San Antonio, December 7, 2025

San Antonio is gearing up for several exciting developments. The city will witness its first marathon, the return of the Krampus Parade, and expanded holiday festivities downtown. Additionally, voters approved funding for a new arena for the Spurs, while the San Antonio Zoo made a historical discovery. The upcoming events not only enhance the city’s cultural landscape but also foster community engagement.

San Antonio’s Upcoming Events and Developments

San Antonio is set to host several significant events and developments in the coming days, including the inaugural city-run marathon, the return of the Krampus Parade, and the expansion of holiday festivities downtown.

Inaugural San Antonio Marathon

This weekend, San Antonio will host its first city-run marathon, marking a significant milestone in the city’s running culture. The event includes a 5K on Friday and both a half-marathon and full marathon on Sunday, with all races sold out. This surge reflects a broader running boom in the city, as local running clubs have seen exponential growth in participation. Organizers and community members view the marathon as part of a growing commitment to health and wellness. The ultimate goal is for the San Antonio Marathon to become a cornerstone event for the city, joining long-standing traditions like Fiesta and the rodeo.

Return of the Krampus Parade

San Antonio’s Krampus Parade is making a return this Friday night in the Southtown area, expanding in both size and scope after its successful debut last year. The event, inspired by the European folklore of Krampus—a horned creature who punishes misbehaving children while St. Nicholas rewards the good—features costumed marchers in elaborate hand-carved masks and chains. Despite strong opposition from local religious groups in 2024, who warned the event could “open a demonic portal,” this year’s parade has drawn less controversy. Beethoven Männerchor, a center for German culture in the city, will serve as the hub for pre- and post-parade celebrations, with the expanded parade route beginning and ending there. Last year’s parade attracted a large turnout of about 10,000 spectators and 150 costumed participants; organizers now anticipate more than double the number of participants. The parade, which is free to attend, kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Expansion of Holiday Festivities Downtown

Downtown San Antonio is set to sparkle this holiday season with the return of Holidays on Houston Street, the city’s new downtown tradition. This year’s celebration is bigger, brighter, and more immersive. From special events and dazzling décor to magical moments designed for all ages, downtown comes alive with holiday cheer. Featured events include A Taste of Holidays on Houston Street on Saturday, December 6, and the Holidays on Houston Street Market from December 12 to December 14. The festivities aim to create a festive atmosphere and provide unique experiences for residents and visitors alike.

San Antonio Philharmonic Cancels Holiday Concerts

The San Antonio Philharmonic has canceled its Holiday Pops and New Year’s Eve concerts. The organization announced the cancellations in an email to orchestra members, stating that an in-person meeting would be held to address questions and concerns. This decision comes after reports emerged that the organization had received an eviction letter from the Scottish Rite. However, the Philharmonic clarified that it had not been evicted and would be permitted to rent the auditorium and continue rehearsals for scheduled concerts in mid-December and January. The Classics IV concerts on December 12 and 13 are still on schedule at the Scottish Rite. Ticket information for the performances is available on the Philharmonic’s website.

San Antonio’s Top Songs of 2025 on Spotify

In 2025, Kendrick Lamar’s collaboration with SZA on the song “Luther” topped Spotify’s most-streamed tracks in San Antonio. Notably, Lamar was the only artist to appear again from the city’s 2024 list, indicating a shift in listener preferences. Despite the changes, the popularity of Latino artists continues to be strong in San Antonio. The article also connects the local trend to a wider movement, noting that Bad Bunny emerged as Spotify’s most-streamed global artist, ending Taylor Swift’s two-year dominance.

San Antonio Zoo Unearths Limestone Used in Construction of the Alamo

During a construction project for a new gorilla habitat and event center at the San Antonio Zoo, workers unearthed a quarry of limestone that was geologically confirmed to be the same material used in the construction of the Alamo Church. This discovery solves a long-standing mystery about the original source of the stone used in one of America’s most iconic landmarks. The confirmation was made following geological testing by Highbridge Materials Consulting Inc. The breakthrough came when Alamo Head Conservator Pamela Jary Rosser noticed the limestone during a drive past the site. The zoo now unexpectedly holds a significant historical link to early Texas architecture. The Alamo is currently undergoing a $550 million redevelopment project, including a new Visitor Center and Museum, expected to be completed in 2027, where this finding is likely to be featured.

