Holiday Break in San Antonio: Festive Ways to Celebrate With Family and Friends Before and After Christmas
For many San Antonio families, the days between Christmas and New Year’s Eve are some of the most meaningful of the year — a rare window to slow down, reconnect, and create memories together. Whether relatives are visiting from out of town or everyone is enjoying a staycation close to home, the city offers no shortage of festive, family-friendly ways to celebrate the season.
From glowing riverbanks and holiday shows to New Year’s Eve celebrations for all ages, here are some of the best ways to enjoy the holiday break in San Antonio with family and friends.
Stroll the River Walk While the Holiday Lights Are Still Glowing
Even after Christmas Day, the San Antonio River Walk remains wrapped in thousands of twinkling lights through January 11, 2026. Walking along the river in the evening has become a holiday tradition for many local families, offering a relaxed way to enjoy the season without a packed schedule.
Holiday boat caroling tours and river cruises typically continue during the final week of December, giving visitors and residents alike a chance to experience downtown from the water while soaking in the festive atmosphere. Nearby areas like La Villita and Market Square often remain decorated and active, making it easy to turn a simple walk into a full evening out.
Enjoy Seasonal Shows and Holiday Performances
The days after Christmas are a popular time for families to attend live performances together. The Tobin Center for the Performing Arts will host "Home for the Holidays" on December 21, 2025, a star-studded concert featuring Peabo Bryson, Sheena Easton, Ruben Studdard, and Ilya Serov performing beloved holiday favorites alongside their biggest hits. Enjoy festive performances like YOSA Presents: A Holiday Spectacular, Mariachi Sol de Mexico’s Merry-Achi Christmas, Ballet San Antonio’s The Nutcracker, Christmas with C.S. Lewis, Cirque Musica – Holiday Wonderland, and more seasonal shows and events leading up to year’s end.
This December and into early January at the Majestic Theatre in San Antonio, enjoy a festive lineup of shows including stand-up from Ralph Barbosa, holiday performances like Elf: The Musical, Sarah Brightman’s A Winter Symphony, multiple Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet performances and a New Year’s Eve show with Chris D’Elia. In January, the season continues with a Pink Floyd Laser Spectacular, comedy from Mark Twain and Ali Wong, and the Broadway musical Water for Elephants among other headlining events.
Festive performances like Cirque-style holiday shows and themed concerts offer something a little different from traditional Christmas programming, making them ideal for multigenerational outings that include teens, adults, and visiting relatives.
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Make It a Theme Park Day at Six Flags Fiesta Texas
For families looking for a high-energy holiday outing, Six Flags Fiesta Texas will continue its Holiday in the Park programming through December 23, 2025. The park features seasonal decorations, holiday-themed shows, festive food options, and select rides — all wrapped into a day that feels special without the pressure of Christmas Day itself.
Many local families also choose the park’s Rockin’ New Year’s events. which run from December 26, 2025 to January 4, 2026, as a fun way to celebrate the final days of the year together.
Ring in the New Year With Options for Every Age
San Antonio’s New Year’s Eve offerings are known for being welcoming to families, couples, and friend groups alike. Celebrate SA, the city’s official New Year’s Eve celebration, usually takes over Hemisfair, La Villita, Market Street, and the River Walk with live music, food vendors, activities, and a citywide countdown.
Families with younger children can often find earlier “countdown-to-noon” or kid-focused New Year’s events at local attractions, allowing little ones to celebrate without staying up late. Meanwhile, adults looking for a more formal evening can choose from hotel galas, rooftop parties, or ticketed events across downtown.
Keep It Simple With Local Traditions
Not every holiday memory needs a ticket or a schedule. Many San Antonio families use the holiday break to revisit favorite traditions — walking through neighborhood light displays, enjoying seasonal treats at local bakeries, or gathering for casual dinners before everyone returns to work and school.
The Pearl District at Pearl lights up the season with its first-ever outdoor ice-skating rink open daily through January 4 (with festive treats, holiday markets, Santa photos, tree lighting and other seasonal activities), while the San Antonio Zoo hosts its annual Zoo Lights celebration through January 4 with miles of illuminated displays, holiday music and family-friendly entertainment. The San Antonio Botanical Garden presents its “Illuminate” nighttime light experience through January 11, featuring handcrafted lanterns, glowing trails and themed nights for all ages, making each a relaxed, joyful way to get out of the house while keeping the focus on time together.
A Season About Togetherness
The holiday break in San Antonio offers something truly special: a mix of festive energy and laid-back moments that allow families and friends to reconnect before the new year begins. Whether it’s a River Walk stroll, a holiday show, or simply sharing a meal downtown, these shared experiences often become the memories that last longest.
Stay tuned with My Neighborhood News for more guides to seasonal events, family activities, and things to do in San Antonio throughout the holidays and into the new year.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.