Have the whole week off for Thanksgiving and wondering what to do with the kids? Or are family and friends coming to visit and you want to keep them entertained? From holiday lights and parades to museum exhibitions and more, here are the top 10 things to do in San Antonio during Thanksgiving.
Explore Garden Wonder at Illuminate
See the San Antonio Botanical Garden in a whole new light as its newest awe-inspiring exhibition, Illuminate, invites you into an exciting world of wonder. Open November 29 and through the holiday season, this unforgettable evening adventure includes beautiful installations, glowing tunnels, and vibrant scenes that celebrate the beauty of nature. Journey through breathtaking illuminated displays comprised of hundreds of handcrafted lanterns that blend art, nature, and culture in a mesmerizing celebration of light. This new showcase features larger-than-life sculptures, intricate designs, and dazzling scenes that throughout the garden that will leave visitors spellbound.
Catch “Shucked” at the Majestic Theatre
For a dose of humor and Broadway-style entertainment, head to the Majestic Theatre to see “Shucked,” the Tony Award-winning, hilarious and audacious farm-to-fable musical about the one thing Americans everywhere can’t get enough of: corn. Part of the Broadway in San Antonio series, this laugh-out-loud musical combines clever writing with toe-tapping tunes, making it the perfect night out with friends or family and a fun way to add a different side dish to your holiday table. Bonus: A night at the historic Majestic will impress any of your out-of-town guests!
Spin a Web with Spiders at the Witte
Journey into the world of spiders with the opening of “Spiders – From Fear to Fascination,” at the Witte Museum. Connect with your spidey-sense as you see over 250 real specimens, cutting edge interactive experiences and the newest scientific discoveries, all aimed at debunking myths and revealing the true nature of one of the world’s most misunderstood creatures. Real
spiders – all behind glass, but still creepy! – including 16 different types of live spiders such as the Black Widow and Brown Recluse, are on display. Explore spider anatomy, behavior, and diet through a variety of interactive components while an augmented reality experience lets you hold digital spiders in your hands (thanks, but no). The exhibition also features a “spider dance-off,” where participants can mimic the mating dance of the peacock spider. Warning: Your imagination will have you feeling like something is crawling on you the whole time you’re there and kids will love it.
Get Wild at Night at the Zoo
Have beastly fun at Zoo Lights at the San Antonio Zoo as the zoo transforms into a glittering paradise with miles of dazzling lights, joyful holiday music, and whimsical holiday experiences at every turn. This year’s festivities boast the biggest and brightest show yet, featuring a spectacular NEW lakeside lightshow in Zootennial Plaza. Watch as the sky lights up with dancing beams alongside elegant flamingos, reflecting off the serene lake and carousel and new larger-than-life 3D animal light displays, offering beautiful backdrops for cherished photo moments with your loved ones. Giraffes, hippos, lions, and rhinos are brought to life in lights and every once in a while, you’ll see the real animals in their evening routines – and getting ready for bed (or for the nocturnal friends, they’re glad to see you and ready to party!).
>>Tip: Zoo Lights are free for members, so joining gives your family a way to enjoy the zoo all year long. And not-so-secret tip: there’s a special Black Friday discount on memberships through Nov. 30.
See Stories of the West at the Briscoe
Head west without leaving San Antonio at the Briscoe Western Art Museum and enjoy the Briscoe’s fantastic fall exhibition, Storytellers: Narrative Art and the West explores the many ways artists have told stories about the Southwest in their art. From Indigenous stories passed down through generations to the contemporary interpretations of Western life, the exhibition showcases how artists capture the spirit, landscapes and people of the West. Guiding questions throughout the exhibition help everyone take a closer look at the works on display – and dive into the stories they tell – while a storytelling station lets you share you own story and add it to the community wall. Prefer telling stories through pictures? A special mini-drawing lab lets you practice the techniques of gesture drawing and create your own narrative art.
