Jump to: Signature Holiday Events | Thanksgiving Day Races | Holiday Light Displays | Historic Landmarks Open | Thanksgiving Dinners
Thanksgiving week in San Antonio offers more than a long weekend of holiday shopping and Christmas lights. You can start the week with fall festivals and family activities, join a Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning, or spend an evening watching the River Walk light up for the holidays. Theme parks roll out their seasonal celebrations, too, while local restaurants offer Thanksgiving meals if you’d rather leave the cooking to someone else.
If you’re looking for things to do in San Antonio Thanksgiving week, the best plans depend on which day you’re going out. Some events wrap up before Thanksgiving, while others kick off over the holiday weekend. This guide covers the events, seasonal attractions, and places to eat worth planning around, Monday through Sunday.
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Also check out these articles – Best Corn Mazes in San Antonio, Best Pumpkin Patches in San Antonio, Best Thanksgiving Break Camps in San Antonio, Things To Do This Fall in San Antonio, and 100 Free and Cheap Kids Activities in San Antonio!
Things to Do in San Antonio Thanksgiving Week: Signature Holiday Events
Ford Holiday River Parade
Image credit: The San Antonio Riverwalk
The annual Ford Holiday River Parade features beautifully illuminated floats, entertainment floats, and hundreds of thousands of holiday lights transforming the downtown waterways.
Kick off the holiday season by joining the official televised lighting ceremony and celebration at the Arneson River Theatre for an unforgettable evening.
When: Friday, November 27, 2026 | Starts at 6:00 PM
Where: San Antonio River Walk, San Antonio, TX 78205
How Much: Free
Holiday Lights on the San Antonio River Walk
The famous holiday lights on the River Walk light up each year the day after Thanksgiving at the Annual Ford Holiday River Parade and shine brightly each night through early January.
Experience the spectacular display of 200,000 lights draped across the towering bald cypress trees lining the downtown portion of the River Walk.
When: November 27, 2026 – Early January, 2027
Where: San Antonio River Walk, San Antonio, TX 78205
How Much: Free
SeaWorld presents Christmas Celebration
Image credit: Visit San Antonio
SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration returns with Santa, sea lions, over 9 million shimmering lights, the Sesame Street Christmas Parade, and much more.
Guests can grab delicious food, enjoy delightful holiday shopping, meet Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and friends, and experience sensational shows including the inspiring orca show Shamu’s Christmas Miracles, the hilarious sea lion and otter show Clyde & Seamore’s Countdown to Christmas, and A Pets Ahoy Christmas show.
When: November 11, 2026 – January 2, 2027
Where: SeaWorld San Antonio, 10500 SeaWorld Dr, San Antonio, TX 78251
How Much: Included with park admission
Six Flags Holiday in the Park
The holidays come to life at Six Flags Fiesta Texas with dazzling lights, spectacular live shows, visits with Santa, festive family activities, and seasonal flavors.
And as Christmas gives way to the New Year, the celebration keeps going with Countdown to New Year’s, featuring nightly fireworks December 26 through 30 and building toward a breathtaking 360-degree fireworks spectacular on New Year’s Eve.
When: November 21, 2026 – January 4, 2027
Where: Six Flags Fiesta, San Antonio, TX 78257
How Much: Starts at $45
Zoo Lights!
Celebrate the season at San Antonio Zoo during Zoo Lights!, powered by CPS Energy, an after-hours holiday tradition filled with sparkling displays and family-friendly fun.
Explore the zoo as it transforms into a winter wonderland with miles of dazzling lights, glowing tunnels, and festive music throughout the grounds.
There will also be holiday treats, warm beverages, and Santa photos available by reservation on select dates and times.
