Category: Holiday themed events

H-E-B Feast of Sharing to distribute holiday meals and produce

H-E-B’s Feast of Sharing will be this Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at the AT&T Center. Photo: google

Because of the pandemic, after 28 years of putting on their annual Feast of Sharing dinners for San Antonio, H-E-B is changing their way of setting the table for families this year. H-E-B is donating 10,800 H-E-B Meal Simple holiday dinners, along with 40,000 pounds of fresh produce, to add to the San Antonio Food Bank’s upcoming mega distribution at the AT&T Center on Tuesday December 15, 2020. H-E-B also will have more than 200 H-E-B Partner volunteers to help distribute the food to the expected 2,000 households that morning. There is still time to pre-register for Tuesday’s distribution which will be held at the AT&T Center at 9a.m. sharp. (San Antonio Food Bank, 2020)

In addition to H-E-B, other partners are joining in to bring additional holiday cheer to families. Those partners, anchored by Spurs Give and Spurs Sports & Entertainment include: Frost Bank, Valero, Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages, EVO Entertainment, Academy Sports + Outdoors, and Silver Eagle Beverages, Jack Daniel’s, and Décor IQ. Non-food items being donated by these generous companies include gift cards, water bottles, gas cards, coloring books, crayons, candy canes and chocolate candies, blankets, masks, children’s books, movie passes, and vouchers to illumiNight: A Magical Drive-Thru Experience.

H-E-B has been a longtime and critical partner to the Food Bank’s mission of setting the table for those facing hunger. Along with its year-round support of hunger relief organizations, H-E-B supports San Antonio Food Bank through several company initiatives such as the H-E-B Help End Hunger donation campaign, which raises funds for local food banks in Texas, and large-scale donations during National Hunger Action Month in September.

The San Antonio Food Bank is a 501c3 non‐profit organization providing millions of pounds of food to over 530 charitable organizations in Southwest Texas serving those in need. In addition to food distribution, the San Antonio Food Bank provides numerous programs that not only solve the immediate problems of hunger, but help individuals and families gain long‐term food security.

With sales of $28 billion, H-E-B operates more than 400 stores in Texas and Mexico. Known for its innovation and community service, H-E-B celebrates its 115th anniversary this year. Recognized for its fresh food, quality products, convenient services, and a commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability, H-E-B strives to provide the best customer experience and lowest prices. Based in San Antonio, H-E-B employs over 120,000 Partners in Texas and Mexico and serves millions of customers in more than 300 communities.

“The pandemic has seen thousands more hurting in our community. Imagine the anxiety the holidays bring, and then add on top of it not having food. It breaks your heart.  H-E-B bring both hope and meal ingredients to our hurting neighbors, and we could not be more grateful.” – Eric Cooper, President & CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank

Pluckers Wing Bar holiday gift guide

Pluckers Christmas Bundle. Photo: Pluckers Wing Bar, used with permission.

Pluckers Wing Bar is having a Holiday Gift Card Promo and a Christmas Bundle offer perfect for gift giving season.  (Pluckers Wing Bar, 2020)

Now through Christmas Eve, when a guest purchases an e-gift card of $25 or more, 20% will be added free to the purchaser’s e-gift card account on January 1, 2021. When a guest purchases a physical gift card of $30 or more, 10% will be added free to the purchaser’s physical gift card on January 1, 2021.

For the devoted Pluckers’ fan, there is the Pluckers Christmas Bundle, valued at $45 and includes the following below items. When purchasing a Christmas Bundle, add a sauce bottle of your choice to your cart and get it FREE.

  • Ugly Christmas Stocking
  • Ugly Christmas Sweater Shirt
  • Button Pack (6-count)
  • Chicken Wing Keychain
  • Chicken Wing Socks
  • Bumper Sticker
  • Choice of Sauce Bottle (FREE with purchase of Christmas Bundle)

Festive holiday offerings from all around San Antonio

La Panaderia’s personal size Christmas pies. Photo: La Panaderia, used with permission.

