South Texas Christmas Celebrations

Gather the children for these South Texas Christmas celebrations.

Towns in South Texas will soon celebrate the holidays with Christmas festivals and parades, light displays, vendor markets, and Santa Claus! Make plans now for South Texas Christmas celebrations with your family and friends.

Whether a small town or large, South Texas is celebrating in a big way. This list starts with San Antonio, where a lot is happening in just this one southern town. Grab a drink, sit for a while, and take note of these lovely holiday festivities to enjoy over November and December – and into the New Year!

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1. South Texas Christmas Celebrations – San Antonio

Lots are happening in San Antonio for the holidays. So much so, the city’s events are taking up much of the page here! You may want to start planning your holiday celebrations now in the city.

• JW Marriott San Antonio Resort & Spa Winter Wonderland

November 12, 2022

JW Marriott San Antonio Resort & Spa is preparing for its wonderful winter wonderland and bringing back traditional favorites.

*New this year is Arctic Lodge, a pop-up lounge featuring holiday-themed cocktails like the “Fizz Navidad” and “Treat Yo’Elf,” delicious drinks for kids and tasty treats. The resort is the ultimate holiday destination for families and friends to make everlasting memories together over the holidays. Book with them now. See more below.

• Light Up The Night Event on Nov. 12

The resort is hosting its annual Light Up The Night event for guests. The event kicks off the holiday season. There will be holiday activities throughout the day, and Santa will visit in the evening for a countdown of the giant outdoor tree lighting and nightly holiday light show. Listen to live music from a local choir, take a horse carriage ride in a wagon, and visit the new Arctic Lodge. The tree-lighting ceremony will begin at 6 pm.

• Hill Country Wonderland Suite

If you’re looking to fill your visit with the holiday spirit inside and out, book the Hill Country Wonderland Suite, where you can enjoy a beautifully decorated Christmas tree, stockings over the fireplace, garland, wreaths, and a record player with holiday music. And for the kids (or you), freshly baked cookies with decadent chocolate and candy canes will be given upon arrival. The Wonderland Suite from November 11 – December 30, 2022. Use Code HO9.

Holiday Activities at JW Marriott San Antonio Resort

• Arctic Lodge with festive cocktails, tasty treats, and festive decor

• Nightly light show synchronized to holiday music favorites

• Visits from Santa and his live reindeer

• Horse-drawn sleigh rides around the resort property

• Penguin, reindeer, and yeti animatronics singing festive tunes

• Elf on the Shelf DIY scavenger hunt

• Build-A-Bear Workshop

• Holiday movies on the lawn

• Letter writing to Santa with his own dedicated mailbox

• Ornament & holiday cookie decorating and hot cocoa bar

• S’mores with festive toppings

• Gingerbread house making

• Holiday Slime Factory

• Polar Plunge

See it all here – JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa

• Lightscape San Antonio

November 11 – January 8, 2023

An outdoor illuminated 1-mile path through the SA Botanical Garden featuring favorites like the Winter Cathedral set to holiday music. See everything you need to know here – Lighstscape San Antonio.

• The Velveteen Rabbit Musical – Magik Theatre San Antonio

Nov. 19 – Dec. 24, 2022

Remember this classic children’s story about a boy child who receives a stuffed rabbit sewn from velvet as a present on Christmas Day? The Velveteen Rabbit is a heartfelt Christmas Story that you and your children will love.

• Ford Holiday River Parade / River Lighting Ceremony

November 25, 2022, 6-9 pm

The 41st Ford Holiday River Parade & River Lighting Ceremony will once again light up the San Antonio River Walk.

Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will give out more glitter, glee, and toys in this wonderful tradition of the holidays!

The River Walk will close to the public at 4 pm.

• SeaWorld Christmas Celebration

November 10 – January 2, 2023

The largest light display in Texas! SeaWorld San Antonio is decking the halls for its Christmas celebration in Texas! A wintry wonderland featuring Christmas shows, festive foods, Santa Claus, and so much more! SeaWorld Christmas Celebration.

• Breakfast With Santa And Mrs. Claus

December 17, 2022, from 9-11 am

 The Westin Riverwalk, San Antonio, is hosting a Breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus for everyone!

Walking down the river walk? Stop in at The Westin for all the festivities.

• Naughty or Nice Children’s Admission
• North Pole Children’s Package
• Merry & Bright Adult Admission
• Holly Jolly Adult Package

For tickets, go here or click on the link above.

• Holidays At Natural Bridge Caverns

December 3-23, 2022

The countdown to the holiday is on! Christmas at Natural Bridge Caverns includes:

• Trail of Lights
• Reindeer Roundup
• Storytime with Mrs. Claus
• Park Access
• Games, Campfire, and more!

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2. Holiday At Moody Gardens – Galveston

November 19 – January 7, 2023

Nine (9) holiday attractions – one venue. It’s the Holiday at Moody Gardens in Galveston. Free parking. Open Christmas Day from 12-4 pm. Besides pictures with Santa, holiday dinners, nightly fireside s’mores, and New Year’s Palooza, there’s more!

1. Ice Land
2. Festival of Lights
3. Ice Skating Rink
4. Holiday 3D Films
5. Rudolph 4D
6. Arctic Slide
7. Train Rides
8. Star: the Dancing Tree of Light
9. Cirque Joyeux Holiday Show

3. Santa Claus In Columbus, TX

Take your holiday travel to new destinations! Columbus, Texas, is where you can get a start on holiday memories like writing letters to Santa Claus, enjoying delicious restaurants, and picking up gifts at unique shops. See Spending the holidays in Columbus, Texas.

4. 31st Annual Wine Walk And Tree Lighting – Kingsville

November 18-19, 2022

Holiday Ranch Hand Weekend in Kingsville will include live music, art, storytelling, food, 2-step dancing, and family fun – plus more.

5. Cuero Christmas

Christmas In The Park Driving Tour will have over 300 lighted displays starting November 21 through New Year’s Day from 6-10 pm. Christmas In Cuero is the 2nd weekend in December. Expect a lot of family fun here with ice skating, a petting zoo, horse carriage rides, a Christmas market, food trucks, and more! Visit Cuero for Christmas.

6. Holiday Market By Sister Cities In Laredo

November 18-20, 2022

A sampling of the Laredo International Sister Cities Festival comes to Laredo to kick off holiday shopping at the Outlet Shoppes. Over 50 artisans from Mexico sell their native wares.

7. Houston Holidays 2022

• Holiday Houston Zoo Lights

November 18 – January 8, 2023

November 17 – Sip and Sparkle at the zoo (without the kids). See it all at Houston Zoo Lights.

Travel Tip: Admission is $22-27. Buy tickets online only. Tickets will not be sold at the zoo.

• Holiday Brews On The Bend

December 2nd, 2-6 pm

• Christmas Village at Bayou Bend

Dec. 9-30, 2022, starting at 5:30 pm

I read it’s a not-to-be-missed attraction.

The Museum Of Fine Arts – Houston. See Christmas at Bayou Bend.

 

More South Texas Christmas celebrations to come – stay tuned.

For more holiday happenings in Texas:

Christmas Celebrations In East Texas

Holiday Events In Central Texas

Christmas Holiday Events In North Texas

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