Free Holiday Events in Downtown San Antonio
Published on December 08, 2025
SAN ANTONIO (December 8, 2025) — Celebrate the holidays in downtown San Antonio! Enjoy free, family-friendly events, and shop for one-of-a-kind holiday gifts for loved ones while supporting local small businesses at Market Square and La Villita.
River Walk Holiday Lights
The world-famous San Antonio River Walk is illuminated in thousands of lights through January 11 (dawn).
Holidays on Houston Street
Downtown San Antonio sparkles this holiday season with the return of Holidays on Houston Street, San Antonio'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 Event
Holidays on Houston Street Market, Friday, December 12 – Sunday, December 14
Travis Park Events (301 E. Travis St.)
H-E-B Christmas Tree
Enjoy a spectacular holiday light display every evening through January 6. Adorned with more than 10,000 lights and custom-made ornaments, the 50-foot tree is H-E-B’s gift to the city. For more information, visit the Travis Park website.
Travis Park Christmas Tree Farm
Open through December 23
Find the perfect Christmas tree at Travis Park’s Christmas tree farm. Travis Park is bringing holiday cheer to downtown San Antonio with a festive Christmas tree farm, presented in partnership with Centro and Holiday Hills Christmas Trees. Visitors can browse and purchase fresh-cut Christmas trees, garlands, and wreaths, perfect for adding seasonal charm to homes and businesses. Delivery is available. For more information and hours, visit the Holiday Hills Christmas Trees website.
La Villita Events (418 Villita Street)
Holiday in the Village
December 12-14: 2-4 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Saturday; 2-4 p.m. Sunday; free
Celebrate the holiday season at the 2nd Annual Holiday in the Village at La Villita, a free, family-friendly event transforming Maverick Plaza into a winter wonderland. Guests can explore life-sized Alsatian-style holiday structures created by St. Philip’s College students, meet Santa by his giant sleigh amid falling snow, and enjoy festive activities including cookie decorating, tamale-making with Chef Johnny Hernandez, piñata workshops, and a gingerbread competition featuring student culinary teams. The event also features a holiday market, seasonal treats, hot cocoa, and live performances throughout the historic village. For more information, visit the La Villita website.
Sana Sunday Goat Yoga in La Villita
Sunday, December 14, 10-11 a.m.; free
Start your healthy Sunday with a free 45-minute goat yoga class at the serene, tree-shaded Plaza Juarez in beautiful La Villita Historic Arts Village. The class will be taught by a certified yoga instructor, ending with 15 minutes of goat cuddle time. Please bring a yoga mat. Registration is required. City Tower Sundays offers free parking on Sundays from 7 a.m. to midnight at the City Tower Garage (60 N. Flores St.). For more information, visit the La Villita website.
TubaMeisters Christmas Concert
Saturday, December 20, 12 p.m.; free
Local favorites, the TubaMeisters, present their annual Christmas concert at the Arneson River Theatre featuring holiday tunes played by tuba, euphonium, and baritone horn players. For more information, visit the TubaMeister’s website.
Chanukah on the River
Sunday, December 21, 3:30 p.m.; free
In celebration of Chanukah, the Chabad Center for Jewish Life and Learning hosts their annual Chanukah on the River event. This event will feature local entertainers, food, and a lighting of a menorah at the Arneson River Theatre. For more information, visit the event website.
Ricos River Rally
Sunday, December 28, 5 p.m.; free
The San Antonio River Walk plays host to college football’s most unique pep rally to celebrate the Valero Alamo Bowl. While the head coaches, team captains, and cheerleaders take part in a spirited pep rally at the Arneson River Theatre on the River Walk, the school bands and the rest of the players excite the crowd by making a grand entrance on river cruisers. For more information, visit the event website.
Celebrate SA: San Antonio's Official New Year’s Eve Celebration
Wednesday, December 31, 6 p.m. – midnight; free
Ring in the new year at Celebrate SA, the City’s official New Year’s Eve celebration in downtown produced by the San Antonio Parks Foundation and the City. Enjoy live music, carnival rides, food and drinks, and a fireworks show at midnight. For more information, visit the event website.
Market Square Events (514 W. Commerce Street)
La Gran Tamalada
Saturday, December 13 and Sunday, December 14, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; free
La Gran Tamalada is an annual cultural tradition at Historic Market Square hosted by La Familia Cortez Restaurants. At this family-friendly event, learn the history and traditions of tamales, enjoy storytelling, take photos with Pancho Claus, and listen to live music. For more information, visit the Market Square event page.
Market Square Weekends: Live Performances, Local Eats & Art in Action
Every weekend, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; free
Enjoy music, working artists, and food booths at Market Square every weekend in December. For more information and the entertainment lineup, visit the Market Square website.
Downtown Events
Lunch Break on Houston Street (in front of the Majestic Theatre, 224 E. Houston Street)
Thursday, December 18, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Houston Street will have food trucks and music in front of the Majestic Theatre. For more information, follow @satxfoodtrucks on Instagram.
Make a Plan
Downtown can get busy, so make a plan. Take public transportation, rideshare, taxis, bike, walk, or consult Google Maps or Waze before you leave. Visit the City’s Know Before You Go Downtown website for helpful resources and parking information. Find nearby VIA Metropolitan Transit routes by visiting Google Maps and selecting the public transport option. VIA also offers its Link ride-sharing service for $1.30 a ride within its downtown service area zone and Park & Ride for certain large events. For more details, visit VIA’s website.
Visitor Parking
For easy, convenient, and affordable parking, visit the City’s SAPark website.Theparking mapprovides a full list of City-owned garages and lots. Note that event parking rates (up to $15 at City parking facilities) may be in effect at some parking facilities during busy event weekends.
The St. Mary’s Garage (205 E. Travis St.) and the City Tower Garage (60 N. Flores St.) are located just steps from the River Walk, Houston Street and Travis Park and generally, there are many parking spots.Downtown Tuesday offers free parking on Tuesdays from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. in City-owned parking facilities, and City Tower Sundays offers free parking on Sundays from 7 a.m. to midnight at the City Tower Garage (60 N. Flores St.).