Blattman Elementary School will put on a holiday music and dance performance.

  • Dec. 14, 6 p.m.
  • Free admission
  • Blattman campus cafeteria, 3300 N. Loop 1604 W., San Antonio
  • 210-397-4600

‘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. 14-17; 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.

'La Gran Posada'



Little Flower Basilica will host a performance of "La Gran Posada," an annual retelling of the biblical story of Joseph and Mary’s search for a safe haven where Jesus was born. This will include a medley of Hispanic Christmas songs, invocations to the Virgin Mary and traditional Christmas songs from around the world. The audience is invited to join a procession.

‘The Nutcracker’

The San Antonio Youth Ballet, a nonprofit program of the San Antonio Ballet School, will have its annual performances of “The Nutcracker” ballet. The SAYB will be accompanied by the South Texas Symphonic Orchestra.

‘A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story’

Public Theater of San Antonio will present “A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story,” a musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’s classic tale with spoken word and American Sign Language shadow performances.

  • Dec. 15-16, 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 17, 2 p.m.
  • Tickets: $20-$50
  • 800 W. Ashby Place, San Antonio
  • www.thepublicsa.org

Pit bulls up for adoption

Alamo City Pit Bull Rescue will offer pet adoption opportunities. Also, the host venue will donate 10% of sales proceeds to ACPBR.

‘Folkloric Nutcracker’



The San Antonio Philharmonic will continue its tradition of presenting the former San Antonio Symphony’s Holiday Pops concerts with an original adaptation of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” ballet, set in San Antonio. The show will include performances by the Youth Orchestras of San Antonio, the San Antonio Ballet School and local rock band Buttercup.

  • Dec. 16, 6 p.m.
  • Tickets: $30-$65
  • The Espee, 1174 E. Commerce St., San Antonio
  • www.saphil.org

Bexar County offers adoptable animals

The Bexar County Animal Facility will host a variety of pet adoption opportunities.

  • Dec. 16, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
  • Free admission
  • 1948 Probandt St., San Antonio
  • 210-209-5687

Downtown Dog Market

Dog Guide San Antonio will present a pet- and family-friendly monthly market with various vendors selling pet apparel, accessories, food, treats and other products. In December, there will also be music, pet adoption opportunities, and a holiday costumed dog parade and contest, which will benefit San Antonio’s Puppy Food Bank. Registered attendees can get two hours of validated free parking at 222 W. Travis St.

  • Dec. 16, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
  • Free admission, $10-$12 (contest entry fee)
  • Legacy Park, 103 W. Houston St., San Antonio
  • http://tinyurl.com/45y6fhdy

SNIPSA’s holiday pet adoption event

The nonprofit organization Spay-Neuter-Inject-Protect San Antonio will offer pet adoption opportunities at Whole Earth Provision Co.

Holiday Bark Party and Toy Drive



The Bully Stop, a dog supply store, will host a pet-friendly holiday party with pet-related vendors and other local small businesses, food and music. Attendees will be invited to bring a new, unwrapped toy to benefit the Harlandale Sunshine Pantry, a community pantry. Guests are also invited to donate a dog toy. Toy donors will be entered into raffles.

Holidays on Houston Street

Holidays on Houston Street will provide a European Christkindl-style market, featuring artisan crafts, foods, candles and clothing by local artists. There will also be carolers, photo opportunities and holiday lights.

  • Dec. 16, 5-9 p.m.; Dec. 17, noon-5 p.m.
  • Free admission
  • East Houston Street in front of The Alamo, between Broadway and Third streets, San Antonio
  • http://tinyurl.com/28ayrn9u

’The Nutcracker

Alamo City Arts will present the Alamo City Dance Co.’s 31st production of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker," featuring live orchestration by Alamo City Symphony Viva.

Santa at Pearl

Santa Claus will greet visitors at Pearl and take photos with guests of the mixed-use development’s shops and eateries.

  • Dec. 19-22, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
  • Free admission
  • 303 Pearl Parkway, San Antonio
  • www.atpearl.com