San Antonio events & things to do in December 2026
Start with San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, Japanese Tea Garden, plus San Antonio River Walk. December in San Antonio averages 18°C / 64°F highs, 7°C / 45°F nights, and about 11 rainy days.
Expect 18°C/64°F days and about 11 rainy ones in December. Start with these:
- San Antonio Missions National Historical Park★ 4.8 · 9.0k reviewsUNESCO-listed chain of Spanish colonial missions south of downtown, connected by driving routes and the Mission Reach trail.
- Japanese Tea Garden★ 4.8 · 17.6k reviewsFree garden in Brackenridge Park with stone bridges, koi ponds, quarry walls, and nearby zoo and museum access.
- Senses Fail with Koyo and InitiateDec 1Aztec Theatre · Source: SeatGeek
30% off a Going membership when you plan your trip.
By TripSapien Research · Updated June 3, 2026
San Antonio in December 2026
Weather
TempTemperature
64°F / 45°F
18°C / 7.2°C
RainPrecipitation
11d
2in · 49.9mm
LightDaylight
10.4h
Holiday lights on the River Walk drive demand, with cool evenings and mild days.
Events & festivals
Event calendar- Dec 1 – Dec 31
San Antonio Zoo Lights
A spectacular holiday light display at the San Antonio Zoo featuring millions of lights, themed displays, and festive activities for families.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Dec 1
- Dec 1
Show all 37 events for December
- Dec 3
- Dec 4
- Dec 4
- Dec 4 – Dec 6
- Dec 5
Holiday River Parade
Annual festive boat parade along the San Antonio River Walk featuring decorated floats, live music, and holiday cheer.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Dec 5
Ford Holiday River Parade & Lighting Ceremony
Kickoff event for the holiday season on the San Antonio River Walk with a boat parade and lighting of the river’s holiday decorations.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Dec 5
- Dec 5
- Dec 5
- Dec 5
- Dec 6
- Dec 6
- Dec 6
- Dec 10 – Dec 31
San Antonio Botanical Garden Holiday Nights
Evening holiday light displays and themed garden tours at the San Antonio Botanical Garden.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Dec 10 – Dec 12
- Dec 11
- Dec 11
- Dec 11
- Dec 12 – Dec 13
San Antonio Symphony Holiday Concert
Seasonal classical music performances by the San Antonio Symphony featuring holiday favorites and festive compositions.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Dec 12
- Dec 12
- Dec 12
- Dec 13
- Dec 18
- Dec 18 – Dec 20
Christmas at the Alamo
Special holiday programming and historical reenactments at the Alamo commemorating Christmas traditions in Texas history.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Dec 18 – Dec 19
- Dec 19
- Dec 22
- Dec 23
- Dec 26 – Dec 27
- Dec 27
- Dec 28
- Dec 30
- Dec 31
Holidays, observances & long weekends
Holiday and observance schedules can affect services and venue hours; confirm each place directly.
- Dec 25Christmas DayPublic holiday
- Dec 25-Dec 27Long weekend
About San Antonio
City overview
San Antonio is a South Texas city where Spanish colonial missions, the River Walk, Mexican American food culture, and a large arena-and-festival calendar sit in the same visitor loop. Month-to-month planning matters because Fiesta, rodeo season, summer heat, and mild winter weekends produce very different trips.
Food & drink
San Antonio food is built on Tex-Mex, barbacoa, breakfast tacos, puffy tacos, pan dulce, and serious modern Mexican cooking. The Pearl and Southtown handle reservation dining, while Market Square, West Side bakeries, and neighborhood taquerias are better for everyday local flavor.
Top sights
Ranked for December suitability using weather, setting, ratings, and review volume.
- 1San Antonio River Walk
- 2San Fernando Cathedral & Main Plaza
- 3Pearl District
- 4Briscoe Western Art Museum
- 5The Alamo
- 6Historic Market Square
1San Antonio River Walk
4.7★ · 46,581outdoorOpen dailyBelow-street river path lined with restaurants, bridges, boats, hotels, and public art, extending from downtown to the Mission Reach.
Wikipedia
2San Fernando Cathedral & Main Plaza
4.8★ · 6,354indoorOpen dailyHistoric cathedral plaza with evening light projections and a useful anchor for downtown walks.
3Pearl District
4.7★ · 14,694mixedOpen dailyRedeveloped brewery complex with restaurants, Hotel Emma, the Culinary Institute of America campus, and a strong weekend market.
Wikipedia
Show 3 more sights
- 4Briscoe Western Art Museum
- 5The Alamo
- 6Historic Market Square
Neighborhoods
1Downtown & River Walk
Hotel-heavy visitor core around the Alamo, convention center, cathedral, and boat-filled river bend.
2Pearl & Tobin Hill
Polished restaurants, market weekends, adaptive-reuse brewery buildings, and easy Museum Reach river access.
3Southtown & King William
Historic houses, galleries, bars, and walkable restaurants south of downtown, especially around First Friday.
Day trips
50km / 45 min by car
New Braunfels & Gruene
Hill Country river tubing, Gruene Hall, German-Texan food, and summer water recreation.
110km / 1.5h by car
Fredericksburg
Hill Country wineries, German heritage, Enchanted Rock access, and busy spring/fall weekends.
45km / 35 min by car
Natural Bridge Caverns
Large commercial cave system north of the city, useful in hot or rainy weather.
Getting around
Downtown and the central River Walk are walkable, but the missions, Pearl, museums, and Hill Country day trips are easier by car, rideshare, or bike on the river trails. Summer heat makes short hops more realistic than long midday walks.
Planning a San Antonio trip?
Add your dates and we'll check every place for closures, limited hours, and booking needs in December.
Common questions about San Antonio in December
- What to pack for San Antonio in December
Pack for December's weather, not a generic San Antonio checklist.
- Layerable daytime clothes for average highs around 18°C / 64°F.
- A heavier evening layer because nights average 7°C / 45°F.
- Compact rain gear and shoes that handle wet pavement across about 11 rainy days.
- How many days do you need in San Antonio
- 3 days covers the main San Antonio highlights at a realistic pace. Add 3 extra days if you want the listed day trips.
- Is San Antonio worth visiting in December
- Yes. December in San Antonio averages 18°C / 64°F highs, 7°C / 45°F nights, and about 11 rainy days.
Ready to plan San Antonio?
You've seen what's on — now get a day-by-day San Antonio plan for December 2026, every place checked for your exact dates.