Friends of the Creche
San Antonio, Texas Conference
Nov. 6 - 8, 2026
San Antonio, Texas Conference
Nov. 6 - 8, 2026
"Following the Star"
Click here for a special conference rate of $159 per night per room
at Hotel Valencia.
Never mind the Alamo, “Remember the Conference!” will be your cry after attending this year’s Friend of the Creche conference in San Antonio, Texas! The conference runs from Friday, November 6th to Sunday, November 8th, but you are welcome to come early or stay longer to explore all that San Antonio has to offer.
The conference will be held in the Hotel Valencia on the famous River Walk in the heart of downtown San Antonio, so you will be in easy walking distance to some of the biggest attractions in the city. As part of the conference, we will enjoy a river boat cruise, shop at The Mercado historic market square, listen to wonderful presentations, and view a Texan curated Nativity Display.
Registration is open but space is limited. Registration is $240 per person through August 1st and $265 per person from August 2nd through October 1st when registration closes. Cancelations are fully refundable until October 1st.
Registration includes all conference materials, plated dinners on Friday and Saturday, buffet lunch on Saturday, and a guided cruise on the San Antonio River.
We have negotiated a special rate of $159 per night per room at the Hotel Valencia with the resort fee waived. This special rate is available to all attendees from Wednesday, November 4th through Monday, November 9th for those who wish to extend their stay.
The conference will be held in the Hotel Valencia on the famous River Walk in the heart of downtown San Antonio, so you will be in easy walking distance to some of the biggest attractions in the city. As part of the conference, we will enjoy a river boat cruise, shop at The Mercado historic market square, listen to wonderful presentations, and view a Texan curated Nativity Display.
Registration is open but space is limited. Registration is $240 per person through August 1st and $265 per person from August 2nd through October 1st when registration closes. Cancelations are fully refundable until October 1st.
Registration includes all conference materials, plated dinners on Friday and Saturday, buffet lunch on Saturday, and a guided cruise on the San Antonio River.
We have negotiated a special rate of $159 per night per room at the Hotel Valencia with the resort fee waived. This special rate is available to all attendees from Wednesday, November 4th through Monday, November 9th for those who wish to extend their stay.
Location
Hotel Valencia
150 East Houston Street
San Antonio, Texas
150 East Houston Street
San Antonio, Texas
Date & Time
Nov. 6, 4:00 PM - Nov. 8, 2026, 9:00 AM
highlights
Hotel Valencia will be our home for the conference. Located directly on the famous River Walk in downtown San Antonio, it is easy walking distance to the Alama, San Fernando Cathedral and many restaurants and attractions.
San Antonio River Walk stretches through downtown along the San Antonio River. The winding pathways and bridges connect key landmarks, hotels, and restaurants. A guided river boat cruise on Saturday afternoon is included in the conference cost.
Nativity presentations and the Friends of the Creche annual meeting are always the central events at a conference. See the schedule below for speakers and topics.
A Texan Curated Nativity Exhibition will be on display at Hotel Valencia, offering a special selection of interesting nativities from Friends of the Creche members in Texas.
The Historic Market Square, also known as The Mercado, is a shopping marketplace with over 100 locally owned businesses specializing in imported, hand-crafted goods - including nativities - from Central and South America.
San Fernando Cathedral, the oldest continuously operating cathedral in the US, is walking distance from Hotel Valencia. Friday night we will see "The Saga," a video show projected on the facade of the Cathedral that tells the story of the land, water, people, battles, and development of San Antonio, the Lone Star State, and the United States.
The Alamo, originally a mission church, is best known as a military stronghold for Texas independence. You will "remember the Alamo" after visiting this historic landmark!
Schedule
Friday, NOVEMBER 6
10:00 AM
Tour the Alamo - Walk to the Alamo to experience the iconic Alamo church. Established first as a mission, the Alamo later became a military stronghold for Texas Independence. After the Church visit, you will be free to explore the rest of the grounds.
12:30 PM
Lunch - explore some of the wonderful culinary offerings available in the downtown area with your friends.
2:00 PM
Historic Market Square - Explore over 100 locally owned businesses that provide a unique marketplace experience. Many of the business will have artisan-made nativities from Central and South America.
4:00 PM
Conference Registration - Hotel Valencia. Once registered, linger over the Texan Curated Nativity Exhibition at the hotel.