>>Tip: While closed on Thanksgiving Day, the Briscoe is extending its hours to be open every day Nov. 21 – Dec. 1, so it’s a great destination to explore during Native American Heritage Month and Native American Heritage Day (Friday, Nov. 29). It’s also the perfect stop while enjoying the River Walk. Located just across from La Villita, the museum’s sculpture garden is a must-see before enjoying the holiday parade and the River Walk’s famous holiday lights. The Briscoe’s regular operating hours are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Friday – Monday, while it stays open until 8 p.m. on Thursdays.
>>Bonus Tip: While children 12 and under always receive free admission to the Briscoe, Bexar County and San Antonio residents can enjoy the museum’s monthly “Locals Day” on the first Sunday of each month. Sunday, Dec. 1 is the museum’s annual Cowboy Christmas celebration where you can enjoy free arts and crafts and see Cowboy Santa.
Watch Santa Float into Town
Yes, float. Santa rides into San Antonio on a river barge and kicks off one of the most festive times of the year for the Alamo City in the 2024 Holiday River Parade and Lighting Ceremony on Friday, Nov. 29. The parade is also the official kick-off of the famous lights on the River Walk. This year’s parade will feature 27 illuminated floats and over 100,000 lights (that’s 2,250 strands) illuminating the River Walk. Don’t forget: the lights stay on from sundown to sunrise every night until the weekend following New Year’s Day, so if you miss the parade, don’t miss checking out the lights!
See Lights, Lights and More Lights
- Dive into the largest light display in Texas at SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration. With Christmas shows – including Sesame Street and Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer – holiday treats and the opportunity to see Santa, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at SeaWorld.
- Check out the new Winterfest at the Rock at La Cantera, with festive holiday markets, ice skating and a sparkling Christmas tree. The event opens November 25 and admission is free.
- Step into a world of real holiday magic this season, as cherished holiday traditions come to life amid a spectacle of dazzling lights at Coca-Cola Classic Christmas. Crafted by the creators of the renowned world’s largest Christmas light maze, this immersive holiday celebration promises to create unforgettable moments of togetherness and joy at this beloved time of year.
Enjoy Art and Fun at the San Antonio Museum of Art
Explore SAMA and enjoy its annual Holiday Market, Saturday, Nov. 30, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. This free event includes shopping for gifts from more than 50 local artists and makers, while you enjoy family-friendly activities like artmaking, live music and storytelling. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. And of course, SAMA’s permanent collection is filled with fantastic works housed in the former Lone Star Brewery, making it a great, unique destination to enjoy with visitors. Learn more here and don’t miss “Amalia Mesa-Bains: Archaeology of Memory,” the first retrospective exhibition by the influential Chicana artist and cultural critic. Dried lavender, chemistry beakers, crushed glass, lotería cards, oxygen cords, armoires, seashells, a First Communion gown, and family photographs are some of the items that the artist has incorporated into her room-sides installations. Known for pioneering the genre of altar-installations, Mesa-Bains’ work is stunning.
Add Some Magik: The Velveteen Rabbit
Sprinkle your Thanksgiving with a bit of magic thanks to “The Velveteen Rabbit” at the Magik Theatre. Back by popular demand this holiday season, this delightful and heartwarming retelling of the classic children’s story comes to life with performances throughout Thanksgiving week. If you don’t know the story: a young child awakens on Christmas morning to discover a stuffed velveteen rabbit under the tree. As the child’s new favorite toy, the shy rabbit’s appearance becomes worn and shabby from play, and a wonderful change begins to happen. Don’t miss this inspiring, uplifting fable that so perfectly captures the spirit of the holiday season and for even more fun, add a visit to Yanaguana Garden and the new Civic Park at Hemisfair.
Hit the Ice at Travis Park
The Rotary Ice Rink is back at Travis Park, so lace up and show off your skills. There are deals for Tuesdays (Cheapskate Nights) and special pricing for military and first responders. San Antonio’s Christmas tree will light the park starting Nov. 29, making a trip to skate even more fun.
Looking for more fun? Check out this list for more tips.
