31. Fiesta Noche Del Rio
City: San Antonio, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (210) 226-4651
Description: You know it’s summer when Fiesta Noche Del Rio begins. The Arneson River Theatre has hosted this summer production since 1956. Sponsored by the Alamo Kiwanis Club as a fund-raiser for children’s charities in San Antonio, the show celebrates the many cultures of San Antonio through song and dance every Friday and Saturday night in June through August. The event includes acts showcasing the music of Spain, Argentina, Mexico, and Texas; there’s romantic Latin music, too. Tickets are $15 for adults, $5 for children ages 6 to 14, and $12 for seniors.
32. Juneteenth Family Picnic
City: San Antonio, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (210) 527-1830
Address: 2600 Rigsby Ave.
Description: Juneteenth (June 19), also known as Emancipation Day, is an official Texas holiday honoring the day in 1865 when Union General Gordon Grainger publicly read Executive Order #3, proclaiming that “all slaves are free.” The San Antonio celebration is held in Comanche Park and offers a free, family-friendly event with a freedom parade, picnic, golf tournament, and various other fun activities over 2 days. A slate of live entertainment rounds out the festivities.
33. San Antonio Summer Art & Jazz Festival
City: San Antonio, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (210) 772-2900
Description: From bebop to blues, a bevy of musicians have gathered at Crockett Park each year since 2003 for this free 3-day, 10-concert celebration of a purely American sound. Attendees can spread a blanket over a patch of grass, sit back and listen while the mellow tones of trumpets and saxophones paint musical portraits, or stroll among canvases splashed with a symphony of vivid colors at the arts and crafts fair. Aspiring musicians in junior high or high school can attend free jazz workshops.
34. Texas Folklife Festival
City: San Antonio, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (210) 458-2224
Address: 801 E. Durango Blvd.
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Description: This 3-day celebration is one of San Antonio’s top events. Dating back to 1972, it has grown from 2,000 to 70,000 attendees. Held at the Institute of Texan Cultures, the festival carries out the museum’s mission—to recognize the contributions of the many cultures that settled Texas—through song, folk dance, game demonstrations, crafts exhibits and demonstrations, and lots of ethnic food. Eleven stages throughout the grounds showcase ethnic song and dance ranging from flamenco dancers to Celtic Airs to hula. Advance tickets can be purchased at retail locations and through the Texas Folklife Festival website. The festival also sells a special wristband that allows unlimited admission to all events. The wristband is nontransferable and must be purchased by late May.
35. Fiesta Noche Del Rio
City: San Antonio, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (210) 226-4651
Description: This nightly summer festival continues through July; see the June listings for details.
36. Fiesta Noche Del Rio
City: San Antonio, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (210) 226-4651
Description: This nightly summer festival continues through August; see the June listings for details.
37. El Grito Ceremony
City: San Antonio, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (210) 207-8511
Address: 100 Auditorium Circle
Description: On September 15, 1810, Father Hidalgo y Costilla gave his “El Grito” (Cry for Freedom) speech, which launched Mexico’s rebellion against Spain. The reenactment of El Grito takes place at the Plaza Mexico in HemisFair Park each September 15 and is followed by plenty of music and dance. Admission is free.
38. Diez Y Seis De Septiembre
City: San Antonio, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (210) 207-8600
Description: Diez y Seis de Septiembre (September 16), the anniversary of Mexican independence, is celebrated with festivals and special events at La Villita, the Arneson River Theatre, Market Square, and Guadalupe Plaza. Highlights include a parade and performances by folkloric dance groups.
39. Go Rodeo Roundup
City: San Antonio, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (210) 225-5851
Address: 3201 E. Houston St.
Description: A fund-raiser for the San Antonio Livestock Exposition Scholarship Fund and Junior Livestock Auction, this elegant event is a favorite with country music lovers. The evening function features live music and gourmet dining. Tickets are $75 per person; tables for 10 people can be reserved for $750.
40. Greek Funstival
City: San Antonio, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (210) 735-5051
Address: 2504 N. St. Mary’s St.
Description: Enjoy Greek food, dances, and music at the St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church during this 3-day fall festival, now in its fourth decade. The event offers guests a taste of such traditional Greek goodies as baklava, dolmades, and souvlaki. You can also purchase Greek jewelry or imported Greek wines to accompany the homemade food prepared by the women of the church. Admission is $3 for adults; children under 12 are admitted free.
41. International Accordion Festival
City: San Antonio, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (210) 865-8578
Description: For 3 days, the toe-tapping sounds of squeeze-boxes reverberate on the grounds of La Villita as music lovers kick up their heels and dance to tunes ranging from Celtic to Klezmer. Performers on 3 stages keep the tunes flowing as folks search for souvenirs among the rows of vendor stalls or sample south-of-the-border fare from one of the food booths.
42. El Día De Los Muertos
City: San Antonio, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (210) 432-1896
Description: El Día de los Muertos, literally “the Day of the Dead,” is an important and ancient celebration in the Mexican cultural tradition. Families welcome back departed loved ones to share their lives with them as their memories live on in their hearts. Altars are set up with ofrendas around town in homes, art galleries, cultural centers, restaurants, and elsewhere to commemorate deceased loved ones. Cemeteries are popular with families picnicking and decorating the graves, particularly with marigolds, pan de muerto (“dead bread”), sugar skulls, and other traditional items. The day may also include calavera processions, with participants dressed as skeletons.
43. Diwali: Festival Of Lights
City: San Antonio, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (210) 207-8083
Description: Diwali (also known as Deepavali) is a significant festival celebrated in India recognizing the victory of good over evil. The Diwali: Festival of Lights event is the only citywide celebration showcasing Indian culture. The celebration comes complete with Indian dance, food, an Indian craft market, and a special lighting ceremony where 1,000 candles are released into the fountains at HemisFair Park. The evening also includes a spectacular fireworks display after dark. Admission is free; Indian cuisine and crafts are available for purchase.
City: San Antonio, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Address: 178 Landa Park Dr.
City: San Antonio, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals