The Creamery District Helps the Curtain Go Up
By Shauna Forkenbrock
This December 1, witness the moment The Creamery District lights up for the holidays, shining a powerful spotlight on the heart of the Tobin Hill community. In a dazzling display of holiday spirit, the entire complex will come alive, celebrating not only the season but the stories and soul of the neighborhood it calls home. This year also marks the beginning of a meaningful partnership with the Majestic Empire Foundation, united by a shared belief that history, culture, and community are brighter together. At the center of this collaboration is the beloved Josephine Theatre—a cherished San Antonio landmark—now stepping into a long-awaited and inspiring chapter of restoration.
For The Creamery District, supporting the Josephine Theatre is more than philanthropy. It is kinship. Both buildings speak the same language of reinvention. The old Borden factory, once the nation’s largest milk distributor, now thrums with rooftop laughter and modern flavors. The Josephine Theatre, opened in 1947 as a neighborhood movie palace before evolving into a performance stage, will once again anchor the community with accessible art. Together, they tell the story of Tobin Hill: an urban neighborhood shaped by industry and imagination, flourishing today as San Antonio’s cultural corridor.
The Creamery District celebrates that story in dazzling style. Its lawns and terraces will transform into a holiday wonderland with light-draped pathways, glowing photo ops, and seasonal performances by the Majestic Empire Foundation’s Carolers, and the Josephine Jazz Band and Cabaret Singers. Even the cocktails join the cause: proceeds from the White Christmas Margarita funnel directly into the Josephine’s restoration. Holiday parties booked at The Creamery District include bespoke cocktails including the Pear Tree Spritz and Winter Whiskey Smash inspired by the Josephine Theatre’s history of cinema and live performance. In addition, The Creamery District will “gift” Majestic Empire Foundation Carolers for private events, adding to the festivities.
With every festive sip, guests help raise the curtain on the theater’s next act.
Family-friendly magic arrives on December 6 with the Paws & Claus and Santa Experience. Children can enjoy milk and cookies as Santa reads ’Twas the Night Before Christmas in a cozy storybook setting, while pets join cheerful photo sessions promising keepsake memories.
On December 10, The Creamery District hosts “Tinsel & Tiles,” a community mahjong event offering a day of play, socializing, and raffle drawings. Proceeds benefit the Majestic Empire Foundation’s scholarship program and its new Academy of the Arts at the Josephine Theatre, which provides workshops and year-round access to music, theatre, and dance for South Texas students, regardless of background or ability to pay.
What gives this partnership true depth is its promise of continuity. For Only One Hospitality, the team behind The Creamery District, this collaboration marks just the beginning of a longer journey. Plans already include quarterly events, from seasonal celebrations to “Dinner & a Show” pairings that unite cuisine with performance. The Majestic Empire Foundation’s mission—to honor the past, enrich the present, and shape the future of the performing arts through historic preservation, accessible education, and transformative scholarships—finds a natural alliance in a district that thrives on blending history with modern life.
As carols float across Tobin Hill and glasses clink with seasonal cocktails, the meaning becomes clear. This partnership is about more than one season or one restoration. It is about honoring legacy while embracing change, and the enduring magic created when a community chooses to celebrate together.
For a full list of Holiday Happenings at The Creamery District, visit the Events Calendar: www.thecreamerysatx.com/happenings
