Events Search and Views Navigation
List of Events
CULTURAL EVENTS
Selena Forever/Siempre Selena
The McNay pays tribute to 90s icon, singer, designer, and Texas legend—Selena Quintanilla-Pérez—with five photographs by award-winning San Antonio photographer John Dyer. Selena was the subject of Dyer’s photo assignments for the cover of Más Magazine in 1992 and again for Texas Monthly in 1995, just months before she was tragically killed at age 23. Selena Forever/Siempre Selena is organized by the McNay Art Museum, curated by Kate Carey, Head of Education. Included with General Admission. Please note that the McNay will re-open on June 26, 2020.
Fiesta Couture: Behind the Seams
Glimpse behind the “seams” at the design processes, skilled artisans and trade secrets that together result in the most glamorous night of Fiesta. The coronation of the Queen of the Order of the Alamo is a spectacle like no other, filled with pageantry and tradition. Each coronation is organized around a theme which is selected up to two years in advance. The Mistress of the Robes, the Court Artist and the dressmakers are responsible for translating the theme into coronation…
OrigamiintheGarden²
Making its Texas Debut, this outdoor sculpture exhibition created by American artists Jennifer and Kevin Box, captures the delicate nature of the origami paper art form in museum-quality metals. The exhibition opens to the public September 19, 2020 - May 9, 2021. Please note that visitors should make a reservation online for the San Antonio Botanical Garden.
Visual Voices: Contemporary Chickasaw Art
With nearly 60 artworks of present-day Chickasaw painters, potters, sculptors, metalsmiths and weavers, this exhibition conveys a beautiful and compelling contemporary visual story. From oil and watercolor to textiles and metals, glass, bronze and other materials, the artworks of 15 featured Chickasaw artists in this exhibition are unique, intrinsically Southeast in design and distinctive among today’s contemporary tribal artists.
Day of the Dead Calavera Collection
Presented throughout Downtown San Antonio, 18 monumental skulls hand painted by emerging and established artists of great recognition honor the victims of Covid this year as well as other causes that raised their voices in 2020. Additionally, two works from created by Mexico City’s “El Volador” art studio will be on display – a Giant Catrina at La Gloria at Pearl and El Rombero at San Antonio International Airport.
Burial Ground: Exploring African American Resting Places
Join us for history and intrigue as we explore City Cemetery #3. Tour groups of 9 with masks will embark on the cemetery to uncover the buried history of San Antonio African Americans. Meeting place on the corner of Wyoming and Palmetto. Look for the big black tent.
Día de los Muertos Festival
For its eighth year, this celebration, also known as Muertos Fest, will be a virtual event. The public is invited to submit photos of their dearly departed for potential inclusion in the Community Living Altar or Virtual Altar Tribute.
Muertitos Fest: Amor y Esperanza
This November 1, 2020, SAY Sí reimagines it’s largest annual community event, Muertitos Fest, as a virtual experience. Due to the pandemic, Muertitos Fest 2020 will be transformed into a month-long season of virtual programs that will be showcased at muertitosfest.com and on social media. Visitors can expect: Educational Workshops | A Virtual Mercado | Video Performances from Local Talent | A Gallery of Student Artwork | An Interactive Community Altar | Video Tours of Folk Art Collections & More!…
Touch-Free Family Day See + Do: Día de los Muertos
Come celebrate Día de los Muertos with us at our touch-free family day. Pick up an art kit with everything you need to decorate a traditional sugar skull and draw La Catrina on scratch art paper, then explore the Latin American galleries with a self-paced scavenger hunt! Art kits are distributed first-come, first-served. Don't miss a special performance by Azul Barrientos on Nov.1 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. in the Pavilion and delicious pastries and hot drinks from Panifico!…
Señora Tortuga presented by The Magik Theatre
