SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration

SeaWorld San Antonio is decking out the halls for its annual Christmas Celebration, an extraordinary holiday event November 19 - January 1. This wintery, watery wonderland features Christmas shows, holiday lights, festive foods, Santa Claus and more!

New in 2016, the park is covered with 5 million lights, the largest Christmas light display in Texas, and guests can meet Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and friends. 'Tis the season to create family memories, only found at SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration.

Merry Christmas!!

Favorite Sugar Cookies Recipe

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 30 min. + chilling Bake: 10 min./batch + cooling
MAKES: 84 servings

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 egg
• 1-1/2 teaspoons almond extract
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt

FROSTING:

• 6 tablespoons butter, softened
• 3 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 to 4 tablespoons 2% milk
• Food coloring of your choice, optional
• Colored sugar, edible glitter, nonpareils or frosting of your choice, optional

Directions

1. In a large bowl, cream butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and extracts. Combine flour and salt; add to creamed mixture and mix well. Chill 1-2 hours.
2. Preheat oven to 375°. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut with floured 2-1/2-in. cookie cutters. Place on greased baking sheets. Bake 7-9 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.
3. For frosting, in a small bowl, combine butter, sugar, vanilla and enough milk to achieve a spreading consistency. If desired, tint with food coloring. Frost cookies; decorate as desired. Yield: 6-7 dozen.

Light the Way

2016 HIGHLIGHT

The crisp, clear skies provided the perfect backdrop for fireworks, twinkling lights and even snow as the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) officially kicked off the holiday season at the 30th anniversary of Light the Way. The event held Saturday, Nov. 19 brought a record breaking crowd of over 8,500 guests to the Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium where UIW Interim President Dr. Denise Doyle and her special guest, two-year old Eleanor Tucker, flipped the switch and illuminated the campus in nearly a million vibrant lights. 

 

The event was the finale to a fun-filled evening sponsored by H-E-B. The highlight of the evening was a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus who entered the stadium in a horse drawn carriage accompanied by angels from UIW’s Brainpower elementary schools amidst a blanket of snow that enchanted the audience.

Special guests for the evening included Sr. Teresa Maya, CCVI, congregational leader of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word and Dya Campos, H-E-B., director of government and public affairs. The evening began with the National Anthem performed by UIW alumna, Dionne Bedell.

Zoo Lights

Merry & Bright and Wild at Night!

Open nightly at 6:00 p.m., from November 18, 2016 - January 1, 2017, Zoo Lights is a nighttime holiday tradition for the whole family! Stroll under an array of twinkling lights while you sip hot cocoa, roast s'mores and enjoy an all-new light show. Plus, visit Santa and tell him what's on your Christmas wish list. Also, new this year is the ice skating rink and camel rides. The Zoo will close for the day at 4:00 p.m. and re-opens at 6:00 p.m. during Zoo Lights.

Santa's Ranch

This holiday season, you’ll be one short drive away from your next favorite Christmas tradition. It all started in 2003 with a goal of helping you feel the joy of the Holiday season while starting a new family tradition. All you have to do is pack your kids into the car and watch their faces light up as they take in the beautiful Christmas displays, including lit up gingerbread houses, nativity scenes, depictions of the North Pole, and more all at our Christmas ranch.

Our goal is to help you enjoy a new, or continuing, family tradition. So, bring some joy into your Holiday season by paying our Christmas ranch a visit! You’ll be awestruck by over 1.5 million, custom made lights all put up to help you experience the magic of the Christmas season.

Bring your friends and family and enjoy one of the best holiday light exhibits in the state! You’ll take a drive through over a mile of winding country roads while taking in the beautiful lights, animated Christmas displays, and enjoying homemade hot cocoa, kettle corn, and snacks. 

Click here to learn more!