Free holiday events in San Antonio 2015

Ring in the holiday season: it’s here, y’all! You won’t want to miss one minute of the free, fabulous, family-friendly holiday fun happening in the Alamo City this year. Check back often as we’ll continue to add free holiday events in San Antonio as we find them. Have an event that’s free, family-friendly, and not listed? Leave the information in the comments. Happy holidays!

San Antonio Mom Blogs’ Guide to Free Holiday Events for 2015

Saturday, November 14 and Sunday, November 15, Historic Market Square, 514 W. Commerce, 78207, 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Market Square Tamalada! This two-day event offers free classes about the history of the tamal as well as showing you how to make it from scratch. Local tamale vendors will be on hand and there will be live entertainment, and arts and crafts booths.

Saturday, November 14: La Villita, 418 Villita St., 78205, 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Diwali San Antonio. This free event celebrates the Indian festival of lights which symbolizes the victory of good over evil. Live entertainment will be provided, along with “Diya Floats,” a firework display, and vendors, including some selling traditional Indian cuisine.

Saturday, November 14, Bass Pro Shop, 17907 IH 10 West, 78257, 5:00 p.m.
Bass Pro Shop’s Holiday Preview Event and Santa’s Arrival! Includes magical tree lighting, unveiling of Santa’s Wonderland, and carolers. Santa will give away a $25 Bass Pro Shops® gift card to one lucky winner every half-hour! 5:30-7:30pm. FREE photo with Santa fro 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. FREE craft and Outdoor Plush Buddy* November 14, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. while supplies last. FREE cookies and McSteven’s hot chocolate.

Saturday, November 14 – Sunday, November 22, Bass Pro Shop, 17907 IH 10 West, 78257
Get a FREE 4×6 studio-quality photo with Santa.

Thursday, November 19, Pearl, courtyard in front of Cured, 306 Pearl Parkway, 3:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Holiday Gift Market at Pearl: free admission to shop with local artisans and other vendors from the Pearl Farmer’s Market.

Friday, November 20, downtown New Braunfels, TX, 6:00 p.m.
New Braunfels annual downtown Holiday Lighting Ceremony and Santa’s Arrival.

Saturday, November 21 – Sunday, November 22, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Gruene Market Days: 100 vendors offer Christmas gifts, uniquely crafted items and packaged Texas foods. Free admission.

Saturday, November 21, On Broadway in Alamo Heights (Cambridge Elementary School, proceeds down Broadway, and ends at the Stewart Center (The Lion and Rose), 5:30 p.m.
38th annual holiday parade in Alamo Heights, presented by the Alamo Heights Chamber of Commerce.

Saturday, November 21, JW Marriott San Antonio, 23808 Resort Parkway, 78261, 5:30 p.m. (and every evening through December 31)
The JW Hill Country Holidays! The JW Marriott Resort’s Illumination begins on November 21 at 5:30 pm. Santa will welcome the holiday season as he flips the switch for this 2015 light show set to holiday music. The show plays nightly through December 31 and guests of the resort as well as local residents are welcome to come and enjoy the thousands of twinkling lights. Santa will also be at the resort for pictures every Saturday in December for an additional cost. Details about all of the JW’s holiday events can be found here.

Saturday, November 21, University of the Incarnate Word, Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium, 4301 Broadway, 7:30 p.m.
29th Annual Light the Way:
This free holiday celebration kicks off at 7:30 p.m. The program will feature several fan favorites including UIW’s triple threat, three time alumna and Tejano superstar Patsy Torres, the talent of the UIW Cardinal Chorale, the UIW Cardinal Marching Band and Spirit Team plus the performing groups of the UIW Brainpower Connection schools.

The evening will culminate with the flip of a switch to deck the UIW campus with nearly a million twinkling Christmas lights. Guests are invited to join the candlelight procession through campus led by Mariachi Las Coronelas to Dubuis Lawn for a complimentary hot chocolate reception. The campus will be illuminated nightly for self-guided tours through Jan. 6, 2016.