Señora Tortuga by Roxanne Schroeder-Arce October 25 (outdoors at the Greehey Lawn) and November 1, 2020 (indoors at the Betty Kelso Center) at 2:00pm San Antonio Botanical Garden – 555 Funston Place, SATX 78209 Señora Tortuga is a celebration of the confluence of two cultures and languages, this English/Spanish bilingual play uses the wisdom tales of Latin American cultures to give hope to a family faced with too much reality. Young Pedro and his family make their home in a…
Movies in the Park: Better Off Dead
Looking for a fun, socially distanced date night or outing for the family? Hemisfair and Slab Cinema have partnered to bring Movies in the Park back to the lawn at Yanaguana Garden! This fall movie series begins at sundown and requires tickets in advance to ensure safe social distancing. Snacks available for purchase onsite. Nov. 1: Better Off Dead (1985), starring John Cusack Surrealist teen comedy film starring John Cusack and written and directed by Savage Steve Holland. It tells…
Darkside of the Drive-In: A Think:EXP live music social distancing experience featuring the music of Pink Floyd
Sunday November 1, 2020 – Darkside of the Drive-In: A Think:EXP live music social distancing experience featuring the music of Pink Floyd. The experience starts as soon as you pull up with a Drive-Thru themed “haunted tunnel” entrance for all the below events, and attendees can experience every show with 5 MASSIVE LED screens visible from all parts of the venue. Performing live Dark side of the Moon + hits are: Scott Page (Pink Floyd), Kenny Aronoff (John Mellencamp), Kenny…
Día de los Muertos at Centro Cultural Aztlan
Centro Aztlan’s authentic, community driven exhibition features unique altares made by local artists to honor family and community members who are no longer with us. Community artists are invited to create altares, helping to facilitate a dialogue that examines the history and traditions of this cultural celebration.
‘Love and Death in Times of Pandemic’ by David Zamora Casas
Paintings and multiple-themed, devotional altars will transform the Bihl Haus Arts Gallery into a large-scale, magnificent Dia de Muertos ofrenda by David Zamora Casas during the installation “Love and Death in Times of Pandemic/Amor y La Muerte en Tiempos de Pandemia” opening virtually at 5:30 p.m. Monday, November 2 at www.BihlHausArts.org. The exhibition, which closes December 12, will host virtual events every two weeks. In addition, a maximum of 10 guests will be allowed to view the installation on-site during…
Voting Rights, Voting Wrongs: An Election’s Eve Incantation
On the eve of a monumental election, November’s episode of Hidden Histories delves into local legacies of enfranchisement and disenfranchisement. Recognizing the centennial anniversary of the passage of the 19th amendment, we talk with Dr. Rachel Gunter on the racial and class complexities of the suffrage movement in Texas, which expanded voting rights primarily for Anglo middle-class women even as Black and Mexicana women, immigrants, and other groups remained largely disenfranchised until the 1960s. Picking up on these exclusions, we…
CANCELLED: Fiesta San Antonio
Fiesta® San Antonio started in 1891 as a one-parade event to honor the memory of the heroes of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto. That historic commemoration still takes place, but for more than a century, Fiesta® has grown into a celebration of San Antonio’s rich and diverse cultures and today is one of this nation’s premier festivals, featuring over 100 events with an economic impact of more than $340 million. Funds raised by official Fiesta® events provide…
CANCELLED: Fiesta Fiesta at Hemisfair
Fiesta Fiesta officially kicks off 11-days of food, fashion, music, entertainment, and family-friendly fun – all benefitting local, nonprofit causes. The official kick-off gathers the Alamo City together for one evening for revelers to experience the diversity and culture Fiesta embodies. There is something for everyone, and Fiesta Fiesta is a must-do for seasoned and novice partygoers alike. In 2020, Chef Brian West returns with his closest chef friends to Fiesta Fiesta with Taste of the Republic, the VIP culinary…
Fiesta Del Mar
