December in San Antonio: Top Holiday Happenings You Won’t Want to Miss

Ring in the holidays in style at the Pearl. Photo: Pearl, used with permission.

🎄 Holiday Happenings in San Antonio: Your Guide to Seasonal Events

San Antonio is buzzing with holiday cheer and this month brings a full lineup of festive markets, family-friendly celebrations, concerts, and community traditions. Whether you’re looking to snap a photo with Santa, hunt for local gifts, or savor holiday flavors, here’s everything happening around St. Paul Square and Pearl.


🎅 December 12: Santa at the Square & Holiday Market (St. Paul Square)

St. Paul Square is welcoming Santa to San Antonio for a special holiday pop-up market featuring all-local vendors. With the district fully decorated for the season, it’s the perfect chance to sip hot cocoa, shop small, and grab a festive family photo with St. Nick. (St Paul Square, 2025)

Event Details

  • What: Holiday Market + Santa photos (presented by Juntos San Antonio)
  • Where: Parking lot in front of 1902 — 1174 E. Commerce Street
  • When: 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
  • Admission: Free // All ages

🎶December 19: Beauty + Zen Haus Night Market + Elnuh at The Espee

Ring in the season with Beauty + Zen Haus’ Holiday Night Market, your destination for last-minute gifts, handcrafted goods, festive décor, and unique local finds. After browsing the market, stick around for indie-pop artist Elnuh, performing under the stars on The Espee’s outdoor plaza stage.

Event Details

  • Where: St. Paul Square Courtyard + The Espee — 1174 E. Commerce Street
  • When: Doors & music at 7 p.m.
  • Admission: Free // All ages

This Friday Night Live series is part of St. Paul Square’s vision to transform the historic district into one of San Antonio’s most vibrant hubs for entertainment, culture, food, and nightlife.

Photo: St Paul Square

🎁 Holiday Season at Pearl

The holiday spirit is in full swing at Pearl, with a packed calendar of family traditions, community events, and festive fun. (Pearl, 2025)


🌮 December 13: Pullman Market Tamale Festival (Debut!)

Pullman Market is launching its first-ever Tamale Festival, a new holiday tradition celebrating San Antonio’s beloved seasonal staple.

Event Details

  • When: Saturday, December 13 • 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Where: Pullman Market – Karnes Street
    221 Newell Ave, San Antonio, TX 78215
  • Admission: Free (RSVP requested on Eventbrite)

Enjoy tamales from local vendors plus specialty creations from the Pullman Market culinary team. Guests can eat on-site or purchase tamale packs to take home for holiday gatherings.

Family Fun & Festivities:

  • Activities from The DoSeum
  • Live DJ set by DJ Caliente
  • A Best Tamale Competition
  • Local makers + holiday bites

Vendor Lineup:

  • Carnita’s Spot
  • Southerleigh
  • Culinary Institute of America
  • Mezquite
  • Margarita’s Tamales
  • Tamale Addiction
  • Chamoy City Limits
  • Chi Chi Birds Hot Chicken
Photo: Pullman Market

🎅 Free Photos with Santa

Complimentary Santa photos are available every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday through December 21.
Times and locations vary — check Pearl’s Events Calendar for the latest schedule.


🛍️ Holiday Night Markets

Discover artisan gifts, warm drinks, festive lights, and local makers.

  • Next Market: Wednesday, December 17

🎬 Festive Movie Mondays

Enjoy holiday classics every Monday in December (except December 29). Movies begin at sunset, arrive early and bring blankets!

Upcoming Screenings:

  • December 15: Elf
  • December 22: The Polar Express

🕍11th Annual Chanukah Celebration – December 16

Presented with YJSA (Young & Jewish San Antonio), this community celebration features live music, family activities, and a ceremonial menorah lighting.

The menorah will shine nightly December 16–24 near the Boiler House Shade Structure.


