San Antonio, TX, October 25, 2025
News Summary
San Antonio will host diverse public events throughout November, featuring holiday lights, cultural festivals, races, live music, and family entertainment. Key highlights include the Jingle Bell Roll, a Thanksgiving-themed run, and the Ford Holiday River Parade. Additional activities range from music concerts to cultural celebrations, ensuring a wide array of interests are covered. Visitors can look forward to engaging events designed for all ages, promoting both traditional and contemporary festivities.
San Antonio
San Antonio will host a wide range of public events throughout November 2025, offering holiday lights, cultural festivals, races, live music and family entertainment across multiple sites in and around the city. The month’s calendar includes community races, light shows, cultural celebrations and theatrical and musical performances designed to reach varied interests and age groups.
Top highlights
Jingle Bell Roll – an LED-lit roller skating event at La Cantera Resort.
Turkey Trails – a Thanksgiving-themed 5k/10k run.
Ford Holiday River Parade – a festive celebration featuring over 100,000 holiday lights and 32 floats.
What to expect and timing
Upcoming events are grouped by date ranges: November 7-9, November 14-16, November 21-23, and November 28-30. Events scheduled across those ranges and other dates in November include haunted-house experiences, historic site light shows, live concerts, festivals honoring cultural traditions, food competitions, family movie nights and seasonal markets. Events cater to a range of interests including spooky celebrations, cultural events, and live entertainment.
Notable events and activities
- Race the River: Nighttime Edition — Kayakers and canoeists compete in a nighttime race on the downtown River Walk, followed by an after-party.
- Restored by Light — A light show and live performances celebrating the 10th anniversary of the World Heritage Site at Mission San José.
- Veterans Day Concert — “A Hero’s Welcome” concert honoring veterans and their families.
- Art and Wine Walk — An event celebrating local art with wine tasting and live music in Downtown Seguin.
- Dancing Through Time — A concert by Orchestra San Antonio featuring dynamic dance-themed pieces.
- Mehregan Ancient Persian Autumn Festival — A cultural festival celebrating Persian traditions with music, dance, and food.
- Monte Vista Historical Association 5K Fun Run/Walk — Includes a holiday market and food trucks after the race.
- Yanaguana Indian Arts Festival — A vibrant cultural celebration with Native American arts and crafts.
- Texas Kosher BBQ Fair — A competition for the title of Best Kosher BBQ in Texas, featuring top pitmasters.
- Wurstfest — A celebration of German culture with music, food, carnival rides, and beer.
- The Light Park — A drive-through experience showcasing dazzling LED lights synchronized to music.
- Evil Dead in Concert — A live performance of the score accompanying the screening of the cult classic film.
- Noche De Fiesta — A festive evening of mariachi music and local vendors.
- Candlelight: Tribute to Taylor Swift — Enchanting live performances of Taylor Swift’s hits by the Listeso String Quartet.
- San Antonio Zoo: Zoo Lights — Holiday light displays at the San Antonio Zoo, starting November 15.
- John Crist: Jokes for Humans — A live comedy show featuring popular comedian John Crist.
- Holiday Market and Movie at Mission Marquee Plaza — A free market followed by an outdoor screening of “Home Alone.”
- Disney’s Frozen — The regional premiere of Disney’s beloved musical.
- First Annual Christmas Tree Lighting at Hotel Contessa — Featuring live carolers and a special viewing of the Ford Holiday River Parade.
Practical information
Event types span outdoor and indoor settings, evening and daytime schedules, free community markets and ticketed performances. Several events emphasize holiday lighting and seasonal festivities, while others highlight cultural heritage and community sports. Visitors should check individual event pages or organizers for ticketing, capacity limits, accessibility and safety guidance, and exact times for events that are grouped within the listed date ranges.
Background and context
San Antonio’s November calendar combines longstanding annual traditions with newer seasonal programming. The Ford Holiday River Parade’s presentation of extensive holiday lighting and floats, the Mission San José anniversary light show, and the Zoo Lights opening are part of broader seasonal offerings designed to attract residents and visitors throughout the month. Cultural events like the Mehregan Ancient Persian Autumn Festival, Yanaguana Indian Arts Festival and Wurstfest reflect the region’s diverse community and festival traditions.
Key features
| Event | Date / Timing | Location | Primary focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jingle Bell Roll | November (specific date within grouped ranges) | La Cantera Resort | LED-lit roller skating / Holiday |
| Turkey Trails | November (specific date within grouped ranges) | Local course | Thanksgiving-themed 5k/10k run |
| Ford Holiday River Parade | November (specific date within grouped ranges) | River Walk | Parade with holiday lights and floats |
| San Antonio Zoo: Zoo Lights | Starting November 15 | San Antonio Zoo | Holiday light displays |
| Restored by Light | November (specific date within grouped ranges) | Mission San José | Light show / 10th anniversary of World Heritage Site |
Timeline
| Date / Time | Event | Status |
|---|---|---|
| November 7-9 | Events grouped in this date range | Scheduled |
| November 14-16 | Events grouped in this date range | Scheduled |
| November 21-23 | Events grouped in this date range | Scheduled |
| November 28-30 | Events grouped in this date range | Scheduled |
| Starting November 15 | San Antonio Zoo: Zoo Lights — Holiday light displays at the San Antonio Zoo, starting November 15. | Opens Nov 15 |
Event-type breakdown (visual)
Chart reflects the distribution of 22 listed November events by primary focus.
FAQ
What are the highlighted events for November 2025 in San Antonio?
Jingle Bell Roll – an LED-lit roller skating event at La Cantera Resort.
Turkey Trails – a Thanksgiving-themed 5k/10k run.
Ford Holiday River Parade – a festive celebration featuring over 100,000 holiday lights and 32 floats.
How are upcoming events organized by date?
Upcoming events are grouped by date ranges: November 7-9, November 14-16, November 21-23, and November 28-30.
When does San Antonio Zoo: Zoo Lights start?
San Antonio Zoo: Zoo Lights — Holiday light displays at the San Antonio Zoo, starting November 15.
What is Restored by Light?
Restored by Light — A light show and live performances celebrating the 10th anniversary of the World Heritage Site at Mission San José.
What is Race the River: Nighttime Edition?
Race the River: Nighttime Edition — Kayakers and canoeists compete in a nighttime race on the downtown River Walk, followed by an after-party.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Early Voting Begins in Bexar County
Additional Resources
- Community Impact: 12 Events Slated for San Antonio
- Wikipedia: San Antonio
- San Antonio Things To Do: Kids Events
- Google Search: San Antonio November Events
- KSAT: Big Events in San Antonio 2025
- Google Scholar: San Antonio Events
- San Antonio Things To Do: November Events for Adults
- Encyclopedia Britannica: San Antonio Events
- KSAT: Illuminate at San Antonio Botanical Garden
- Google News: San Antonio Events
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.
