Things to Do in San Antonio in March 2026: Events, Festivals & New Experiences

Looking for family-friendly things to do in San Antonio this March? Spring Break energy is in full swing, and some of the city’s biggest attractions are rolling out brand-new exhibits, extended hours, and high-adrenaline experiences perfect for all ages.

1. Bug Squad at The DoSeum

Exhibit Runs through April 5, 2026

For younger children, The DoSeum welcomes Bug Squad, an interactive exhibit that invites you to explore the superpowers of the insect world.

Talking animatronic “Bug Squad” characters introduce your young visitors to real-life abilities that make bugs extraordinary with hands-on, high-energy learning that makes science feel like play.

2. Pollinators at the San Antonio Zoo

Displays on View through April 26, 2026

This spring, the San Antonio Zoo shines a spotlight on pollinators with larger-than-life sculptures placed throughout the park. Climb on select pollinator statues while learning how species like bats, hummingbirds, lemurs, and even chocolate midges help sustain ecosystems around the world.

BONUS: Spring Break and extended hours run at the zoo March 6–22, 2026, so you have even more time to explore. Experience Congo Falls, the Zoo’s expansive new gorilla habitat, ride the Zootennial Carousel or Zoo Train, and enjoy up-close animal encounters like giraffe feedings and kangaroo petting.

3. Mardi Gras Festival at Six Flags Fiesta Texas

Select Operating Days through March 15, 2026

Six Flags Fiesta Texas has transformed into a New Orleans-inspired celebration during its Mardi Gras Festival. Enjoy vibrant parades, live music, festive décor, and Big Easy favorites like gumbo and beignets, all included with park admission.

Insider Tip: Take advantage of their current spring sale and get Free Parking and Access to Schlitterbahn too!

4. Barracuda Strike and the Seven Seas Food Festival at SeaWorld San Antonio

Barracuda Strike Opens March 7, 2026 | Seven Seas Food Festival Runs Select Days March 26-May 17, 2026

SeaWorld San Antonio debuts an all-new ride this spring. Get ready for Barracuda Strike, the tallest inverted family coaster in North America. Suspended beneath the track, you’ll soar above the water ski lake in a thrilling experience designed for both adventurous kids and brave adults.

Then, beginning March 26, the Seven Seas Food Festival returns with more than 100 global flavors to sample. Enjoy live entertainment, specialty drinks, and themed performances, including a March 29 appearance by Grammy Award-winning merengue star Elvis Crespo.

5. Monster Jam at Alamodome

March 28-29, 2026

Monster Jam roars back into the Alamodome for a weekend of high-octane excitement. Watch 12,000-pound monster trucks like Grave Digger, Max-D, and Megalodon compete in freestyle, skills, and racing competitions.

March is packed with live music, powerhouse vocals, and unforgettable nights on stage. If you’re looking for concerts and live performances in San Antonio this March, these shows deserve a spot on your calendar.

1. DreamGirls at San Pedro Playhouse

Select Days through March 8, 2026

Experience glitz, glamour, and groundbreaking music with Dreamgirls at San Pedro Playhouse. This electrifying musical follows Effie, Deena, and Lorrell as they navigate fame, ambition, and friendship, inspired by the rise of 1960s girl groups.

2. Lucero at Stable Hall

March 6, 2026

Celebrating 20 years of Nobody’s Darlings, Lucero takes the stage at Stable Hall for a special anniversary performance. The band will play the album in its entirety before diving into fan favorites from across their catalog.

3. A.J. Croce at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts

March 18, 2026

A.J. Croce brings his signature blend of blues, jazz, and pop to the intimate HEB Performance Hall at the Tobin Center.

4. Zach Bryan at Alamodome

March 21, 2026

Country star Zach Bryan brings his With Heaven on Tour to the Alamodome for one of the biggest concerts in San Antonio this spring.

5. Santana at Majestic Theatre

March 29, 2026

Legendary guitarist Carlos Santana returns to San Antonio for a night of genre-defying music at the Majestic Theatre. A Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and multi-time Grammy winner, Santana continues to captivate audiences with his fusion of Afro-Latin rhythms, blues, rock, and jazz.

If you’re planning a visit and love to travel for great food, March is packed with can’t-miss culinary experiences in San Antonio. Hands-on cooking classes, festive tastings, and food competitions await you all month long.

