Christmas in San Antonio with kids.
Christmas in San Antonio centers on the River Walk. Lights go up in the trees along the river, and the Ford Holiday River Parade floats by on lit-up barges to kick off the season. The Alamo hosts free holiday events too.
The theme parks add their own holiday shows, the zoo and Botanical Garden light up at night, and there's a walk-through ice! attraction at the JW Marriott. Evenings can be cool, so bring a jacket.
Before you go
- On River Parade night, strollers aren't allowed and kids 2 and up need a ticket.
- The River Walk lights are free to see. Walk the paths or see them from a river boat.
- SeaWorld and Six Flags run holiday events on many days. Check the park calendar before you go.
- The free events at the Alamo are easy to add to a day downtown.
- Light parks and Santa's Ranch are drive-through, which works well with a sleepy toddler.
Family Christmas events in San Antonio
29 events
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- Parades and tree lightingsChristmas lights
Ford Holiday River Parade and Lighting Ceremony
- Dates
- Nov 27 · Fri Nov 27, the day after Thanksgiving. Starts at 6pm.
- Where
- San Antonio River Walk, starting near the Tobin Center, Downtown
- Price
- Free viewing area on a first-come basis. Reserved seats need a ticket. See the official site for prices.
- Ages and booking
- All ages. Kids 2 and up need their own seat ticket. · Buy reserved seats ahead. Tickets can't be refunded or swapped.
Lit-up floats glide down the river on barges, and the River Walk lights switch on for the season. It's the city's big holiday kickoff.
Parent tip: Strollers aren't allowed on the River Walk that night. The free area on the east bank, between Pecan Street and Richmond Avenue, fills hours early, so bring chairs.
- Christmas lightsFree Good for toddlers
Holiday Lights on the River Walk
- Dates
- Nov 27 - Dec 31 · Nightly from Nov 27, sundown to sunrise, through early January.
- Where
- San Antonio River Walk, Downtown
- Price
- Free
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Walk up
About 200,000 lights hang in the trees over the river. Walk the paths or see them from a river boat.
Parent tip: Weeknights are calmer than weekends. If little legs get tired, see the lights from a river boat.
- Christmas lightsShows and NutcrackerSanta visits Good for toddlers
Christmas Celebration at SeaWorld San Antonio
- Dates
- Nov 12 - Jan 3 · Select days, Nov 12-Jan 3. Starts at 1pm on event days. Check the park calendar.
- Where
- SeaWorld San Antonio, Far west side
- Price
- Included with park admission. See the official site for prices.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Buy park tickets online ahead
The park adds holiday lights, a light tunnel, a nativity show with live animals, and a Christmas parade. Kids can meet Rudolph and take Santa photos.
Parent tip: Arrive in the afternoon for the shows, then stay until dark for the lights.
- Christmas lightsSanta visitsHoliday festivals Good for toddlers
Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Fiesta Texas
- Dates
- Nov 21 - Jan 4 · Select dates, Nov 21-Jan 4. Fireworks nightly Dec 26-30 and on New Year's Eve.
- Where
- Six Flags Fiesta Texas, Northwest, off I-10 and Loop 1604
- Price
- Park tickets from $49 online, plus fees and tax
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Buy online ahead. Check the park calendar for open days.
The theme park adds light displays, a 70-foot tree, holiday shows and Santa's Cottage. Only some rides run during the season.
Parent tip: Santa photos are in Santa's Cottage. Photo packages cost extra, so decide before you go.
- Zoo lights Good for toddlers
Zoo Lights at San Antonio Zoo
- Dates
- Nov 14 - Jan 3 · Nov 14-Jan 3, after dark. Check the zoo site for nightly hours.
- Where
- San Antonio Zoo, Brackenridge Park, north of downtown
- Price
- Included with regular zoo admission and memberships
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Buy zoo tickets ahead. Santa photos need a reservation.
The zoo stays open after dark with light tunnels and holiday music. Santa photos run on set dates.
Parent tip: Come in the late afternoon to see the animals, then stay for the lights. The lights are modest, so treat them as a bonus to a zoo day.
- Christmas lights Good for toddlers
Illuminate at the San Antonio Botanical Garden
- Dates
- Nov 20 - Jan 10 · Timed entry 5:30-9pm, out by 10:30pm. Sensory-friendly night Dec 1. Family Night Dec 11.
- Where
- San Antonio Botanical Garden, North of downtown
- Price
- Adults $29.99, kids 3-12 $26.99, plus a $3 fee. Under 3 free. Parking $20 ahead.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Book a 30-minute time slot online. Door sales aren't guaranteed.
A self-guided walk of just over a mile through the garden's light displays. It runs rain or shine.
Parent tip: The path works for strollers. Book the Dec 1 sensory-friendly night if crowds or noise are hard for your child.
