San Antonio, November 30, 2025
San Antonio is set to host a variety of holiday events for adults throughout December, offering festive experiences that cater to diverse interests. Notable events include the Classic Christmas Alpine Adventure Lights, the San Antonio Marathon, and the Celebrate SA! New Year’s Eve celebration. From parades and ballets to marathons and holiday markets, there’s something for everyone to enjoy as the city embraces the holiday spirit.
San Antonio, Texas: December 2025 Holiday Events for Adults
San Antonio offers a vibrant array of holiday events throughout December 2025, catering to diverse interests and providing festive experiences for adults. Below is a curated list of notable events to enhance your holiday season.
December 1–28: Classic Christmas Alpine Adventure Lights
Location: Alpine Adventure, 5106 David Edwards Drive
Description: This immersive holiday experience spans 90,000 square feet, featuring millions of twinkling lights in stunning displays and festive scenes. Activities include alpine skating sessions and the enhanced Slip N Slide Summit, offering real ice construction and various challenge lanes suitable for all adventure levels.
December 1–4: The Polar Express
Location: Charline McCombs Empire Theatre
Description: The Children’s Ballet of San Antonio presents a ballet adaptation of the beloved story, depicting a young child’s magical journey to the North Pole. This performance is a delightful ode to childlike wonder, suitable for the entire family.
December 4: Holiday Stroll Parade
Location: Downtown San Antonio
Description: Featuring over 70 entries decked out in lights, the parade starts at the intersection of Austin and College, traveling south on Austin Street to Central Park. The event concludes with the Mayor turning on the lights in downtown, accompanied by photo opportunities with Santa.
December 5–7: San Antonio Marathon, Half-Marathon, and 5K
Location: Hemisfair
Description: The inaugural San Antonio Marathon weekend features a 5K, half-marathon, and full marathon. Each route starts and finishes at Hemisfair, winding through San Antonio’s historic neighborhoods and iconic landmarks, including the Alamo and the River Walk.
December 6: Noche Buena
Location: Main Plaza Conservancy
Description: Enjoy holiday shopping with local San Antonio vendors, create festive crafts, and experience live performances from the Children’s Chorus of San Antonio, OPERA San Antonio, and Jazz Nation. The evening wraps up with a stunning showing of San Antonio: The Saga.
December 6: Mariachi Vargas at the 31st Annual Mariachi Extravaganza
Location: Lila Cockrell Theatre
Description: The legendary Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán returns to San Antonio for the 31st Annual Mariachi Extravaganza, bringing generations of tradition, artistry, and world-class musicianship to the stage. Celebrate Mexican music, pride, and heritage with the ensemble that continues to set the gold standard for mariachi.
December 7: Cowboy Christmas at the Briscoe Western Art Museum
Location: Briscoe Western Art Museum
Description: A day of family fun exploring the museum with holiday crafts, visits with Cowboy Santa, a scavenger hunt through the museum’s collection, and enjoying the McNutt Sculpture Garden along the River Walk. The event coincides with the museum’s monthly Locals Day, offering free admission to Bexar County and San Antonio residents.
December 12–23: Holiday Boat Caroling
Location: San Antonio River Walk
Description: Choirs float and sing on select nights, with performances from December 12–23. Enjoy the caroling from restaurant patios or the riverbanks.
December 13: Doc Watkins and His Orchestra: Christmas Spectacular
Location: Majestic Theatre
Description: Join San Antonio’s own Doc Watkins and his 11-piece orchestra for an unforgettable Christmas Spectacular. Known for his timeless swing and big-band sound, Doc brings holiday classics to life in grand fashion at the Majestic Theatre.
December 17: A Drag Queen Christmas
Location: Aztec Theatre
Description: The all-star queens of Logo TV’s RuPaul’s Drag Race come together to save your Christmas. Featuring all your favorite stars singing seasonal classics, new and old, this event is guaranteed to get you in the festive spirit.
December 20: Annual Snowball 5K & 1K
Location: Morgan’s Wonderland
Description: Run, walk, roll, or stroll your way through this inclusive holiday race supporting Morgan’s Wonderland. Enjoy a commemorative T-shirt, finisher ornament, a 2026 season ticket, and plenty of post-race festive fun.