1. Cooking Classes at the Culinary Institute of America

Select Thursdays

Level up your kitchen skills with interactive cooking classes at the Culinary Institute of America in San Antonio. Select Thursdays in March feature hands-on experiences designed for beginner to intermediate cooks.  Each class blends technique, flavor, and confidence in a professional teaching kitchen.

2. Paesanos River Walk Dining Cruises

Weekend Offerings through April

Paesanos Riverwalk Dining Cruises combine chef-prepared cuisine with a relaxing cruise along the San Antonio River. These dining cruises are perfect for date nights, celebrations, or simply enjoying incredible food with waterfront views.

3. Paella Challenge

March 22, 2026

Food lovers gather in the Alamo City for the Paella Challenge, where talented chefs compete to create the best paella in San Antonio. Held at Mission County Park, this beloved culinary event brings together distinguished chefs from San Antonio, across the United States, and Mexico for a lively afternoon of competition, culture, and flavor.

4. Margarita Festival

March 28, 2026

Enjoy a lively margarita tasting competition at Backyard on Broadway. Your ticket will earn you sample pours and grant you access to vote for your favorite entries. The afternoon also features live entertainment, food vendors, a beer garden, and more.

5. Norteño Fest

March 29, 2026

Flavorful fun is coming. Teams compete to serve the best carne asada and discada while attendees taste and vote for their favorites. The festival also features Charreada y Jaripeo, folklorico dancers, live music, and family-friendly activities ,including a petting zoo.

Insider Tip: Kids 12 and under get in free!

San Antonio’s creative scene is thriving this March, with immersive exhibits, fashion-forward cultural storytelling, and large-scale outdoor installations. If you’re planning a cultural getaway, these art experiences offer plenty of inspiration.

1. Angelica Raquel: Mystic Threads Exhibit at the McNay

Recurring weekly Wednesdays through Sundays through July 5, 2026

At the McNay Art Museum, Angelica Raquel: Mystic Threads unveils a richly imagined universe shaped by folklore, oral history, and generational memory. Featuring intricate fiber works and sculptural creatures, the exhibition invites viewers to step into a vibrant realm where myth and lived experience beautifully converge.

2. More than a Label: Luminaria Pop-Up at The Aiden

On View through March 13, 2026

Luminaria’s pop-up gallery at The Aiden San Antonio Riverwalk presents More than a Label, an exhibition exploring the layered complexities of identity. Through powerful visual storytelling, the show celebrates ancestral journeys, shared experiences, and the beauty of cultural diversity.

3. Las Doñas de México: The Runway at the Mexican Cultural Institute

March 6, 2026

In celebration of International Women’s Day, iLaCatrina® presents this immersive, live runway,  fashion experience that honors influential women who shaped Mexico’s cultural, intellectual, and political history across more than five centuries.

4. Otherwild at the San Antonio Botanical Garden

March 7 - July 7, 2026

Step into a world where art and nature intertwine at the San Antonio Botanical Garden. Created by artist Patrick Shearn and Poetic Kinetics, this immersive installation features two captivating components.

Flora Borealis, a floating Skynet installation, shifts and shimmers in the breeze, contrasting beautifully with the surrounding garden landscape.

Enchanted Trees presents ten imaginative sculptural forms crafted from reflective materials that catch sunlight and move with the wind.

5. On and Off Fredericksburg Road Studio Tour

Tour Opening March 20-22, 2026 | Gallery Runs through April 25, 2026

Kick off the On and Off Fred Studio Tour at Bihl Haus Arts by meeting local artists, exploring the gallery, and picking up your official tour map. Be sure to grab a limited-edition catalog while you’re there and get ready to discover the creativity that makes San Antonio’s art scene shine.

March also means two of the city’s most anticipated seasonal celebrations: St. Patrick’s Day and Spring Break in San Antonio.

For St. Patrick’s Day, the iconic River Walk turns bright green during the annual dyeing of the river — a uniquely San Antonio tradition that draws visitors from across Texas and beyond. The celebration includes festive parades, live entertainment, Irish-inspired eats, and family-friendly fun along the river. It’s one of the most photographed and talked-about March events in the city.

Spring Break in San Antonio offers something refreshingly different from the typical party destination. Families will find theme parks, interactive museums, outdoor adventures, cultural attractions, and walkable neighborhoods filled with great food and entertainment. With mild March weather and activities for every age group, San Antonio is a Spring Break destination where everyone can have fun — from kids to grandparents.