Looking for Christmas Events in San Antonio for 2021? We got you covered!
Ring in the holiday season: it’s here, y’all! It’s time for the annual ‘Christmas Events Near Me’ information roundup because you won’t want to miss one minute of the free, fabulous, family-friendly holiday fun happenings in Alamo City this year. Check back often as we’ll continue to add cheap and free holiday events in San Antonio as we find them.
The fog of Covid-19 regulations might not have cleared all the way yet, but many Texas places continue to adapt, adjust and be adept at exercising caution to keep their doors safely open. There are fewer events on the whole, but really fun ones that look promising, socially distant and free.
Of course, we’ll urge you to double-check and make sure in-person events are still going on before attending! And we’ll be adding more listings to this holiday events collection as more information becomes available!
Best Christmas Events & Holiday Activities in San Antonio for 2021
San Antonio Zoo Lights
Image courtesy:San Antonio Zoo
Presented by Whataburger, San Antonio Zoo Lights allows you to see the Zoo in a whole new light… pun intended! From November all through the New Year, you can visit the zoo after hours, once the animals tuck in, for a breathtaking experience. Stroll through the lights, sip on hot cocoa, eat s’mores, and even decorate cookies with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
And right now, you can get 28% off tickets for Zoo Lights! See our full guide for more information.
When: November 19 – January 2
Where: 3903 N St Mary’s St, San Antonio, TX 78212.
Hours: 5:30 p.m – 7 p.m
How Much: $29.99 for adults and $25.99 for children. Check out discounted tickets to San Antonio Zoo Lights!
Old West Christmas Lights Fest
What could be better than two million holiday lights? How about an entire town? To make even more Christmas dreams come true, Christmas Light Fest is bringing the holiday event everyone knows and loves to a new location, Enchanted Springs Ranch in Boerne. The beautiful 86-acre ranch is home to a true Texas Old West town, featuring more than 40 buildings brought to life in a holiday wonderland.
The event runs from Thanksgiving to Christmas Day. Activities include face painting, cookie decorating, a light maze for littles, a scavenger hunt, ornament decorating and holiday games to create twinkling memories – perfect for the kids!
Tickets purchased online start at $10 at the time of writing this article, but general admission per adult typically adds up to $15 after accounting for taxes (Military discounts are available). Children under 6 are free. Group rates are available as well. We highly recommend booking online and in advance.
When: Thanksgiving to 24th December.
Where: 242 TX-46 unit c, Boerne, TX 78006
Hours: 6:00 p.m – 9:00 p.m
How Much: $12 – $15(for Admission and Parking)
Editor’s Note: Coming from out of town? Don’t miss our guide to unique hotels in Boerne, TX.
Ford Fiesta de las Luminarias
Courtesy of SA River Walk
Ford Fiesta de las Luminaries: 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 Luminaries. 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 will run through every weekend until December 19 2021.
When: December 3- December 19 2021
Where: 849 E Commerce St, San Antonio, TX 78205
**Staff Update: Due to poor weather conditions, the event has been canceled for the weekend of 17-19th December.
Best Christmas Events & Holiday Activities in San Antonio – Continued
Holiday Night Market
Image Courtesy: The Pearl Webpage
Enjoy the best of local holiday shopping and live festive music at the Pearl each Wednesday until Christmas. The historic San Antonio neighborhood comes to life with festivities in addition to its regular bustle this time of the year with the promise of 15 restaurants and cafes, 13 retailers and 18 resident businesses.
When: Every Wednesday, 2-23 December 2021.
Where: The Historic Pearl at 303 Pearl Pkwy San Antonio, Texas 78215
Hours: 4 to 8 p.m
How Much: Free
Lightscape at the Botanical Garden
Courtesy of SA River Walk Lightscape
Enjoy a San Antonio landmark decked in beautiful Christmas lights and enchanting displays that wind right through the flora and fauna! The Botanical Garden is back with Lightscape, running now through 2 January 2022. Tickets are priced at $23.00 for adults and $16 for kids. Children under 2 go free. You can book yours here now.
