Horseshoe Bay Resort activities for December

horshoebayresort — Horsshoe Bay Resort has a variety of holiday activities scheduled for December. Photo: Horseshoe Bay Resort, used with permission.

Horseshoe Bay Resort is at the forefront of Texas’ luxury travel destinations, named by Condé Nast Traveller as one of the ‘Top Resorts in Texas and The Southwest.’ Just a short 90-minute drive from San Antonio, it features a variety of lakeside activities, kid-friendly amenities and dining outlets with spectacular views of Lake Lyndon B. Johnson, Horseshoe Bay Resort is the perfect place to cozy up for the holiday season and enjoy seasonal programming like a complimentary shuttle to the Marble Falls Walkway of Lights, Winter Wonderland, New Year’s Eve activities and more. (Horseshoe Bay Resort, 2018)

December events:
Charlie Brown Christmas Dinner
Friday, December 14 – Dinner begins at 7p.m.; the show begins at 8p.m.
Don’t miss a fabulous performance of a Christmas classic by the Austin Chamber Music Center. Celebrate the season with the original Charlie Brown music of Vince Guaraldi featuring pianist Michelle Schumann, bassist Utah Hamrick, drummer David Sierra and special guests plus the chance to meet Snoopy in the lobby. Reservations required.

Horseshoe Bay Resort Winter Wonderland
Saturday, December 15 from 4p.m. to 10p.m.
Take a stroll through Horseshoe Bay Resort’s Winter Wonderland. The Winter Market will feature a uniquely curated shopping selection, including Kendra Scott, Raven + Lily, Haley LeBeuf, Colores Collective and Mustard Seed Jewelry. Guests will also enjoy a Laser Light Show, the Acapella Group Vocalibre of Texas State University, photos with Santa, letters to Santa, arts and crafts, food and beverage stations, horse-drawn carriage rides and more. Guests may view pricing and updates on the resort event calendar.

Saturday, December 21
• 10a.m. to 2p.m. Gingerbread House Decorating at the Yacht Club Ballroom: bring the little ones to decorate a gingerbread house. These pre-assembled houses are made in the pastry department and all supplies and decorations are included. Reservations are required 48 hours in advance by calling 830.596.2582.
• 6p.m. to 7p.m. – Marble Falls Walkway of Lights: watch more than two million lights transform Marble Falls Lakeside Park into a Winter Wonderland. Complimentary shuttles are available for overnight guests and club members.

Sunday, December 31
• 6p.m. to 1a.m. – Kids Club New Year’s Eve: while parents dance the night away, let Horseshoe Bay Resort take care of the kids at the Kid’s Club. New Year’s Eve Kid’s Club programming includes snacks, dinner and arts and craft activities throughout the evening. Reservations are required.
• 9:30p.m. – Ring in the New Year at Horseshoe Bay Resort: folks can enjoy dancing at the Granite Ballroom with live music by The Argyles – one of the best party bands in Texas. Admission includes party favors and a champagne toast at midnight. Drink specials will be available to purchase throughout the evening.

Weekly Activities
• 11a.m. to 12p.m. – Exotic Animals featuring Birds of the Bay, where guests can take a memorable photo with the exotic birds on property; a staff member will also be on-site to share interesting bird facts and the Tortoise connection: where guests can mingle with the tortoises on-property and learn unique cool facts. Guests may also feed the tortoises a snack and take get a picture that they will never forget. Check Horseshoe Bay Resort’s website for more information.

Weekend Activities
• Thursday – Saturday; 6p.m. to 7p.m. – Marble Falls Walkway of Lights: watch more than two million lights transform Marble Falls Lakeside Park into a Winter Wonderland. Complimentary shuttles are available for overnight guests and club members.
• Friday and Saturday, 6p.m. – 7:30p.m. – S’mores by the Campfire: Enjoy complimentary S’mores on the Live Oak Lawn, surrounded by festive decor and the beautiful Texas Hill Country.

Horseshoe Bay Resort
200 Hi Circle North
Horseshoe Bay, TX 78657
(877) 611-0112

‘The Santaland Diaries’ returns to The Classic Theatre

santaland19 — John Stillwagon returns as Crumpet the Elf in ‘The Santaland Diaries’ at The Classic Theatre. Photo: Laura Tannenbaum, used with permission.