Friday, November 27, San Antonio Museum of Art, 200 W. Jones, 78215, 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
FREE admission to the San Antonio Museum of Art the day after Thanksgiving!

Friday, November 27, and Saturday, November 28, Esperanza Peace and Justice Center
922 San Pedro, 78212, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
26th Annual International Peace Market. This 26th annual market brings together more than 100 international and local artisans offering handmade items including hand woven rugs, hand crafted pottery, hand crafted textiles, hand-embroidered clothing, paintings, sculptures and  more. There will also be live music and food.

Friday, November 27, and Saturday, November 28, Main Street in Boerne, Texas, 1:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Taking place on Thanksgiving weekend each year (Friday and Saturday, from 1:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.), this year’s 16th annual Dickens on Main invites you and your family to welcome the holiday season on the Hill Country Mile in downtown Boerne with a free, family-friendly festival full of the sights, sounds, tastes, wonder, and delight of Christmas.

Friday, November 27, Travis Park, 301 E Travis St, 78205, 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Centro San Antonio presents: Holiday Lighting in Travis Park. Enjoy an artisan’s market, live ice sculpting, Travis Park Bell Ringers, Ballet San Antonio and more. Free hot chocolate, cider, s’mores bar, and entertainment. And, 250,000 lights!

Saturday, November 28, and Sunday, November 29, Wonderland of the Americas, 4522 Fredericksburg Rd, 78201
A Holiday Fair “DIY” To Remember: featuring shows, activities, child costume contest, an adult “ugly sweater” contest, make and take arts and crafts for the kids, free carnival games, and chances to win prizes.

Saturday, November 28, Comfort, Texas, 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Christmas in Comfort: A full day of arts and crafts vendors, food, shops, live entertainment, a visit with Santa, and a parade.

Saturday, November 28, Milam Park, 501 W. Commerce, 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Christmas Wonderland at Milam Park, presented by Jefferson Bank. Enjoy a day-long festival, filled with children’s activities, including train rides, face painting, a tree lighting, visits with Santa, mariachis, and children’s dance groups.

Saturday, November 28, Orderup, 999 E Basse Road, Suite 193, 78209, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Christmas is right around the corner, and Orderup is celebrating with Santa! Bring your kids and pets, along with a camera, to get your snapshot with Santa for your seasonal Christmas card. And don’t forget to stop by our letter writing station first to write out your wish list to hand deliver to him. Snack on milk and cookie samples, and receive a complimentary kids meal with the purchase of one adult meal.

Sunday, November 29, Trinity Baptist Church, 319 E. Mulberry Ave, 78212, 7:00 p.m.
Swing We Now of Christmas concert. Join the Jazz Protagonists and special guests Jonathan Raveneau (fiddle) and Rich Oppenheim (sax) for this free jazz-filled Christmas concert.

December 1, participating Bahama Buck’s locations, all day
Free Sno Day! Get a baby or small snow cone at participating Bahama Buck’s locations. One day only prices:
• baby = free
• small = free
• regular = $.30
• large = $.60
• Avalanche = $2.90
(One product per person 12/1/2015 only, Creme and BRM extra)

Tuesday, December 1, Barshop JCC, 12500 N.W. Military Highway, 78231, 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Hands on Chanukah: Lauren from PJ Library will be on hand to read Chanukah-themed books to the kiddos, and there will be other opportunities to make memories.

Wednesday, December 2 – Sunday, December 20, San Antonio Riverwalk, 6:15 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Ford Holiday Boat Caroling: more than 185 school, church, company, and civic choral groups ring in the holidays by singing traditional carols on cruising boats. Viewing is free to the public.

Thursday, December 3, Pearl, courtyard in front of Cured, 306 Pearl Parkway, 3:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Holiday Gift Market at Pearl: free admission to shop with local artisans and other vendors from the Pearl Farmer’s Market.

