SAN ANTONIO, Dec. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- What's better than relishing in the holiday season? Doing it in San Antonio, where only the very best of the holiday is offered in the spirit of the season. Here, you can relax with a cup of Mexican hot chocolate in mild South Texas weather and experience the sights and sounds of a San Antonio holiday you will always remember.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121211/DC27701 )

Each year, San Antonio shines brighter and opens its door—and heart—to locals and visitors. Nearly 2 million holiday lights and myriad festivities promise to make holidays memorable.  

Almost 200 trees are wrapped with thousands of twinkling lights, 20 stone bridges are colorfully illuminated with various patterns. The City of San Antonio holds a Light Up Downtown Holiday Contest that encourages downtown business owners to compete for the most decorative and creative use of LED lights. The result is a lit up river and street that combines for one magical holiday destination.

The River Walk is also home to Fiesta de las Luminarias. This centuries-old tradition will take place on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through December 16, when the River Walk is lined with 6,000 luminarias (small paper lanterns) to symbolically light the way for the Holy Family. Another River Walk favorite is the Holiday River Boat Carolers. Through December 23, more than 185 choirs ring in the holidays by singing traditional carols on cruising barges. The eclectic mix of participants includes bell choirs, folk groups and Latino ensembles.

Need more reasons to spend your 2012 holiday season in San Antonio?  Here are just a few of the many festivities that await:

SeaWorld San Antonio's Christmas Celebrations — (through December 31)

Wonderland Christmas at Morgan's Wonderland – (through December 22)

Six Flags Fiesta Texas' Holiday in the Park — (Through January 6)

La Gran Posada (December 16) - the symbolic reenactment of Mary and Joseph's search for shelter through historic downtown.

San Antonio Symphony Holiday Pops Concert  (December 21-22)  

20th Annual Valero Alamo Bowl (December 29)

Celebrate San Antonio (New Year's Eve celebration)

For more information on other events and special holiday packages, please visit www.visitsanantonio.com or call (866) 517-7779.

Stay connected on Facebook and Twitter at @visitsanantonio

The San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau, a department of the City of San Antonio, is funded through the hotel/motel occupancy tax. The bureau is a marketing, sales and service organization dedicated to the promotion of San Antonio as a meetings and visitor destination for the purpose of positively affecting the city's economy. 

Media Contact:
Tonya Hope, Senior Brand Manager
San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau
210.207.6843
tonyahope@visitsanantonio.com

SOURCE San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau