Holiday events

Music

Slim Man: Jazz and soul artist Slim Man will present a Christmas concert as the big finale to the Balcones Heights Jazz Festival. Vocalist Ken Slavin opens. 7:30 p.m. today, Wonderland of the Americas Amphitheatre, 4522 Fredericksburg. Free. Info, bhtx.gov.

San Antonio Choral Society and Sonido Barroco: These two ensembles are teaming up to perform the Christmas section of Handel’s “Messiah.” The concert will not include an audience singalong because of the pandemic. A portion of the proceeds will benefit St. PJ’S Children’s Home. 7 p.m. Saturday, St. John’s Lutheran Church, 502 E. Nueva. $25, sanantoniochoralsociety.org.

Kelly Willis & Bruce Robison: Willis and Robison return for their annual Christmas tour. The country music couple will sing a combination of holiday classics and their own holiday-themed work. 8 p.m. Saturday. Gruene Hall, 1281 Gruene Road, New Braunfels. $25, grunehall.com.

Performing arts

“Blood and Holly”: Jaston Williams’ one-man show draws inspiration from his Christmas experiences growing up in West Texas. 7:30 p.m. today, 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle. $35$45, tobincenter.org.

“A Celtic Christmas:” Danny O’flaherty performs Christmas songs from Celtic nations. 7 p.m. Saturday. The Josephine Theatre, 339 W Josephine St. $20, josephinetheatre.org.

“A Christmas Carol”: Crystal Sea Drama Company, a youth group, presents its take on Charles Dickens’ story, including elements from the novella that are often left out of adaptations. Opens Today. 7:30 p.m. Fridayssaturdays through Dec. 11 and 3 p.m. Dec. 12, Crystal Sea Drama Company, 8414 Speedway Drive. $12-$15, crystalseadrama.org.

“Elf”: 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. 7:30 p.m. Fridays-saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 23; additional performances at 7 p.m. Dec. 21-23; no show Dec. 5. Woodlawn Theatre, 1920 Fredericksburg. $18-$30, woodlawntheatre.org.

“Las Nuevas Tamaleras”: Alicia Mena’s play about inexperienced cooks receiving guidance on tamal-making from the ghosts of a couple of masters returns. Opens Thursday. 7:30 p.m. Thursday-dec. 3, and 2:30 and 5 p.m. Dec. 5, Jo Long Theatre, Carver Community Cultural Center, 226 N. Hackberry. $25, Carver box office and ticketmaster.com . Info, lastamaleras.com.

“The Nutcracker”: Ballet San Antonio’s annual contribution to the holidays returns with a cast of more than 100 youngsters as well as seven front-line workers in the role of Mother Ginger. The production was choreographed by Easton and Haley Smith. Opens today. 7:30 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 12, H-E-B Performance Hall, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts. 100 Auditorium Circle. $24.50 to $129, tobincenter.org. (Sensoryfriendly performance 10 a.m. Tuesday; $8-$10.)

“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 capella 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.

“We Need a Little Christmas”: The Harlequin’s holiday show, created by revue wizard Shawn Kjos, weaves together more than 30 Christmas songs, including “Blue Christmas,” “Sleigh Ride” and “Santa Baby.” The matinee is aimed at families and will include photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Opens today. Doors open at 7 p.m. and showtime is 8 p.m. Fridays-saturdays through Dec. 18; matinee 2:30 p.m. Dec. 19, Fort Sam Houston Theatre, 2472 Stanley Road, Joint Base San Antonio-fort Sam Houston. $10-$22. Reservations, 210-2229694.

Markets

Holiday Bazaar: The Regalo Boutique has paired with local vendors, including artists and bakeries, for this holiday market. Attendees can explore a holidaythemed wonderland and mail letters to Santa. 11 a.m-5 p.m. today and Saturday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, Estancia del Norte San Antonio, 37 NE Loop 410 at Mccullough Ave. Free, Facebook: @theregaloboutique.

Gruene Town Lighting: Celebrate the holidays with Cowboy Kringle as the Historic District lights up to welcome the holiday season. Over the 30 stores in the district will be open to celebrate the event. 5 p.m. Saturday. Gruene Historic District, 1281 Gruene Road, New Braunfels. Free, facebook.com.

Attractions

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.

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. O n select dates through Dec. 23. Morgan’s Wonderland, 5223 David Edwards Drive. Free-$19, morganswonderland.com.