Make your holiday season unforgettable with the second annual Holidays on Houston Street in Downtown San Antonio! This year’s celebration is set to be even bigger and brighter, packed with more festivities, activities and holiday cheer for all. Set along one of the city’s most historic and charming corridors, Holidays on Houston Street kicks off on November 29 and runs through January 2. Be sure to mark your calendar for December 13-15, when special events and enhanced décor elevate the Houston Street experience.
The City of San Antonio, Centro San Antonio and Visit San Antonio have once again come together to bring extra holiday sparkle to five blocks of Houston Street, from Broadway to Legacy Park. Building on the success of last year’s festivities, which featured 393,000 LED multi-color lights draped across 79 trees, spanning over 134,000 linear feet, this second annual event promises even more twinkling lights and oversized holiday décor. The area will come alive with entertainers and themed offerings from local restaurants, shops and partners, creating an elevated and festive atmosphere for locals and visitors.
The 2024 Holidays on Houston Street Market, running from December 13–15, will evoke memories of Christmas past while inspiring new traditions for all. Additional details regarding all events can be seen below.
Ongoing: November 29 – January 2
- Nearly 400,000 mini-LED lights will illuminate around 80 trees, creating a breathtaking canopy of holiday glow. Each intersection will feature special lighting, while oversized ornaments and wreaths will adorn the lampposts, adding festive charm along the sidewalks.
- Many Houston Street businesses are participating with special holiday offers, décor and ambiance at a variety of shops, hotels, restaurants and bars. More details to follow.
- From December 13-15, during the Holidays on Houston Street Market, enjoy the sounds of carolers and entertainers filling the streets with festive holiday music.
- Bringing culture and vibrancy to Houston Street and the downtown area, Centro San Antonio’s Art Everywhere Project will return with a new artistic experience. This year, the project will illuminate the flame atop the 75-foot Por Vida mural, located at the corner of Houston and Navarro streets, adding a striking visual element to the holiday atmosphere.
- Enjoy family-friendly holiday themed events throughout the season at Legacy Park. Additional details to come.
- On November 29, the Holidays on Houston Street initiative will kick off with a dazzling night of lighting, illuminating both Houston Street and the San Antonio River Walk. Nearby, Travis Park will host the annual H-E-B Christmas tree lighting ceremony, adding to the festive spirit.
- The Shop Local campaign is partnering with Holidays on Houston this year to further highlight the benefits of supporting local businesses, especially as the Holidays on Houston Street Market begins. For more information, please visit: buylocal.sanantonio.gov
Date Specific: November 22, 2024 – January 2, 2025
November 22 – January 5: The Rotary Ice Rink presented by Valero – The Rotary Ice Rink presented by Valero will return this fall at Travis Park in downtown San Antonio. Since 2019, nearly 200,000 people have enjoyed the rink and surrounding festivities. The Rink will open the Friday before Thanksgiving and will operate daily through mid-January 2025.
November 30, 2024 – January 2, 2025: Old Town Trolley Tours’ Holiday Sights & Festive Nights – Get ready for a one-of-a-kind holiday experience in San Antonio! Climb aboard a festively decorated trolley and join us for a joyful sing-along tour through the beautifully lit streets of downtown. Perfect for families, friends and anyone looking to soak in the holiday cheer, this 45-minute trolley ride is filled with classic carols, twinkling lights and festive fun.
Starting and ending at Travis Park, home to the city’s Christmas tree, ice skating rink, and a variety of holiday vendor stands and activities, you’ll enjoy the sights and sounds of San Antonio’s cheerful holiday scene. You’ll also be blocks away from Holidays on Houston Street, the main street for downtown holiday festivities. Complimentary holiday glasses are included for a special view of the dazzling lights!
December 3: Taste of Houston Street Community Dinner – Join fellow diners on Houston Street, between Navarro and North St. Mary’s streets, for a unique culinary experience featuring the diverse offerings of Houston Street’s restaurants and bars. This special evening will showcase a block-long communal table, inviting residents and visitors to dine and celebrate beneath the sparkling enhanced holiday lights of historic Houston Street, right in the heart of downtown San Antonio.
December 7: San Antonio Coffee Festival Presents: Hot Holidays on Houston Street – Coffee, Tea, Cider, Hot Chocolate & More – Get ready for the coziest stroll down Houston Street with a new holiday event brought to you by the San Antonio Coffee Festival! Grab a mug and sample coffee, tea, cider, hot chocolate and more holiday treats as you explore the Houston Street lights, enjoy the live holiday music and shop the local gift market.
