Christmas at the Missions

El Camino de San Antonio Missions invites you to Christmas at the Missions, a collection of Mission community events celebrating Advent and Christmas!

Christmas at the Missions Exhibit:

El Camino de San Antonio Missions invites the community to “Christmas at the Missions”, a month-long celebration of the seasons of Advent and Christmas! This celebration, consisting of many events, focuses on the culture and traditions of the San Antonio Missions and the Archdiocese. The Exhibit focuses on traditional Advent and Christmas devotional practices, including posadas, pastorales, Matachines and nativities. The exhibit is located in the Margil Center and will run from Saturday November 30th to Saturday January 11th.

Matachines – Dance and Devotion:

Records of early practices at Mission Concepcion refer to Matachines dancers and processions in December. These processions continue today. On December 7th the Annual Pilgrimage of San Juan Diego honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe begins at Mission San Juan Capistrano at 7:00 a.m. and features hundreds of Matachines who pray through their dance. We invite you to witness and process with the Matachines as they dance from Mission San Juan to Mission San Jose where they dance under the centuries old statue of the Virgin of Guadalupe on the façade of Mission San Jose.

The following day, Sunday December 8th, Mission Concepción will host their annual Matachines Festival with dancing at the church and a celebration at the El Camino Campus from 1:00pm-5:00pm on Sunday December 10th. The festival is free and will include Matachines dancers, food booths, fair trade items for sale, and music!

Posadas – A Journey of Faith:

Another significant Advent tradition continues at San Fernando Cathedral, Mission Concepción, Mission San José, Mission San Juan Capistrano, and Mission San Francisco de La Espada.  Their annual Posadas commemorate the journey Joseph and Mary made from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of a safe place to stay. All are welcome to join in this celebration.

Event Calendar Highlights:

• November 30th: Christmas at the Missions Exhibit at the Margil Center opens.
• Saturday December 7th: Matachine Pilgrimage of San Juan Diego. Beginning a 7am at Mission San Juan and at Mission San José, followed by additional dancing.
• Sunday December 8th: Matachine Festival at The El Camino Campus. 1:00pm-5:00pm, festival hosted by Mission Concepción with Matachine Dance Groups, Food Booths, Fair Trade items, and Music.
• Sunday December 15th: La Gran Posada at San Fernando Cathedral. Procession begins at 6:00pm in Milam Park and ends at 8:00pm with Christmas Music at San Fernando Cathedral.
• Friday December 20th: Posada at Mission Concepción at 6:00pm.
• Friday December 20th: Posada at Mission San Juan Capistrano at 6:00pm.
• Friday December 20th: Posada at Mission San José.
• Saturday January 11th: Christmas at the Missions Exhibit closes.

We invite all to visit the Margil Center throughout the month to partake in the celebrations, shop for unique Christmas gifts at our Gift Shop, and embrace the spirit of the season. The Pilgrimage Center, located at 263 Felisa St., San Antonio, TX 78210, is open Monday to Saturday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.