HOLIDAYS ON HOUSTON STREET RETURNS WITH MORE HOLIDAY MAGIC IN 2026
SAN ANTONIO, TX – The air is getting cooler, the lights are going up, and the holiday season is right around the corner! Holidays on Houston Street returns for its fourth year this December, bringing cherished traditions and even more opportunities to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year in the heart of downtown San Antonio.
What began in 2023 as an initiative to bring back the nostalgia of classic holiday celebrations along historic Houston Street has grown into a signature downtown tradition. This year, Centro San Antonio and the City of San Antonio are expanding the experience beyond Houston Street, introducing new community celebrations and, by popular demand, extending the Holiday Market Experience to two full weekends for the first time.
Throughout December, residents and visitors are invited to stroll beneath dazzling holiday lights, shop local, enjoy seasonal entertainment and create new memories with family and friends. From a communal dinner beneath the illuminated tree canopy to festive markets, live music and new culinary celebrations, Holidays on Houston Street continues to bring the spirit of the season to downtown San Antonio.
“Downtown San Antonio has always been where generations of families come together to make memories, especially during the holidays,” said Trish DeBerry, President and CEO of Centro San Antonio. “At Centro, we've made it a priority to bring those traditions back to the heart of our city, from the return of our Fourth of July celebrations to the continued growth of Holidays on Houston Street. What began as a vision to reimagine the holiday experience along one of downtown's most iconic corridors has grown into something much bigger. Now in our fourth year, we're expanding that experience into new corners of downtown, working alongside incredible community partners who share our commitment to creating a memorable downtown for everyone.”
“We invite you all to celebrate the energy and charm of our entire downtown,” saidShanon Miller, Chief Downtown Officer with the City of San Antonio’s Downtown Operations. “From Houston Street to La Villita and beyond. We are expanding our footprint by moving the holiday market to historic La Villita, continuing beloved Holidays on Houston Street traditions like the Community Dinner and the SATX 5K, and introducing the Downtown West Chili Classic. It is the ongoing partnership between the City, Centro San Antonio, and Visit San Antonio that makes these meaningful experiences possible for residents and visitors alike. I am proud to see our vision for an active, connected core come alive through the fourth annual Holidays on Houston Street celebration.”
The Holiday Magic Begins on Houston Street
At the heart of the celebration is historic Houston Street, where the holiday transformation welcomes visitors to experience one of downtown San Antonio's most recognizable seasonal displays.
Ongoing throughout December:
- Holiday Lights and Decorations: More than 393,000 mini-LED lights will illuminate approximately 80 trees along Houston Street, creating a dazzling canopy of holiday lights. Special lighting at intersections, oversized ornaments and decorative wreaths will add festive charm throughout the historic corridor.
- Downtown Businesses and Holiday Experiences: Restaurants, hotels, shops and bars along Houston Street will join in the celebration with seasonal décor, special offerings and festive experiences.
- Holidays on Houston Street Cocktail Crawl: Sip your way through the season with a festive, self-guided cocktail crawl featuring signature holiday-inspired drinks at participating Houston Street bars and restaurants. Available throughout December, the experience invites visitors to discover downtown's dining and nightlife scene while supporting local businesses.
2026 Holidays on Houston Street Events and Activations
Taste of Holidays on Houston Street | December 3, 2026
Returning for its fourth year, Taste of Holidays on Houston Street invites residents and visitors to gather for a memorable dining experience beneath the twinkling canopy of lights along historic Houston Street.
Organized by the City of San Antonio's Downtown Operations Department and the Power of Preservation Foundation as part of the Holidays on Houston Street celebration, this signature communal dinner will spotlight one of Houston Street's historic gems, the Gunter Hotel. The evening will feature a cocktail hour by Bar 414, followed by dinner from Jots, both located within the historic hotel, bringing guests together for an evening of great food in one of downtown's most iconic settings. For menu information and tickets, visit https://powerofpreservation.org/holiday-community-dinner
Holidays on Houston Street Market Experience at the Historic La Villita | December 4 - 6 & December 18 - 20, 2026
By popular demand, Holidays on Houston Street’s signature Market Experience returns with an exciting expansion: two full weekends of holiday shopping and entertainment! For the first time, the market will bring its holiday magic to La Villita National Historic Village, extending the celebration beyond Houston Street and into another treasured historic downtown destination.
The first market weekend, December 4 - 6, kicks off alongside the SATX Marathon weekend, welcoming runners and visitors to enjoy the holiday festivities downtown. Guests can explore a festive marketplace featuring local artisans, unique gifts and seasonal entertainment, with even more reasons to spend time downtown.
