Wintertime is arriving in San Antonio, and this means Santa is too!
Winter holidays are the perfect time of the year for family time, which gives an excuse to try new traditions and old favorites alike. That’s why this season comes with thoughts of joy and happiness; plus it adds plenty of cheer for little ones who are eagerly anticipating holiday guests (including Santa!)
Throughout December in San Antonio, there are many activities for all ages taking place. Kid City Guide picked out five awesome events you won’t want to miss! Check them out below and make sure to read until the very end!
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Families will not want to miss the most exciting drive-through light show!
The Light Park San Antonio gives families the chance to eat, drink, and watch as the night is electrified with millions of Christmas lights and festive music!
Location:
Retama Park Parking Lot
DATES:
November 4 – January 1: Mondays – Thursdays: 5:30 – 10 PM | Fridays – Sundays: 5:30 – 11 PM
This wintery, watery wonderland features Christmas shows, festive foods, Santa Claus, the largest Christmas light display in Texas and so much more!
Families will be greeted with over 9 million twinkling lights blanketing the park, then meet Santa and friends as you sip hot chocolate and sing along with Christmas carolers.
Location:
Sea World San Antonio
DATES:
November 10- January 2
Lightscape will shine throughout the San Antonio Botanical Garden’s 38 acres!
Get ready to be enchanted by magical light displays set along a beautifully illuminated one-mile path winding through the Botanical Garden.
Location:
San Antonio Botanical Garden
DATES:
November 11, 2022 – January 8, 2023
Santa’s Ranch is one of the best holiday light exhibits in the state!
You’ll take a drive through over a mile of winding country roads while taking in the beautiful lights, and animated Christmas displays, and enjoying homemade hot cocoa, kettle corn, and snacks.
Location:
Santa’s Ranch
DATES:
November 11 – January 1: Sunday- Thursday 6 PM-10 PM | Friday- Saturday 6 PM-11 PM
Zoo Lights is San Antonio’s families’ favorite Holiday event!
There will be so much to see and do during this year’s Zoo Lights. Make sure you don’t miss it.
Location:
San Antonio Zoo
DATES:
November 18, 2022 – Jan. 1, 2023, 6 PM
During Holiday in the Park, the park is transformed into a winter wonderland with millions of colorful twinkling lights throughout, magical musical shows, and special appearances by Santa.
Location:
Six Flags Fiesta Texas
DATES:
November 19- December 23
This holiday season, the whole family can enjoy the heart-warming and much-loved classic story about a shy toy rabbit who longs for nothing more than to become real.
Location:
Magik Theatre
DATES:
November 19- December 24
This is Texas’ premier holiday shopping event!
Families will find over 300 vendors and a variety of fun and unique products. Enjoy shopping, holiday food, craft workshops, winery row, and even a convenient package check. Kids can enjoy a visit with Santa & other activities in the Kids Zone!
Location:
FREEMAN COLISEUM EXPO HALL
DATES:
November 19, 10 AM- 6 PM | November 20, 10 AM- 5 PM
Old West Christmas Light Fest is an outdoor festival filled with family-friendly activities and entertainment, photos with Santa Claus, food, drinks, live music, and more!
Location:
Enchanted Springs Ranch
DATES:
November 24- December 24. Thursday- Sunday, 6 PM- 9 PM
The 38th Annual H-E-B Tree Lighting Celebration will take place at Travis Park. The tree lights will be illuminated for the first time!
Be sure to stick around after the lighting for a free screening of “The Polar Express”!
The free community celebration is open to the public and will feature activities such as holiday crafts, free giveaways, letters to Santa, and live musical entertainment as well as a special visit from Santa.
Location:
McKenna Children’s Museum
DATES:
9 AM- 4 PM, October 24-29
Celebrate the holidays at the Alamo!
Families can join after hours to walk the beautiful Alamo grounds, decorated with festive lights throughout that illuminate the gardens, and of course, see the Christmas tree in Alamo Plaza.
Location:
The Alamo
DATES:
November 25- January 2. 6 PM- 8 PM
Families will be Immersed in over 300,000 synchronized lights and listen to their favorite Christmas music.
Don’t miss this festive event filled with kid-friendly activities and photo opportunities including a FREE printed photo with Santa. Enjoy a low-cost Family Fun Zone with photo ops, games, and MORE!
Location:
Westover Hills Church
DATES:
November 25 and December 18. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Evenings.
Families will discover the magic of Dr. Seuss’ classic Christmas tale as it comes to life live on the Majestic stage!
Features the hit songs “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch” and “Welcome Christmas,”
Location:
Majestic Theatre
DATES:
November 29 – December 4. November 29: 7:30PM | November 30: 7:30PM | December 1: 7:30PM | December 2: 8PM | December 3: 11 AM, 3 PM, 7PM | December 4: 3 PM & 7PM
Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year at LEGOLAND® Discovery Center San Antonio!
Families will enjoy seasonal build activities and holiday themes throughout the Center, perfect for the entire family.
