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Gathering with family, friends, and colleagues is the highlight of the holiday season. If you find yourself in San Antonio during December, and searching for ways to spruce up your annual shindig, look no further.
We know everyone's special occasions look a little different, which is why San Antonio is such a hotspot for hosting. From an event center with a big stage for a live music orchestra to top-notch pitmasters known for their southern grub, we know you'll find a rental that satisfies your every whim.
Working with a tight budget this holiday season? No matter what kind of venue you have on your wish list, we'll help make your dreams a reality with our affordable prices.
When it comes to planning a private party that tops all Christmases past, you'll need Giggster on your side. Epic events across San Antonio start and end here any time of year, but nobody does the holidays like we do!
We think holiday parties in San Antonio are second to none, but don’t take our word for it! Here’s a glimpse of what your Christmas celebrations could look like this year when booking with the Giggster app:
Want something magical? Private rooftops afford you the choice of an afternoon in the San Antonio sunshine, or the chance to light up the night with a Christmas tree against the city skyline. It’s unique enough that it will capture your guests' attention without being too completely outside the box.
Celebrate a Southern-style Christmas and head out to the countryside. In true Texas fashion, a rustic ranch will charm the socks off your guests with revamped barns, live animals, and plenty of fresh air.
Courtyards and patios are the perfect way to share a meal in a more laid-back environment. The best part? You don’t need to cook and plan the holiday feast—these restaurateurs will take care of everything. Libations can be flowing, carols can be playing, and you can hang out with all your favorite people without all the pressure.
Take your holiday party back to the Prohibition era at a speakeasy-style bar. Warm, low lighting and charming vintage elements have an undeniable “holiday feel” even with minimal dressing up. What about refreshments? Spirits and small plates contribute to a cozy and romantic atmosphere that's sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Industrial warehouses are the warmer, wintery alternative to the bright white event hall. Create a dance floor and a custom seating chart for a classic banquet-style celebration, or keep it wide open with food stations and standing tables for more casual, drop-in events.
Exceptional Variety & Quality: From a themed holiday party in a quirky venue to festive feasts brought to you by local restaurants, our selection of 46 properties make hosting a lot more fun.
Hassle-Free Booking: We know the logistical side of party planning is such a bore! That’s why we’ve streamlined our booking process to make it quick and painless. We’re also very affordable: the coolest venue in San Antonio could cost you as little as $35/hour!
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: We get it, FOMO is real, and sometimes it’s hard to stop searching for the perfect venue, even if you think you’ve already found it. Our Christmas gift to you is 24 hours to change your mind, penalty-free, as long as your party is more than 48 hours away.
Platform Protections: We don’t know about you, but all we want for Christmas is peace of mind. When you add one of our premium protection plans to your rental of top San Antonio properties like 1M to Riverwalk & DT ~ BBQ⭐Arcades⭐Family Fun, the only thing you have to worry about crashing your party is Santa himself.
A stellar event venue isn’t the only thing you need to plan a great party this holiday season—you’ll also need some local know-how. It may not be rocket science, but there are some tips and tricks that will be helpful when navigating the San Antonio event planning scene.
Advantages
Southern hospitality rules the service industry here. If you want your party guests to be well taken care of with a friendly smile, you’ve come to the right place.
There's plenty to do in town like stroll along the San Antonio River Walk.
Delicious Tex-Mex cuisine and southern BBQ joints are everywhere so don’t be afraid to explore some creative catering options.
It may be Christmas but there won’t be snow in San Antonio! With over 250 sunny days a year and warm temperatures year-round, no one will need to worry about shedding bulky winter jackets and mucky boots at the coat check.
Disadvantages
Nightlife in Downtown San Antonio is relatively limited, but there are some tamer options like distilleries and pubs.
Tourist crowds can get in the way, especially around major holidays. Be sure to book any necessary caterers and hotel stays early to avoid competing with those visiting for Christmas and paying inflated rates.
If guests are driving themselves to your party venue, it might be worth giving them a heads-up that they can expect some delays. Construction season never ends in San Antonio and this is a headache for drivers.