- Holiday festivalsSanta visits Good for toddlers
ice! featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at JW Marriott Hill Country
- Dates
- Nov 23 - Jan 3 · Nov 23-Jan 3. Timed entry. Hours change by day.
- Where
- JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa, Far north side
- Price
- Ticketed. See the official site for prices. Resort parking is extra.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Buy timed tickets online ahead. There's no box office on site.
A walk-through hall of ice carvings shows scenes from Rudolph, with ice slides. It's kept at 9°F, and parkas are handed out, in sizes down to infants.
Parent tip: Most families spend 20-40 minutes inside. Bring hats and gloves. Small strollers are OK, but double strollers and wagons aren't.
- Shows and Nutcracker
Ballet San Antonio's The Nutcracker
- Dates
- Dec 4-13 · Dec 4-6 and Dec 11-13. Evenings at 7:30pm, matinees at 2pm.
- Where
- H-E-B Performance Hall, Tobin Center, Downtown
- Price
- From $31, fees included
- Ages and booking
- Kids who can sit through a ballet. Everyone needs a ticket, babies included. · Buy ahead from the Tobin Center
San Antonio's holiday ballet with live music. The show runs about two hours with a break.
Parent tip: A free sensory-friendly Act II runs Tue Dec 8 at 10am. You still need to reserve a seat.
- Shows and Nutcracker
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas at Magik Theatre
- Dates
- Nov 21 - Dec 24 · Nov 21-Dec 24. Check the schedule for show times.
- Where
- Magik Theatre, 420 S. Alamo St., Hemisfair, downtown
- Price
- Ticketed. See the official site for prices.
- Ages and booking
- Ages 3+ · Buy ahead online or call the box office
A children's theater puts on the Grinch story as a family musical. It runs about 85 minutes with a break.
Parent tip: A sensory-friendly show runs Sat Dec 5 at 10am, with lower sound and lights. You can borrow headphones there.
- Shows and Nutcracker
The Polar Express: The Musical (Children's Ballet of San Antonio)
- Dates
- Dec 4-5 · Fri Dec 4 at 7pm, Sat Dec 5 at 2pm
- Where
- Charline McCombs Empire Theatre, 226 N. St. Mary's St., Downtown
- Price
- Ticketed. See the official site for prices.
- Ages and booking
- Families. Best for kids who can sit for 90 minutes. · Buy ahead online
Young dancers act out The Polar Express with songs and dance. A child who doubts Santa rides the train to the North Pole.
Parent tip: Pick the Saturday matinee for younger kids. Doors open about an hour before the show.
- Christmas lightsSanta visitsIce skating Good for toddlers
Christmas at the Caverns
- Dates
- Dec 5-23 · Dec 5-23. Check the park site for hours.
- Where
- Natural Bridge Caverns, 26495 Natural Bridge Caverns Rd., Northeast, toward New Braunfels
- Price
- Ticketed. See the official site for prices. Buying online costs less.
- Ages and booking
- All ages. Free kids' skating for ages 3-11. · Buy online ahead. Caroling cave tours sell out.
Above ground there's a light trail, a maze, games and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus. You can add a caroling tour down in the caverns.
Parent tip: Book the cave caroling tour early, since it sells out. Kids 3-11 skate free with any Christmas ticket.
- Santa visits Good for toddlers
Breakfast With Santa at San Antonio Zoo
- Dates
- Nov 15 - Dec 22 · Nov 15, 21, 22, 28, 29 and Dec 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 21, 22. 8:30-11am.
- Where
- Fiesta Rooftop Terrace, San Antonio Zoo, Brackenridge Park, north of downtown
- Price
- Ticketed. Zoo admission is extra. See the official site for prices.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Buy tickets ahead. Buy zoo admission too.
A buffet breakfast at the zoo entrance with Santa, the zoo mascots and an animal visit. Each ticket includes one photo with Santa.
Parent tip: Santa arrives around 9:30am and the buffet closes at 10am. Eat first, then line up for photos.
- Parades and tree lightingsFree Good for toddlers
Opening Night Tree Lighting at The Rock at La Cantera
- Dates
- Nov 21 · Sat Nov 21, 7-10pm
- Where
- Frost Plaza, The Rock at La Cantera, 1 Spurs Way, Northwest, off I-10 and Loop 1604
- Price
- Free entry and free parking. Skating costs extra.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Walk up
The plaza lights its tree and opens its outdoor rink for the season. There's live music, a kids' craft corner and s'mores.
Parent tip: Kids can write letters to Santa at the craft corner. Map it as "The Rock at La Cantera", not the street address.
- Ice skating
Ice Skating at Holidays at The Rock
- Dates
- Nov 21 - Jan 3 · Thanksgiving week 4-10pm, closed Thanksgiving Day. Dec 1-18 Thu-Sun 4-10pm. Dec 19-Jan 3 daily 11am-10pm. Closed New Year's Eve.