When: November 14 – December 31, 2026
Where: San Antonio Zoo, 3903 N St Mary’s St, San Antonio, TX 78212
How Much: Included in standard admission
Thanksgiving Day Races & Morning Traditions in San Antonio
Turkey Trails – San Antonio
Image credit: Bodies Race Company
Join the race day fun starting with packet pickup, a kids dash at 7:55 AM, and the National Anthem, followed by the official race start at 8:00 AM, with live results and awards available immediately at the registration tent.
Every registration includes great swag featuring a designer shirt, a custom medal, chip-timing with live results, free photos, and a free pie at the finish line!
When: Sunday, November 29, 2026 | 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Where: 10700 Nacogdoches Rd, San Antonio, TX 78217
How Much: Starts at $17
San Antonio Food Bank Turkey Trot 5K
Lace up your running shoes and gather with friends, family, and the entire community on Thanksgiving morning for the San Antonio Food Bank’s Turkey Trot 5k Run & Walk.
Every step you take and every registration fee directly supports the Food Bank’s mission to alleviate hunger throughout Southwest Texas this holiday season, helping to ensure that no one in the city goes hungry.
When: Thursday, November 26, 2026 | Starts at 8:30 AM
Where: Commander’s House, 622 S. Flores St., San Antonio, TX 78204
How Much: $0 – $40
SARR Turkey Trot & Kids’ Pumpkin Dash
Join the San Antonio RoadRunners for the annual Turkey Trot and Li’l Pumpkin Dash featuring packet pickup options, a kids pumpkin dash quarter-mile run at 8:15 AM, a chip-timed competitive 4-miler at 8:30 AM, and an untimed 2-miler at 8:35 AM.
All finishers receive a medal, with the 4-miler featuring official timing and awards for top finishers, while registrants for the 4-miler and 2-miler receive long-sleeve tees or hoodies available in multiple family sizes.
When: Thursday, November 26, 2026 | Starts at 8:15 AM
Where: The Rim, 17703 La Cantera Pkwy, San Antonio, TX 78257
How Much: Starts at $8
Best San Antonio Thanksgiving Week Holiday Light Displays
ice!™ featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer™ at JW Marriott San Antonio
Experience Hill Country Christmas at JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa this holiday season, featuring ice!™!
The nationally acclaimed attraction brings the enchanting world of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer™ to life, as more than 2 million pounds of hand-carved ice transform into breathtaking sculptures, immersive passageways, exhilarating two-story ice slides, and countless photo moments, all kept at a frosty 9 degrees Fahrenheit.
Signature blue parkas are provided to keep you warm throughout the experience.
The fun continues at Reindeer Ridge, a Texas-sized holiday village filled with festive experiences for all ages where you can race down multi-lane ice tubing, snap a photo with Santa, build snowballs, decorate gingerbread houses, gather for cozy storytime with Mrs. Claus, sip hot cocoa, stroll through dazzling light displays, and shop for holiday gifts.
When: November 23, 2026 – January 3, 2027
Where: JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa, 23808 Resort Pkwy, San Antonio, TX 78261
How Much: Starts at $31
The Light Park – San Antonio
Image Credit: The Light Park FB Page
Texas’s number one drive-through light show is back for its second holiday season, and San Antonio is ready for another round of holiday magic!
Drive through a mile-long wonderland of millions of dazzling LED lights all synchronized to favorite holiday tunes, with glowing tunnels, towering light installations, and larger-than-life holiday scenes around every turn.
This year, a brand new story comes to life inside the park: DJ Polar Ice, The Light Park’s resident DJ, spins live every night and calls on guests to bring the holiday energy, or “Aura,” that keeps the North Pole party going all season long.
Looking for an extra reason to celebrate on a weeknight? Every Tuesday, November 10 through December 15, is Share the Aura Night, where every ticket purchased sends a local child and mentor from Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Texas to experience the park together for more visits, more magic, and more good in the community!
