Holiday events
Music
Holiday Saxophones: The holiday tradition returns after taking last year off because of the pandemic. Seating will be limited to allow for social distancing. 7 p.m. Sunday, Guadalupe Theater, 1301 Guadalupe. $20-$30, guadalupe culturalarts.org.
Doc Watkins and his Orchestra Holiday Big Band Show: Watkins sold out a series of holiday concerts at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts last year, but this year, it’s a one-night-only deal, so plan accordingly. Watkins and company will be playing tunes from “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” as well as new arrangements of holiday big band favorites. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle. $34.50-$65, tobincenter.org.
Performing Arts
“The Children’s Nutcracker”: The Children’s Ballet of San Antonio presents its annual staging of the beloved holiday ballet. Patrons can snack on holiday goodies and, one hour before showtime, shop at a holiday market and get contactless photos with Santa. 7 p.m. today, and 11 and 2 p.m. Saturday, Lila Cockrell Theatre, 200 E. Market St. $40 to $50, ticketmaster. com.
“A Very Holly Moosemas”: Houston Playwright Jean Ciampi’s work is about a young woman named Holly who gets a contract to dress the set for a Christmas movie and takes up residence at a B&B close to the set. When complications with the production arise, high jinks ensue. Opens today. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2:30 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 19 (also 7:30 p.m. Thursday), Boerne Community Theatre, 907 E Blanco Road, Boerne. $16.70, boernetheatre.org.
Handbell Noel: The River City Ringers are in concert for the first time in nearly two years. 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Woodlawn Baptist Church, 15315 Huebner Road; and 6 p.m. Saturday, Coker United Methodist Church, 231 E. North Loop Road. Free, rivercityringers.org.
“A Tex-mas Carol”: The Company Theatre presents a version of “A Christmas Carol” with a Texas
twist. 6 p.m. Saturday, Lion & Rose British Restaurant and Pub, 17627 La Cantera Parkway. $15, eventbrite.com.
Youth holiday concert: Young piano and string players from San Antonio and Bexar County will take part in this concert presented by Musical Bridges Around the World. 7 p.m. Sunday, San Fernando Cathedral, 115 Main Plaza. Free, musicalbridges.org.
“The Nutcracker”: Alamo City Arts — which includes resident companies Alamo City Dance and Alamo City Symphony Viva — is presenting two productions of the classic holiday ballet. The dancers will perform a trimmed-down hourlong version on the River Walk and also will team up for a full-length production at Mcallister Auditorium. 7 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Dec. 17, Arneson River Theatre, 418 Villita. 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 18-19, Mcallister Auditorium, San Antonio College, 1300 San Pedro. Arneson, $20-$25; Mcallister, $30-$45, alamocityperforming artsassociation.com
Holiday Pops: Conductor Emmanuel Godoy leads this performance of classic holiday tunes by the Alamo City Symphony Viva. Box seats include dinner prepared by Little Rhein Prost Haus. 7 p.m. Wednesday. Arneson River Theatre, 418 Villita. $20-$25 (box seats
$81.18), alamocityperforming artsassociation.com.
Ongoing Performing Arts
“Elf”: The gifted actor Ivan Ortega stars in this musical adaptation of the 2003 movie. The stage telling follows the basic story, though it adds a few new elements. Christopher Rodriguez directs, Kristin Mcgregor choreographs and Jaime Ramirez serves as music director. The theater will be accepting donations to the San Antonio Food Bank throughout the run of the show. 7:30 p.m. Fridays-saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 23; additional
performances at 7 p.m. Dec. 21-23. Woodlawn Theatre, 1920 Fredericksburg. $18-$30, woodlawntheatre.org.
“Season’s Greetings from San Antonio”: This homegrown revue was created by Matthew Byron Cassi and Darrin Newhardt specifically for The Public Theater of San Antonio. The show follows an a cappella quartet, the Dotz, as its members prepare a TV special in which they highlight beloved holiday music and local traditions. 7:30 p.m. Fridays-saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 19, The Public Theater of San Antonio, San Pedro Park at Ashby. $17-$47, thepublicsa.org.
Family
Doseum Winter Wonderland: Explore several winter-themed activities and get creative. Attendees will create kinetic sand, make memory books for pets, create rain wands for the fantasy land of Rumbledoodle, compose cartoon soundtracks and use miniatures in holiday decor. Guests also can meet the creators behind “Doseum Express: Tiny Trains & Trollies” and enjoy special musical performances. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Doseum, 2800 Broadway. $14, thedoseum.org.
A Wonderland Christmas: Morgan’s Wonderland, the one-of-akind inclusive theme park, is kicking off the holidays with a Christmas tree lighting ceremony tonight. Other attractions include accessible pictures with Santa, an exotic petting zoo, a simulated ice rink and holiday performances. On select dates through Dec. 23. Morgan’s Wonderland, 5223 David Edwards Drive. Free-$19, morganswonderland.com.
Attractions
Craft market: Hemisfair’s holiday market hosts 50 vendors selling a wide selection of handmade seasonal items. Listen to live music while you shop. 10 a.m-4 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Hemisfair, E. Nueva St. Free, hemisfair.org.
Lightscape: The San Antonio Botanical Garden’s fall blockbuster is an illuminated trail that has sold out in Chicago and the U.K. The Alamo City installation will include established favorites, such as a cathedral made from 100,000 lights, as well as a new bluebonnet field. 5:45-9 p.m. daily through Jan. 2, San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston. $14-$25, sabot.org.
The Rotary Ice Rink: This popular winter attraction returns after skipping the 2020 holiday season. There will be several themed nights featuring discounts, and military and first responders will receive free admission on Mondays. Through Jan. 17. Travis Park, 301 E Travis St. $14, rotaryicerink. com.