The celebration continues December 18 - 20, when the second market weekend coincides with the 2026 NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Championship, taking place December 17 - 20 at the Alamodome. Hosted by the University of Texas at San Antonio and San Antonio Sports, the championship will welcome thousands of fans from across the country, offering another opportunity to introduce visitors to downtown's holiday traditions and local businesses.
Both market weekends will be open Fridays from noon to 10 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., giving visitors plenty of opportunities to shop, explore and enjoy the festivities.
New for 2026: Interactive Market Experience App
This year, Holidays on Houston Street is making it even easier to explore the Market Experience with Indavro, a free, interactive event web app that requires no download. Visitors can navigate the historic La Villita with an interactive map, browse vendor and entertainment lineups, create personalized schedules and get quick answers from a digital event attendant.
Access to Indavro and additional details will be available via the official Holidays on Houston Street website in the weeks leading up to the December kickoff.
SATX 5K Presented by Holidays on Houston Street | December 4, 2026
Lace up your running shoes and celebrate the season on the move! Returning for its second year, the SATX 5K Presented by Holidays on Houston Street brings runners and spectators together for an exciting start to San Antonio Marathon weekend.
Produced by San Antonio Sports in partnership with Holidays on Houston Street, the SATX 5K welcomes participants of all experience levels to celebrate fitness, community and the spirit of the holiday season in the heart of downtown.For event details and registration, visit sanantoniomarathon.com.
Downtown West Chili Classic Presented by Holidays on Houston | December 5, 2026
A new addition to this year's festivities, Downtown West Chili Classic, presented by Holidays on Houston Street, brings together a winter classic for a meaningful cause. Held in partnership with Pinkerton's Barbecue and Weston Urban, this new seasonal celebration supports Hogs for the Cause, benefiting families facing pediatric cancer.
The Chili Classic adds a new flavor to the Holidays on Houston Street experience, expanding the celebration to Legacy Park in Downtown West and highlighting the power of community partnerships to bring people together for a greater purpose. For more information, visit chiliclassic.com
Texas Public Radio's Holiday Night City | December 11, 2026
The holiday celebrations continue with Texas Public Radio's Holiday Night City on Friday, December 11, from 6 to 10 p.m. at TPR's downtown headquarters. Presented in collaboration with Centro San Antonio, the City of San Antonio, and Weston Urban as part of Holidays on Houston Street, this free, family-friendly event brings together live music, local shopping and festive activities.
The evening kicks off with a performance by the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center Dancers, followed by live music from Ritmo Sabroso and The Tiarras. Guests can also explore a holiday market curated by Last Chance Market, offering another opportunity to shop local and celebrate the season in the heart of downtown San Antonio.
Holiday in the Village: Gingerbread Building Competition | December 11–13, 2026
The holiday magic continues between the two Holidays on Houston Street Market Experience weekends as La Villita Historic Arts Village welcomes Holiday in the Village! Led by Chef Johnny Hernandez in collaboration with St. Philip's College, this festive celebration brings a sweet tradition to the heart of downtown.
One of the highlights is the Gingerbread Building Competition, where St. Philip's College culinary students put their skills and imaginations to the test, creating larger-than-life gingerbread masterpieces inspired by iconic San Antonio landmarks. Beyond the sweet creations, the celebration also honors a special piece of downtown history, bringing St. Philip's College back to its roots in La Villita, where the college was founded in 1898.
Building Holiday Traditions Through Community Partnerships
Through ongoing collaboration with the Centro San Antonio, City of San Antonio, Visit San Antonio, San Antonio Sports, Downtown West, Texas Public Radio, downtown businesses, and other community partners, Holidays on Houston Street continues to build upon the celebration's original vision: bringing people together through shared traditions and memorable experiences in the heart of San Antonio.
As the celebration expands into new areas of downtown, Holidays on Houston Street remains rooted in the magic of the season and the memories that generations of San Antonians have made downtown.
For the latest announcements, event information, market details and registration links, visit holidaysonhoustonsa.com.
Plan Ahead
The holiday season is one of the busiest times in downtown San Antonio. Visitors are encouraged to plan and anticipate increased pedestrian activity, traffic and potential street closures surrounding major events.
Consider using public transportation, ridesharing or alternative transportation options when visiting downtown for the holiday season. For information on downtown street closures, visit the City of San Antonio's Public Works’ Street Closure page HERE.
Visitor Parking
Visitors can explore parking options through the City of San Antonio's SAPark website, and Centro San Antonio’s Parking Map, which provides information on downtown parking garages, surface lots and metered parking.