HAPPY HOLIDAYS IN SAN ANTONIOCelebrate with Savings and Special eventsby Madelyn Miller
WARM AND FUZZY
SHOPPING SPECTACULARDon't miss the Bazaar Sabado with a Spanish personality that reflects the cultural diversity of the city. It reminds me of the Bazaar Sabado in Mexico City. I brought back wonderful textiles and paper mache dolls from Mexico and I didn't feel at all guilty about the money I spent because it benefited the Art Museum. HOTEL HAPPENINGSWALKING DOWN A WINDOW WONDERLAND
In keeping with the focus of literacy, books are among the gifts that Santa will deliver: one animated elf spins with excitement while sorting them for the children. Another area features an oversized recipe book that children and parents can read together.
HILTON PALACIO DEL RIO DINING DELIGHTSForget the word diet. If you want to really indulge in an unforgettable holiday treat, celebrate at La Mansion del Rio Hotel in their fabulous Las Canarias restaurant. For the holidays, they showcase the local ingredients in and around San Antonio from local farmers. Items like wild turkeys, local venison from south Texas, Love Creek Apples, and different varieties of honeys will be highlighted on the buffet. They will have everything anyone is looking for in a giant, gorgeous feast; from turkey to roasted leg of venison carved, different kinds of stuffings (oyster stuffing, cornbread stuffing) traditional pies; pumpkin, apple, decadent chocolates - - certainly a feast that will satisfy for a full year. Their buffets have been known to be called spectacles because of the beauty, the value and the warm feeling you get when dining at Las Canarias. In recent years, chef Scott Cohen has moved away from the a la carte dinner venue for Christmas because he believes that people in San Antonio who dine out for these holidays are looking for that family feeling. The Christmas all day buffet will be served from 10:30 a.m. until 9:30 p.m and costs $35.00 for adults and $16.95 for children 12 and under, plus tax and gratuity. People from all over the United States come for this buffet because it's a little taste of home in a casual elegant dining experience .It is a tradition I would like to start with my family. Scott also told me about his philosophy for starting the year right. "For New Years Eve we have a special, special event," he explained. "As everyone knows New Years Eve has become an event all around the country where people go out to eat and get over charged because of this special night. What I have decided to do this year is create value oriented menus. We will be opening our first seating at 5:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. which will cost $35.00 per person and will offer three courses. Our second seating will begin at 8:00 p.m. until midnight and will include five courses for $75.00 per person which will also include party favors, live entertainment and dancing." And for New Years Day they'll be serving Southern Black Eye Peas on the breakfast buffet in the Southern holiday tradition. HOLIDAY HAPPENINGSDecember 1 - First Friday Art Walk. Monthly art walk in artistically offbeat, historically upbeat arts district. Unique offering of artist receptions throughout Southtown in the King William area. South Alamo Street. 6:00-10:00 p.m. Free. 210-222-1152 http://southtown.net 1 - Las Posadas. La Sociedad Hispana Cultural, an Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) student organization presents this religious, cultural and social event. Procession will begin at 6 p.m. from McCullough Hall (OLLU Retirement Center) and will be followed by a fiesta in the Chapel Auditorium with food, pi�ata and entertainment. Free. Our Lady of the Lake University. 210-434-6711 1-3 - 14th Annual Hecho a Mano/Made by Hand. Buy your holiday gifts at this fine arts and fine crafts market. Guadalupe Theater. Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center. Admission. Free on Sunday. 210-271-3151 or 210-351-7787 http://guadalupeculturalarts.org 1-17 - Pepsi Holiday Boat Caroling. Over 175 joyous caroling groups fill the River Walk with holiday tunes. Sponsored by the Paseo del Rio Association and Pepsi. Along the River Walk. 210-227-4262 http://thesanantonioriverwalk.com 1 - 16 - The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Based on the best selling book by Barbara Robinson, this is the hilarious story of a Christmas pageant, which uses some of the funniest children you�ll ever meet. Shows Monday through Friday during the day. Please call for times. Admission. 