This holiday season, most people will be staying home and getting creative with holiday shopping. Whether celebrating with family or alone, local businesses are making it easy for San Antonio residents to celebrate the festive season. EVO Entertainment’s Movie Night Holiday Box will provide the ultimate home theater experience and La Panaderia and Bakery Lorraine are offering a variety of delectable treats sure to boost anyone’s holiday cheer. See below for a full list of Christmas offerings in the Alamo City this year. (Pearl, 2020)

Pearl and its Farmers Market Curbside debuts a variety of curated boxes filled with holiday gifts from regional producers and family farms that are perfect for gifting. Holiday shoppers can pre-order their products packaged in a beautiful, hand-printed Pearl gift box starting NOW through December 15 for pick up, or through December 18 for shipping (select boxes are available for shipping). Orders can be placed at Pearl Farmers Market and a full menu is available online.

Bakery Lorraine will offer a selection of festive desserts perfect for sharing. Offerings include their Apple Cranberry Pie made with a unique fusion of fresh ingredients and perfectly dusted with Christmas spice. A twist on the classic apple pie, the Dutch Apple Pie is made with four types of fresh apples and topped with a delicately crafted apple assortment and their legendary Whiskey Pecan Pie is made with a kick of Jack Daniels No. 7 Whiskey. All holiday pies are available for $26. The yearly treat, Buche De Noel ($48), is handcrafted with edible whimsical art that changes yearly and features a fluffy vanilla mousse, cherries, and a dreamy chocolate sponge cake saturated in a special kirsch syrup. 

All items can be pre ordered in-store or online. The last day to place a pre-order will be Friday, December 18 for Christmas Eve pickup. The Buche De Noel is available for pickup from December 12 through 31. Items will be available for pre-order at all Bakery Lorraine locations in San Antonio and Austin.

EVO Entertainment is offering a Movie Night Holiday Gift Box this holiday season for those missing the movie-going experience. The box will provide movie lovers with everything needed to create the perfect movie viewing experience at home: two limited-edition EVO tumblers, two boxes of classic candies and a large bag of movie theater popcorn. The Movie Night box is $24.99 and is available online or in store.

La Panaderia will once again be offering their traditional holiday pies this season and will include family size or personal size of the Apple, Pecan, Pumpkin, and Mixed Berry pies.  The Apple Croissant, the pan dulce holiday favorite, is available now for purchase for $5 online and in-store and the Christmas pies will be available for pre-order beginning December 15 through December 23 at select prices.  Pies may be picked up prior to Christmas Day.

For the first time, La Panaderia will be serving gooey and delicious s’mores cookies. The scratch-made chocolate cookies are packed with chocolate chunks and toasted marshmallows. The unique Christmas cookies come in a package of 6 for $18 and can be pre-ordered starting December 15.

La Panaderia is also offering Mimosa Kits to take home this year. The kit comes with a 750 ml bottle of JP Chenet Brut and half a gallon of fresh orange juice for $36.  Mimosa Kits are available for curbside pickup or dine-in.

Later this month, guests can pre-order the traditional pan dulce, Rosca de Reyes, starting on Tuesday December 29 in preparation for Epiphany Day on January 6, 2021.  Guests will have the option to purchase a small Rosca de Reyes for $4.50, a six-pack of small Rosca de Reyes for $24, or a family size Rosca de Reyes for $24.

The Jerk Shack’s family packs are designed to feed groups of six, making them the perfect option for a small Christmas gathering, which is an all too real situation during a pandemic. Guests can order Jerk Ribs, Jerk Tacos and Jerk Chicken with shareable sides to feed the group. Orders can be placed prior to Christmas Eve as the Jerk Shack will be closed for the holidays. Jerk Ribs with four sharable sides ($55), Jerk Tacos with two sharable sides ($45), Jerk Chicken with three sharable sides ($45)

“After a rollercoaster year, it is important now more than ever to support local businesses, and in turn for businesses like us to continue to do our part to bring joy to the San Antonio community. La Panadería was built on tradition, so it is always an honor for us when guests choose to share our seasonal items with their families and make us part of their own family traditions.” – David Caceres, La Panaderia co-founder

 

Taco Cabana caters for the Holidays

Taco Cabana’s catering options include enchilada casseroles and individually packaged Taco Boxes. Photo: Giant Noise, used with permission.

