Prepare for an exciting holiday adventure in Schertz! Our guide has all the best festive events and activities. For Schertz residents and newcomers, this guide is your ticket to a joyful holiday season.
Popular events include the Ford Holiday River Parade and River Lighting Ceremony, where festive floats illuminate the waterways with vibrant lights. The Holiday Lights on the River Walk features stunning displays along the famous river, creating a magical atmosphere perfect for all ages. And the Holiday in the Park is something you definitely don't want to miss, with seasonal attractions and activities for families. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Schertz
- Holiday in the Park (San Antonio)
- Holiday Lights on the River Walk (San Antonio)
- Ford Holiday River Parade and River Lighting Ceremony (San Antonio)
- Santa’s Ranch (New Braunfels)
- Holidazzle
- WinterFest San Antonio (San Antonio)
- Alamo Lights (San Antonio)
- Holidays on Houston Street (San Antonio)
- Festival of Angels Parade
- Ford Fiesta de las Luminarias (San Antonio)
See these and even more events listed below!
Schertz Holiday Light Displays
Ford Holiday River Parade and River Lighting Ceremony
What to Expect:
Whimsical floats and over 100,000 holiday lights.
Description:
The Ford Holiday River Parade and River Lighting Ceremony is a cherished San Antonio tradition featuring 27 beautifully illuminated floats, 5 entertainment floats, and over 100,000 holiday lights. This year's theme, Toy Box Adventures, promises a whimsical experience for all ages. The event includes a pre-parade show, the lighting of the River Walk, and a televised parade with Santa on the last float.
Where: San Antonio | More Info: Ford Holiday River Parade and River Lighting Ceremony
Light the Night Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Beautifully illuminated floats and festive atmosphere.
Description:
The Light the Night Christmas Parade in Fredericksburg, Texas, is a beautifully illuminated holiday night parade hosted by the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce. It features floats, food, and drinks along Main Street, with Santa and Mrs. Claus available for photos at Marktplatz Market Square. The event also includes reserved bleacher seating and a children's activity area.
Where: Fredericksburg | More Info: Light the Night Christmas Parade
Windcrest Light Up
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday light display with themed decorations.
Description:
The Windcrest Light Up is a decades-old tradition where residents decorate their homes with elaborate holiday lights. The event begins with the Windcrest Dedication Tree Lighting Ceremony, followed by Candy Cane Lane and the official Light-Up Celebration Kickoff. The public can drive through neighborhood streets to view the brightly lit house displays. The event features various judging categories for the most beautifully decorated homes, including Best Street/Cul-de-sac, Craft/Homemade Decor, Multimedia, Inflatables, Religious, Best Use of Lights, Most Welcoming, and Best Business.
Where: Windcrest | More Info: Windcrest Light Up
Santa’s Ranch
What to Expect:
Spectacular drive-thru light display with themed areas.
Description:
Santa's Ranch is a premier holiday light exhibition featuring over 2.5 million twinkling lights, animated Christmas displays, and homemade treats like hot chocolate and kettle corn.
Where: New Braunfels | More Info: Santa’s Ranch
Holiday Lights on the River Walk
What to Expect:
Spectacular display of over 100,000 lights along the River Walk.
Description:
The San Antonio River Walk features over 100,000 lights draped over towering bald cypress trees, creating a spectacular display that is free to visit nightly.
Where: San Antonio | More Info: Holiday Lights on the River Walk
Holidays on Houston Street
What to Expect:
Extensive LED light display and holiday market.
Description:
Holidays on Houston Street is a holiday celebration featuring over 400,000 mini-LED lights, festive decorations, and special events along five blocks of historic Houston Street in downtown San Antonio. The event includes family-friendly activities, holiday markets, and themed offerings from local restaurants and shops.
Where: San Antonio | More Info: Holidays on Houston Street
Alamo Lights
What to Expect:
Holiday lights and larger-than-life figures of Alamo Defenders.
Description:
The Alamo Lights event features beautifully decorated gardens and majestic trees wrapped in breathtaking lights, including larger-than-life light-decorated figures of Alamo Defenders.
Where: San Antonio | More Info: Alamo Lights
Ford Fiesta de las Luminarias
What to Expect:
Traditional Mexican Christmas lanterns illuminate the San Antonio River Walk.
Description:
The Ford Fiesta de las Luminarias features over 2,000 traditional Mexican Christmas lanterns, known as Luminarias, lighting up the San Antonio River Walk. Stroll along the riverbanks and enjoy the holiday lights and Ford Holiday Boat Caroling.