6:00 PM
Dinner - enjoy a three-course meal at Acenar, where vibrant flavors and a modern approach to Mexican cuisine come together in the heart of downtown San Antonio. (Dinner with your choice of three entries is included in your registration)
8:30 PM
"The Saga" - Walk to San Fernando Cathedral to watch "The Saga," a video projection on the facade of the Cathedral that tells the story of the land, water, people, battles, and development of San Antonio, the Lone Star State, and the United States.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7
9:00 AM
Presentation - "Following the Eye to the Incarnation" by Daniel Zorn.
10:00 AM
Presentation - "Following the Star" by a guest from Oak Hills Church.
11:00 AM
Friends of the Creche Annual Business Meeting
12:00 PM
Lunch - Deli lunch buffet at the hotel. (Included in your registration)
1:30 PM
Presentation - "The History and Process of Hosting a Large Community Nativity Event" by Sheryl Carroll and Jennifer Paulsen.
2:40 PM
River Walk Cruise - Enjoy a narrated boat cruise on the famed San Antonio River Walk. (Included in your registration)
4:00 PM
Historic Market Square - Explore over 100 locally owned businesses that provide a unique marketplace experience. Many of the businesses will have artisan-made nativities from Central and South America.
6:30 PM
Dinner and program. (Included in your registration)
Sunday, November 8
12:00 PM
Checkout
Presentations
Following the Eye to the Incarnation
Daniel Zorn, founder and coordinator of the annual Crèche Festival Houston, will share when, why and how the Christmas Nativity Art Competition became part of the festival. This juried art exhibition and competition does not disappoint! It adds a contemporary twist and enhances the festival’s display of crèches from private collections. Daniel will also share what has been learned, and how the art leads the eye, the way the story leads the heart — toward Christ.
Following the Star
A guest from the Oak Hills Church, will speak on what it means to be "Following the Star."
The History and process of hosting a Large community Nativity event
The Carrollton Texas Nativity Celebration, sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is currently in its 21st year and attracts over 4,000 attendees every year. Director Sheryl Carroll and Jennifer Paulsen will speak about the history and logistics of organizing this large community exhibit. They will share the process of setting up and taking down the display, how they recruit and manage volunteers, and how they create community awareness of the event.
transportation
From the San Antonio International Airport, the hotel is approximately a 15 minute drive (8 miles). A taxi typically costs between $30 - $40.
Valet Parking if offered by the hotel at a discounted rate of $39 per day. There are also many public parking lots and garages within walking distance from the hotel starting around $30 per day.
things to do
San Antonio is home to many entertainment options for visitors, including 47 museums, a host of historical sites, Sea World, an excellent zoo and aquarium, and world-class BBQ joints.
Should you be able to come early or stay longer, we invite you to explore some of the wonderful sites nearby, including:
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
~ Mission Conception - https://www.nps.gov/saan/planyourvisit/concepcion.htm
~ Mission San Jose - https://www.nps.gov/places/mission-san-jose.htm
~ Mission San Juan - https://www.nps.gov/places/mission-san-juan.htm
~ Mission Espanda - https://www.nps.gov/places/mission-espada.htm
~ The Alamo - https://thealamo.org
~ San Fernando Cathedral - https://sfcathedral.org/
~ San Antonio Museum of Art - https://www.samuseum.org/
A short distance away:
~ Visit Fredericksburg, a charming Hill Country town known for its deep German heritage, wineries, and bustling Main Street with shops and restaurants -https://www.visitfredericksburgtx.com/things-to-do/
~ Cave Without a Name is the most beautiful of the caverns around San Antonio, in the heart of the scenic, rolling hills of the Texas Hill Country. The Cave is filled with spectacular and delicate formations. https://www.cavewithoutaname.com
Should you be able to come early or stay longer, we invite you to explore some of the wonderful sites nearby, including:
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
~ Mission Conception - https://www.nps.gov/saan/planyourvisit/concepcion.htm
~ Mission San Jose - https://www.nps.gov/places/mission-san-jose.htm
~ Mission San Juan - https://www.nps.gov/places/mission-san-juan.htm
~ Mission Espanda - https://www.nps.gov/places/mission-espada.htm
~ The Alamo - https://thealamo.org
~ San Fernando Cathedral - https://sfcathedral.org/
~ San Antonio Museum of Art - https://www.samuseum.org/
A short distance away:
~ Visit Fredericksburg, a charming Hill Country town known for its deep German heritage, wineries, and bustling Main Street with shops and restaurants -https://www.visitfredericksburgtx.com/things-to-do/
~ Cave Without a Name is the most beautiful of the caverns around San Antonio, in the heart of the scenic, rolling hills of the Texas Hill Country. The Cave is filled with spectacular and delicate formations. https://www.cavewithoutaname.com
We look forward to seeing you!
Click here for a special conference rate of $159 per night per room
at Hotel Valencia.