A Guide to Living in San Antonio (Dec. 27th - Jan. 1st)
Hey y'all,
Cory here.
Out of the ordinary, you’re getting this email on a Friday morning thanks to the holiday shuffle! I hope you find something in today’s email that ties a bow nicely on 2024 for you, and sets your 2025 off to a fantastic start.
After a little “off” week because of Christmas, we’ll be back on our regular schedule next week—even with New Year’s! Keep an eye out for our Tuesday feature on the 31st and our usual Thursday curation of things to do in the Alamo City.
Have a great weekend.
⭐️ Featured Recommendations of the Week: Ring in the New Year in San Antonio
🎉 Celebrate SA: San Antonio’s Official New Year’s Eve Party
End 2024 on a high note with Celebrate SA, San Antonio’s biggest New Year’s Eve tradition. Hosted by the San Antonio Parks Foundation, this free, family-friendly event lights up downtown with live music, food trucks, and festivities for all ages. The night ends with a stunning 14-minute fireworks display at midnight that will illuminate the city skyline.
📍 Where: Downtown San Antonio (Market Street, La Villita, Hemisfair, and River Walk)
🕒 When: Sunday, December 31, 2024, 6:00 PM – Midnight
💵 Cost: Free
🎶 What to Expect:
• Multiple stages with live music and DJs
• Carnival games and a special Kids Countdown at 8 PM
• Delicious eats from local food trucks and vendors
🎉 Toast From The Top at Rosario’s 2nd Annual Rooftop NYE Party
Celebrate New Year’s Eve in style at one of San Antonio’s most iconic restaurants, Rosario’s ComidaMex & Bar. Their 2nd Annual Toast From The Top Rooftop Party offers incredible views, great vibes, and a festive way to ring in 2025. Sip on cocktails, enjoy delicious bites, and dance the night away as you take in the energy of the city from above.
📍 Where: Rosario’s Rooftop, 722 S St Mary’s St, San Antonio, TX
🕒 When: Sunday, December 31, 2024, 8:00 PM – 1:00 AM
💵 Cost: Individual Tickets start at $150
🎉 Ring in 2025 at Sternewirth with Diego Martinez & Band
Celebrate the New Year in style at Sternewirth, the iconic bar and lounge at Hotel Emma. Enjoy live music by Diego Martinez & Band in a setting steeped in history, featuring the bar’s famous circa-1883 cast iron fermentation tanks. Guests will be treated to complimentary champagne and oysters, creating an elegant start to 2025.
📍 Where: Sternewirth, Hotel Emma, 136 E Grayson St, San Antonio
🕒 When: Sunday, December 31, 2024, 8:30 PM – 2:00 AM
💵 Cost: General Admission $25 (wristbands required, 21+)
🎆 Pro Tip: Reserve a mezzanine booth for an exclusive experience. Guests of Hotel Emma get priority access, but act fast—seating is limited, and spots fill up quickly!
🍰 New Year’s Eve at Nicosi x Canje
Welcome the New Year with a truly unique dining experience at Nicosi x Canje’s Caribbean Countdown. Located at The Pearl, this exclusive event pairs intimate seating with a curated menu that embraces bold flavors and creative pairings. With just 20 seats available per seating, the evening is designed to immerse you in every bite and sip, guided by Chef Tavel Bristol-Joseph and Chef Karla Espinosa.
📍 Where: Nicosi, The Pearl, San Antonio
🕒 When: Sunday, December 31, 2024
• First Seating: 5:00 PM
• Second Seating: 10:00 PM
💵 Cost: $180 per person (Prepaid)
📅 This Week’s Events:
🎶 Shinyribs with Garrett T. Capps & NASA Country
When: Friday, December 27, 2024, 8:00 PM
Where: Stable Hall, 307 Pearl Parkway, San Antonio, TX
Cost: Tickets start at $27
Get ready for an unforgettable night of music at Stable Hall! Texas supergroup Shinyribs brings their genre-blending mix of Texas Blues, New Orleans funk, and roots rock to the stage, with local favorite Garrett T. Capps & NASA Country opening the show. Known for their high-energy performances, this lineup promises a night full of soulful tunes and foot-stomping fun.
🌄 First Day Hike at Government Canyon
When: Monday, January 1, 2025, 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Where: Government Canyon State Natural Area, 12861 Galm Rd, San Antonio, TX
Cost: Free with park admission (Day Pass recommended)
Start the new year on the right foot with a refreshing First Day Hike at Government Canyon. This family-friendly 2-mile hike along the historic Joe Johnston Route is a great way to enjoy nature, get moving, and reset after the holiday season. Perfect for all ages, though some rocky terrain means strollers aren’t suitable.
🎒 Pro Tip: Arrive early—gates open at 7 AM—and don’t forget sturdy footwear and water. Space is limited to the first 15 hikers, so check in at the Visitor Center by 8:45 AM to secure your spot!