- Where
- Frost Plaza, The Rock at La Cantera, Northwest, off I-10 and Loop 1604
- Price
- Ticketed. See the official site for prices.
- Ages and booking
- Kids 7 and under need an adult on the ice · Buy online ahead. Walk-ups are rare. Everyone signs a waiver.
An outdoor ice rink under string lights, open for about six weeks. Rent skates there or bring your own.
Parent tip: Kids 12 and under need an adult on site, and kids 7 and under need an adult skating with them.
- Parades and tree lightingsChristmas lightsFree Good for toddlers
Christmas in the Plaza at the Alamo
- Dates
- Nov 28 · Sat Nov 28, 6-8pm
- Where
- Alamo Plaza and Plaza de Valero, Downtown
- Price
- Free
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Walk up
See the Alamo's Christmas tree and holiday lights on the plaza after dark. It's a short, free stop downtown.
Parent tip: The church and grounds are closed during this event. Pair it with a walk along the River Walk lights a few blocks away.
- Holiday festivalsFree Good for toddlers
Christmas at the Alamo
- Dates
- Dec 5 · Sat Dec 5, 10am-2pm
- Where
- Plaza de Valero, The Alamo, 300 Alamo Plaza, Downtown
- Price
- Free
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Walk up
Living history actors show how Texans spent Christmas in the 1800s. There's a band and a musket firing demo.
Parent tip: Musket shots are loud. Bring ear covers for babies and toddlers.
- Santa visitsFree Good for toddlers
Cowboy Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Alamo
- Dates
- Dec 12 · Sat Dec 12, 10am-2pm
- Where
- Alamo Plaza, 300 Alamo Plaza, Downtown
- Price
- Free
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Walk up
Cowboy Santa and Mrs. Claus meet kids in front of the Alamo church. Photos are free.
Parent tip: It's a short walk from the River Walk, so you can add a stroll by the river after.
- Parades and tree lightings Good for toddlers
Pearl Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
- Dates
- Nov 27 · Fri Nov 27. Check the Pearl site for the time.
- Where
- Pearl, Pearl District, north of downtown
- Price
- No ticket price listed
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Walk up
Pearl lights its tree to open the season, with carolers, hot chocolate and river barge rides.
Parent tip: It's the same night as the downtown river parade, so plan for one or the other.
- Christmas markets Good for toddlers
Holiday Night Market at Pearl
- Dates
- Dec 2-16 · Wednesdays Dec 2, 9 and 16, 5-9pm
- Where
- Pearl, Pearl District, north of downtown
- Price
- No ticket price listed
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Walk up
An evening holiday market with local vendors on Wednesday nights in December.
Parent tip: Come at 5pm with young kids. You can shop, eat and be home by bedtime.
- Christmas marketsHoliday festivals Good for toddlers
Holidays on Houston Street Market Experience
- Dates
- Dec 4-20 · Two weekends: Dec 4-6 and Dec 18-20
- Where
- Houston Street, Downtown
- Price
- See the official site
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Walk up
Downtown's Houston Street hosts a holiday market with local makers, live performers and family activities. The street has a canopy of lights overhead.
Parent tip: The River Walk is a few blocks away, so you can add the river lights after dark.
- Christmas marketsFree Good for toddlers
River Walk December and Holiday Artisan Shows
- Dates
- Dec 11-20 · Dec 11-13 and Dec 18-20
- Where
- River Walk Extension, near the Shops at Rivercenter, Downtown
- Price
- Free
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Walk up
Local artists set up booths along the river for holiday shopping. Shows usually have more than 40 booths.
Parent tip: The Shops at Rivercenter sit right next to the booths if you need a warm-up or snack stop.
- Holiday festivals
Ford Holiday Boat Caroling
- Dates
- Dec 1-23 · Select days Dec 1-23. Weekday caroling usually runs 5-10pm.
- Where
- San Antonio River Walk. Check in at 203 S. St. Mary's St., river level., Downtown
- Price
- Boat booking needed to ride. Watching from the banks is free.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Book a barge ahead. Up to 12 people per boat.
Groups rent a river barge and sing carols as they float under the lights. Everyone on board is expected to sing.
Parent tip: With little ones, skip the boat. Listen from the riverbank or a riverside table instead.
- Christmas marketsSanta visitsFree Good for toddlers
Holiday Art Market at the Tobin Center
- Dates
- Nov 28 · Sat Nov 28, 10am-4pm
- Where
- Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle, Downtown
- Price
- Free admission
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Walk up
A one-day holiday market across the Tobin Center. Kids get Santa photos, a mechanical reindeer and reindeer lawn games.
Parent tip: It's the day after the river parade, which starts right outside the Tobin.