December 31: Celebrate SA! San Antonio’s Official NYE Celebration
Location: Downtown San Antonio
Description: Ring in the new year with live music, food, carnival attractions, and fireworks lighting up the sky above downtown and Hemisfair. It’s San Antonio’s biggest outdoor New Year’s Eve celebration and a must-experience event.
For more detailed information and additional events, please refer to the official San Antonio tourism website and local event calendars.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Classic Christmas Alpine Adventure Lights event?
The Classic Christmas Alpine Adventure Lights is an immersive holiday experience spanning 90,000 square feet, featuring millions of twinkling lights in stunning displays and festive scenes. Activities include alpine skating sessions and the enhanced Slip N Slide Summit, offering real ice construction and various challenge lanes suitable for all adventure levels.
When does the San Antonio Marathon take place?
The San Antonio Marathon, along with the half-marathon and 5K, is scheduled for December 5–7, 2025. Each route starts and finishes at Hemisfair, winding through San Antonio’s historic neighborhoods and iconic landmarks, including the Alamo and the River Walk.
What is the Holiday Boat Caroling event?
Holiday Boat Caroling features choirs floating and singing on select nights from December 12–23. Attendees can enjoy the caroling from restaurant patios or the riverbanks along the San Antonio River Walk.
What is the Annual Snowball 5K & 1K event?
The Annual Snowball 5K & 1K is an inclusive holiday race supporting Morgan’s Wonderland, taking place on December 20, 2025. Participants can run, walk, roll, or stroll through the course, enjoying a commemorative T-shirt, finisher ornament, a 2026 season ticket, and post-race festive activities.
When is the Celebrate SA! San Antonio’s Official NYE Celebration?
The Celebrate SA! San Antonio’s Official NYE Celebration is scheduled for December 31, 2025. The event features live music, food, carnival attractions, and fireworks lighting up the sky above downtown and Hemisfair, marking San Antonio’s biggest outdoor New Year’s Eve celebration.
Event Highlights
| Event | Date | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic Christmas Alpine Adventure Lights | December 1–28 | Alpine Adventure, 5106 David Edwards Drive | Immersive holiday experience with millions of twinkling lights, alpine skating, and enhanced Slip N Slide Summit. |
| The Polar Express | December 1–4 | Charline McCombs Empire Theatre | Ballet adaptation of the beloved story depicting a young child’s magical journey to the North Pole. |
| Holiday Stroll Parade | December 4 | Downtown San Antonio | Parade featuring over 70 illuminated entries, concluding with the Mayor turning on downtown lights and Santa photo opportunities. |
| San Antonio Marathon, Half-Marathon, and 5K | December 5–7 | Hemisfair | Inaugural marathon weekend featuring 5K, half-marathon, and full marathon routes through historic neighborhoods and landmarks. |
| Noche Buena | December 6 | Main Plaza Conservancy | Holiday market with local vendors, crafts, and live performances. |
| Mariachi Vargas at the 31st Annual Mariachi Extravaganza | December 6 | Lila Cockrell Theatre | Celebration of Mexican music by the legendary ensemble Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán. |
| Cowboy Christmas at the Briscoe Western Art Museum | December 7 | Briscoe Western Art Museum | Family-friendly fun with crafts, scavenger hunts, and museum tours. |
| Holiday Boat Caroling | December 12–23 | San Antonio River Walk | Choirs sing on the river during the holiday season. |
| Doc Watkins and His Orchestra: Christmas Spectacular | December 13 | Majestic Theatre | Holiday classics performed by Doc Watkins and his orchestra. |
| A Drag Queen Christmas | December 17 | Aztec Theatre | Festive drag performance with popular stars singing holiday classics. |
| Annual Snowball 5K & 1K | December 20 | Morgan’s Wonderland | Inclusive holiday race offering festive activities. |
| Celebrate SA! San Antonio’s Official NYE Celebration | December 31 | Downtown San Antonio | Outdoor New Year’s Eve celebration with live entertainment and fireworks. |
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