Thursday, December 3, downtown New Braunfels, TX, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Wassailfest: this annual holiday event boasts music, food, shopping, twinkling holiday lights and free wassail for sampling.

Thursday, December 3, The Ecumenical Center, 8310 Ewing Halsell, 78229, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
You’re invited to The Ecumenical Center’s free Annual Family Holiday Open House. Enjoy complimentary family photographs with Santa, courtesy of photographer Greg Harrison. There will also be arts and crafts and story time for children and refreshments.

Fridays, December 4, 11, and 18, lobby of the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa, 9800 Hyatt Resort Drive, 78251, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Fireside S’mores and Story Time. Complimentary and open to the public. Join holiday carolers, Santa’s helpers, and Elf on a Shelf who’ll read holiday stories, while indulging in some gooey s’mores.

Friday, December 4: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the corner of UTSA Blvd. and Valero Way, 6240 UTSA Blvd., 7:00 p.m.
Free performance of Handel’s Messiah. Kids welcome! Two wiggle rooms will be set-up in the back of the church for children who wish to use their voices or move around. Audio for the performances will also be available in these rooms. The performance runs 90 minutes and prelude performances will begin 20-30 minutes before each Messiah performance.

First three weekends in December, San Antonio Riverwalk, 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Ford Fiesta de las Luminarias: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday, December 4-6, 11-13, & 18-20 Experience the Holiday serenity of the River Walk as you stroll along the lush banks of the San Antonio River guided by more than 6,000 Luminarias. Warmly glowing candles in sand-filled bags line the walkways to symbolically mark the “lighting of the way” for the Holy Family. This century’s old tradition begins at dusk Friday, Saturday & Sunday only.

Saturday, December 5 – Sunday, December 6, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Gruene Market Days: 100 vendors offer Christmas gifts, uniquely crafted items and packaged Texas foods. Free admission.

Saturday, December 5, Cornyval Grounds, 12210 Leslie Rd, Helotes, Texas 78023, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Winterfest Helotes. This free event includes snow, Santa, horse carriage rides, pony rides, food, entertainment, carnival rides, and more. Bring a new unwrapped toy for Elf Louise Christmas Project.

Saturday, December 5, San Antonio Museum of Art, 200 W. Jones Ave, 78215, 10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
San Antonio Clay Arts Festival and Museum Shop Holiday Fair. Shop local artisans and one-of-a-kind gifts from more than 30 Texas potters. There will also be art activities for kids, music, food trucks, and potter demonstrations.

Saturday, December 5, Pearl, 303 Pearl Pkwy #300, 78215, 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
The 6th Annual Tamales! Holiday Festival at Pearl is free to attend. Food and beverage prices range from $1 – $5. Guests will enjoy live music and performances, activities for children, as well as delicacies from 40+ tamale makers. This year’s event also coincides with the debut of Hotel Emma, Pearl’s brand new culinary-centric boutique hotel. With distinct design features in all guests rooms, seventh floor suites featuring private terraces, two stories and unique amenities throughout, Hotel Emma proposes a history-rich and wholly unique view of South Texas that is perfect for a trip to Tamales!

Saturday, December 5, San Antonio Public Library, 600 Soledad, 78205, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 pm.
Story Time at the San Antonio Library: The Nutcracker. Join the San Antonio Current, ARTS San Antonio, and the San Antonio Public Library for a free reading of The Nutcracker, complete with dancers from the San Antonio Metropolitan Ballet. After the story, meet the ballerinas, color, and enjoy cookies and beverages. Wear your best ballerina and Nutcracker costume and you could win a prize. And, enter into a raffle for a chance to win tickets to The Nutcracker at the Lila Cockrell Theatre.

Saturday, December 5, San Antonio Museum of Art, 200 W. Jones, Ave, 78215, 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
River of Lights Night. See the San Antonio River Authority’s Museum Reach River Lighting with holiday jazz music barges plus the Museum is open with FREE general admission!