- Shows and Nutcracker
YOSA & CCSA Present: A Holiday Spectacular
- Dates
- Dec 19 · Sat Dec 19, 7pm
- Where
- H-E-B Performance Hall, Tobin Center, Downtown
- Price
- From $23
- Ages and booking
- Families. Everyone needs a ticket, babies included. · Buy ahead from the Tobin Center
The city's youth orchestra and children's chorus play holiday favorites together. A guest conductor from the North Pole joins them.
Parent tip: Kids enjoy watching other kids perform. Pick aisle seats in case you need a break.
- Shows and Nutcracker
Mariachi Sol de Mexico: Merry-Achi Christmas
- Dates
- Dec 23 · Wed Dec 23, 7:30pm
- Where
- H-E-B Performance Hall, Tobin Center, Downtown
- Price
- From $42, fees included
- Ages and booking
- Families. Everyone needs a ticket, babies included. · Buy ahead from the Tobin Center
A 13-piece mariachi band plays its yearly holiday concert. It mixes Mexican Christmas songs with American carols.
Parent tip: It's a late start for little kids. Best for school-age kids who like live music.
- Christmas lights Good for toddlers
Holiday Sights and Festive Nights Trolley Tour
- Dates
- Nov 28 - Jan 2 · Nov 28-Jan 2, evenings. Check the booking calendar for departures.
- Where
- Old Town Trolley Tours. Departure point is sent by email before your date., Downtown
- Price
- See the official site
- Ages and booking
- All ages. Kids 2 and under can ride on a lap. · Reservations required. Tickets can't be refunded, but you can reschedule up to 24 hours ahead.
A 45-minute trolley ride past downtown's holiday lights, with sing-along songs. Riders get holiday glasses for viewing the lights.
Parent tip: Kids 3 and up and anyone in a car seat need their own seat and must stay seated.
- Christmas lights Good for toddlers
Santa's Ranch Drive-Through Lights
- Dates
- Nov 6 - Jan 3 · Every night Nov 6-Jan 3. Sun-Thu 6-10pm, Fri-Sat 6-11pm.
- Where
- Santa's Ranch, 9561 I-35 North, New Braunfels, New Braunfels (I-35 north of San Antonio)
- Price
- $37 per vehicle plus tax. Season pass $74.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Pay per vehicle
Drive more than a mile of country roads past about 3 million lights and moving displays. You stay in your car the whole time.
Parent tip: Good for babies who fall asleep in the car. There's no live Santa. Hot chocolate and kettle corn are sold at the stand.
- Christmas lights Good for toddlers
The Light Park San Antonio
- Dates
- Nov 6 - Jan 3 · Nightly from 5:30pm. Closes 10pm Sun-Thu, 11pm Fri-Sat, Thanksgiving and Dec 18-26.
- Where
- Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium, 5757 US-90, West side
- Price
- $29.99 per vehicle
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Buy online ahead
A drive-through light show at the ballpark, priced per car rather than per person.
Parent tip: Kids can stay in pajamas and car seats the whole way.
- Holiday trainsSanta visits Good for toddlers
Santa's Railroad Wonderland at the Texas Transportation Museum
- Dates
- Dec 5-20 · Dec 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20. 5:30-9pm, last entry 8pm.
- Where
- Texas Transportation Museum, 11731 Wetmore Rd., North side
- Price
- Adults $15, kids 4-12 $12. Under 4 free but still need a ticket. Parking free.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Buy online ahead. Only a few tickets are sold at the door.
A small train museum decorates its depot and model railroads for the holidays. Kids ride the train and visit Santa for free photos.
Parent tip: Train rides run on demand. Arrive near the 5:30pm opening, since last entry is 8pm.
Dates and prices were checked on each event's official site. They can change, so check the official site before you go.
On a budget? See every free Christmas event in San Antonio, including parades and tree lightings.
Shopping for gifts? Compare the Christmas markets in San Antonio, with hours, costs and tips for going with kids.
Planning a Santa visit? See where to find Santa in San Antonio, plus free Santa photos, breakfasts with Santa and tips for skipping the line.
Going to the ballet? Compare every Nutcracker in San Antonio, with run times, age tips and sensory-friendly shows.
Questions parents ask
What is there to do in San Antonio for Christmas with kids?
See the River Walk lights, watch the Ford Holiday River Parade, and visit Christmas at the Alamo. Theme park fans can try SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration or Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Fiesta Texas.
The zoo, the Botanical Garden, and ice! at the JW Marriott are good picks too.
When is the Ford Holiday River Parade in 2026?
It's on Friday, November 27, 2026, at 6pm. Strollers aren't allowed that night, and kids 2 and up need a ticket. Check the official site for seating.
What are the free Christmas events in San Antonio?
The River Walk lights, the Alamo's holiday events, the tree lighting at The Rock at La Cantera, and the River Walk artisan shows are free.
Tap "Free" above to see them together.
Christmas in other cities
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