Where: San Antonio | More Info: Ford Fiesta de las Luminarias
Schertz Holiday Markets and Shopping
Kris Kringle Market
What to Expect:
Handmade crafts and specialty food items.
Description:
The Kris Kringle Market offers a variety of handmade crafts, specialty food items, and unique finds, making it an ideal place to find the perfect holiday gift.
Where: Schertz | More Info: Kris Kringle Market
Weihnachtsmarkt
What to Expect:
Exclusive German-style Christmas shopping experience with authentic collectibles and unique decorations.
Description:
Weihnachtsmarkt is a German-style Christmas market offering authentic collectibles, unique decorations, specialty items, and fabulous gifts. The event features a variety of retail merchants and artisans, with food and beverages available for purchase. It is held at the New Braunfels Civic Convention Center, providing ample off-street parking and wheelchair accessibility.
Where: New Braunfels | More Info: Weihnachtsmarkt
Holiday Art Market
What to Expect:
Unique artisanal goods and live holiday music.
Description:
The Holiday Art Market at the Tobin Center features unique hand-crafted items from local artists and artisans, including home decor, gourmet food, accessories, and gifts. This year, the event celebrates its 10th anniversary with over 100 unique vendors, pop performances, photos with Santa, reindeer lawn games, and festive food and drinks.
Where: San Antonio | More Info: Holiday Art Market
Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Chic holiday shopping experience with diverse and vibrant marketplace.
Description:
The Holiday Olé Market is a four-day shopping fundraiser featuring over 80 local, regional, and national merchants offering the latest fashion, beauty, home decor, unique gifts, and holiday merchandise.
Where: San Antonio | More Info: Holiday Market
Oma's Christmas Fair
What to Expect:
Traditional holiday activities and shopping in a festive setting.
Description:
Oma's Christmas Fair is a festive event featuring holiday-themed activities, shopping, and entertainment at the Kendall County Fair Association.
Where: San Antonio | More Info: Oma's Christmas Fair
Holiday River Walk Artisan Show
What to Expect:
Unique handmade artisan goods available for purchase.
Description:
The Holiday River Walk Artisan Show features over 40 handmade artisan booths showcasing pottery, textiles, jewelry, woodwork, paintings, and beadwork. Located at the River Walk Extension near the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce Building and Shops at Rivercenter, this event offers a unique opportunity to shop for authentic San Antonio goods.
Where: San Antonio | More Info: Holiday River Walk Artisan Show
Schertz Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Holiday in the Park
What to Expect:
Live holiday entertainment and themed zones with millions of twinkling lights.
Description:
Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Fiesta Texas transforms the park into a vibrant holiday setting with millions of twinkling lights, live shows, and themed zones. Guests can enjoy roller coasters and family attractions amidst festive decorations, including a 1950s-style Christmas celebration and a "Lone Star Christmas" themed area. The event features live entertainment, such as the Majesty of Christmas show, and interactive activities like the Holiday Express Train ride.
Where: San Antonio | More Info: Holiday in the Park
A Christmas Carol The Musical
What to Expect:
A heartwarming musical adaptation of Dickens' timeless story.
Description:
A Christmas Carol The Musical is a spectacular adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic tale, where Ebenezer Scrooge, a prosperous curmudgeon, is forced to confront his selfish ways when visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve. Thanks to their guidance, Scrooge recognizes his faults and greets Christmas morning with a cheerful "Happy Christmas" before spending the day reconnecting and sharing love with those that mean most to him.
Where: San Antonio | More Info: A Christmas Carol The Musical
A Magical Cirque Christmas A Holiday Variety Show
What to Expect:
Awe-inspiring circus acts and live musicians.
Description:
A variety show filled with nostalgia and awe-inspiring performances for all ages, featuring world-class entertainers performing favorite holiday music.
Where: San Antonio | More Info: A Magical Cirque Christmas A Holiday Variety Show
The Polar Express Experience
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday event with Santa meet-and-greets and golden ticket giveaways.
Description:
Join the Polar Express Experience at Brauntex Theatre for a holiday journey where children can meet Santa, receive golden tickets, and enjoy a screening of the beloved film on a big screen.
Where: San Antonio | More Info: The Polar Express Experience
The Hip Hop Nutcracker
What to Expect:
High-powered choreography and a modern storyline.