210-227-2751 http://magiktheatre.org 1 � 23 - Toy Take Over Christmas. Delightful tale of toys coming to life and a wonderful lesson for all. Shows on Friday and Saturday evenings and Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Please call for times. Admission. 210-227-2751 http://www.magiktheatre.org 1 - 23 - San Antonio Dickens Carolers. Carolers in full Charles Dickens costumes. Stroll and sing favorite Christmas Carols. Downtown and River Walk beginning near Alamo Plaza. Free. 210-534-5765 http://fun2sing.com 1 � 31 - Little Studio Gallery Show of Paintings and Jewelry. In connection with La Villita Christmas celebration. La Villita. Free. 210-227-8893 1-3; 7-10 - Las Nuevas Tamaleras. A comedy about three Latina women attempts at making tamales for the first time. Shows Friday and Saturday at 7:00 and 8:30 p.m. Sunday shows at 3:00 and 4:30 p.m. Jump Start Theater, Building B of the Blue Star Arts Complex. Admission. Burras Finas Productions. 210-223-2009 1-3; 7-9; 15-17 - Rivercenter Christmas Pageant. A 40-minute San Antonio-style production of the living nativity unfolds on river barges and the Rivercenter Island stage first three weekends in December. Rivercenter Mall Lagoon. Admission. 210-225-0000 http://shoprivercenter.com 1-3; 8-10; 15-17 - Fiesta de las Luminarias. More than 2,500 luminarias, warm glowing candles in sand-filled bags, line the walkways to symbolically mark the "lighting of the way" for the Holy Family. Sponsored by the Paseo del Rio Association. Along the River Walk. 210-227-4262 http://thesanantonioriverwalk.com 2 - Kristkindlmarkt. Authentic German outdoor holiday market with seasonal music, food, drink and crafts. Beethoven Home and Garden. Beethoven M�nnerchor. Free. 210-222-1521 or 210-408-0004 2 - King William Holiday Home Tour. Tours of restored Victorian homes and lectures on local histroy. King William Historic District, lectures begin at 12:00 p.m. and home tours begin at 1:00 p.m. Admission. 210-227-8786 2 - Christmas Along the Corridor Grande Finale. Over 100 Pony Express Christmas couriers ride over 90-miles and gallop up the parade field with Governor�s Christmas greeting. Fort Sam Houston. Alamo Area Council of Governments. Free. 210-362-5200 http://www.aacog.dst.tx.us 2-3; 9-10; 16-17; 23-24; 30-31 - Fiestas Navide�as. Folkloric dancers, mariachi groups and more. Market Square, weather permitting. Free. 210-207-8600 2-22 - Frosty and his Pal Wally. Frosty and Wally embark on another very special adventure in Winter land. Original script and just in time for the Holiday. The Steven Stoli Playhouse and Backyard Theatre. Admission. 210-408-0116 http://stolientertainment.com 8 - Babes in Toyland. Live musical theater brings to the stage a family favorite. Laurie Auditorium. Presented by the Children�s Fine Arts Series. Admission. 210-340-4060 http://childrensfineartseries.org 8-9 - Messiah. Handel�s sacred Baroque masterwork performed by the San Antonio Symphony, master singers and soloist. Empire Theatre. Admission. 210-554-1010 http://sasymphony.org 8-10 - River Walk Holiday Art Fair. Local and regional artists, craftsmen and jewelers offer holiday gift items. Sponsored by the Paseo del Rio Association. River Walk extension. 210-227-4262 http://thesanantonioriverwalk.com 8 � Jan. 28, 2001 - Scrooge. Stage adaptation of the movie musical based on A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. San Pedro Playhouse. Admission. 210-733-7258 http://members.tripod.com\San_Pedro_Playhouse 9 -Heart of Texas Christmas Show. Featuring the Alamo Metro Chorus. McAllister Auditorium. Admission. 