🎁 Hotel Emma Holiday Perks

Hotel Emma guests enjoy exclusive seasonal offerings including:

  • Custom Go Rio river cruises arranged through the concierge
  • Letters for Santa activities in the hotel library
  • Festive décor + rich hot chocolate

October Events You Won’t Want to Miss at Pearl

From Diwali to BBQ, there’s something for everyone this fall. Photo: Pearl

🎃 October at Pearl: A Month Full of Music, Food, and Community Fun

Fall has officially arrived, and there’s no better place to soak it all in than Pearl. As the air turns crisp and the days grow shorter, Pearl transforms into a vibrant hub of activity — filled with live music echoing through the courtyards, the scent of barbecue and baked goods drifting from the Food Hall, and the joyful buzz of friends and families gathering under twinkle lights. (Pearl, 2025)

Whether you’re here for the flavors, the fashion, or the fun, October is packed with can’t-miss events for every mood and moment.

Below is your guide to everything happening across Pearl this month — from one-night-only experiences to free community favorites that make Pearl the heart of San Antonio in the fall.


🌟 One-Night-Only Events

Runway at Stable Hall

📅 Thursday, October 16
A fashion show co-chaired by Cody Shown and Lisa Longoria Scott, benefiting the San Antonio Food Bank’s flood relief efforts. Voted Best Fashion Show in San Antonio.
💲 18+ | Ticketed Event


Pullman Market’s Smoke & Fire Celebration

📅 Saturday, October 18
A first-of-its-kind gathering of 10 celebrated pitmasters. Enjoy BBQ tastings, live-fire demos, craft beverages, and live music — all family-friendly.
💲 General Admission: $77.08 (taxes & fees included)
💲 VIP: $146.39


Ladino’s Birthday Cookout

📅 Sunday, October 19
Celebrate Ladino’s 3rd birthday with bites from Mezquite, Pullman Market, and The Jerk Shack, plus live music, balloon art, and face painting.
💲 Adults: $55 (includes 5 food & beverage tickets)
💲 Kids: $20 (includes 2 tickets)


Diwali at Pearl

📅 Wednesday, October 22
Celebrate the Festival of Lights with themed vendors, delicious food and drinks, live entertainment, and cultural showcases. A family-friendly evening of light, love, and community.
💲 Free Event


It’s a 2000s (Halloween) Party

📅 Friday, October 31
The Y2K throwback dance party returns to Stable Hall! Bring your best Halloween costume and relive the early 2000s in style.
💲 Tickets: $20–$31


💪 Fitness Get-Togethers

ACTIVATE Boot Camp

📅 Tuesdays through December
Join ACTIVATE for free fitness sessions designed to boost physical and mental well-being.
💲 Free


📽️ Weekly Rituals

Movie Mondays

📅 Every Monday starting October 20 | Sunset at Pearl Park
Catch your favorite films under the stars! Bring a blanket or chair and grab snacks from the Food Hall.
💲 Free / Cost of purchase


Pearl Farmers Market

📅 Every Saturday
Shop local produce, meats, and handmade goods from South Texas farmers and ranchers.
💲 Free / Cost of purchase


Pearl Makers Market

📅 Every Sunday
Explore culinary-inspired home goods and one-of-a-kind artisan finds.
💲 Free / Cost of purchase


Si Art San Antonio Pop-Up Market

📅 Saturday, October 18 | Larder, Brewmeister Alley
Discover ceramics, photography, paintings, and prints from local artists.
💲 Free / Cost of purchase


🎶 Live Music Lineup

Chavela: Album Release Party

📅 Sunday, October 19
Celebrate San Antonio artist Chavela’s debut album live.
💲 Ticketed Event


Performances at Jazz, TX

📅 Ongoing
From Broadway reimaginings to Latin Jazz Nights, there’s always something new on stage.
💲 Ticketed Events


Live Music at Otto’s Ice House

📅 Fridays by the River
Relax with a drink in hand, river views, and live country tunes.
💲 Free / Cost of purchase


Sternewirth Sessions at Hotel Emma

📅 Sundays, Mondays, and Wednesdays
Enjoy a rotating lineup of Texas and national artists at the cozy tavern inside Hotel Emma.
💲 Free / Cost of purchase


No matter your vibe—music, food, fashion, or fitness—there’s something happening for you this October at Pearl. Grab your friends, mark your calendars, and make the most of fall in San Antonio!