When: November 6, 2026 – January 3, 2027
Where: 5757 US-90, San Antonio, TX 78227
How Much: Starts at $29.99 before November 6 | $60 starting November 6
Pearl’s Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
Ring in the official start of the holidays with Pearl’s iconic tree lighting ceremony. Sip hot chocolate, sing along with carolers, take a river barge ride, and enjoy more fun for the whole family as everyone gathers to ring in the holiday season together in the heart of the community.
When: Friday, November 27, 2026 | 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Where: The Pearl, 303 Pearl Pkwy, San Antonio, TX 78215
How Much: Free
Old West Christmas Light Fest 2026
Image credit: Christmas Light Fest
Old West Christmas Light Fest returns to Enchanted Springs Ranch in Boerne, just north of San Antonio, for 15 nights between November 27 and December 23, 2026.
Walk through an Old West town of more than 40 storefronts covered in Christmas lights, stroll the light tunnels, and play in the snow falling on Main Street.
Free photos with Santa Claus and live music in the Silver Spur Saloon happen every night, while a cowboy trick roper roams the town from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
Kids will also love writing letters to Santa, ornament making and glitter faces with Operation Christmas Child, cookie decorating, the Grinch Room, a scavenger hunt, and the new Barrel Train ride for little ones.
Food trucks line the Green Lawn, the town’s saloons serve hot cocoa, s’mores, beer, and wine, and laser tag and mechanical bull rides are available for an extra fee.
When: November 27 – December 23, 2026
Where: Enchanted Springs Ranch, 242 State Hwy 46 West, Boerne, TX 78006
How Much: $25 | $20 for military and first responders | Free for kids 5 and under
Northern Lights Christmas Light Park
Northern Lights Christmas Light Park is a delightful drive-thru Christmas light display featuring over 1.5 million lights across a festive mile-long display. You can enjoy tasty refreshments at the Snack Shack, participate in an engaging car scavenger hunt, and stop for a wonderful picture with Santa.
When: November 27, 2026 – January 2, 2027
Where: Northern Lights Christmas Light Park, 3171 Church Rd, Seguin, TX 78155
How Much: Starts at $28.92
Lights Alive! Drive-Thru Christmas Light Show
Lights Alive! is a mesmerizing one-mile drive-thru, musically synchronized light show followed by an expansive Winter Wonderland Park & Play festival.
Try out fun gourmet cotton candy flavors including Candy Cane, Egg Nog, Fabulous French Toast, and Smoked Brisket, challenge your group in one of three immersive escape room experiences, or make ornament crafts in Santa’s Workshop to take home.
You can also treat yourself to delicious fresh fudge, enjoy seven different inflatable games in the Fun Zone, including axe throwing and soccer darts, and check out the towering 50-foot animated light show tree where you can even program your own light show using their mobile app!
When: November – December 2026
Where: San Antonio, TX
How Much: $36.95
Illuminate at San Antonio Botanical Garden
Illuminate, presented by H-E-B, returns to the San Antonio Botanical Garden for its third year! Experience the Garden after dark as it transforms into a glowing nighttime adventure filled with light, color, and larger-than-life displays.
Perfect for a family night out, a romantic date night, or festive gatherings with friends, Illuminate invites everyone to explore dazzling scenes that blend art, culture, and nature in a one-of-a-kind experience unique to San Antonio.
When: November 20, 2026 – January 10, 2027
Where: San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston Pl, San Antonio, TX 78209
How Much: $29.99 for adults | $26.99 for kids
Historic Texas Landmarks & Attractions Open During Thanksgiving Week
The Alamo
You can spend Thanksgiving morning exploring one of Texas’ most famous landmarks, then return a few days later for a holiday tree lighting right outside the Alamo Church.
The Alamo stays open on Thanksgiving Day from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Alamo Lights runs from November 19 through January 3, adding seasonal illumination to the grounds while you explore.
Set aside time for the Ralston Family Collections Center, too. The two-story building behind the church houses more than 500 artifacts, including the Phil Collins Collection. Yes, the British rock star spent decades collecting Alamo memorabilia before donating it to the State of Texas.