The hilarious holiday favorite ‘The Santaland Diaries’ returns to The Classic Theatre of San Antonio this week when it opens on Friday December 7. This one-man show is based on the true chronicles of NPR comic genius David Sedaris’ experience as Crumpet the Elf in Macy’s Santaland display. This cult classic riffs on a few of his odd encounters with his fellow man during the height of the holiday crunch. John Stillwagon returns as Sedaris’ not so merry alter ego Crumpet the Elf with Bart Roush directing. The show is written by David Sedaris and adapted by Joe Mantello. ‘The Santaland Diaries’ runs through Sunday December 16 with show dates on December 7, 8, 9 and 14, 15 and 16. Performances are Friday and Saturday at 11p.m. and Sunday at 7p.m. (The Classic Theatre, 2018)

Tickets are $25 for general admission and may be purchased online or by calling the box office at (210) 589-8450. Group rates are available. There will be a complimentary eggnog reception on opening night Friday December 7. Please note that ‘The Santaland Diaries’ is recommended for ages 14 and over as it contains mature content and language and the secret of Santa is exposed.

The Classic Theatre of San Antonio
1924 Fredericksburg Rd
San Antonio, TX 78201
(210) 589-8450

Hotel Emma’s Salvation Army benefit kicks off with concert on Saturday

hotelemmacarolers — Hotel Emma will host a holiday concert this Saturday to kick off the season. Photo: Nick Simonite, used with permission.

Hotel Emma is thrilled and honored to continue their annual Salvation Army benefit this holiday season from December 14 through December 22. To kick off the holiday season and give a special preview of the upcoming caroling, Hotel Emma will host a concert on Saturday, December 1 from 3p.m. to 5p.m. in the Pearl Amphitheatre. The community of San Antonio is invited to sing along with local 12-year old musician Marisa Rose Mejia and additional holiday performances including the Children’s Choir. Santa will be available for photo opportunities and guests will be able to enjoy complimentary cookies and hot chocolate during the performance. The presentation is free and open to the public. (Hotel Emma, 2018)

Chordsmen will perform in Supper for guests’ enjoyment from December 14 through December 22 from 11a.m. to 2p.m. Reservations for Supper are encouraged and can be made by calling (210) 448-8351. Donations can be made to the Salvation Army kettles in Supper and in the hotel lobby area. Hotel Emma will be matching all donations received up to $5,000.

Holiday Performance:
Pearl Amphitheatre
303 Pearl Pkwy
San Antonio, TX 78215

Carolers at Supper:
Supper at Hotel Emma
136 E Grayson St
San Antonio, TX 78215

Grinch brunch and reading at SweetFire Kitchen

Welcome to Whoville! Join Grinch for a Brunch Feast at SweetFire Kitchen at La Cantera Resort & Spa, Saturday, December 1 from 10a.m. to 3p.m. Grinch will read “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” to the children by the Christmas Tree on Plaza San Saba, just off the patio at SweetFire Kitchen at 11a.m., 1p.m. and 3p.m. Brunch seating will be from 10a.m. to 3p.m. Feast menu includes Roast Beast; Who Hash; Grinch Greens; Cindy Lu Salad; Who Pudding; Grinch Bread, Whoville Feast treats, Grinch juice and so much more. The Grinch will make his rounds, stopping by the tables to pose for photos.(SweetFire Kitchen, 2018)

Tickets are $75 for adults and $30 for children. Five dollars from every ticket sold will benefit the San Antonio Library Foundation. To make a reservation please call 210-558-2479.

SweetFire Kitchen
La Cantera Resort & Spa
16641 La Cantera Parkway
San Antonio, TX 78256
(210) 558-6500

‘All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914’ at The Public Theater of San Antonio

alliscalmpic — ‘All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914’ will be playing at The Public Theater of San Antonio from November 23 through December 23. Photo: Siggi Ragnar, used with permission.

