Shopping for the holidays just feels more festive and fun. That’s probably because the holiday markets are full of hot cocoa, caroling, and even a few reindeer games! Check out these holiday favorites.

• 36th Annual Peace Market / Mercado de Paz | November 28-30, 2025: Looking for a feel-good alternative to Black Friday? The 36th International Peace Market, also known as Mercado de Paz, returns November 28 to 30 with an open-air, community-first shopping experience rooted in Indigenous market traditions. Browse handmade goods from more than 30 local artists plus international vendors, then stick around for live music, tasty, affordable food, and hourly raffles featuring artist-donated treasures.

• Holiday on Jones | November 29, 2025: Kick off your holiday shopping with Holidays on Jones at the San Antonio Museum of Art, a free Family Day and Holiday Market that brings together local artists and makers for one big, merry browse. Along with snagging unique gifts, you can enjoy free museum admission for all, plus family-friendly fun like artmaking, live music, storytime, and hands-on pottery demos and workshops led by Mata Ortiz artists Héctor “Yeto” Gallegos and Laura Bugarini. Come hungry, too, because food and drinks will be available for purchase.

• Taste of Pearl Festival | November 29, 2025: Head to Pearl for the first-ever Taste of Pearl Festival, a free, property-wide celebration packed with live music, culinary bites, local art, and shopping. With Pearl’s favorite restaurants and retailers popping up across multiple stages, it’s an easy way to snack, stroll, and snag holiday gifts all in one vibrant afternoon.

• Holidays at the Rock | Fridays & Saturdays in December: In addition to ice skating, holiday movies, and festive activations at The Rock at La Cantera, you'll also want to kick off your holiday shopping every Friday and Saturday in December from 6 to 10 p.m. at this cheerful night market. You’ll find local vendors with unique gifts, handmade goodies, and seasonal treats that make it easy to shop small and soak up the spirit of the season.

• 16th Annual Kwanzaa Market Festival 2025 | December 6, 2025: Celebrate African heritage and holiday community spirit at the 16th Annual Kwanzaa Market Festival. This free, family-friendly event features a lively marketplace of Black-owned and Pan-African makers, plus music, performances, and a joyful atmosphere that invites you to learn about Kwanzaa traditions while shopping local. Donations are welcomed to help keep this beloved celebration growing year after year.

• Holidays on Houston Street Market Weekend | December 12-14, 2025: Holidays on Houston Street Market Weekend lights up downtown San Antonio from Friday with a full weekend of festive shopping and city cheer. Pop by during the extended market hours to browse more than 50 local vendors offering artisan crafts, locally made clothing, candles, sweet treats, and one-of-a-kind gifts. It is the perfect stop for checking off your holiday list while soaking up the sights, sounds, and flavors of the season.

San Antonio has unique boutique shopping hotspots that are a must-visit. Add these to your shopping to-do list this season:

La Villita Historic Arts Village

First stop, La Villita Historic Arts Village. This little village is San Antonio’s oldest neighborhood. Today, local artists have taken up residence to showcase paintings, drawings, sculptures, and more in quaint and charming galleries.

Here, you'll find gems like Yolix Luna Fine Art, where you can find one-of-a-kind art pieces by Mexican artist Yolix Luna herself. Nearby at Little Studio Gallery, artistic masterpieces by local artists await.

You can also create your own scented paradise at Scentchips. Visit Capistrano Soap Company, a local apothecary specializing in handmade soaps, skincare, and grooming products right here in San Antonio using heirloom recipes.

And, at Huipil Market Handmade Goods, you'll find unique treasures made by artisans from all around the world!

Rest a bit for some wine tasting at Casa Guizpot while you're here! It's the first all-Mexican wine shop in the country!

Historic Market Square

If you’re looking for a gift that screams “puro,” look no further than Historic Market Square. Here, you will find the largest Mexican market in the United States. The “El Mercado” portion and Farmer’s Market Plaza boast over 100 locally owned shops and stalls that import pottery, curios, and art directly from Mexico.

Here are just a few of the shops waiting for you at Historic Market Square:

• Plaza Taxco
• La Morenita Imports
• Little Mexico Imports
• Old Mexico Imports
• Unlimited Handicrafts

Photo by Apex Studios

Pearl

No shopping visit is complete without the Pearl, where festive lights and seasonal events set the perfect mood. Wander through locally loved boutiques filled with handmade goods, stylish apparel, and unique gifts you won’t find anywhere else.

Stop for a bite or a warm drink between shops, and soak in the energy of one of San Antonio’s most beautiful holiday settings. At the Pearl, shopping feels less like checking off a list and more like celebrating the season.

Painted Tree Boutiques

Painted Tree Boutiques is home to hundreds of local shops! Discover an eclectic mix of fashion, home décor, gifts, and specialty items, all crafted by small businesses with one-of-a-kind products.

You'll find something for everyone in San Antonio. Need something for the special music-lover in your life? Alamo Music Company has top names in pianos, guitars, accordions, and more.

One-of-a-kind art finds are all over San Antonio.

Garcia Art Glass is San Antonio’s first hot glass studio. Here, you can browse a gallery of hand-blown glass sculptures, watch a demonstration in action, and even commission your own custom piece for a one-of-a-kind gift.

Caliente Hot Glass is the place to be for fine arts and special gifts. Shop unique free-blown art gifts for someone special in your life. And at AlejandraMtzHArte, you'll find yourself surrounded by this local artist's beautiful, unique paintings. You won't want to miss her Catrinas series featuring Catrinas in their 9-5 jobs!

If you’re looking to tackle your holiday list in one trip, San Antonio’s major shopping destinations deliver in style.

The Shops at La Cantera pairs high-end brands with open-air charm, perfect for a sunny winter shopping day. You'll find high-end luxury shopping here and everyone's favorite jewelry stop - Kendra Scott!

Downtown, The Shops at Rivercenter keep you close to the River Walk and offer everything from name-brand favorites to unique finds.

And just a short drive north, San Marcos Premium Outlets is a shopper’s paradise, with incredible deals on designer labels and plenty of space to explore.

Wherever you go, you’ll find holiday spirit around every corner.