You can also see Sons of ’76: The Alamo in the Age of Revolutions, an exhibit connecting the Spanish colonial period, the American Revolution, and the 1836 battle. It runs through March 2027, so you can catch it during Thanksgiving week without rushing.
When: Monday – Sunday: 9 am – 5:30 pm
Where: The Alamo, 300 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205
How Much: Free
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
Spend a few hours walking or biking along the San Antonio River, stopping at four Spanish Colonial missions that have been part of local life since the 18th century.
Mission Concepción, Mission San José, Mission San Juan, and Mission Espada sit about 2.5 miles apart, with roughly 10 miles of paved trail connecting them along the Mission Reach. You can tackle all four in one afternoon or take your time exploring each site.
All four missions remain active Catholic parishes, with congregations still gathering for services in buildings that have been in continuous use since the Spanish colonial era.
Along with the Alamo, they form Texas’ only UNESCO World Heritage Site, giving you a chance to explore a significant piece of the city’s history at your own pace.
The park’s outdoor grounds remain open on Thanksgiving Day, although the visitor centers close for the holiday.
When: Daily: 9 am – 5 pm
Where: San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, San Antonio, TX
How Much: Free
Historic Pearl District
Start your Thanksgiving weekend with a stroll through Pearl’s Saturday farmers market, where more than 50 vendors from within 150 miles of San Antonio set up along the riverfront from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Fill your bag with fresh produce, grass-fed meats, local baked goods, and prepared foods from regional makers. Arrive early if you have your eye on something specific; popular stalls can sell out before noon.
You can come back Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the market’s artisan goods and culinary crafts. It’s a good excuse to browse local products, pick up a few gifts, or grab something tasty while exploring Pearl’s shops and restaurants.
When: Daily: 5 am – 12 am
Where: The Pearl, 303 Pearl Pkwy, San Antonio, TX 78215
How Much: Free
Where to Eat: Top Thanksgiving Dinners on the San Antonio River Walk & Beyond
Boudro’s Texas Bistro
Order the tableside guacamole at Boudro’s and watch your server prepare it with fire-roasted tomatoes and serrano chiles right in front of you. It’s a signature move at this River Walk restaurant, which has been serving diners since 1986.
After that, settle in for dishes cooked over a wood-fired grill fueled by local oak and pecan, or browse a wine list backed by a cellar stocked with more than 7,000 bottles.
Boudro’s traditionally offers a multi-course Thanksgiving meal alongside its regular menu, although the 2026 holiday menu hasn’t been announced yet.
For a more unusual dinner, ask about the barge dining experience. You’ll enjoy a three-course meal over roughly 90 minutes while floating along the River Walk, with the holiday lights and waterfront scenery passing by as you eat.
When: Sunday – Thursday: 11 am – 10 pm | Friday – Saturday: 11 am – 10:30 pm
Where: Boudro’s on the Riverwalk, On The Riverwalk Level, 421 E Commerce St, San Antonio, TX 78205
How Much: TBA
Biga on the Banks
Book a table at Biga on the Banks for a Thanksgiving dinner with a view of the San Antonio River from above the usual River Walk crowds. The restaurant sits one level above the water, with a terrace overlooking the river, giving you a quieter vantage point for a holiday meal.
Chef Bruce Auden opened Biga in 1991 and helped put San Antonio’s fine-dining scene on the map. The menu changes with the seasons, so you can expect the kitchen to work with what’s available rather than stick to the same lineup year-round.
One longtime favorite has stayed put: the sticky toffee pudding, inspired by Auden’s London upbringing. Save room for it after dinner, especially if you enjoy a rich dessert to finish the meal.
Biga serves a prix-fixe Thanksgiving dinner each year, though the 2026 menu will be announced closer to the holiday. Keep an eye on the restaurant’s website and reserve as soon as bookings open, particularly if you want a terrace table.
