Annual Events & Festivals

They don’t call San Antonio the Fiesta City for nothing. This is one city that parties in style, whatever the reason, whatever the time of year. From bacchanalian gatherings to solemn remembrances, San Antonio knows how to mark an occasion.

Many events here are scheduled for the fall through spring months. Winter days can be a bit nippy sometimes, but that doesn’t slow down the holiday festivities. December is one of the busiest months on the calendar, thanks to the many festivals with religious significance. The River Walk/Paseo del Rio really comes to life at this time of the year, lit by thousands of miniature lights as well as luminarias, candles in sand-­filled sacks. The river reflects the thousands of lights, transforming the area into a truly magical spot.

The peak of the festival season is April, time of Fiesta. This is the granddaddy of San Antonio’s festivals, a true Texas-­size blowout. Festivities take place all over the city during this period, and traffic can be trying, especially in the downtown area. Hotel space can get tight during this period as well, so make plans early if you plan to attend Fiesta.

Numerous other celebrations here mark special days in Mexican history, such as Cinco de Mayo and Diez y Seis de Septiembre. These cultural festivals, to be enjoyed by everyone, are an excellent window into the Latino heritage of the region and a good way to sample the food, dance, and song that the Hispanic culture has given San Antonio.

Overview

Although the following list is extensive, it doesn’t include every event hosted in San Antonio; that would be a book in itself. We’ve listed our favorites and longtime events, ones that consistently take place year after year. The exact dates on which many of these events take place varies from year to year, so the entries listed under each month may not be in chronological order. For a month-­by-­month listing that’s updated frequently, check out the San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau website at www.visitsanantonio.com. This site includes details and contact information for both one-­time and annual events, including festivals, concerts, fund-­raisers, and more.

Admission prices are included in many of these listings, but please realize that these can and do change frequently. You’ll want to contact the event organizers directly to verify the scheduled date and time of the festival as well as the current admission price.