210-493-7383 10 - Las Posadas. Reenactment of Joseph and Mary�s search for shelter. Candle-lit procession sings traditional Posada songs. River Walk level of La Mansion del Rio to Arneson River Theatre. Followed by a pi�ata party and hot chocolate in La Villita. San Antonio Conservation Society. Free. 210-224-6163 http://saconservation.org 12 - Virgen de Guadalupe Feast Day � Blessing and Lighting Ceremony. Blessing and lighting ceremony, sunrise Mass, Pilgrimage walk, Matachines dancers, and other celebration through out the day. Our Lady of Guadalupe church. Free. 210-226-4064 13-24 - Legendary Holidays. The experience takes participants on a walking tour through Texas legend and lore, beginning with a ceremonial bell ringing where majestic limestone arches frame the beautiful Texas Hill Country at the Westin La Cantera Resort. Cowboy storyteller, carolers, real snow flurries and optional activities are in store. Free. 210-558-6500 http://westin.com 15-16 - A Very Merry Pops. A joyful variety of singing, dancing and merry-making. San Antonio Express-News Pops Series. Admission. 210-554-1010 http://sasymphony.org 15-31 - City of Windcrest Christmas Light-Up. A public viewing of hundreds of homes elaborately decorated with Christmas lights. The annual events dates back to the 1950's. Free admission. For more information. 210/655-0022 17 - La Gran Posada. Procession begins at Milam Park and winds its way through the historic center of the city ending at San Fernando Cathedral. Free. 210-227-1297 http://sanfernandocathedral.org 24 - Christmas Pasorela Play. Christmas Eve Folk-cultural presentation: Shepherds going to Bethleham. Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. Free 210-226-4064 29-30 - Big Band. The members of the San Antonio Vocal Arts Ensemble add their voices to the hits of the swing era. San Antonio Express-News Pops Series. Admission. 210-554-1010 http://sasymphony.org 30 - Los Pastores. Spanish pastorela depicting the conflict between good and evil. Grounds of San Jose Mission. Free. 210-224-6163 http://saconservation.org 30 - Sylvania Alamo Bowl. Post-season college football game featuring teams from the Big Ten and Big 12 conferences. Alamodome. Admission. 210-226-2695 http://alamobowl.com 31 - A Night in Old Vienna. Conductor Christopher Wilkins transports the audience to old Vienna. Majestic Theatre. San Antonio Symphony. Admission. 210-554-1010 http://sasymphony.org 31 - Sixth Annual New Year�s Eve Gala. A dress up gala for kids of all ages. Magik Children�s Theatre/Beethoven Hall. Admission. 210-227-2751 http://magiktheatre.org 31 - Celebrate San Antonio. Ring in the New Year with revelers, San Antonio style! Enjoy spectacular fireworks, live music, food booths, family activities and more. On S. Alamo between Durango and Market streets. San Antonio Parks Foundation. Free. 210-207-3075 http://ci.sat.tx.us/sapar 31 - Kids Countdown to 2001. Kid-size countdown and New Year celebration with good luck activities. San Antonio Children�s Museum. Admission. 210-212-4453 |
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Most people think the most unique thing to see in San Antonio is the Alamo. But on a recent visit during the holidays I realized that San Antonio really knows how to celebrate with parades and pageants, decorations and delights, shopping and snacking, and all kinds of delicious opportunities and culinary treats. Here are a few of my favorite things to do and see in San Antonio plus a calendar guaranteed to keep you busy celebrating the whole month. 
It all began in 1969 when founder Louise Locker realized that for many San Antonio families, Christmas did not exist. That first year, with the help of a friend, Louise collected gifts for children in 13 families. Now the numbers have grown to over 32,000 children in over 9,000 families Her idea evolved into the Children giving to Children Parade and Toy March. At a designated point and time, the entire Parade will stop and Santa's Helpers will assist children in giving their toy. The highlights of the parade include giant inflatable helium balloons, marching bands, holiday floats, cool classic cars, Elvis and Santa. 
Tradition has it that the 33 foot long picture windows facing Alamo Street are the must see window shopping of Holiday decorations with their animated features and complete sound. A flickering fireplace and rotating Christmas tree set the stage for the festivities.
The book is open to a "Recipe for Family Fun" The passage reads: "First, measure a portion of time. Second, select a book the whole family will enjoy. Third, read until your hearts are content. Sprinkle with love and laughter. This recipe serves: The whole community.