San Antonio Expands Film Incentives

San Antonio has expanded its film incentive program in a strategic effort to attract more movie and commercial productions. This move aligns with an overarching Texas initiative that increased the state’s film incentive budget to $300 million every two years through 2035. San Antonio now offers a combined city-and-state rebate of up to 45% for qualifying film productions—surpassing Houston’s 41% and Austin’s 33.5%. To qualify, productions must spend at least $100,000 in the eight-county area that includes San Antonio and neighboring regions such as Boerne and New Braunfels. While the program’s budget remains steady at $250,000 annually, city officials note that this cap has historically not been fully utilized. The city has already seen a sharp rise in activity, with film permits increasing 165% from 221 in 2022 to 586 in 2025, and total film days nearly doubling to 710 during the same period. Local filmmaker Sam Lerma expressed confidence that the enhanced rebates will draw productions away from other Texas cities and back to San Antonio.

Voters Approve Funding for Spurs’ New Downtown Arena

Bexar County voters approved a funding measure to support a new $1.3 billion arena for the San Antonio Spurs in downtown San Antonio. The measure passed with 52% voter support and allocates $311 million in county funds sourced from hotel and rental car tax revenues. Additionally, the City of San Antonio will contribute $489 million, and the Spurs organization will provide $500 million while assuming responsibility for any cost overruns. The arena, to be built at Hemisfair—the site of the 1968 World’s Fair—will also include mixed-use development facilitated by private partners. The decision secures the Spurs’ future in San Antonio, ending speculation of a possible relocation. The current venue, Frost Bank Center, is over 23 years old with a lease expiring in 2032. The new arena is expected to be completed in the early 2030s. The funding campaign was publicly supported by prominent figures such as former player Manu Ginobili and current star Victor Wembanyama.

Cold Front Brings Temperature Plunge and Storm Threat to San Antonio

A cold front is expected to bring a significant temperature drop and potential storm threats to San Antonio. The front is anticipated to arrive on Wednesday night, with rain showers expected to continue throughout the rest of the workweek. Residents are advised to stay updated on weather forecasts and take necessary precautions as the cold front approaches.

Upcoming Events in San Antonio

• A Taste of Holidays on Houston Street: December 6, 2025, at 6 p.m. on Houston Street between Navarro and North St. Mary’s streets. Enjoy a unique culinary experience beneath the sparkling holiday lights of historic Houston Street.
• Las Palmas Library Grand Reopening Celebration: December 6, 2025, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Las Palmas branch of the San Antonio Public Library. Celebrate the $7 million in city bond improvements with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, crafts in the newly renovated children’s area, and light refreshments.
• Jesse & Joy Concert: December 5, 2025, at 8 p.m. at The Aztec Theatre. The Mexican sibling duo will perform songs from their long career, including highlights from their recent album, “Lo Que Nos Faltó Decir.”
• Fireman Santa and the Grinch at the San Antonio Fire Museum: December 6, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the San Antonio Fire Museum. Meet Fireman Santa and the Grinch following a downtown procession, share your wish lists with Santa, and capture festive photos.
• Scuba Claus at SEA LIFE San Antonio: December 6–24, 2025, at SEA LIFE San Antonio. Watch Scuba Claus dive into the underwater world, interact with sea creatures, and check his naughty or nice list.
• Six Flags Fiesta Texas Holiday in the Park: December 6–23, 2025, at Six Flags Fiesta Texas. Experience a winter wonderland with 2.5 million lights, over 75,000 decorations, and live shows like “The Majesty of Christmas” and “A Christmas Carol.”

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Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER

The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.