'Tis the Season for 6 Great Holiday Activities in San Antonio

It's the most wonderful time of the year, especially in San Antonio, where you can celebrate the holidays with a wide variety of activities for both kids and adults. Join family and friends at these exciting events near our Springs San Antonio luxury apartment communities.

It's no surprise that San Antonio's most popular attraction goes all-out for the holidays, beginning with the festive lights casting their glow throughout the park. At 6:15 p.m. each evening, more than 185 groups ranging from bell choirs to school glee clubs float by on river cruisers as they entertain visitors with traditional holiday tunes. On weekends at dusk you can also enjoy the breathtaking sight of more than 2,000 luminarias gracing a three-mile stretch of the river.

More than one million guests visit the San Antonio Zoo each year to see the exhibits, attractions and nature programs, but Zoo Lights is a whole different experience. The Zoo closes each day at 4 p.m. and then reopens at 6 p.m. and is transformed into a glittering holiday wonderland. Warm up with hot cocoa and s'mores as you stroll the grounds and watch the light show. New activities this year include ice skating, camel rides and a snow globe photo booth. Admission is $14.99 for everyone age three and older.

You don't need an old-fashioned sleigh to go "dashing through the snow!" Santa's Ranch features a one-mile drive festooned with 100 displays and animations made from more than 1.5 million lights. Before heading out, pick up kettle corn or roasted pecans at the concession stand. The Ranch opens at 6 p.m. every night and admission is $28 per car.

Add some international flavor to your holidays at this annual tamale-making workshop. In addition to learning preparation techniques that have been passed down for generations, you'll hear fascinating stories about the iconic holiday treat. The event runs from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. and admission is free.

This popular event showcases holiday traditions of South Texas, including a performance of "Los Pastores," a play that has been staged at the Witte since the 1930s. Hours are noon until 4 p.m. and general admission to the museum is $10.

If your holidays aren't the same without football, don't miss the 24th annual Alamo Bowl, featuring the #1 teams from the Big 12 and Pac-12. Based on current rankings, either West Virginia or Oklahoma State will be representing the Big 12 while the Pac-12 entry is expected to be USC or Washington State. Kickoff is 8 p.m. and tickets start at $35.

Share your favorite holiday tradition in the comments!