Upcoming Events This Fall at Pearl in San Antonio

Hispanic Heritage Month is in full swing at Pearl. Other events include Mariachi Mondays, Mercadito Cultural Night Markets, and Music on the Springs. Photo: Pearl, used with permission.

San Antonio – Pearl is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with a vibrant lineup of events throughout September and into mid-October. Visitors can enjoy Mariachi Mondays featuring pop-up performances in Pearl Park, Mercadito Cultural night markets on Wednesdays showcasing Hispanic chefs and artisans, and Music on the Springs every Friday evening with live entertainment. These events aim to highlight the rich cultural heritage of the Hispanic community in San Antonio through music, food, and art. (Pearl, 2024)

Mercadito Cultural
Wednesday, September 18 & 25 from 5p.m. to 9p.m.
Pearl Farmers Market presents “Mercadito Cultural” on September 18 and 25. Join Mercadito Cultural to celebrate the talented chefs, artisans, and captivating performances that showcase the richness of Hispanic culture including live performances by Mariachi Las Alteñas each week. Starting Wednesday, October 2, these will transition into Harvest Markets that take place each Wednesday through the month of October.

Music on the Springs
Every Friday through November 29 from 5p.m. to 8p.m.
Taking place every Friday at 1100 Springs Plaza, Pearl is hosting Music on the Springs featuring artisans, vendors, food and live music.

“This time of year gives us a wonderful chance to reflect on San Antonio’s place in the world with its unique and vibrant identity, shaped by the rich cultural stories and traditions that are deeply intertwined with our city’s Hispanic heritage. Our month-long celebration is all about creating meaningful connections and partnerships that highlight the spirit of San Antonio. The events and programs we’ve planned are designed to showcase the richness and diversity of our community, inviting everyone to share in our authentic selves.” – Mesha Millsap, Pearl CEO

Mariachi Mondays
Every Monday thru October 14 6p.m. to 7p.m.
Pearl continues the celebration all month long with a series of vibrant pop-up mariachi performances throughout Pearl Park. These lively musical events will take place all month long, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of mariachi music and its significance to the community.

Visitors can enjoy the enchanting sounds of traditional mariachi groups as they perform in various locations around the park, creating an immersive experience that celebrates the spirit of the month. Pearl aims to foster a sense of community and connection through these performances, inviting both locals and visitors to join in the festivities and appreciate the artistry and passion of mariachi musicians.

“Always Pa’delante” Mural Installation
Now through October 15, 2024 – Pearl’s Shaded Structure
Pearl is showcasing a new mural by renowned Oaxacan artist Edefroy “Froy” Padilla through October 15 in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. Titled “Always Pa’delante” (or “Always Forward”), the mural features notable figures César Chávez, Frida Kahlo, Gabriel García Márquez, and Selena, on a tandem bicycle, symbolizing Latino political and cultural achievements.

Padilla, known for portraying Mexican icons as Hollywood movie characters, completed the mural last week. The mural will remain on display at Pearl through October 15 and will serve as inspiration for future generations.

A tandem bike featuring César Chávez, Frida Kahlo, Gabriel García Márquez and Selena. Photo: Pearl, used with permission.

Movie Mondays are Coming Back
Every Monday starting October 14 thru December 9, 2024 – 7:30 p.m. to 9p.m.
Movie Mondays will make their return just in time for cooler weather. Movie titles to be announced – follow Historic Pearl on social media for more details.

Pearl is a dynamic neighborhood built around the historic Pearl Brewery, located just north of downtown San Antonio on the banks of the San Antonio River. Pearl is home to architecturally significant buildings like the brewhouse and stable—both built in 1894—and numerous plazas. It is a vibrant district where the community gathers to play, work, and live; it is a place where things are made and celebrated with purpose and sincerity.