This holiday season let Taco Cabana ease the stress of meal preparation with a wide variety of catering options featuring all of Taco Cabana’s favorites.  Guests can now order Taco Cabana’s new 24-pack Enchilada Casserole, individually packaged Taco Boxes, and other delicious TC menu options as part of TC Holiday catering. Catering packages are available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. (Taco Cabana, 2020)

As a special incentive, any Taco Cabana guest placing catering orders for pick-up or delivery through December 31, 2020 by calling 1-855-4-MYTACO, or online using code M05328, will receive a 15% discount off their order if placed by Friday, December 18, 2020.  

The 24-pack Enchilada Casserole is the latest addition to Taco Cabana Catering and is the perfect easy-to-serve addition to any holiday season. Guests can enjoy the Enchilada Casserole for $89.99. The casserole is topped with the guest’s choice of two sauces, including Queso, Ranchero, Green, Suiza, Sour Cream or Tex-Mex. Each casserole is served with Taco Cabana’s signature refried beans, rice, pico de gallo and salsa roja. The TC catering menu is available online. Catering is available at all participating Taco Cabana locations in Texas.  

Taco Cabana, a subsidiary of Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: FRGI), was founded in 1978. The brand specializes in Tex-Mex-inspired food including enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas, flautas, burritos, tacos, flour tortillas and a selection of made-from-scratch salsas and sauces. Restaurants feature open-display cooking, a selection of beer and tequila margaritas, patio dining, drive-thru windows, curbside pick-up, and delivery. As of November 1, 2020, Taco Cabana operates 144 company-owned restaurants in Texas.

Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc., owns, operates and franchises Pollo Tropical and Taco Cabana® restaurant brands. The brands specialize in the operation of fast casual/quick service restaurants that offer distinct and unique flavors with broad appeal at a compelling value. The brands feature fresh-made cooking, drive-thru service, and catering.

Children’s Ballet and Bird Bakery present ‘Children’s Nutcracker’

The Children’s Ballet of San Antonio presents a feel-good virtual fundraiser for the whole family. Photo: Children’s Ballet of San Antonio, used with permission.

The holidays would not be the same without Tchaikovsky’s timeless holiday tale ‘The Nutcracker.’ This is why the Children’s Ballet of San Antonio (CBSA) is keeping the tradition alive, but in a safe and socially distanced way with an interactive virtual fundraiser that offers fun for the entire family. It is set to take place virtually Friday, December 18 at 7p.m., and Saturday, December 19 at 2p.m. and 7p.m. and then again Friday, December 25 at 7p.m. and Saturday, December 26 at 2p.m. and 7p.m. The fairytale comes to life with a full-length production featuring dazzling costumes, multimedia integrated scenery, award-winning dancers, and a talented array of young performers (including special needs artists) in a variety of disciplines. This year’s interpretation will have a 2020 twist with masks and Zoom family gatherings integrated into the storyline.  So put on your holiday PJs, throw a log on the fire, grab a cup of cocoa, and prepare to be enchanted as Clara, the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Snow Queen and more, dance their way into your living room—and into your hearts. (Children’s Ballet of San Antonio, 2020)

To sweeten the tradition, Bird Bakery will be providing cookie decorating kits designed for boys and girls featuring six of their mouthwatering cookies in the shapes of ballet slippers, ballerinas and, of course, Nutcrackers, along with three tubes of their special Royal Icing in blue, pink and white for creating your culinary masterpiece. Need inspiration? The piping pros at Bird Bakery will offer a cookie decorating tutorial during intermission to guide you through the process of creating the perfect cookie. Bird will also offer sandwich platters for both children and adults that include chips and their famous Monster cookies as well as a Cupcake for a Cause topped with an iced ballet slipper from December 7-13. A portion of the proceeds from the sales of this decadent dessert will go to CBSA.

Tickets for this special event start at $50 with tax-deductible sponsorship packages ranging from $100 to $10,000 depending on the package and can be purchased online where viewers can also find Bird Bakery order and pickup deadlines.  All sponsorships of $100 and up include at least one link to the showtime of choice plus a Bird Bakery cookie decorating set. Cookie decorating sets and sandwich platters are also available to purchase a la carte.

