Thanksgiving break, holidays ahead, and taking your turn at hosting visitors again? There’s always something fabulous to see and enjoy in San Antonio—so much so that it can be overwhelming to remember all the options available when you’re ready to get out and explore. The most wonderful time of the year feels even more special this go-round and our local museums and attractions are ready to help entertain you and your visitors. Even if you don’t have visitors you need to entertain, check out all of this fall and winter fun in San Antonio, then get out and explore with your family and friends!
Many of these spots offer free hours or special days for locals to visit, making affordable family fun. For instance, you can add the San Antonio Museum of Art to a Sunday morning stroll on the Museum Reach, or pop into the Briscoe Western Art Museum on the third Sunday of each month for half-off general admission. Enjoy an afternoon at the museum, then watch the holiday lights glow on the River Walk.
And gifting hint: a membership or season pass makes a holiday present that ensures fun throughout the year. If you’re looking for a great gift that doesn’t end up as clutter, give the experience of dinosaurs, cowboys, animals, or LEGOs to fill their weekends with San Antonio adventures.
San Antonio Botanical Garden

Fall and winter are wonderful times to explore SABOT — and a great space to help burn off energy where kids can roam and play amongst gorgeous plants and trees and enjoy a space meant for littles in the Family Adventure Garden. But the garden takes on a new glow through Jan. 12 with Illuminate, an enchanting display of lanterns that are larger-than-life sculptures. The intricate designs and colors create dazzling scenes through the garden. Stroll through beautifully lit pathways and enjoy the serene beauty of nature paired with stunning displays that blend art, nature and culture in a mesmerizing celebration of light.
Briscoe Western Art Museum

Kid favorites at this museum right along the River Walk include a fantastic Alamo diorama that helps them understand the battle, cowboy gear like fantastic saddles and spurs, and eye-popping art that takes you West with stellar works that show cowboy life, Native American heritage, the wildlife of the West, and the rich influence of Mexican heritage. On view through January 19, 2025, don’t miss “Storytellers: Narrative Art and the West,” where you can explore how artists use narrative art to convey history, culture, and identity through works that tell powerful stories of the American Southwest. Guiding questions throughout the exhibition invite you to take a closer look at the works on display – and dive into the stories they tell – while a story station allows you to share their own stories. You can then hang your story on the exhibition’s community story wall or practice the techniques of gesture drawing – a quick sketching technique that helps capture the essence of a subject’s pose, movement or expression – and create your own narrative art. The museum’s McNutt Sculpture Garden also offers a nice spot to pause during any River Walk visit, including roaming through on your way to enjoy the annual Holiday River Parade.
Broadway Fun: The Majestic Theatre

While downtown is sparkling for the holiday season, don’t miss the chance to see two Broadway musicals as they make their way through San Antonio to entertain everyone at the Majestic Theatre. Nov. 26 – Dec. 1, check out “Shucked,” the Tony Award-winning musical comedy about yes, corn. The reviews are fabulous, the touring cast is terrific and a night at the Majestic is always a winner. Closer to the holidays, add “Peter Pan” to your calendar Dec. 17-22. This classic has been thrilling audiences for almost 70 years and is bring brought to life in a new adaptation. All of the Disney-animation magical music is there, so embrace your inner child and head to Neverland. Tip: Show tickets make a terrific holiday experience gift, so consider making them part of your holiday presents this year!
San Antonio Zoo Lights
“In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion sleeps tonight …” unless the zoo is lit up with holiday lights! Go at dusk and be there to see the animals getting ready for bed, then stay to see all of the holiday fun. Zoo Lights is included in general admission. Open through December 31, this spectacular event has been nominated for Best Zoo Lights by the “USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards,” promising an unforgettable journey filled with wild holiday magic for all ages. And don’t miss the all-new laser light show. Watch as the sky lights up with dancing beams alongside elegant flamingos, reflecting off the serene lake and carousel—a sight you won’t want to miss.
Magik Theatre
Add some magic to your holidays thanks to “The Velveteen Rabbit” at the Magik Theatre, Nov. 23 – Dec. 29. Back by popular demand this holiday season, this delightful and heartwarming retelling of the classic children’s story comes to life with performances throughout the holidays. 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. Magik Theatre is a wonderful way to introduce children to theater and never fails to entertain adults as well. Saturday, Dec. 14 offers Holiday Hop, a special opportunity to add extra “Magik” to your holiday season.
San Antonio Museum of Art

Art excursions are something we always enjoy as a family. SAMA is a favorite spot thanks to its location on the Museum Reach, its interesting campus, and the wide range of art you can enjoy. On display through Jan. 12, be sure to explore “Amalia Mesa-Bains: Archaeology of a Memory,” he first retrospective exhibition of the influential Chicana artist and cultural critic Amalia Mesa-Bains, who pioneered the genre of altar-installation. And if you’re in town and ready to shop Thanksgiving weekend, stop by the SAMA Holiday Market on Saturday, Nov. 30 for live music, story time and shopping with more than 50 locals artists and vendors.
The DoSeum
Journey through worlds full of wonder and whimsy on The DoSeum Express. This year’s track will weave through marvelous miniature creations made by the DoSeum’s Artists in Residence: Jayme Ditto, Stephen Longoria, Vaughn Huddleston, Juan Carlos Escobedo, and Chris Fonseca. On view through Jan. 5, it’s a terrific exploration of imagination and fun with toy trains and trolleys.
The Witte Museum

Dinosaurs! Animals! Texas History! And even SPIDERS! The Witte has it all thanks to its “Spiders: From Fear to Fascination” exhibition offers an up-close look at these fascinating creatures. Learn about their habitats, adaptations, and importance in ecosystems—perfect for nature enthusiasts and curious minds. See live spiders, including the Black Widow and Brown Recluse, and compete in a spider dance-off. You’ll walk away with a newfound appreciation for our eight-legged friends — or at least a better understanding of them. There’s also “Black Cowboys: An American Story” to delve into history of the West and don’t miss the opportunity to hang out with Santa and the Dinosaurs too!
Holidays on Houston Street
A new tradition that is back for its second year, downtown San Antonio will sparkle brighter than ever from November 29 to January 2, when more than five blocks of Houston Street will be filled with lights, decorations, entertainers and special events. Whether its Hot Holidays on Houston Street an evening of warm seasonal beverages and lights or the fantastic Holidays on Houston Street Market (Dec. 13-15) where you can shop, eat and enjoy an amazing holiday drone show, there’s something for everyone to enjoy downtown. Lace up your shoes and run through the lights during the Holidays on Houston Street Fun Run (Dec. 17) or just stroll the lights that will fill downtown with even more magic than usual during the holiday season. Check out the full calendar of events so you don’t miss out and parking tip: 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.