Learn More & Reserve a Day Pass
🍷 Soft Opening of Copper Rose Wine Shop
When: Friday, December 27th - Sunday, December 29th
Where: 1810 Blanco Rd, San Antonio, TX
Beacon Hill is welcoming a fantastic new spot this weekend with the soft opening of Copper Rose Wine, a majority female-owned wine shop offering curated bottles, simple bites, and non-alcoholic options. Swing by during their soft opening hours—Friday (4:00 PM - 10:00 PM) and Saturday-Sunday (10:00 AM - 10:00 PM)—to explore their selections and enjoy this cozy new neighborhood gem.
Mark your calendars for their Grand Opening on January 3rd!
Follow Copper Rose Wine on Instagram for updates and more info.
🏙️ (Re)Discover Something New: What 2024 Headlines *Might Say About Us
This past year, the stories that captured San Antonio’s attention reflected the city’s growing pains, resilience, and deep connection to its cultural roots. From debates over urban development to moments of cultural celebration, each headline tells us something about where we’ve been—and where we’re headed.
The top stories of 2024 highlighted themes like urban transformation, with major projects reshaping our skyline and neighborhoods, and economic resilience, where local businesses and institutions navigated challenges with creativity and grit. San Antonians showed a strong appetite for conversations about civic identity, whether debating the future of iconic spaces or celebrating achievements like Michelin Guide recognition.
One insight stands out: Our city thrives on the balance between honoring tradition and embracing change. It’s in this balance that we rediscover the essence of San Antonio—a city constantly evolving but never losing sight of what makes it special.
Want to take a closer look at the moments that defined 2024? Read the full reflection from the San Antonio Report and explore the stories that shaped the past year.
🎧 One Listen: Reflecting on San Antonio’s Transformation
This last week on BigCitySmallTown, Bob Rivard sits down with David Marquez, Executive Director of Economic and Community Development for Bexar County. The conversation offers a fascinating retrospective on San Antonio’s evolution, touching on pivotal developments like Port San Antonio’s advanced manufacturing growth, the Toyota plant’s economic impact, and the balance between urban renewal and heritage preservation.
LISTEN HERE🏈 Did You Know?:
The Valero Alamo Bowl, happening this Saturday at the Alamodome, is one of San Antonio’s premier sporting events. This year’s matchup features the #17 BYU Cougars facing off against the #23 Colorado Buffaloes. The Alamo Bowl has a rich history dating back to 1993. Over the years, it has become known for thrilling moments, like the record-breaking 123-point shootout between Baylor and Washington in 2011, and it has hosted eight of ESPN’s top 20 most-watched bowl games.
Originally, the Alamo Bowl offered a spot to teams from the now-defunct Southwest Conference, later evolving to feature powerhouse programs from the Big 12 and Pac-12. Today, it not only showcases top college football talent but also brings in millions of viewers and visitors to San Antonio annually, boosting the city’s profile and economy.
Whether you’re attending the game, catching it on TV, or just navigating around downtown, keep in mind the traffic and the festive buzz surrounding this iconic event. For tickets or info, visit the Alamo Bowl website.
🌱Texas Nature Journal: Forsythia Sage
Looking to add vibrant fall color while supporting pollinators? Meet Forsythia Sage, a bold, adaptable perennial that thrives in Texas landscapes. With its tall spikes of bright yellow blooms, it’s a pollinator magnet for hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies during migration season.
Though not native to Texas, Forsythia Sage performs well in our climate, requiring little maintenance and pairing well with Texas natives like Turk’s Cap and White Mistflower for a stunning garden display.
Want to learn how to grow and care for Forsythia Sage? Watch my full video here and discover why this plant might deserve a spot in your landscape.
🔥 Rapid Fire Recs:
🏀 Spurs New Year’s Eve Game – Catch the San Antonio Spurs as they face off against the LA Clippers at the Frost Bank Center on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at 6:00 PM. Kick off your celebrations with some hoops before ringing in the new year! Get Tickets Here
🎶 Mezquite NYE Celebration – Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Mezquite, an exceptional restaurant in Pullman Market, with mariachi music from 6 to 9 PM, followed by a DJ spinning tunes until midnight. Enjoy festive specials and a lively atmosphere at this Pullman Market spot. Learn More
🎉 Tenfold Rooftop Black & White NYE Party – Celebrate the New Year in style at the Tenfold Rooftop at the Kimpton Santo Hotel. Choose between the Pre-Party (3–7:30 PM, $100) or the Elevated Party (8 PM–1 AM, $200), both featuring globally inspired small plates, live DJ sets, and stunning views of the fireworks. VIP table options are available for an extra touch of luxury. Dress in your finest black-and-white attire for this chic rooftop celebration. Book Your Tickets Here.
If you check out any of these spots or events, reply to this email and let me know what you think—I’d love to hear about your experience.
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Until next time,
-Cory