4:00-9:00 p.m. | Museum is open and FREE
6:00-8:00 p.m. | Museum Reach River Lighting

Saturday, December 5: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the corner of UTSA Blvd. and Valero Way, 6240 UTSA Blvd., 5:00 p.m.
Free performance of Handel’s Messiah. Kids welcome! Two wiggle rooms will be set-up in the back of the church for children who wish to use their voices or move around. Audio for the performances will also be available in these rooms. The performance runs 90 minutes and prelude performances will begin 20-30 minutes before each Messiah performance.

Saturday, December 5, Gruene, Texas, 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Grune Town Lighting: Cowboy Kringle rides into town on horseback and lights Gruene for the Holidays. Live musical performances and festival food and wine available for purchase.

Saturday, December 5, 510 Brooklyn Avenue, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Museum Reach River of Lights and Inaugural Deck the River Contest. Experience the spirit of the holidays on Museum Reach segment of the San Antonio River Walk and enjoy a display of holiday lights and special treats featuring: Santa’s Wonderland on the Brooklyn Ave. Bridge. Stop by and get your holiday ornament from Garcia Art Glass. Holiday Music Barges along the Museum Reach. Participate in the San Antonio River Authority’s Inagural Deck the River Contest by visiting the below organizations: El Tropicano Riverwalk Hotel, Paramour, The River House Apartment Homes, San Antonio Museum of Art, Wyndham Garden Riverwalk and VFW Post 76. Remember to pick your favorite display and vote online at www.sara-tx.org beginning December 1st! Voting ends Saturday, December 5th at 9 p.m.

Sunday, December 6, Pearl, 306 Pearl Parkway, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Big Holiday Market at Pearl. The legendary Pearl Farmer’s Market expands to include an artisan’s gift market.

Sunday, December 6, Main Plaza, 78205, 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Silver Bells in the City Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. Watch the Main Plaza Christmas tree light up! There will also be performances by Mariachi Corazon De San Antonio, Travis Park Bell Ringers, San Antonio Choral Society, The Swinging Holiday set with The Tony Romero Quartet & The Henry Ford Academy Alameda School of Art + Design. There will also be train rides for the family, treats, caroling, photos with Santa, hot cocoa, Santa’s live Reindeer, a one of a kind Holiday Market and you can enjoy the award winning San Antonio “The Saga.”

Thursday, December 10, Pearl, courtyard in front of Cured, 306 Pearl Parkway, 3:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Holiday Gift Market at Pearl: free admission to shop with local artisans and other vendors from the Pearl Farmer’s Market.

Friday, December 11, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, Riverwalk Plaza, 115 Auditorium Circle, 78205, plaza opens at 7:00 p.m., movie begins at 8:00 p.m.
Elf: Cinema on the Plaza. Bring the whole family to this free, outdoor screening of holiday favorite Elf, staring Will Ferrell. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets but no outside food or drinks are allowed. Concessions, including a full-service bar, will be available for purchase.

Friday, December 11, Christ Lutheran Church of Alamo Heights, 6720 Broadway, 78209, 7:30 p.m.
Inspired by carols from near and abroad, the River City Ringers will be performing their 2015 Handbell Christmas concert “A World of Christmas”. The concert will have arrangements of hymns interwoven with readings telling the story behind the carols.

Saturday, December 12, Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center Theater, 723 S. Brazos St., 78207, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Learn to make tamales at La Gran Tamalada, the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center’s annual free holiday event that honors the tradition of making them. Children and adults participate in this hands-on opportunity to learn the process for making tamales: ingredients, recipes and cooking methods. Participants take home both knowledge of and appreciation for the techniques that have been passed from generation to generation for many years.

Saturday, December 12 (begins at 10:00 a.m.), and Sunday, December 13 (begins at 1:00 p.m.), Wonderland of the Americas, 4522 Fredericksburg Rd, 78201
Nerdtacular: Shop unique vendors for holiday gifts: handmade jewelry , crafts , fine arts , pop culture tee’s and many more one of a kind items. See Lightsaber Demos from local Star Wars groups, visit Santa Batman, and enjoy performers, panels, vendors, music, and food.