A new holiday tradition returns to The Public Theater of San Antonio with opening night of ‘All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914’ on Friday November 23. It will play in the Russell Hill Rogers Theater until Sunday December 23 and has George Green as Director, Zachariah Baker as Music Director and Courtnie Mercer as Choreographer. It stars Zachariah Baker, Chaz Ingraham, David Nanny, Robby Vance, Travis Trevino, Robert Nauman, Gavin Rohrer, Aaron Ely, Eric Dean Buchaus, John Towry, Miguel Ochoa and Trey Hoadley. Show times are Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30p.m. and Sundays at 2p.m. Tickets are available online or by calling the box office at (210) 733-7258. Prices are $30 for Adults, $25 for Military members with ID, $25 for Seniors age 60 and older and $25 for Students with ID. Group rates are available for ten or more guests. (The Public Theater of San Antonio, 2018)

‘All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914’ by Peter Rothstein has musical arrangements by Erick Lichte and Timothy C Takach. It is set in 1914, at the Western Front, where out of the violence comes a silence, then a song. When a German soldier steps into No Man’s Land singing “Stille Nacht” it brings about a night of camaraderie, music and peace. A remarkable true experience, it is told in the words and songs of the men who lived it. This acapella musical highlights the beauty and power of the human spirit during the darkest of days.

Special Event Nights:
Opening Night with post show reception to follow – Friday November 23
Education Night – Thursday December 6
Food Truck Friday – Friday December 7
Special Marcsmen performance following show – Friday and Saturday December 14 and 15

The Public Theater of San Antonio
800 West Ashby Place
San Antonio, TX 78212
(210) 733-7258

November activities at Horseshoe Bay Resort

Upcoming events for November:
Thursday November 22 through Saturday November 24
• 6p.m. to 7p.m. – Marble Falls Walkway of Lights – watch more than two million lights transform Marble Falls Lakeside Park into a Winter Wonderland. Complimentary shuttles are available for overnight guests and club members.

Saturday, November 24
• 5p.m. to 9p.m. – Candy Cane Course – guests can enjoy a round of putting at the Whitewater Putting Course while surrounded by beautiful scenery decorated in holiday cheer. Regular rates apply.

• 6:30p.m. to 8p.m. – Letters to Santa – guests can take a memorable holiday photo and let the little ones hand deliver their letters to Santa. Enjoy a complimentary laser light show and candy cane s’mores.

Horseshoe Bay Resort’s everyday activities for November:
• 9a.m. to 5p.m. – Creative Play – at the Jungle Kid’s Club, children can create crafts including slime, suncatchers, dream catchers, mini-pumpkin decorating, edible crafts and more. Cost is $15 per child and all children must be accompanied by an adult.

• 11a.m. to 12p.m. – Birds of the Bay – guests can take a memorable photo with the exotic birds on property. A staff member will be on-site to share interesting bird facts.

• 11a.m. to 12p.m. – Tortoise connection – mingle with the tortoises on-property as guests learn unique facts. Guests may feed the tortoises a snack and take a picture to commemorate the occasion.

Horseshoe Bay Resort
200 Hi Circle North
Horseshoe Bay, TX 78657
(877) 611-0112

North Star Mall cowboy boots light up for the holidays

northstarboots — North Star Mall’s cowboy boots will light up starting Thursday November 22. Photo: North Star Mall, used with permission.

The world’s largest cowboy boots at North Star Mall will light up after sunset on Thursday, November 22 as a beacon for the holidays. The glow from 8,000 red and white LED lights that adorn North Star’s 35-feet tall Cowboy Boots during the holidays serve as a guiding light for Santa Claus and officially symbolizes the beginning of the holiday season. The boots will glow nightly from 5:45p.m. to 7a.m., November 22 through December 31. The Boots are located at the frontage road of Loop 410 in front of Saks Fifth Avenue. (North Star Mall, 2018)

The boots stand 35 ft. high, are 8 ft. in diameter and weigh five tons, that’s 5,000 lbs. each. Artist Bob Wade, a native Texan, originally created the boots in 1979 for the Washington Project for the Arts, funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. The black, brown and white simulated plucked ostrich skin boots took Wade six weeks to build. In November 2014, Guinness World Records officially declared the art sculpture that symbolizes cowboy phenomena the “World’s Largest Cowboy Boot Sculpture.”

North Star Mall
7400 San Pedro
San Antonio, TX 78216
(210) 340-6627

Upcoming holiday events at the Pearl

chanukah18 — The Chanukah lighting ceremony is set for Monday December 3. Photo: Pearl, used with permission.

