Event listings
Music “Noche Azul Villancicos and Canciones Decembrinas”:
Multicultural songstress Azul Barrientos presents a seasonal virtual concert dedicated to the folk music of Spain and Latin America. Presented by the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center, it’s an all-purpose event that includes the Nativity, La Virgen de Guadalupe and the end of the year.
8 p.m. Saturday, Facebook: @Esperanzacenter. Free.
David Lee Garza & Friends: The long-running conjunto and Tejano performer from Poteet will be joined by, among others, Los Musicales singer Cesar Martinez, keyboard player Mario Ortiz and what’s billed as a “special guest vocalist” for this post-christmas tardeada. Doors 4 p.m. Sunday, Thirsty Horse Saloon, 2335 NW Military Highway. $20, thirsty horse.net.
Kiss New Year’s Eve concert:
If you want to kiss this awful year goodbye in a loud and rowdy way, do it with these heavy metal legends. Kiss’ End of the Road Tour, which stopped in San Antonio in September 2019, was paused by the pandemic. But it’s back on for one giant show — including what the band says will be Guinness World Recordsworthy pyrotechnics — in Dubai, which will be livestreamed around the world. 11 a.m. Thursday (9 p.m in Dubai), with options to replay once or multiple times depending on ticket price. $39.99-$49.99 (VIP options available) at kiss2020goodbye.com; ticket buyers will receive a link to the event.
Jon Wolfe: Country singer (and aspiring tequila magnate) from Oklahoma is known for dance hall-friendly songs such as “Boots on a Dance Floor” and “Play Me Something I Can Drink To.” With David Adam Byrnes. Doors 7 p.m. Thursday, Freiheit Country Store, 2157 FM1101, New Braunfels. $200-$350 for tables for four or six, freiheitcountrystore.net.
Flatland Cavalry: On “Old School,” Clint Cordero sings that he was raised on George Strait, Alan Jackson and Pat Green. The music he makes with his West Texas band is more lonesome and reflective than those influences suggest; Alison Krauss or his Lubbock precursors the Flatlanders are closer to the mark.
8 p.m. Thursday, Gruene Hall, 1281 Gruene Hall, New Braunfels. $190-$585 for tables for two or six, gruenehall.com.
Justin Bieber: The pop star known for hits such as “Intentions,” from his new album “Changes,” and “Love Yourself” will ring in the new year with a livestreamed concert, his first live performance since 2017. 9:15 p.m. Thursday. $25, free for T
Mobile customers; ticket buyers will receive a link to the event.
The Damn Torpedoes: If you didn’t get the pricey Tom Petty “Wildflowers” box set for Christmas, here’s a chance to ring in the new year with his music, courtesy of the tribute band that makes frequent visits to S.A. Special guest is Brooke Alyson of the Fleetwood Mac tribute band Nightbird; she’ll play the part of Stevie Nicks for duets with Ty Hurless (Tom Petty). 10 p.m. Thursday, Sam’s Burger Joint, 330 E. Grayson St. $140-$160 for tables of four, $225 reserved booth, samsburgerjoint.com.
Comedy
Vicki Barbolak: A working mom who started doing stand-up when she was almost 40, Barbolak honed her chops at L.A.’S famed Comedy Store and made a big impact on “America’s Got Talent” in 2018. She also has written for and opened for the equally brash Roseanne Barr. 8 and 10 p.m. Thursday, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 1, 7 p.m. Jan 2, Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club, 618 NW Loop 410. $60-$180 for tables of two, four or six, improvtx.com/sanantonio.
Ongoing performing arts
“A Christmas Carol”: Tony Award-winner Jefferson Mays plays Scrooge and everyone else — plus a potato — in this unusual take on the holiday classic directed by Michael Arden. Streams on demand through Jan. 3. Tickets $50 at classictheatre.org.
“The Nutcracker: A DanceFilm”:
Alamo City Performing Arts Association, Alamo City Dance Co. and Symphony Viva filmed a staging of “The Nutcracker,” with scenes shot around the city at places such as the Witte Museum and the Southwest School of Art. Available through Aug. 31 at alamocityarts.org; $20 to rent and $35 to buy.
“Season’s Teasin’s”: Stars and Garters Burlesque is streaming its annual holiday show, which will feature S.T. Shimi, the late company member and co-producer who performed as Black Orchid. The show was filmed before her death. In addition, Stars and Garters has set up a fund to benefit her widower, artist Oscar Alvarado; donations can be made at the company’s website. Available through Monday, starsand gartersburlesque.com. $5-$20.
Ongoing exhibits
“The Ins and Outs: Beauty is Everywhere”: Exhibit features still lifes and landscapes by Joanna Burch and Lilli Pell. Through Jan. 9, Art Gallery Prudencia, 2518 N. Main Ave., 210422-8681. prudenciagallery.com.