Saturday, December 12, Coker United Methodist Church, 231 E North Loop Road, 78216, 6:30 p.m.
Inspired by carols from near and abroad, the River City Ringers will be performing their 2015 Handbell Christmas concert “A World of Christmas”. The concert will have arrangements of hymns interwoven with readings telling the story behind the carols.

Sunday, December 13, Institute of Texan Cultures, 801 E. César E. Chávez Blvd., 78205, 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Winter Celebrations Around the World. Free admission to the Institute of Texan Cultures for December’s free Second Sunday. Enjoy traditional holiday displays from 15 different countries created by exchange students from around the world. Also included in this free family event are hands-on activities: paper lanterns, piñatas, coloring pages and holiday cards. And, the troupe from Our Lady of Guadalupe church performs a traditional Mexican Pastorela morality play. Please bring non-perishable food to donate to the San Antonio Food Bank.

Monday, December 14, Army Residence Community, 7400 Crestway, 78239, 7:00 p.m.
Join the River City Ringers as they ring the carols on handbells with a repertoire of traditional hymns and modern day Christmas songs! Bring the family & friends! Join the River City Ringers for an evening of joyful holiday music.

Thursday, December 17, Pearl, courtyard in front of Cured, 306 Pearl Parkway, 3:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Holiday Gift Market at Pearl: free admission to shop with local artisans and other vendors from the Pearl Farmer’s Market.

Friday, December 18, Live Oak Park, 18001 Park Dr, Live Oak, TX 78233 
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. visit from Santa
8:15 p.m. – The Polar Express begins
Holiday Family Fun Night. Free family fun! Enjoy hot chocolate, make holiday treats, roast marshmallows over the fire, and take photos with Santa (professional available or bring your own camera). Bring chairs and blankets.

Saturday, December 19, Arneson River Theatre, 418 Villita, 78205, 12:00 p.m.
Tubameister Christmas, presented by the Tubameisters. Enjoy free holiday music along the San Antonio Riverwalk in the Annual TubaMeister Christmas concert.

Saturday, December 19, The Residences at La Cantera, 6215 Via la Cantera, 78256, 3:00 p.m.
Snow Wonderland and Movie in the Park! Visit the park at the Residences at La Cantera to see 40,000 pounds of snow transform the area into a winter wonderland. Snow starts at 3:00 p.m. and the movie, Elf, begins at 5:45 p.m. Treats and food trucks will also be on hand.

Saturday, December 19, Travis Park, 301 E Travis St, 78205, opens at 6:00 p.m., movie at 7:00 p.m.
Centro presents: The Elf Movie Party in Travis Park. Be dazzled by the 250,000 holiday lights adorning Travis Park and enjoy an epic ELF Movie Party featuring all sorts of fun props (while supplies last), a themed contest, a snowball fight AND a special Holiday Sing Along preshow hosted by our friends from Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas. And, San Antonio’s own Elf in the City, Pat, will be on hand for photos. There will be jingle bells for everyone, bubbles for a few key scenes, and a special scratch n’ sniff card so you can Smell-Along with Buddy and his family. The event will also feature food trucks, beer/wine booth, the Glow Roll SA & more.

Saturday, December 26, San Antonio Museum of Art, 200 W. Jones, 78215, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
FREE admission to the San Antonio Museum of Art the day after Christmas! Please note there is still an additional $10 surcharge for the exhibition 28 Chinese for those 18 and up.

Thursday, December 31, downtown San Antonio, 5:00 p.m. – midnight
Celebrate San Antonio: this free New Year’s Eve celebration features three stages of entertainment food and drink booths, and a fireworks extravaganza off of the top of the Tower of the Americas.

And don’t miss San Antonio Mom Blogs’ list of fun, family-friendly New Year’s Eve events and activities:

Check out these ways to volunteer with your kids during the holidays:

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