When: Running through 2 January 2022.
Where: 555 Funston Place San Antonio, TX 78209
Hours: Entry times available every 15 minutes from 5:45 – 9 p.m.
How Much:
Adults: $23-$25
Children: (3-12) $16-$18
Infants: (0-2) Free
Country Christmas at Trader’s Village
Image Credit: Traders Village San Antonio Facebook Page
Take your kids for a friendly tete-a-tete with Mrs Claus, sit on the hay and sit on Santa’s lap. Trader’s Village is hosting a safe and socially distanced meet and greet with Santa throughout December, with the option of paid photo-ops starting at $10 for a 4×6 photo. Parents can also bring their own cameras.
Note: Since Santa and Mrs Claus have both been vaccinated, children who wish to sit on Santa’s lap can do so with parental consent and supervison.
When: Sunday, 19th December 2021.
Where: 9333 Southwest Loop 410, San Antonio, Texas 78242
Hours: 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
How Much: Admission is free. Parking charges are $5.
New Year’s Eve Fireworks at SeaWorld
Image Credit: Groupon
SeaWorld San Antonio is a great and foolproof choice for a fun family visit as they have unique events planned all year round. Besides enjoying holiday attractions, festive food, Santa and the largest Christmas Lights display in Texas, you can also Countdown to Christmas with friendly sea lions and bring in the holiday with belugas.
When: Nov. 11 – Jan. 2, 2021.
Where: 10500 SeaWorld Drive, San Antonio, TX 78251
Hours: New Year’s Fireworks will go on from 9:00 – 9:15 p.m. on 31st December. Normal operating hours are 1:00-9:00 p.m.
How Much: Ticket prices vary by day starting at $45.99, but on some days can go as high at $64.99. Buy your Sea World Admission Ticket at $49.99
Santa’s Railroad Wonderland at the Texas Transportation Museum
Image Courtesy: Facebook/Texas Transportation Museum
Meet Santa and carol with bagpipers, musicians and other live entertainment at the Texas Transportation Museum, which is all decked out for Christmas for the first three weekends of December. Santa’s Railroad Wonderland opens at 5 PM and takes in last admissions at 8 PM. Tickets range between $10-$12 and can be booked online. It’s always recommended to check in advance before making the trip, though, as some events like the Easter Egg Hunt now stand cancelled.
When: December 4-19 2021.
Where: 11731 Wetmore Rd, San Antonio TX, 78247
Hours: 6pm-9pm. Last Admission at 8:00 PM
How Much: General Admission is $10, $8 for children. Children under 4 years of age go free of cost.
Holiday Outdoor Ice Rink at Travis Park
Image Credit: Rotary Ice Rink Facebook Page
Presented by the Rotary Club of San Antonio, the 2021 Holiday Ice Rink is accepting visitors through January 2022. The Ice Rink is practically an Alamo City mainstay and is expecting to entertain around 50,000 skaters this Christmas. General Admission and Skate Rental is on sale right now for $15.
When: Open through January 17 2022.
Where: 301 E Travis St, San Antonio, TX 78205
Hours:
Monday – Friday: 5pm – 10pm
Saturday: 11am – 11pm
Sunday: 12pm – 8pm
Holidays: 11am – 11pm
How Much: General Admission and Skate Rental is for $15.
Looking for more Christmas Events in San Antonoi? Embark on a Holiday Scavenger Hunt!
The rules for the SeaWorld Loteria Hunt for 2021 are plain and simple: go tree-spotting around our locations, submit your answers to do******@sa********.gov and stand a chance to win exciting Prize Packs, Tickets and SeaWorld Merchandise. The last day to send in your submissions is December 31st 2021 and winners will be announced by 7th January 2022.
Looking for fun activities with kids? Check out our weekly update to Things to do this weekend with kids in San Antonio!
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Travel on your mind? Check out our Things to do This Week lists in these cities – Austin, Houston, Dallas Fort Worth & Boston!
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