December 12: Paseo Market at Legacy Park – Join us at the base of Frost Tower for an unforgettable evening in downtown SA! Discover unique finds from local vendors, groove to the
beats of some local artists, and sip on complimentary drinks (while supplies last!). It’s the perfect vibe for a Thursday night out!
December 13-15: San Antonio Holidays on Houston Street Enhanced Weekend. A weekend full of non-stop activities are planned. In addition to the exciting events, here are details for this special weekend:
- Visitors and residents will step into a charming market right in the heart of Downtown San Antonio at the Holidays on Houston Street Market, where around 30 vendors will offer a curated selection of gifts, including artisan crafts, delectable treats, candles and locally made clothing.
- The market experience will be elevated by the Houston Street Experiential Lounge, where visitors can enjoy delicious holiday food and drinks while also picking up experience-based gifts from various San Antonio attractions.
- Holiday Lights in the Sky will captivate everyone as multiple minute drone shows, choreographed to holiday music, light up the evening sky. The shows will take place every day during this weekend at 7:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m., and 9:00 p.m.
December 14: Homemade Christmas – Experience the holiday season through the eyes of early settlers as they lived on the Texas frontier in the mid-1800s. This family-friendly event will feature period crafts for all ages, including yarn dolls, Victorian greeting cards, and pomander balls. There will be living history demonstrations such as Christmas storytelling, carol singers, candy making, blacksmithing, leatherworking and more. Homemade Christmas starts at 10:00 a.m. at The Alamo and runs till 2:00 p.m.
December 17: Holidays on Houston Fun Run and 5K – Visitors and residents are invited to don their holiday costumes and running shoes for the second annual Holidays on Houston Street Fun Run and 5K. Runners will be cheered on by performers and spectators along the course, with two route options available: a 1-mile fun run and a separate 5K route for those seeking a longer challenge. The race will conclude with an exciting after party, featuring events, live music, food, ice skating, games, giveaways and more—ensuring fun for all!
Three-Way Collaboration
Holidays on Houston Street brings together the energy and vision of the City of San Antonio, Centro San Antonio and Visit San Antonio in a collaborative effort to further enhance and evolve the city’s vibrant downtown. Through exciting events and activations, this initiative showcases San Antonio’s cultural and historic core, enriching the experience for residents while attracting even more visitors to choose Downtown San Antonio as their holiday destination of choice.
“I’m thrilled that Holidays on Houston is returning for its second year. This month-long celebration has grown to accommodate more visitors and offers an even wider range of activities,” said Mayor Nirenberg, “I’m incredibly proud of the work done by the City of San Antonio, Centro, Visit San Antonio and our partners. I hope to see everyone come downtown to enjoy what is quickly becoming a San Antonio tradition.”
“Holidays on Houston Street represents the future of Downtown San Antonio, highlighting the potential of an activated and vibrant downtown experience for residents, visitors and surrounding communities,” said Trish DeBerry, President and CEO of Centro San Antonio. “These initiatives are much more than just ‘events downtown’—they serve as a catalyst for economic progress, revitalizing local businesses throughout the area. As we work toward a cleaner, safer downtown and look ahead to new projects, it’s essential to continue bringing activations that energize the downtown community and foster growth that extends beyond the core.”
“San Antonio is the ideal holiday destination, where the festive spirit is as vibrant as the city. With a bigger and brighter Holidays on Houston Street in 2024, Visit San Antonio will continue to build regional awareness and focus on deepening engagement within our drive markets: Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin, and Corpus Christi,” said Marc Anderson, President and CEO of Visit San Antonio. “Initiatives such as Holidays on Houston allow us to move the needle further to ensure downtown San Antonio remains vibrant and engaging, where travelers will find a blend of rich culture and holiday magic.”
For a full list of Holidays on Houston Street happenings, more details and access to ticketed events, please visit the Holidays on Houston Street webpage: Holidays on Houston Street Official Page
Plan Ahead
The holiday season is a busy time in downtown San Antonio—plan ahead! Expect several street closures and the potential for heavy traffic due to the many large events taking place. Consider using public transportation, ride-sharing, biking, walking, or checking a navigation and traffic app before heading out. Visit the City of San Antonio’s street closure website for more information.
Visitor Parking
Check out the City of San Antonio’s SAPark website for easy, convenient and affordable parking! A full list of City-owned garages, lots and meters can be found here. 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 located at 117 W. Commerce.
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