How to Spend Christmas in San Antonio, Texas

Christmas in San Antonio is a magical time! From the larger-than-life decorations (everything’s bigger in Texas) to the twinkling lights along the famous River Walk, the city is aglow with festive spirit. These are the best things to do in San Antonio for Christmas to make your holiday unforgettable.

After three years of spending Christmas in San Antonio, my family and I pretty much have this whole Christmas-in-Texas thing down — and I’m here to help you plan your own unforgettable holiday in the Alamo City!

Whether it’s your first visit or a return trip, here’s how to make the most of your San Antonio Christmas.

Top Things to Do in San Antonio for Christmas

1. See the River Walk Holiday Lights

Every year at Thanksgiving, the city turns the River Walk into a winter wonderland full of thousands of Christmas lights.

Over 100,000 holiday lights are strung throughout the trees over the river, creating a festive spirit like no other! The San Antonio River Walk is truly magical for the holidays.

On the day after Thanksgiving, you can see the Holiday River Parade full of decorated boats. Throughout the rest of the season, you can enjoy the lights as you walk and dine on the River Walk.

The lights are left up through the first week of January, so there’s plenty of time to enjoy the sparkle.

2. Take a River Cruise

You should, of course, spend plenty of time walking the River Walk, but you should also take a cruise down the river. There are river cruises that run at all hours of the day and well into the night around Christmas time because they know they give the best view of all the lights (all 133,620 feet of light strands).

The tours last about 35 minutes, all of which are filled with history and trivia. Lines can get incredibly long, especially at night. We’ve waited in line for a night tour once, because you might as well do it once, but after that we have only taken day tours, which are best done in the morning as they are less crowded so you get more space on the boat and it feels more relaxed.

The tours run on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Book your San Antonio River Walk Cruise here.

3. Take a Carriage Ride Through the City

A carriage ride is a great way to see the city lights at night.

You can feel like royalty in a lights-covered Cinderella carriage or a more traditional open-style carriage. You can find carriages lined up around Alamo Plaza and hop on for a ride. These carriages will take you through the best spots to see the holiday lights.

And while most drivers are content to leave you to sit back and enjoy the ride, they’re all also very knowledgeable about the city, so ask them questions! That’s how we found out how they put up all these lights (just a few people, some cranes, and light strands with weights on the end; they set up for months and turn it all on after Thanksgiving!).

4. Take a City Lights Night Tour

See the city lit up at night on this San Antonio City Lights Night Tour. On the tour, you’ll glide through downtown on an open-air trolley and learn about the history of the Alamo, River Walk, and San Fernando Cathedral, all beautifully illuminated at night and glowing for the holidays.

This is a great time to take nighttime photos with designated photo-op stops. Plus, there’s a curated soundtrack of music inspired by local culture, so it’s an all-senses tour!

Book your San Antonio City Lights Night Tour here.

5. Take a Holiday Sights & Festive Nights Trolley Tour

Hop aboard a festively decorated trolley on this San Antonio Holiday Sights & Festive Nights Trolley Tour, a jolly alternative to the standard city lights night tour.

As you enjoy the dazzling lights of downtown, you’ll also get to sing along to your favorite holiday songs. Plus, you’ll get complimentary holiday glasses to jazz up your outfit and give you a special view of the lights.

The tour starts at Travis Park, home to the city’s Christmas tree and ice skating rink, and makes stops near Holidays on Houston Street, the main street for San Antonio’s holiday festivities.

Book your San Antonio Holiday Sights & Festive Nights Trolley Tour here.

6. Do Some Last Minute Christmas Shopping

I’m always up for a shopping trip, and there are some good sales around Christmas.

The Shops at Rivercenter is located on the River Walk and has over 100 retailers as well as a movie theater.

Just outside of the city center is Historic Market Square and El Mercado, the largest Mexican market in the US. Here you can find locally owned shops and stalls and buy last minute gifts of handmade pottery, jewelry, clothes, and other works of art.

La Villita Historic Arts Village, one of San Antonio’s first neighborhoods, is located just off of the River Walk and also has shops of local art, clothing, and antiques.

7. Marvel at San Fernando Cathedral

San Fernando Cathedral is one of the oldest cathedrals in the US and is at the heart of Catholic religious life in San Antonio. It’s such a beautiful and peaceful place to visit for the holidays.

The beautiful Gothic Revival style of the church seen today is the result of an 1868 renovation project led by architect Francois Giraud. An 1889 report claims a tomb inside the cathedral contains the remains of three Alamo heroes, though many historians believe this is certainly not the case.

The church is open for visitors throughout the day.

8. Visit The Alamo

What’s a trip to San Antonio without visiting the Alamo? A pivotal point in the Texas Revolution, the defeat at the Alamo and Santa Ana’s cruelty inspired many to join the Texian Army, later leading to the Texians defeating Mexico and ending the revolution just a month later.

The museum offers guided tours, a self-guided tour, an exhibit, and an augmented experience that brings the Battle of the Alamo to life. Plus, admission to the Alamo Church itself is free.

Just keep in mind that the Alamo is closed Christmas Day, so then you’ll have to be content with just seeing the outside of it. But it is open on Christmas Eve!

Save on Alamo tours using the San Antonio CityPASS.

San Antonio Christmas Map

Ready to visit San Antonio for Christmas? Use the map below to plan out your holiday vacation!

I hope you have an mazing Christmas in San Antonio, Texas!

Your Christmas in San Antonio

Maybe you can’t do it all in one Christmas (we certainly didn’t; this is compiled over 3 years), but any one of these activities is a great way to spend time with your family and see what this beautiful city has to offer.

San Antonio at Christmas FAQ

Top San Antonio Tours

With so much to see, San Antonio can be overwhelming for any first-time traveler. To take some of the stress out of planning your visit, opt for a guided tour! Check out this list of the top San Antonio tours to help you make the most of your time in this Texas city.

• San Antonio Haunted History Ghost Tour
• San Antonio Missions UNESCO World Heritage Sites Tour
• Best of San Antonio Small Group Tour with Boat + Tower + Alamo

• 11 Most Haunted Hotels in San Antonio
• 13 Chillingly Haunted Places in San Antonio
• 10 Best Restaurants in San Antonio
• 5 Best Bars in San Antonio
• 19 Free Things to Do in San Antonio
• 5 Best Restaurants on the San Antonio River Walk
• Visiting Lookout Hill Tower in San Antonio

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Ready to visit San Antonio, Texas? Plan your trip with these tips.

• Book your flight: Find the cheapest flights using Skyscanner, my favorite flight search engine.
• Find accommodation: You can find top hotels in San Antonio using Hotels.com.
• Get packing: Make sure you’ve packed everything you need with my packing list resources.
• Finish Your Christmas Shopping: Still looking for the perfect gift for your travel-lover? Check out my comprehensive Gifts for Travelers gift guide.

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Cheers!

Paige

Have you spent Christmas in San Antonio, Texas? Let me know in the comments!