The Pearl continues to host a variety of events and activities to celebrate the season. Coming up next is the Holiday Night Market this month followed by Chanukah and a Posada in December. Everyone is invited to celebrate the joys of the season at the trendiest place in town which also happens to be family and pet friendly. All events are free and open to the public. (Pearl, 2018)

Holiday Night Market: Starting November 29
Pearl is excited to host a holiday night market every Thursday starting November 29 through December 20 from 4p.m. to 8p.m. with Farmers Market vendors, additional craft vendors, live music and holiday activities. Stock up on gifts from handmade soaps to artisan goat cheese and gourmet dog treats. Pearl will also light up the property Thanksgiving weekend to kick off the holiday season. The dates for the holiday night market include November 29 and December 6, 13 and 20.

Chanukah: December 3
Pearl welcomes back the 4th annual holiday tradition in partnership with Young & Jewish San Antonio (YJSA) with the Chanukah Menorah lighting celebration on Monday December 3. The festivities at Pearl will bring the entire San Antonio community together from 6p.m. to 7:30p.m. The Menorah at Pearl will be lit each evening of Chanukah.

Posada: December 19
Inspired by the Mexican tradition of Las Posadas, Pearl host its second annual traditional Posada on Wednesday December 19 from 6:30p.m. to 9p.m. Community members are invited to join the posada and become pilgrims traveling by candlelight. Las Posadas is a nine-day Christmas celebration in Mexico and Latin America, centered on the ritual re-enactment of Mary and Joseph’s quest to find lodging in Bethlehem. The evening includes children’s crafts, piñatas and custom Mexican treats of buñuelos, tamales and Mexican hot chocolate. This event is free and open to the public.

Pearl Brewery
303 Pearl Parkway, Suite 300
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210) 212-7260

Free jazz concert and holiday tree lighting at La Cantera Resort & Spa

La Cantera Resort & Spa, a Destination Hotel, sets a sweet and soulful tone for the holiday season as it hosts a free jazz concert by Vincent Ingala on Thursday November 29 from 7p.m. to 9p.m. The Grinch is sure to steal hearts as he joins Santa for the annual holiday tree lighting ceremony at 8p.m. on Plaza San Saba. Guests will be able to enjoy free holiday treats, children’s activities and photos with Santa. Donations will be accepted and proceeds will benefit the San Antonio Library Foundation. (La Cantera Resort & Spa, 2018)

Vincent Ingala is a twenty-something music prodigy who has catapulted to the top of the Billboard Contemporary Jazz charts, garnering three Billboard #1s and eight top 10 hits. Handpicked to open for Dave Koz at the age of 16, Ingala is an old soul with a musical identity and wisdom well beyond his years. His musical influences span the worlds of jazz, R&B, disco, pop and beyond. A virtual one-man band playing everything from tenor saxophone, piano and drums to guitar, bass and lead vocals, Ingala possesses ingenuity, extraordinary versatility and an endless supply of inspiration.

La Cantera Resort & Spa
16441 La Cantera Pkwy
Plaza San Saba, just off the main lobby
San Antonio, TX 78256
(210) 558-6500

North Star holiday parade to honor hometown heroes

northstarmallparade — The North Star Mall holiday parade will be on Black Friday, November 23. Photo: North Star Mall, used with permission.

This year’s North Star Mall annual holiday parade will honor hometown heroes. “Celebrating Our Hometown Heroes” is the theme for the parade which will feature representatives from the United States (U.S.) Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, San Antonio Police Department, Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, San Antonio Fire Department, The Salvation Army and Elf Louise. (North Star Mall, 2018)

The public is invited to join Santa and Mrs. Claus for the Christmas Celebration Parade at 10a.m. on Black Friday, November 23. The parade starts in front of Dillard’s and winds its way through the mall to Santa’s home for the Holidays in front of Macy’s at IT’SUGAR.

Parade participants:
Brackenridge High School March Band, under the direction of Alfonso Alvarado
United States Air Force, Army and Navy representatives
San Antonio Firefighters representatives
San Antonio Police Department representatives
Bear-a-me, Build-A-Bear Mascot
The Cookie Man, Great American Cookie Company
Chick-fil-A, “eat mor chikin!” Cow
Android characters, Think Geek
Melinda Lou “Wendy” Morse, Wendy’s Restaurant
Elves, Elf Louise Christmas Project
Salvation Army
Mrs. Claus and Santa Clause

North Star Mall
7400 San Pedro Ave
San Antonio, TX 78216
(210) 340-6627

SA Examiner

Your Insider Source For Entertainment And Business Headlines

Category: Holiday themed events