When: Sunday – Thursday: 5 pm – 9:30 pm | Friday – Saturday: 5 pm – 10 pm
Where: Biga, 203 S St Mary’s St, San Antonio, TX 78205
How Much: TBA
Domingo Restaurant
At Domingo, you can enjoy a River Walk meal without feeling like you’re dining in the middle of a pedestrian thoroughfare. Landscaping screens the patio from the busy walkway, leaving you with river views while people pass by outside.
The restaurant also has a bit of history built into its surroundings. It’s housed in a hotel built over an 1840s bank, and construction uncovered an underground cistern that had been sealed for more than a century. Today, exposed limestone walls and the old cistern give the interior a connection to San Antonio’s past.
The menu makes it easy to stop by at different times of day. Start with churro waffles at breakfast, or order Wagyu beef taquitos with tomatillo-avocado salsa for lunch or dinner. The cocktail menu focuses on agave spirits, giving you a reason to linger over a drink while watching the river.
Domingo offers all-day dining through the Thanksgiving holiday, although its 2026 Thanksgiving menu hasn’t been announced yet. Check the restaurant’s website closer to November for holiday specials and any changes to its regular service.
When: Monday – Thursday: 6:30 am – 10 pm | Friday: 6:30 am – 11 pm | Saturday: 7 am – 11 pm | Sunday: 7 pm – 10 pm
Where:Domingo, 123 N St Mary’s St, San Antonio, TX 78205
How Much: TBA
Know Before You Go: Local Context & Insider Tips
While many of the top activities during Thanksgiving week take place in Downtown San Antonio and along the River Walk, the holiday spirit extends across the entire metro area.
Residents and visitors staying in major surrounding suburbs like La Cantera, Stone Oak, Alamo Heights, Helotes, and Schertz can easily access downtown via I-10, Hwy 281, or I-35 within a 20-to-30-minute drive.
If you plan to attend the Ford Holiday River Parade on Friday night or view the River Walk lights, park in central city garages (such as the Houston Street Garage or St. Mary’s Street Garage) early in the afternoon, as downtown streets become crowded near parade time.
Common Questions About Things to Do in San Antonio Thanksgiving Week (FAQ)
Is Thanksgiving a good time to visit San Antonio?
Yes! Thanksgiving week is one of the single best times to visit San Antonio. The autumn weather is mild and comfortable, holiday light displays turn on across the city, theme parks host winter celebrations, and the Ford Holiday River Parade officially marks the start of the holiday season.
What’s open on Thanksgiving Day in San Antonio?
On Thanksgiving Day, the San Antonio River Walk, GO RIO River Cruises, the San Antonio Zoo, drive-thru light displays like Lights Alive!, and select River Walk restaurants remain open. Major museums and historic sites like The Alamo and DoSeum are closed on Thanksgiving Day itself, but reopen on Friday for the rest of the week.
Where to eat on Thanksgiving Day in San Antonio?
Top dining spots on Thanksgiving Day include River Walk favorites like Boudro’s Texas Bistro, Biga on the Banks, and Domingo Restaurant, as well as Supper at Hotel Emma in the Pearl. Reservations are highly recommended and should be booked weeks in advance.
Are there kid-friendly activities during Thanksgiving week in San Antonio?
Yes! Kids can enjoy the SARR Pumpkin Dash, Six Flags Fiesta Texas Holiday in the Park, SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration, San Antonio Zoo Lights, and watching illuminated floats during the Ford Holiday River Parade.
Looking for more? See the upcoming Weekend Events in San Antonio.
- 15+ Top Things to Do in San Antonio Thanksgiving Week (2026) - October 23, 2026
- Things To Do This Weekend in San Antonio – October 23 – October 25, 2026 - October 19, 2026
- San Antonio Highlights: October 19 to October 22 – Food, Music, Arts & More - October 18, 2026
