Why Christmas in San Antonio?
With its lively, Hispanic heritage and year-round calendar of colourful events, San Antonio is by nature a festive city. In addition to the historic Alamo, symbol of Texas independence, its lively Mexican market and array of museums, its major tourism magnet is the Paseo de Rio or River Walk, a flagstone path lined with towering cypresses that forms a three-mile (4.8 km) loop in the heart of Downtown. As of last October, it has been extended by eight miles to include four additional 18th-century Spanish missions (the Alamo is the fifth), collectively nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
San Antonio Seasonal Treats
During the holidays, the trees and ornate iron bridges along the River Walk are draped with twinkling fairy lights, as are the passenger barges that glide along the San Antonio River. At the same time, the waterside hotels, restaurants and other businesses all compete with creative illuminations in the annual Light Up Downtown Holiday Contest.
The season officially begins around Thanksgiving with the Ford Holiday River Parade, which consists of a flotilla of decorated and illuminated barges, and continues on the evenings of December 5-21 with carolling from the passing boats and the patios along its route, complemented by bell choirs, folk groups and Latino bands. Also along the route during part of this period are luminaries, small paper lanterns that symbolically light the way for the Holy Family in the search for a birthplace for the baby Jesus. This is part of La Gran Posada tradition, dating back to the city’s Mexican colonial times.
On a late December evening, participants make their way from Milam Park at Market Square through historic downtown to San Fernando Cathedral, where there is carolling as well as piñatas for the children. The cathedral also holds an evening ceremony honouring the Virgin Mary on December 11, the eve of the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of Mexico. It includes mariachi bands and indigenous dances from Mexico. And, on New Year’s Eve, there are live music, food and fireworks at a number of venues throughout the city.
A Special Place to Stay in San Antonio
As the oldest hotel west of the Mississippi River, The Menger (established in 1859) features beautifully-preserved historic architecture, public areas adorned with rare antiques and artworks and, during the holiday season, an enormous Christmas tree in its three-storey lobby. It’s also adjacent to the Alamo, and a two-block walk to the River Walk.
Dining out in San Diego
Christmas lights and festive decorations sparkle year-round at Market Square’s Mi Tierra, a San Antonio landmark encompassing a restaurant serving classic Tex-Mex dishes as well as a café and bakery. Adding to the ambience are a fabulous carved oak bar, colourful murals and strolling musicians. Another option is the Pearl Brewery’s Cured Restaurant, which features dynamic, seasonal dishes and artisanal, house-cured meats. For a special experience, drop by the brewery from 11am- 5pm on December 7 to sample a choice from 30 vendors of traditional tamales, dating back to Mayan times and consisting of savoury meat, vegetable or other fillings wrapped in corn husks … live music is part of the treat.
Getting to San Antonio
Although there are no direct flights from the UK to San Antonio, you can fly direct from Heathrow on British Airways to Austin, 83 miles to the north, where you can pick up a rental car, or make flight connections over their international gateway cities on such carriers as American, United and Delta.