The award-winning Children’s Ballet of San Antonio (CBSA) is an authentic, professional-level ballet company that produces professionally staged productions showcasing San Antonio’s most talented children. Dancers are selected by invitation or audition. The Children’s Ballet of San Antonio is a nonprofit organization 501(c)3 whose mission is to inspire the pursuit of excellence and prepare children for productive and creative lives through dance by offering extensive training and performance opportunities for talented children from all backgrounds.

“We are thrilled to bring the tradition of the Nutcracker home for the holidays. This year more than ever, families are searching for ways to focus on the silver linings and create memorable moments at home. We hope this interactive experience will make the holidays that much richer.” – Vanessa Bessler, CBSA Founder.

Pearl’s Farmers Market Holiday Boxes available for nationwide shipping

Pearl’s curated boxes are perfect for holiday gift giving. Photo: Pearl, used with permission.

Pearl and its Farmers Market Curbside are debuting a variety of curated boxes filled with holiday gifts from regional producers and family farms that are perfect for gifting. Holiday shoppers can pre-order their products packaged in a beautiful, hand-printed Pearl gift box starting NOW through December 15 for pick up, or through December 18 for shipping (select boxes are available for shipping). Orders can be placed online. Highlights from the gift box program are included below, with a full menu available online. (Pearl, 2020)

Pearl Preserves Box $45 – This is an exclusive box that features products created and launched by Pearl in partnership with select Farmers Market vendors. Includes Pearl Cranberry Orange Compote, Pearl Pepper Jelly and Pearl Tomato Chutney.

Tamales Box $34 – Pick 2 La Hacienda Tamales. Choices: Veggie and Cheese (4 count, jumbo), Jalapeño and Cheese (4 count, jumbo), Vegan (4 count, jumbo), Charro Bean (6 count).

Local Charcuterie Box $95 – CKC Farm Baby Caprino Goat Cheese, River Whey Creamery Indigo Ridge Cheese, Al’s Gourmet Nuts, Ms. Chocolatier Chocolate Truffles or Chocolate Salami, Aurelia’s Spanish Cured Chorizo, Sandy Oaks Olive Jelly, Handcrafted Swift River Pecan Wood Cutting Board.

Sugar Plum Fairy Box $75 – 4-Iced Christmas Cookies, 5-Chocolate Truffles, 1-Peppermint Chocolate, 10-Chocolate Dipped Shortbread, 1-Peanut Brittle, 6-Caramels.

Pearl, located north of downtown San Antonio, provides a unique experience as a top culinary and cultural destination. The mixed-use space features retail, dining, picturesque green spaces, paseos riverside amphitheater, and the third campus of The Culinary Institute of America. As a former brewery operating from 1883 to 2001, Pearl reflects a vivid past while embracing the future with environmentally sustainable buildings mixed with historic architecture.

Briscoe Western Art Museum’s ‘Cowboy Christmas on the River Walk’

Briscoe’s ‘Cowboy Christmas on the River Walk’ will be this Saturday, December 19, 2020. Photo: Briscoe Western Art Museum, used with permission.

At the Briscoe Western Art Museum, the holidays come with a touch of Western fun. Enjoy the holidays in a new way at “Cowboy Christmas on the River Walk,” this Saturday, December 19 from 11a.m. to 4p.m. when the Briscoe will be brimming with holiday cheer. For guests who pre-book a visit, the experience includes a virtual or in-person story time and a personal visit with Cowboy Claus. “Cowboy Christmas on the River Walk” is included with Briscoe general admission. With safety in mind, visits and story time with Cowboy Claus are ticketed separately and limited to those who pre-reserve. The museum’s health and safety protocols require that both staff and guests wear masks. Temperature checks are also conducted. Museum hours, parking and admission details are available online. (Briscoe Western Art Museum, 2020)

Cowboy Christmas features a day of family fun exploring the museum, made even sweeter because December 19 is Locals Day at the Briscoe. All Bexar County residents receive half off general admission to enjoy the day. The Briscoe’s halls are decked, carols are quietly echoing in the Briscoe’s McNutt Sculpture Garden, and holiday fun and flavor await with San Antonio food truck favorites Lady Picoza and Saweet Cupcakes onsite offering tasty holiday treats to enjoy in the sculpture garden. During a special 12 Days of Christmas scavenger hunt, guests can browse through the Briscoe’s fantastic collection and there will be Christmas crafts and coloring sheets to enjoy onsite or to take home.

