Holidays on Houston Street to expand beyond Houston Street, moving market to La Villita

Entering its fourth year, Holidays on Houston Street is expanding beyond Houston Street to encompass more of downtown as part of the annual winter celebration.

As part of the expansion, Centro San Antonio announced that the La Villita National Historic Village will host the Market Experience, which will now take place over two weekends.

The announcement comes after years of construction on South Alamo Street, which KSAT previously reported created safety and traffic concerns for local businesses and visitors.

“We recognize the challenges businesses along South Alamo Street have faced through prolonged construction,” Centro SA CEO Trish DeBerry said in a statement to KSAT, “and we’re hopeful that bringing the market to La Villita will help drive renewed foot traffic and economic activity to the area.”

The market will expand to two weekends, both coinciding with major events being held in San Antonio next month:

• December 4-6 (San Antonio Marathon Weekend)
• December 18-20 (NCAA Women’s Volleyball Championship at the Alamodome)

Both market weekends will be open during the following hours:

• Friday: Noon to 10 p.m.
• Saturday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Sunday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Beyond driving foot traffic to La Villita, Centro SA said it was always its intention to grow the celebration beyond Houston Street.

“Houston Street remains the heart of the celebration with its signature holiday lighting and communal dinner,” DeBerry said.

In the spirit of expansion, Centro SA also announced a new chili cook-off at Legacy Park in Downtown West.

The new Downtown West Chili Classic will raise funds for Hogs for the Cause, a nonprofit benefiting families with children battling cancer.

For more information on all of this year’s events, visit Holidays on Houston’s website.

Read also:

• Portion of Alamo Street temporarily closed downtown due to resurfacing work for San Antonio Marathon