Location:
LEGOLAND Discovery Center San Antonio
DATES:
During December.
Dive into the holidays this season with beautiful lights and decorations at the Aquarium!
There will be fun activities that include holiday-themed feedings, appearances by Santa Sharky, an activity trail, Lights under the SEA, and more!
Location:
Sea Life Arizona
DATES:
During December.
Families will enjoy the caroling for free from the banks of the river or while seated on a restaurant patio.
Experience the sounds of the season as caroling boats float along the river in the downtown area!
Location:
The DoSeum
DATES:
October 20, 11 AM- 12 PM
During Christmas Traditions 2022, families will get to take their photo with Santa Claus, go on a Christmas scavenger hunt, buy some yummy treats and gifts, and get ready for the show!
Other special dance guests will be touring the photo ops before the start of the show.
Location:
New Braunfels Civic Convention Center
DATES:
December 2, 11 AM
experience the holiday serenity of the River Walk as you stroll along the lush banks of the San Antonio River guided by more than 2,000 Luminarias at night.
Location:
The San Antonio River Walk
DATES:
December 2-18
The holidays aren’t complete until you experience the magic of Ballet San Antonio’s The Nutcracker, originally commissioned by Ballet San Antonio and choreographed by Easton and Haley Smith.
Ballet San Antonio’s The Nutcracker features a children’s cast of over 100 children, community heroes in the role of Mother Ginger, and is a magical holiday tradition for the community of San Antonio and their families!
Location:
Tobin Center for the Performing Arts
DATES:
December 2, 3, 9, 10 – 7:30 PM | December 3, 4, 10, 11 – 2 PM
Members of the San Antonio Botanical Garden will get to capture a special moment with Santa at the Garden!
Location:
San Antonio Botanical Garden
DATES:
December 3, 8 AM- 12 PM
WinterFest San Antonio is a long-running community Festival where thousands of local residents come out with their families to enjoy a day of fun in the SNOW!
This year’s Winterfest will have plenty of fun activities, including 50,000 pounds of snow straight from the North Pole, performances by local schools and performance groups, photos with Santa, carnival, kids activities, holiday shopping from local artisans, Food and Drinks, and so much more!
Location:
North Central Baptist Hospital
DATES:
December 3, 10 AM- 3 PM
Celebrate Christmas At Natural Bridge Caverns unlike anywhere else in the world!
Nestled in the scenic Texas Hill Country, families will hear their favorite carols echo through Texas’ largest underground cavern. As the sun sets behind a 30-foot Christmas tree, take a stroll through the 1/3-mile trail of lights. Take your Santa photos, then round up his reindeer in our 5000 square foot outdoor maze and listen to Storytime with Mrs. Claus.
Location:
Natural Bridge Caverns
DATES:
December 3,4,10,11,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23
The whole family will love Santa’s Railroad Wonderland, an extravaganza of Christmas joy including train rides.
Location:
Texas Transportation Museum
DATES:
5:30 PM-9 PM | December 3,4,10,11,17,18
The San Antonio Garden Center will be decked out for the holidays and Santa will be ready to pose for pictures with your kids, grandkids, small pets, and you!
Location:
San Antonio Garden Center
DATES:
December 4. 2 PM- 4 PM
Christmas in Market Square is topped off with this traditional event!
Choose from two dates (six different seatings) — start with breakfast, enjoy a scenic hayride through the Christmas trees, then stay to shop and enjoy the farm! Santa will be waiting to visit with you in his very own Silo, Santa’s Silo, during breakfast.
Location:
Devine Acres Farm
DATES:
Saturday – Sunday, December 10-11 | Daily seatings at 8:30, 9:30 & 10:30 AM
During Big Day of Play: Countdown to the Winter Solstice families will get to learn more about the natural, historical, and cultural aspects of the winter solstice.
Guests will be able to explore how sunlight has influenced archaeological sites around the world, how different cultures celebrate the winter solstice, and how the winter solstice has impacted agriculture and astronomy throughout time!
Location:
The DoSeum
DATES:
December 10, 10 AM- 4 PM
This holiday season, enjoy the beautiful San Antonio River for a 90-minute cruise exploring San Antonio‘s Black History and the holiday lights that adorn the Riverwalk.
The trip starts at La Villita, then travels north through the Museum Reach to the Pearl then back downtown to the Alamo, Convention Center, and back to La Villita.
Location:
SAAACAM at La Villita
DATES:
December 10, 4 PM- 6 PM
The Menorah lights will be shining at SeaWorld San Antonio this holiday season.
Families can visit the Bay of Play for the 4th Annual Menorah Lighting Ceremony and enjoy all traditions with their family and friends!
Location:
Sea World San Antonio
DATES:
December 19, 5:30 PM
Families will get to embrace their connection to the sea, marine life, and the world as they ring in the New Year, SeaWorld-style.
There will be bold fireworks, festive entertainment, and more to welcome the new year!
Location:
Sea World San Antonio
DATES:
December 31, 9 PM