For shoppers looking for the perfect gift, the Museum Store is offering special deals during Cowboy Christmas, including 10% off all holiday, home décor, and gifts for men, women, and children. As always, children 12 and under receive free admission at the Briscoe, as do active-duty members of the military, making the museum an ideal spot for local families to enjoy and find fantastic gifts to take home.

The Briscoe is offering both virtual and in-person contactless visits with Cowboy Claus. For the virtual Cowboy Claus option, morning and afternoon private, personalized sessions are available and include four children per family. Through a Zoom visit, Cowboy Claus will meet and greet each Lil Partner and their family in a 10-minute private visit, featuring one-on-one family time with the man of the season as he visits with your Lil Partners in your home before he comes back in person on Christmas Eve. Santa will know your Lil Partners’ names, favorite things and more, thanks to the magic of the pre-reservation information you provide. The session also includes story time with Santa and a digital activity pack including coloring pages, a Santa countdown calendar and more. Virtual visit families will also receive a fun and engaging children’s craft activity delivered before the big day, as well a 20% discount code to shop online or in person for the perfect gifts in the Briscoe Museum Store and two general admission tickets to enjoy the museum on a future visit. Virtual visits are $45 per family of four children and $35 for museum members and can be booked online.

Santa wants everyone to stay safe for the holidays, so he is stopping by the Briscoe for “contactless” visits in-person with Lil Partners. That means he will meet and greet but will be safely distanced so that everyone can stay on the nice and healthy list. In-person Cowboy Claus sessions include story time with Santa, a 6-minute personal visit with Santa and unlimited personal photos with Santa, snapped by a grownup joining in the fun to capture Christmas memories, the Briscoe’s holiday scavenger hunt, and a fun and engaging take-home children’s craft activity and exclusive discounts to shop online or in person for the perfect gifts in the Briscoe Museum Store. In-person visits with Cowboy Claus are not included with museum admission, however, museum admission may be purchased online, or in-person and the Locals Day admission special applies. “Contactless” Cowboy Claus visits are $35 per family of four children and $25 for museum members and can be booked online. 

Space is limited on a first-come, first-served basis to guarantee a safe, socially distanced event and tickets must be purchased in advance.  Virtual visits with Cowboy Claus must be pre-reserved by December 13and in-person time by December 18. No sessions will be sold the day of the event.

Celebrate the holiday season with Taco Cabana’s new menu items

Taco Cabana’s new breakfast tortas are available all day every day at all Texas locations. Photo: Taco Cabana, used with permission.

Taco Cabana is celebrating the holiday season with the addition of several all-new holiday menu items. Starting tomorrow, December 2, 2020, guests can enjoy Taco Cabana’s new TC Torpedoes, breakfast tortas, churros and hot and cold alcoholic and non-alcoholic holiday beverages including Rum Tea Punch and Cafe de Olla, as well as two new Taco Cabana margarita flavors, Candy Cane and Apple Spice. (Taco Cabana, 2020)

For the very first time, Taco Cabana introduces TC Torpedoes – fried corn masa filled with the guest’s choice of chicken tinga or cheese and poblano. TC Torpedoes come as a two-pack for $4.99; as a plate with rice, beans, guacamole and two tortillas for $6.99; or as a combo with chips, queso and a 20 oz. drink for $7.99.

Taco Cabana continues to enhance its beverage options with a variety of new hot and cold alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. For guests looking to warm things up, Taco Cabana is offering its new Rum Tea Punch made with Bacardi Rum or non-alcoholic Cafe de Olla, a sweetened coffee with hints of cinnamon. As the margarita capital of Texas, Taco Cabana delivers again with its latest margarita offerings – Candy Cane and Apple Spice. Each beverage is available for $3 at all participating Texas Taco Cabana locations. 