Before you start to focus on all the details like an elegant arrangement for the mantle or live entertainment options, you need to find the perfect space for your holiday party. Here are some of the most popular venue types that San Antonio offers; they’re fan favorites for good reason!
Art Galleries – For Elegant Soirees. Looking for an excuse to get all dressed up? A classic showroom backdrop is both stylish and minimalist, well-suited to a corporate soiree or a mixer for a variety of social circles who may not already be well acquainted. Just picture it: a Christmas cocktail reception of passed hors d'oeuvres and chatter while jazzy carols fill the room.
Private Lounges – Mingling Spaces. Looking for the perfect blend of cozy and sophisticated? These lounge rooms provide everything you love about a homestyle space, but a little more elevated and optimized for parties. With a mix of seating options from tables to lounge areas, they are ideal for mixing and mingling and breaking off into smaller conversations and they come fully decorated!
Urban Center Homes – Unbeatable Comfort and Privacy. The traditional house party is a host extraordinaire’s best friend, and a rental home is their secret weapon. They offer backyards for guests who want some fresh air throughout the evening, dining rooms if you wish to serve a plated dinner, and of course, that homey, welcoming feel everyone adores so much when the doors of someone’s private space are opened up to you. Not to mention, they come in a wide range of decor styles from fully refurbished historic walk-ups to modern lofts.
Grand Ballrooms – Fuss-free Event Spaces. Work Christmas parties can be a fickle thing, but if you need tons of space to accommodate a larger group, these banquet halls are perfect for transforming into an elegant winter wonderland. They offer plenty of in-house services, including catering and concierge, which will help manage some of the planning load, so you can stay focused on meeting your work goals before the holidays.
Ready to embrace your inner event planner? From themed holiday parties to classy sit-down dinners, here are some top tips to kickstart your planning and get your creative wheels turning.
Choose Your Theme – A themed holiday party is top-tier. Will you be breaking out the ugly sweaters? Making homage to your favorite Christmas movie? Once you’ve found the perfect setting, you can fill the spaces with tons of decor and bring your vision to life.
Set Parameters About Who Will Be Invited – Company employees, friends, kids, and families…epic parties can consist of groups with any combination of these circles, but it needs to be clearly communicated well in advance so people can find child care if necessary, find a plus one, or book a hotel stay.
Create a Drool-Worthy Food Spread – Nothing boosts guest satisfaction faster than good food. If you want to see everyone doing that delighted little wiggle when they eat up, be sure you cater to a wide variety of tastes and have a selection of nibbles and heartier dishes for various appetites. It’s worth considering bar services too while handling the refreshments so last-minute tasks and costs don’t sneak up on you.
Consider Staff Needs – Hosting a company workshop or conference as part of your holiday festivities? Do you have employees flying in from all over the country? Consider what will matter most to those traveling to be with you this holiday season—whether that’s a complimentary spa visit or a surprise bonus cheque.
Hey, money matters, especially during a season when budgets are stretched thin and Christmas shopping is in full swing. Here are some of our favorite ways to throw an impressive celebration without depleting your holiday funds.
Stick with simple color schemes.
Single, solid-colored decor is often cheaper than party supplies with fancy motifs, and also more widely available at your average dollar store/bargain shop. Depending on your vision, straying from a traditional red and green may also help you avoid holiday premium pricing. How about a white and blue winter wonderland?
Play good old-fashioned Christmas carols.
Sticking a CD in a player or hooking up a Spotify playlist of the classics to your personal Bluetooth speaker will certainly help keep entertainment costs at bay. Throwing a house party? You could even toss on a 24-hour instrumental fireplace channel for cozy vibes.
Double up on your holiday baking and pass on the fancy desserts.
Everyone loves Christmas cookies and Rice Krispie squares; there’s no need to overcomplicate it. In fact, these sweet treats are something of a hot commodity now that trading tins of goodies is becoming less common, so these could also double up as a holiday gift.
Ready to take this year's special events to the next level? Allow us to introduce you to San Antonio's best holiday party venues that will leave guests raving until next year.