Description:
The Hip Hop Nutcracker is a contemporary dance spectacle set to Tchaikovsky's timeless music, directed and choreographed by Jennifer Weber. This event features a supercharged cast of all-star dancers, a DJ, a violinist, and MC Kurtis Blow. It takes audiences on a journey celebrating love, community, and the magic of the holiday season with high-powered choreography and a very modern storyline.
Where: San Antonio | More Info: The Hip Hop Nutcracker
Will Hearn’s Grand Ol’ Christmas Show
What to Expect:
Retro radio-style Christmas show with sketch comedy and Americana music.
Description:
Will Hearn’s Grand Ol’ Christmas Show is a retro radio-style event featuring all-time favorite Christmas classics and sketch comedy antics, blending heartfelt nostalgia with contemporary pop-culture satire. The show is presented by the Grand Ol Production Company and includes Americana standout Blue Water Highway, making it an inspiring holiday tradition for music and comedy lovers of all ages.
Where: San Antonio | More Info: Will Hearn’s Grand Ol’ Christmas Show
Folklórico Nutcracker
What to Expect:
Celebrating San Antonio's diverse traditions through music and dance.
Description:
The Folklórico Nutcracker by the San Antonio Philharmonic is a holiday performance that intertwines diverse traditions and unique cultures of San Antonio. It features Tchaikovsky's timeless melodies and includes performances by the San Antonio Ballet School, celebrating the vibrant spirit of San Antonio's cultural mosaic.
Where: San Antonio | More Info: Folklórico Nutcracker
The Nutcracker
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with a large children's cast and live music.
Description:
Ballet San Antonio's The Nutcracker features stunning choreography, beautiful costumes, and captivating performances with a children's cast of over 100 San Antonio area children, live music by the CMI Orchestra, and San Antonio community heroes in the role of Mother Ginger.
Where: San Antonio | More Info: The Nutcracker
Whimsical Wonders
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday dance performance with two acts.
Description:
Whimsical Wonders is a festive dance performance featuring a fun Christmas party where the Grinch steals the Nutcracker and a Dancing Nativity. Dancers will perform in both acts for a minimum of two dances.
Where: San Antonio | More Info: Whimsical Wonders
Cinema on Will’s Plaza- The Nutcracker and the Four Realms
What to Expect:
Classic holiday film with elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
Join us for a free community event featuring "The Nutcracker and the Four Realms" at Will Naylor Smith River Walk Plaza. This PG-rated film follows Clara as she navigates a parallel world to retrieve a key, encountering a soldier named Phillip and battling against a wicked regime. Enjoy the movie on our 32-foot LED video wall with full concessions available.
Where: San Antonio | More Info: Cinema on Will’s Plaza- The Nutcracker and the Four Realms
Mariachi Sol de Mexico presents Jose Hernandez’ Merry-Achi Christmas
What to Expect:
Traditional Mexican carols performed by a 13-piece mariachi ensemble.
Description:
Mariachi Sol de Mexico, led by maestro Jose Hernandez, presents their annual Merry-Achi Christmas Concert. This event features traditional Mexican carols and vibrant holiday music, blending authentic Mexican and American Christmas songs in a passionate and creative way.
Where: San Antonio | More Info: Mariachi Sol de Mexico presents Jose Hernandez’ Merry-Achi Christmas
A Holiday Spectacular
What to Expect:
Youth orchestras and choruses performing classic holiday music.
Description:
A joyous celebration featuring classic Christmas songs and other holiday favorites by Youth Orchestras of San Antonio (YOSA) and the Children's Chorus of San Antonio (CCSA), with lively orchestral arrangements and poignant choral pieces.
Where: San Antonio | More Info: A Holiday Spectacular
Schertz Other Holiday Activities
Holidazzle
What to Expect:
Free ice skating and snow activities for all ages.
Description:
Holidazzle is a holiday event featuring Breakfast with Santa, the Kris Kringle Market, and winter wonderland activities like ice skating and a snow angel play area. The event culminates in the Festival of Angels lighted night parade.
Where: Schertz | More Info: Holidazzle
Holiday Hoopla
What to Expect:
Free ice skating and snow activities.
Description:
Holiday Hoopla offers icy excitement with sledding, ice skating, and a snow angel play area, all free for all ages.
Where: Schertz | More Info: Holiday Hoopla
Festival of Angels Parade
What to Expect:
Lighted night parade with festive floats and food vendors.
