Downtown San Antonio blossoms during its many celebrations, but is amplified when they city’s trees and buildings are adorned by the twinkling lights and tinsel of the season. Exchange the usual Hill Country Christmas for a holiday in the city. With a slew of events at the new Tobin Center and longstanding favorites at the River Walk, there is no shortage of holiday cheer.
Light the Way at the University of the Incarnate Word
Be there, as the legendary switch is flipped to illuminate the countless Christmas lights on the UIW grounds. Whether you choose to walk or drive through the campus, complete the experience with the hot cocoa reception on Dubuis Lawn after the candle-lit procession. Toys will be collected for the Elf Louise Project, benefiting children in need. Free, 11/22 7:30pm, All Ages, Gayle & Tom Benson Stadium, UIW, uiw.edu/lighttheway
An Irish Christmas
Get in the Christmas spirit early this year, the Irish way! “An Irish Christmas” celebrates traditional Irish step dance, storytelling, and music all centered around the joyous Christmas season. Enjoy traditions such as butter churning, dancing over brooms, and mythology to some of your favorite holiday music. $29-$110, 11/23 7:30pm, All Ages,Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, tobincenter.org
Ford Holiday River Parade and Lighting Ceremony
Jingle straight into Christmas cheer the day after Thanksgiving with one of the country’s only nighttime river parades. Watch the city light up with strings of twinkling bulbs illuminating the trees and elaborately decorated floats, infusing the River Walk with holiday cheer. Rain or shine, this hour-long parade welcomes celebrities and bands to get you in the spirit. $10-$40, 11/28 7:00pm-10:00pm, All Ages, The River Walk, thesanantonioriverwalk.com
The Nutcracker
Ballet San Antonio: The Nutcracker
Once again, Ballet San Antonio presents a nostalgic holiday staple with the help of the San Antonio Symphony. $23.10-$115, 11/28-12/7, All Ages, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts
Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker
A unique telling of the traditional fairy tale, Moscow Ballet’s version is set in Moscow complete with traditional Russian folk characters. With brightly painted backdrops and a slant on the classic storyline, the “Great Russian Nutcracker” promises to be a Nutcracker experience like no other. $35-145, 11/29-11/30, All Ages, Majestic Theatre, majesticempire.com
The Nutcracker
San Antonio Metropolitan Ballet, ARTS San Antonio, and Mejia Ballet unite to bring you Christmas cheer. Delight in Prima Ballerinas Olga Pavlova and Marina Goshko, toy soldiers, and all the wintery wonder this timeless Tchaikovsky production encapsulates. 12/19-12/21, All Ages, Lila Cockrell Theatre, artssa.org
Ford Fiesta de las Luminarias
Witness San Antonio’s “lighting of the way” for the Holy Family with over 6,000 Luminarias, or glowing candles, outlining the San Antonio River. Be a part of a centuries old tradition every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday before Christmas in December. Free, 12/5-7; 12/12-14; 12/19-21, The River Walk, thesanantonioriverwalk.com
Parisian Holiday at the McNay
Sip on cocktails and indulge in delicieux hors d’oeuvres, while you muse over the Intimate Impressionism from the National Gallery of Art to the tune of holiday music. The visit is all-inclusive, and includes a 20% discount at the museum store. It would be a faux pas to miss! Members $15; Non-Members $25; $30 at the door, 12/9 5:30pm-8:00pm, Stieren Center for Exhibitions, mcnayart.org
Cirque Dreams: Holidaze
In the iconic brand of Cirque du Soleil, Cirque Dreams and Broadway director Neil Goldberg bring San Antonio a holiday show like no other. The choreography and music create an acrobatic wonderland where you can witness toy soldiers marching on wire, puppets dancing, and snowmen balancing. An exciting experience for the whole family! $39.50-$89.50, 12/11-12/14 times vary, All Ages, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, tobincenter.org
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical
Since 1964, Rudolph has been symbolic of the holiday season. A reindeer with a nose that shines so bright, you would even say it glows! Gather the whole family for an endearing story of “what makes you different can be what makes you special.” $18.50-$44.50, 12/22-12/24 times vary, All Ages, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, tobincenter.org