“Shop Texas”: Presa House Gallery’s virtual exhibition and sale features more than 50 Texas artists, including Albert Alvarez, Angel Rodriguez Diaz and Joan Frederick. Ends today. Free, Presahouse.com.
Holiday events San Antonio Kwanzaa Celebration:
Like everyone else, the San Antonio Kwanzaa Coalition is shifting to virtual events this season. Seven episodes, each representing a tenet of the Nguzo Saba (The Seven Principles), were recorded in one day last week at the Witte Museum. Each night of Kwanzaa, a new episode will be featured. 6 p.m. nightly, Saturday through Jan. 1, Facebook: @SAKCOA. Free.
Celebrate S.A.: The city’s annual New Year’s Eve celebration, which typically draws thousands of revelers downtown, will be an at-home party this year. Music by the high-energy cover band Mélange, segments on holiday food and drinks, and talks by city and county leaders will be capped by a 12-minute fireworks show. Randy Beamer and Don Harris are hosts. 10:30 p.m. Thursday, WOAI-TV.
Ongoing holiday events
Elf Acres: 1-mile drive-thru trail of lights and animated Christmas displays featuring Christmas music, walk-around Santa’s Village, access to food, shopping and photo ops with Santa. 6:3011 p.m. today and Saturday, 6:3010 p.m. Sunday-wednesday, 1475 Grosenbacher Road. $30 per car, elfacres.com. Holiday Lights on the River
Walk: More than 100,000 lights have been strung through the trees on the River Walk. Also, luminarias will line the river. Lights from dusk to dawn through Jan. 4; luminarias today through Sunday, River Walk, downtown. Free.
Illumi-night: AT&T Center parking lot is a mile-long drive-thru bedazzled with 4 million lights. Experience includes 3D displays, holiday music, trivia games through an interactive illumininight app and photo ops with Santa. Opens nightly at 6 p.m. through Jan. 3. Enter course through Gate G at AT&T Center Parkway. Tickets $35 per car, $65 Santa Express pass includes general admission, photo with Santa and skip-the-line pass. Online ticket purchase only at illumi-night.com.
Lights Alive!: Mile-long Christmas wonderland features an immersive 400-foot holiday lights tunnel. Guests also can create holiday crafts, shop, eat and take pictures with Santa. 6-10 p.m. Sundays-thursdays, 6-11 p.m. Fridays-saturdays through Jan. 3, National Shooting Complex grounds, 5931 Roft Road. $30 per car in advance, $35 at the gate, seelightsalive.com.
Old West Christmas Light Fest: Explore a 6-acre Old West town decked out in its Christmas
Coming up
Charlie Starr, Jan. 8, Tobin Center
Dreamweek, Jan. 14-24 (all events virtual, including MLK March)
Shen Yun, Jan. 22-23, Tobin Center
Monster Jam, Jan. 23-24, Alamodome
“’Til Death Do Us Part: Late Nite Catechism 3,” Jan. 30, Tobin Center
San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, Feb. 11-28, Freeman Coliseum
Heart Byrne: A Talking Heads Tribute, Feb. 13, Tobin Center
Paul Rodriguez, March 5-7, LOL
The Music of Queen, March 27, Tobin Center finest. 6-10 p.m. today, Enchanted Springs Ranch, 242 Texas 46 W., Boerne. $15; military and first responder discounts and family packages available, christmas lightfest.com.
Santa’s Ranch: Drive through more than a mile of country roads lined with holiday lights and animated Christmas displays. 6-10 p.m. Sunday-thursday, 6-11 p.m. Friday-saturday through Jan. 3. Starts at $35 per vehicle, $70 season pass. 9561 I-35 N., New Braunfels, santasranch.net.
Whataburger Zoo Lights: Features dazzling light displays and a lakeside light show set to Christmas and Latin music. Kids also can visit Santa, decorate cookies and roast marshmallows for s’mores. Noon-9 p.m. daily through Jan. 3, San Antonio Zoo, Brackenridge Park. Included with zoo admission, $21.99 adults, $18.99 children; additional fees for some activities, sazoo.org.
Windcrest Light Up: This year’s theme is “Let Freedom Ring,” a tribute to the military. After dusk nightly through Thursday, maps of the route at Windcrest City Hall, 8601 Midcrown Drive. Free, windcrest-tx.gov.
Attractions
Seaworld Christmas Celebration: The 250-acre theme park is blanketed with millions of twinkling lights and holiday light displays. Through Jan. 3, SeaWorld San Antonio, 10500 Sea World Dr. Tickets start at $39.99, seaworld.com.
Six Flags Holiday in the Park:
Holiday entertainment includes “Jingle Jams,” “Mariachi Christmas” and “Have Yourself a Loony Tunes Christmas.” Guests can ride the Holiday Express train and meet Santa. Through Jan. 3, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, 17000 W. Interstate 10. Daily tickets $29.99-$39.99 depending on the day, sixflags.com.