Warmest wishes, San Antonio. We’re taking a pause on newsletters to spend time with our loved ones. We’ll see you back in your inboxes weekly starting Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. In the meantime, peruse our archives here.
🌼 Among the wildflowers
Explore the map for yourself. | Screenshot via Homegrown National Park
Want more from your lawn than just grass? Come spring, your yard could be a “mini national park.”
Meet Homegrown National Park, a nationwide grassroots movement that invites property owners to restore wildlife habitats through sustainable planting and the removal of invasive species.
Here’s how it works: Swap a portion of your lawn for native plants that support food webs for local fauna, then watch your yard transform into a natural oasis where wildlife thrives. Registered habitats are tracked on a digital biodiversity map, so you can see which Alamo City neighbors are pitching in.
Historic Market Square | Thursday, Dec. 18-Thursday, Feb. 12 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Historic Market Square | Free | Sip, shop, and stroll through more than 100 locally owned businesses at this unique marketplace experience. Plus, watch local artists perfect their craft during live demonstrations.*
La Panadería held a grand opening celebration for its brand-new, 6,600-sqft bakery yesterday. The new Stone Oak location is the cafe’s largest to date and features customizable tortas and salads in addition to its standard menu. (San Antonio Current)
Closing
Embarrassing Shoes — a photo, art, and book store located inside San Antonio Gold — will permanently close in January after almost one year in business. Books are currently 20% off with “deeper discounts to follow,” according to the shop’s Instagram.
Try This
The San Antonio Parks Foundation will attempt to set a Guinness World Record for the world’s largest dance party at its Celebrate SA New Year’s Eve event. The festivity is free to attend and will include carnival rides, food vendors, a 14-minute fireworks show, and of course, dancing. (San Antonio Current)
Number
30,000. That’s how many people visited the San Antonio Zoo last weekend for the grand opening of Congo Falls, a new area housing seven western lowland gorillas across three habitats. What’s next for the zoo?Potentially an elephant exhibit. (San Antonio Current)
Holiday
Kung Fu Saloon is turning up the holiday spirit with its Merry Litmas Christmas Pop-Up Bar all month long. Expect Christmas lights galore, festive trees at every turn, and specialty seasonal cocktails. Bonus: Visit on Saturday, Dec. 20 at 10 p.m. for pictures with Santa. Plan your visit.*
Feel Good
Santa Claus and a few of his elves took a break from the North Pole this week to visit patients at Methodist Children’s Hospital. Instead of arriving by sleigh, the crew rappelled down the hospital’s exterior, waving and interacting with patients from the windows. (KENS 5)
Concert
Experience the electrifying collaboration of Silverada and The Wilder Blue, two of Texas’s renowned country bands, at Stable Hall tomorrow, Dec. 19, at 8 p.m. The show promises an unforgettable evening of fiery performances. Get tickets.*
Sports
What does San Antonio’s loss in the Emirates NBA Cup championship mean for the team going forward? Get the latest news, analysis, and insider information for the San Antonio Spurs with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
“You said, ‘I do.’ Now say, ‘I’m covered.’ Make sure your jewelry shines with protection beyond homeowners’ insurance. Don’t risk losing what matters most—get specialized coverage today from Higginbotham.*
Shop
If you’re a Costco shopper, you know about the $1.50 hot dog. But are you in on these other 10 lesser-known hacks all Costco shoppers should know about? We’re talking deals on everything from travel to tires.*
540,000+. That’s how many people trust this life-changing hearing aid. Its virtually invisible design delivers sharper speech and reduced noise for effortless hearing. Try it yourself with a 45-day no-risk trial and experience clearer conversations today.*
Finance
You’re smart — but your spending can still be dumb. These are the 11 dumbest things smart people waste money on.*
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Nirvana awaits with this multi-shape vibrator that hits all the right spots. Reignite the fire of your most electrifying encounters with sublime sensations that intensify arousal. Get 35% off this award-winner today + an extra 15% off with code H4PPY15.*
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Last-minute gift picks
Including pjs and a fun card game. | Graphic by 6AM City
Behind on holiday shopping? We’ve all been there. These thoughtful gifts should arrive just in time.
Genuine leather wallet | $31.88 | Upgrade their worn-out wallet to this stylish + functional one that boasts RFID blocking technology.
Owala FreeSip | $29.98 | This 4.7-star rated water bottle is loved for its patented FreeSip design.
Herd Mentality card game | $24.99 | This udderly hilarious + family-friendly card game is a perfect stocking stuffer.
A 2026 planner to keep track of your events, to-dos, goals, and more. We love this best-selling weekly option that includes 12 months of monthly and weekly pages for easy planning + scheduling. Or, opt for this flower-adorned daily planner with monthly tabs, metal cover protectors, and a page for expense tracking.
Traveling to another major Texas city for the holidays? Whether you want to visit the best coffee shops, eat at a new restaurant, or see iconic landmarks, you’ll want to check out our guides to Austin, Fort Worth, and Dallas before hitting the road.
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