The holidays are upon us and this week, ACMB will spend all week focusing on the holidays in San Antonio! We’ll cover everything from the best traditions to start this year, where to catch Santa Claus, which neighborhoods have the best lights, great gift suggestions and more! But today, we’ll start with our favorite holiday events around San Antonio. We’ve polled our contributors and friends and put together a collection of some of San Antonio’s best holiday traditions for your family to start this year!
Magik Theatre’s The Best Christmas Pageant Ever – November 20-December 21, various shows: Each year, Magik Theatre puts on a holiday themed play. But this year, I was beyond thrilled to see that they will be performing one of my all-time, Christmas-memory, favorite-book-from-when-I-was-a-kid plays! The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is adapted for the stage from Barbara Robinson’s timeless classic. “The Herdmans were the worst kids in the history of the world”…and the story of a local holiday pageant unravels from there. Not only that, but it has a great message behind it. You can catch the show Tuesday-Saturday at various times. www.magiktheatre.org
Concordia Lutheran Drive-Thru Nativity – December 7 & 8, 5pm-9pm: Our family loads up the car one weekend night each December and heads to Concordia Lutheran Church for their Drive-Thru Nativity. On arrival, each car is given a bag of cookies and a CD. Cruise along the church campus with the narration of the CD and enjoy as the story of Christmas comes alive before your eyes. The sets are well crafted and complete with real actors and live animals. Lines can get long so we recommend going early. The Drive-Thru takes about 20 minutes and you can head to a fun restaurant to grab dinner as a family afterwards. http://drivethru.concordialutheranchurch.com
Fiesta de las Luminarias – December 6-December 22: On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, the River Walk lights the banks of the river with over 6,000 Luminarias, symbolically lighting the way for the Holy Family. Beginning at dusk, stroll along the River and stop for hot chocolate while you’re there. www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com/events/ford-fiesta-de-las-luminarias
Ford Holiday Boat Caroling – December 4-December 22, 6:30pm-9:30pm: Joyous notes of holiday song fill the banks of the San Antonio River Walk throughout December when more than 185 school, church, company, and civic choral groups cruise along river boats, entertaining the downtown crowds. Grab a table at a cozy Riverwalk patio and enjoy dinner while you are serenaded and entertained. Viewing is free to the public. www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com/events/ford-holiday-boat-caroling
Children’s Chorus of San Antonio Winter Magic Concert – December 8 at 2:30pm at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church: Children from 2nd grade to high school, from all over the city, perform beautiful holiday songs in a lovely setting. This concert is sure to get you in the Christmas spirit. Tickets can be purchased online at childrenschorussa.org
Alamo Heights High School Choir Department’s Madrigal Dinner – December 13 & 14 from 6pm-8pm in the AHHS Auditorium: Alamo Heights High School Choir members dress in all manner of Renaissance garb (royalty, knights, peasants and jesters) and perform while attendees enjoy a festive feast. ($25 per ticket)
Dickens On Main – December 6 & 7 from 6pm-10pm: Located along the Hill Country Mile in historic downtown Boerne, Dickens On Main is a family-friendly event. Featuring Santa Claus himself, alongside horse drawn carriages, Dickens plays, holiday music, snow on Main Street, a petting zoo and Santa Toy Shop Children’s area. www.dickensonmain.com
So what are your family plans and San Antonio traditions for the holidays?