This week's hot headlines

Best New Year's Eve events top this week's 5 hottest San Antonio headlines

Celebrate SA is San Antonio's biggest party of the year.

Photo courtesy of San Antonio Parks Foundation and Bud Light

Editor's note: It’s that time again — time to check in with our top stories. From best New Year's Eve events to a look back at the hottest dining headlines of 2023, here are the five most-read stories over the past seven days.

1. 7 spectacular San Antonio spots to ring in a sparkling New Year. What the heck should you do to ring in the new year? Restaurants and bars will offer prix-fixe meals and champagne toasts. For many, the only way to embrace Auld Lang Syne is at a giant citywide party. Here are some best bests for New Year's Eve, and even more events to take part in fun all weekend long.

2. Big openings and shocking closures flavor San Antonio's top 10 dining stories of 2023. As 2023 comes to a close, we're looking back at the dining stories that defined San Antonio's food scene this year. We saw shocking closures, anticipated openings, and recognition from trusted publications (including CultureMap’s own Tastemaker Awards).

3. Snoop Dogg drops buzzy new hemp drinks with San Antonio-based company. On December 19, Snoop Dogg launched his latest venture, the hemp-infused beverage line Do It Fluid. Made in partnership with San Antonio-based company Hill Beverage Co., the brand promises an alternative to smoking without sacrificing the high.

4. San Antonio lands on the nice list of best cities for celebrating Christmas in 2023. San Antonians didn't have to travel far to experience the best Christmas in Texas this year either – the Alamo City landed at No. 17 in a new national list of the best cities for celebrating Christmas in 2023.

5. An East Side rebirth, a moody new bar, and 2 more closures wrap up San Antonio food news. The East Side rebirth of Milpa is officially up and running, but more is still to come. Ay Que Chula celebrated a soft opening, popular truck Eight Ball Coffee found a permanent place to park, and more of the week's biggest dining news.

Holiday Happenings

Holiday events at Hemisfair include movies, markets, and food deals

Photo courtesy of Hemisfair

Real reindeer are visiting Hemisfair this holiday season.

Hemisfair is getting into the holiday swing. The neighborhood has organized events, specials, and other offerings to bring the community together and activate its resident businesses. That includes seasonal markets, movies, and traditions for multiple major holidays — and most of them are free to attend.

First up, two weekly(ish) series offer some structure to the holiday happenings.

San Antonians who are settling into a restful season can kick back and watch four outdoor movies on Tuesdays. All the Movies by Moonlight screenings have a Christmas connection: Gremlins on November 26, The Muppet Christmas Carol on December 3, Fred Claus on December 10, and Home Alone on December 17. Attendees to the Fred Claus screening can donate a toy to the Salvation Army and get a free photo with Santa.

For those with energy to burn, a series of free hip hop dance classes will get guests moving to holiday tunes. It's led by instructor Kevin Brewster, who teaches breaking basics. Catch that series Wednesdays, December 4, 11, and 18.

Some one-off events have a bit more planned. There are two markets: A "brunch market" on December 1 for gifts and brunch snacks, and a gift market on December 14 and 15 for handmade gifts and other "holiday treasures" according to a press release.

The most comprehensive celebration is Holiday in the Garden on December 14, sponsored by H-E-B. Live reindeer will be in attendance and ready to meet guests, and Mr. and Mrs. Claus will also be ready for photos. There will also be crafts for Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. Hot chocolate by Paleteria SA ties it all together.

For locals who prefer to take things at their own pace, there's also a Holiday Tenant Passport Program. Shoppers can pick up a "passport" and collect stamps at businesses around Hemisfair between November 25 and December 22. The goal is to fill the whole passport, which will win a "special holiday treat," according to the release. Be on the lookout for more details at hemisfair.org, or pick up a pass during one of the movie screenings.

Finally, businesses are running independent deals, specials, and events:

Bombay Bicycle Club: 12 Days of Christmas drink specials and a dog party with costumes, vendors, and more on December 14
Magik Theatre: Performances of The Velveteen Rabbit from November 23 to December 29 and an interactive event on December 14
Dough Pizzeria Napoletana: Mulled cider and pumpkin polenta cake
Re:Rooted 210 Urban Winery: A $20 wine flight highlights "festive" selections including Gruner Veltliner and Rojo Muerto
Box Street Social: An entire special menu featuring peppermint bark chocolate donuts, Cheermeister cocktails, and a non-alcoholic Clausmopolitan

San Antonio takes its holidays seriously. More festive fun has recently been announced in the Pearl neighborhood and on Houston Street, including the San Antonio Coffee Festival. Light Park has the Christmas lights fully covered, and the San Antonio Botanical Garden offers a new nature-themed lantern show that doesn't cater to any specific holiday.

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