16. Luminaria
City: San Antonio, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (210) 271-2842
Description: Luminaria is a 1-day event when the city glows with colorful and free celebrations, exhibitions, and performances in honor of the arts in San Antonio. Visitors are surrounded by simultaneous and innovative programming: storefront exhibitions; art lighting; alley galleries and numerous stages with theater, dance, and music performances. Citywide celebrations go until early morning and include studio tours, art demonstrations, museums, and galleries that stay open for the festive night.
17. Tejano Music Awards
City: San Antonio, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (210) 558-3400
Description: This internationally recognized event is considered the Grammy Awards of Tejano music. Sponsored by the Texas Talent Musicians Association, the awards show is designed to honor the top performers in the field of Tejano music, a Latino music that utilizes accordions and 12-string guitars. The event began in 1980 and today draws more than 40,000 onlookers. Online reservations can be made at the Tejano Music Awards website. The show is also broadcast on radio and television.
18. Viva Botanica Festival
City: San Antonio, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (210) 207-3255
Address: 555 Funston Place
Description: Celebrate spring blossoms at the San Antonio Botanical Garden during this colorful festival. Sponsored by the San Antonio Botanical Society, the 2-day annual event showcases the blooms of San Antonio. You’ll have the chance to buy blooming plants if the surrounding greenery inspires you. Along with 33 acres of spring flowers, the festival includes a children’s parade, art displays, live entertainment, and food booths. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for children.
City: San Antonio, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
20. Ford Children’S Festival
City: San Antonio, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (210) 227-4262
Description: Adults don’t get to have all the fun at Fiesta; this officially sanctioned Fiesta event is especially designed for the youngest revelers. Held along the River Walk and sponsored by the Paseo del Rio Association, the 1-day event offers plenty of pint-size fun and games. Admission is free.
21. Fiesta River Art Show
City: San Antonio, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (210) 226-8752
Description: This annual event is sponsored by the River Art Group Inc., a group that has been operating for more than half a century. If you’ve visited the Alamo City at other times of the year, you may be familiar with the group’s River Art Group Gallery in historic La Villita (see the Shopping chapter for more details). During the 3-day art show each April, the group expands its coverage to display works not only in La Villita but also in Alamo Plaza. Admission is free.
22. A Taste Of New Orleans
City: San Antonio, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (210) 637-8328
Description: If you’re staying downtown, grab a bus for a ride out to the Sunken Gardens in Brackenridge Park for A Taste of New Orleans. Gumbo, jambalaya, Cajun catfish, boudin, and beignets top the list of offerings, while everything from jazz to salsa to Big Band sounds keeps things hopping. This event is sponsored by the San Antonio Zulu Association Commission. Admission is $12 for adults, free for children 10 and under.
23. King William Fair
City: San Antonio, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (210) 271-3247
Description: This 1-day festival, an official part of Fiesta San Antonio, showcases the historic neighborhood of King William. Since 1968, the event has featured the usual fair attractions: arts and crafts, food, and entertainment. Proceeds fund the charity work of the King William Association.
24. Lowrider Festival
City: San Antonio, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (210) 432-1896
Description: Presented by Centro Cultural Aztlan, a promoter of lowrider shows and competitions in Texas, the 1-day Lowrider Festival attracts hundreds of local and regional competitors who have transformed their factory-built cars into one-of-a-kind machines. There are more than 40 categories of competition, including cars that hop, cars with upholstery, cars with murals, and more. The family-oriented event includes food and drink booths, games for children, and live music of the 1950s and ’60s. The event is held at Camargo Park; to reach the park, travel west on Highway 90 and take the Callaghan Road exit. The park is across the street from the Nelson Wolf Baseball Stadium. Admission is $10; children 12 and under are free.
25. Cinco De Mayo
City: San Antonio, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (210) 207-8600
Description: This event celebrates the Battle of Pueblo, which won Mexico’s independence from France. The battle was waged on May 5, Cinco de Mayo in Spanish. The city celebrates with a Cinco de Mayo festival with music, food, arts and crafts exhibits, and other fun. It’s sponsored by the Farmer’s Market Plaza Tenants Association. Admission is free.
26. Classic Cruise Along The Corridor
City: San Antonio, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (210) 213-1984
Address: 3233 N. Saint Mary’s St.
Description: Sponsored by the Alamo Area Council of Governments, this event is a favorite with classic-car buffs. More than 12 classic-car clubs participate in this annual drive from San Antonio down the Alamo–La Bahia corridor. Cars depart from the Tripoint Family YMCA. The drive passes through towns including Seguin, Floresville, Goliad, Poth, Sutherland Springs, Helena, Karnes City, Panna Maria, and others, and features special events in each community. Now in its second decade, the Classic Cruise showcases both vintage cars and motorcycles. Admission is free.
27. Return Of The Chili Queens
City: San Antonio, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (210) 207-8600
Address: 514 Market St.
Description: This is the time to indulge your taste for chili, the spicy concoction created by local women known as “chili queens.” To celebrate the state dish, booths are set up every Memorial Day for a 3-day tasting sponsored by the El Mercado Merchants Association. The festivities include a chili cook-off sanctioned by the Chili Appreciation Society. The public can sample the tasty dishes starting at 2 p.m.; live music adds to the fun. Admission is free.
City: San Antonio, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
City: San Antonio, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Address: 9 miles south of Kerrville
30. Texas Arts And Crafts Fair
City: San Antonio, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Description: Every Memorial Day weekend, this festival opens its gates on the grounds of the River Star Arts and Event Park. Founded by the State of Texas, this enormous show features the paintings, sculptures, jewelry, and other artwork of more than 200 Texas artists, all available to answer questions about their work. A special children’s area includes crafts instruction and a petting zoo. Musical entertainment rounds out the day. Cost is $7 for Mon only or $10 for a 3-day pass.