San Antonio's Houston Street transforms into a vintage holiday postcard come to life during the annual Holidays on Houston Street festivities. As reported by the City of San Antonio's official news release, a collaboration between the City of San Antonio, Centro San Antonio, and Visit San Antonio is ensuring the downtown area is decked out with festive lights, a holiday market, and a series of family-friendly events that are sure to lure both young and old to the historical heart of the city.
One of the event's features is the self-guided Holidays on Houston Cocktail Crawl, running through January 1, where participants can indulge in holiday-themed drinks at participating bars along Houston Street. A map to guide the imbibing journey can be obtained at any involved establishment - but fair warning, as my editor always says, drink like you vote – early and often, but responsibly. On the other hand, the Holidays on Houston Street Market, scheduled for December 13 through 15, offers an assemblage of 50 vendors showcasing a variety of local crafts, sweet treats, and more, all accompanied by caroling and photo opportunities that promise to be as merry as they are bright.
The skies over Houston Street will not just twinkle with the usual stars; they will explode with festive choreography thanks to the Holiday Drone Lights in the Sky. Taking place on December 13 and 14, these shows will illuminate the night at 7, 8, and 9 p.m., providing a modern twist on traditional holiday lighting. For those preferring their festivities with a dash of healthful enthusiasm, the Holidays on Houston Fun Run, kicking off at Travis Park at 5 p.m. on December 17, combines a race through the light spectacle of Houston Street with an after-party loaded with live music, food, ice skating, and games.
Moving forward, the San Antonio Coffee Festival will make the evenings a little warmer with its Hot Holidays on Houston, an event rescheduled to December 20 from 5-9 p.m. Across the festive blocks, attendees can savor seasonally inspired drinks and treats, setting the ambiance on Houston Street from the historic Alameda Theater to Frost Bank Promenade. According to the City of San Antonio news release, the event is part of a broader program supported by various foundations and companies, bringing the holiday spirit to this street.
And if you're wondering about the logistics of partaking in these holiday hi-jinks, the advice is to plan wisely. Downtown San Antonio is expected to be bustling, so early arrival is key. Ride-share services and public transportation are recommended to avoid traffic and parking hiccups. Speaking of parking - the City provides options through SAPark, with special event parking rates in effect during busy weekends, although Downtown Tuesday and City Tower Sundays offer respites of free parking. All the specifics, including times, dates, and detailed information about event-related activities can be found on the City's dedicated websites.
