Gather the children for these South Texas Christmas celebrations for 2023.
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!
Photo by Danny Fulgencio
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.
• Lightscape San Antonio
November 17 – January 7, 2024
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.
Tickets: Start at $18
• The Velveteen Rabbit Musical – Magik Theatre San Antonio
Nov. 18 – Dec. 24, 2023
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.
• 2023 Ford Holiday River Parade / River Lighting Ceremony
November 24, 2023, 6-9 pm
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.
Tickets: $12.50 to $40
• Ford Fiesta de las Luminaries
December 1-17, 2023
Stroll along the River Walk for three weekends (Friday–Sunday) and marvel at the centuries-old tradition of Mexican Christmas lanterns. Over 2,000 luminarias will line the river, complementing the thousands of holiday lights strung overhead. Ford Fiesta de las Luminarias
• SeaWorld Christmas Celebration
November 9 – January 2, 2024
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.
Tickets: Starting at $49.99
• Christmas at the Natural Bridge Caverns
December 2-23, 2023
Listen to your favorite carols echoing through Natural Bridge Caverns, the state’s largest underground cavern system, and don’t miss the 30-foot Christmas tree. The event also features ice skating (free for kids ages 3 to 11), s’mores (for an additional cost), and story time with Mrs. Claus. Christmas at the Caverns
- Trail of Lights
- Reindeer Roundup
- Storytime with Mrs. Claus
- Park Access
- Games, Campfire, and more!
Tickets: $22+
When in the area with your girlfriends, you may want to see what all there is to do for a Girls’ Getaway to San Antonio Itinerary.
Courtesy of Visit Galveston
Holiday At Moody Gardens – Galveston
November 18 – January 6, 2024
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 are even more surprises!
- ICE LAND Rainforest Holiday Exhibit
- Festival of Lights
- Ice Skating Rink
- Holiday 3D Films
- Rudolph 4D
- Arctic Slide
- Train Rides
- Star: the Dancing Tree of Light
- Cirque Joyeux Holiday Show
Santa Claus Museum in Columbus, Texas. Photo Credit: Julie M.
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.
Annual Wine Walk And Tree Lighting In Kingsville
November 17-18, 2023
Holiday Ranch Hand Weekend in Kingsville will include live music, art, storytelling, food, 2-step dancing, and family fun – plus more.
South Texas Christmas Celebrations In Cuero, TX
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.
Holiday Market By Sister Cities In Laredo
November 17-19, 2023
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.
South Texas Christmas Celebrations In Houston
• Holiday Houston Zoo Lights
November – January
November 16, 2023 – Sip and Sparkle at the zoo (without the kids). See it all at Houston Zoo Lights.
• Holiday Brews On The Bend
December 2nd, 2-6 pm
• Christmas Village at Bayou Bend
Dec. 8-30, 2023, 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.
South Texas Christmas Celebrations In South Padre Island
SPI’s holiday festivities will start with its tree lighting ceremony, Winter Wonderland event, and more!
• SPI Tree Lighting Ceremony
November 30th
• Christmas Street Parade & Lighted Boat Parade
December 2nd
Sail the beach instead of walking the parade. Begins at Sea Ranch Marina on South Padre Island at 6:00 p.m. For all the scoop – see – Lighted Boat Parade SPI.
2023 Car Show/Toy Drive – Rio Grand Valley
December 9, 2023
Where: The Bridge Rio Hondo Baptist Church 400 Bristol, Rio Hondo, Texas
Time: 9 am to 1 pm
- A market bazaar
- Great food
- Shopping
- Huge car show
- Free event
Vendor slots are available for $5.00 and an additional $5.00 for electricity and can be reserved by calling the church office at 956-748-2251 from 9-noon.
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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