Here is what’s on tap across the Alamo City as we near Christmas.
SAN ANTONIO — We’re just two weeks away from Christmas, and San Antonio continues to celebrate the holiday season to the jolliest extent that it can with afternoon highs still reaching 70 and no sign of snow falling from the sky.
Some of the biggest events happening in the Alamo City this weekend help to keep the vibes merry and the spirit cheerful. Here is what’s on tap.
Ballet SA concludes “The Nutcracker”
This weekend brings the second and final weekend of performances of the iconic holiday-season show by San Antonio’s own ballet organization. The Nutcracker Prince, the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Mouse Queen—all the familiar characters will grace the stage at the Tobin Center, thanks to the efforts of more than 100 youth who make up the cast.
When: Performances held Friday through Sunday
Where: H-E-B Performance Hall at the Tobin Center (100 Auditorium Circle)
Cost: Tickets start at $31; buy here
Tamale Festival
It isn’t a December in San Antonio without the opportunity to sample a variety of tamales. Now that the Pearl is turning into a San Antonio culinary mecca, it only makes sense that Pullman Market is looking to kick off a new Tamale Festival tradition.
The inaugural festival, scheduled for Saturday, promises to bring a large lineup of masa-wrapped offerings, as well as family-friendly activities, live music from DJ Caliente and the opportunity to chow down on a winning tamal.
When: Saturday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m .
Where: Pullman Market (221 Newell Ave.)
Cost: Admission is free, but you have to RSVP ahead of time here
William Beckmann at Stable Hall
The Del Rio-born country crooner, fresh off the summer release of his fourth album “Whiskey Lies & Alibis,” brings his music to Stable Hall on not one, not two, but three nights this weekend.
The concerts are part of his ongoing “Las Posadas Tour” and will see him joined by Julianna Rankin for “an intimate evening of Christmas music, crooner standards, Spanish songs, storytelling and select Beckmann originals.”
When: 7 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Where: Stable Hall (307 Pearl Parkway)
Cost: Tickets still available for Sunday’s show, starting at $69. Buy here.
Demetri Martin brings the laughs
Looking for comedy over country music this weekend? Look no further than downtown’s Empire Theater, set to host award-winning stand-up comic Demetri Martin on Sunday evening. He’s released a handful of specials, including Netflix’s “The Overthinker,” and previously starred in his own Comedy Central show.
When: 7:30 p.m. Sunday.
Where: Empire Theatre (226 N. St. Mary’s St.)
Cost: Tickets start at $48; buy here.
An adult’s party at the DoSeum
Call the babysitter’s for this one: An adults-only, Christmas-themed, DJ-featured party at the popular San Antonio children’s museum – “Dulce” – will given visitors 21 and over the chance to dance, enjoy cocktails from Alamo City bars and peruse vendors’ offerings for last-minute Christmas shopping.
Among the restaurants providing drinks and food: Postino, Bakery Lorraine, Paramour, Brevity and the Culinary Institute of America.
When: Friday from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., with VIP entry starting at 7 p.m.
Where: The DoSeum (2800 Broadway)
Cost: Tickets cost $65 (before fees) for general admission and $100 for VIP entry. Buy here.