Looking to sweeten your TC meal? Guests can now enjoy a two-pack of Taco Cabana’s new churros for just $2.99. This holiday season, guests can also give the gift that keeps on giving. For every $25 in Taco Cabana Gift Cards purchased, guests will receive a free $5 Holiday Guest Appreciation Card to use on future Taco Cabana visits.

Also releasing system-wide tomorrow at all Texas locations, Taco Cabana introduces its new breakfast tortas, available all day every day. Breakfast lovers can enjoy a Chorizo & Egg or Cheese & Egg torta for $2.99, or a Bacon, Egg & Cheese torta for $3.99.  

The seasonal menu items are available for online ordering for front counter and curbside pick-up, via the drive-thru or by mobile order when using the MyTC! App. Select Taco Cabana dining rooms and patios are now open as well.

Taco Cabana, a subsidiary of Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: FRGI), was founded in 1978. The brand specializes in Tex-Mex-inspired food including enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas, flautas, burritos, tacos, flour tortillas and a selection of made-from-scratch salsas and sauces. Restaurants feature open-display cooking, a selection of beer and tequila margaritas, patio dining, drive-thru windows, curbside pick-up and delivery. As of January 1, 2020, Taco Cabana operates 145 company-owned restaurants in Texas.

Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc., owns, operates and franchises Pollo Tropical and Taco Cabana® restaurant brands. The brands specialize in the operation of fast casual/quick service restaurants that offer distinct and unique flavors with broad appeal at a compelling value. The brands feature fresh-made cooking, drive-thru service and catering.

Calling all artists: Virtual Winter Art Show

The Harlingen Public Library is hosting a Virtual Winter Art Show. Photo: Harlingen Public Library, used with permission.

During Hispanic Heritage Month, the Harlingen Public Library hosted a Virtual Art Show and reached out to the community for submissions. Artwork submissions came in from all over the Rio Grande Valley in all age groups and due to the positive response from the community, the library is hosting another one this winter. The Harling Public Library is putting out an official call for art submissions for a Virtual Winter Art Show.  Interested artists should send a photo of their work and responses. The photo should be high resolution, suitable for a family show and any medium is acceptable.  All participants will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win some new art supplies. Submission deadline is Tuesday, December 8.  The library website and social media will display the Virtual Winter Art Show. More information, as well as the Entry Form, is available online. (Harlingen Public Library, 2020)

The Harlingen Public Library provides dynamic and engaging services for a diverse and evolving community.  Mission statement: “We exist to build bridges that strengthen the ties of our community. We create innovative pathways for people to connect with information and each other. Working together, the people of our community can experience infinite opportunities and growth. We are the bridge builders; we make ways where none exist.”

Deck the Paws Parade at the San Antonio Botanical Garden

Deck the Paws Parade at the San Antonio Botanical Garden this Saturday December 5, 2020. Photo: San Antonio Botanical Garden.

Looking for something to do with your dogs this weekend? This Saturday, December 5 from 9a.m. to 12p.m. at the San Antonio Botanical Garden, (555 Funston Place) guests can enjoy the garden’s 38 acres of holiday blooms with their four-legged friends.  So, dress up your fur family in the best holiday attire and join the Deck the Paws Parade as winners from each category will receive a prize.  The event will feature dog vendors and food and drinks will be available for purchase for the humans accompanying the dogs.  Doggy dress up contest categories: Best Costume Overall, Best Dog/Owner, Best Puppy in Costume (for dogs 1 and under) and Best Duo Costume (for dogs with a matching theme). (San Antonio Botanical Garden, 2020)

The parade begins at 10a.m. by Mays Family Display Garden and goes around Greehey Lawn.  Doggy Dress Up Contest begins at 10:45a.m. at Greehey Lawn.  Cost: Included with Garden admission + $5 per leashed dog. Members enjoy free admission + $5 per leashed dog. Tickets are available online.

Dog guidelines: All dogs on-site must be current with appropriate shots and registrations. Dogs in heat or aggressive animals may be removed from the Garden at the discretion of management, no refunds.  No dogs will be allowed in the Garden after 12p.m. and all dogs must always be on a leash.  All dogs must remain on pathways. No dogs will be allowed at The Zachary Foundation Culinary Garden, Family Adventure Garden or Children’s Vegetable Garden.