Description:
The Festival of Angels Parade is a spectacular lighted night parade that illuminates Main St and Schertz Parkway with holiday magic. The parade kicks off at 6:00 p.m. from Pickrell Park and concludes on Community Circle Dr, featuring festive floats and delicious eats from Fireside Toasting & Roasting food vendors.
Where: Schertz | More Info: Festival of Angels Parade
Christmas Countryfest
What to Expect:
Immersive winter experience with "Texas snow" and unique photo ops.
Description:
Christmas Countryfest at Devine Acres Farm offers over 40 acres of attractions, including Christmas tree selection, live music, "Texas snow," food and drinks, and Santa visits. Explore the beautifully decorated tree park, enjoy shopping and live music in the market square, and participate in various activities like gemstone mining and face painting.
Where: Devine | More Info: Christmas Countryfest
Holiday Stroll Parade
What to Expect:
Lighted parade with community tree lighting and Santa appearances.
Description:
The Holiday Stroll Parade in Seguin, TX, features over 70 entries decked out in lights, celebrating the holiday season with a festive procession from the intersection of Austin and College Streets to Central Park. The event culminates with the mayor turning on the downtown lights and Santa available for photos.
Where: Seguin | More Info: Holiday Stroll Parade
Cocoa Sip n' Stroll
What to Expect:
Sampling homemade hot chocolate in downtown Seguin.
Description:
Stroll through downtown Seguin, tasting over a dozen varieties of homemade hot chocolate while enjoying live entertainment, horse-drawn wagon rides, and photos with Santa.
Where: Seguin | More Info: Cocoa Sip n' Stroll
Santa's Railroad Wonderland
What to Expect:
Themed train rides and festive decorations.
Description:
Santa's Railroad Wonderland is a holiday event featuring themed train rides and festive decorations, celebrating Christmas joy with a nostalgic touch.
Where: San Antonio | More Info: Santa's Railroad Wonderland
WinterFest San Antonio
What to Expect:
Snow-filled holiday celebration with local performances and activities.
Description:
WinterFest San Antonio is a long-running community festival featuring 80,000 pounds of snow, performances by local schools and groups, photos with Santa, carnival activities, kids' activities, holiday shopping by local artisans, and a variety of food and drinks.
Where: San Antonio | More Info: WinterFest San Antonio
Weihnachts in Boerne: A Magical Family Tradition
What to Expect:
Nighttime parade with festive floats and bands.
Description:
The Weihnachts Parade in Boerne is a cherished Christmas tradition dating back over 30 years, featuring up to 100 floats, bands, and entries lit up in holiday cheer along historic Main Street.
Where: Boerne | More Info: Weihnachts in Boerne: A Magical Family Tradition
Holidays in Gruene – Annual Gruene Pony Express Ride
What to Expect:
Unique horseback ride delivering holiday greetings with commemorative stamping.
Description:
The Annual Gruene Pony Express Ride is a festive event where riders from the Heritage Trail Ride Association of New Braunfels deliver a Christmas greeting from the Governor of Texas. A temporary Post Office is set up to cancel stamps on Christmas cards with a commemorative stamp representing Gruene.
Where: Gruene | More Info: Holidays in Gruene – Annual Gruene Pony Express Ride
Christmas at Tejas
What to Expect:
Family-focused holiday retreat with various activities and lodging options.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at Tejas with family-friendly activities, cozy accommodations, and a serene natural setting.
Where: San Antonio | More Info: Christmas at Tejas
Helotes Hill Country Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Holiday parade with Candyland-themed floats and beautiful lights.
Description:
The Helotes Hill Country Christmas Parade is a festive holiday event in Old Town Helotes, featuring beautifully decorated parade entries illuminated with lights. The event celebrates the holiday season with a Candyland Christmas theme, where all participants must incorporate the theme into their floats.
Where: Helotes | More Info: Helotes Hill Country Christmas Parade
Rotary Ice Rink at Travis Park
What to Expect:
Timed ticketing and special discounts for Cheap Skate Nights and military personnel.
Description:
The Rotary Ice Rink at Travis Park is a popular winter attraction in downtown San Antonio, offering a festive ice skating experience with nearly 200,000 visitors since 2019. The rink operates daily from the Friday before Thanksgiving through mid-January 2025.
Where: San Antonio | More Info: Rotary Ice Rink at Travis Park
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Cibolo (3 miles)
- Converse (4 miles)
- New Braunfels (14 miles)
- San Antonio (16 miles)
- Seguin (18 miles)
- Canyon Lake (22 miles)
- San Marcos (30 miles)
- Kyle (38 miles)