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San Antonio Shopping Holiday Style
2011 Dates & Times >
You can escape the mall madness and check out the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center's annual Mercado de Paz (Peace Market). Here you can browse through handmade gifts centered on themes of peace, social justice, cultural diversity and ecological concerns.
San Antonio’s cultural diversity is no better displayed than by the Kristkindlmarkt, Beethoven Maennerchor’s pean to Christmas, German-style. The Maennerchor was founded in 1867 to “preserve German song, music and language,” so you can expect all of the above – plus the edible culture represented by bratwurst mit sauerkraut, kuchen and more – as you shop for gingerbread houses, ornaments, baskets, quilts and other seasonal fare. St. Nikolaus promises an appearance at this free event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the venerable headquarters in the historic King William neighborhood.
The Paseo del Rio Association’s annual Holiday Arts & Crafts Show lines the banks of the festively decorated River Walk extension leading to the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center basin and Rivercenter Mall (another great stop for shopping). This annual event features artists, craftsmen and their own creations – from fine art to folk-like fantasies and pottery to jewelry. Vendors must submit photos of themselves in the process of creating their works, so unique pieces are assured.
The Southwest School of Art & Craft’s holiday open house, Art.i.copia, is across the street from the historic Ursuline Academy Campus. The gift shop at the Southwest School of Art & Craft is one of those perennial San Antonio sources for collectors and browsers alike; its fare includes exquisite enamels, glass reflecting a host of creative processes, pewter pieces and jewelry fit for high-fashion affairs. On this day, all of this and more will be presented in a celebratory spirit featuring refreshments and appearances by special guest artists. Shopping was never made simpler.
Bazar Sábado at the San Antonio Museum of Art has been enticing savvy holiday shoppers for more than 20 years, in large part because dedicated and discerning volunteers fan out over the globe to personally select much of the merchandise.Find textiles from Guatemala, silver from Mexico, jade from China, temptations from Thailand and the list goes on, providing excellent opportunities to add to a collection or shop for friends and family. A line usually forms early for the 10 a.m. opening (there’s a modest admission charge), but not to fear: hot chocolate and buñuelos are passed out to fortify shoppers, and empanadas are available to purchase later on should hunger strike before the shopping’s done. As an added benefit, anyone showing a Bazar receipt will be granted free admission to the museum, where similar objects may be on display.
You’ll also want to arrive early at the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center’s Hecho a Mano. Outside the gallery, the giant Guadalupe votive candle, depicting Our Lady of Guadalupe, towers two stories above the ground. The impressive mosaic-tiled mural by local artist Jesse Treviño pops against the blue sky with bright colors and incredible detail that are best viewed with a little sun to set its tiles a-gleaming. The really good stuff goes fast at this exclusive preview to the two-day event. Hecho a mano means made by hand, and works ranging from ceramics and jewelry to photos and furniture will be on display. Befitting the nature of the Arts Center, much of the work will have a Hispanic bent and most of it will be by local artists, present and pleased to discuss their creative process.
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Copyright (c) 2011 by City of San Antonio. Any party wishing to reproduce content displayed on this website must obtain the express written permission of the San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau. Phone: (800) 447-3372