Celebrate with us as the rich and diverse cultural heritage of South Texas meets the sea at our all-new Fiesta del Mar event! For two weekends only, SeaWorld San Antonio will come alive with vibrant colors, lights, flavors, and activities for everyone. Hear the traditional sounds of local mariachi bands. Say “¡Olé!” to exciting folklórico performances. Browse a Fiesta del Mar market with themed merchandise, recuerdos (souvenirs), medals, and more. Indulge in flavorful snacks and drinks. It’s all waiting for…
Tinkerfest
Calling All Who Tinker, Make, And Create! Join us on November 7th for The DoSeum's first annual Tinkerfest--a daylong celebration of curiosity and creativity! Guests of all ages will explore how things are made and how things work through exciting make-tivities throughout The DoSeum. Let’s get our hands messy and celebrate what it means to be a maker-centered community! Tinkerfest activities: Rocket making and blast off! Giant paper airplane construction Creative workshops with Artist-in-Residence Sarah Sudoff Motorcycle take apart Make-a-mess…
12th Annual Diwali SA Festival of Lights
The culture, food, music, and arts of India will be celebrated virtually during the 12th Annual Diwali SA Festival of Lights beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, November 7. Guests can participate for free at www.DiwaliSA.com. During the virtual festival, online attendees can purchase Indian food, clothing, jewelry and more from vendors who will take online orders. Highlights include Indian cooking, henna, trunk shows, saree/turban wrapping and live painting. The day concludes with a professionally produced video including nostalgic footage of…
Online Educator Workshop: Cultural Permissions – Adornment Across Cultures
This online workshop will feature discussions on cultural appreciation vs. cultural appropriation in the classroom. We will also examine adornment and regalia in cultures represented in the Museum’s collection in addition to the special exhibition, Exquisite Adornment: Turkmen and Miao Jewelry from the Elizabeth and Robert Lende Collection. Hands on art lessons will provide the participants with the opportunity to apply the concepts learned in this ever-evolving aspect of education that integrates art, social studies and other disciplines. Supply pick…
Olmos Ensemble with Vadim Gluzman and Timothy Jones
Classical music returns to Tobin! International violinist Vadim Gluzman joins Olmos Ensemble for an evening of classical chamber music, featuring Principal players of the San Antonio and Houston Symphonies. Program includes Mother Goose Suite by Ravel and "The Soldier's Tale" by Stravinsky, with narrator Timothy Jones. In-person and Livestream tickets available through the Tobin Center Box Office.
Allerseelen
ALLERSEELEN (pronounced al-er-ZEE-len) is a German term for All Souls’ Day. In this video featurette, Jump-Start Company member Sheila Sisler-Currie provides an opportunity to glimpse a a less-familiar take on an annual celebration here in south Texas. ALLERSEELEN is presented from the point of view of the recently departed "Mama" whose spirit visits the celebration to look back on moments of significance and joy.
CANCELLED: Texas Cavaliers River Parade
There’s nothing quite like the Texas Cavaliers River Parade. Festive music fills the air and vibrant floats pass by as thousands watch from the banks of the San Antonio River. This one-of-a-kind parade started in 1941 after a group of Texas Cavaliers witnessed boats and barges decorated with flowers in the “floating gardens” of Mexico City. This coincided with the San Antonio River bend restoration, and the Texas Cavaliers decided to bring this unique experience to our city. The first…
CANCELLED: A Night in Old San Antonio (NIOSA)
“A Night In Old San Antonio®” (NIOSA®) is a four-night festival, Tuesday through Tuesday, November 10-13, 2020 from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. in the heart of downtown San Antonio that celebrates the city’s diverse cultural legacy for more than 85,000 revelers annually during the city’s Fiesta San Antonio® celebration. Through the magic of 200-plus food, drink and atmosphere booths; 14 continuous live musical acts; children’s games; decorations; souvenirs; and 10,000+ volunteers, NIOSA brings the city’s heritage alive in 15 areas.…
CANCELLED: Battle of Flowers Parade
The Battle of Flowers® Parade is the founding event of Fiesta® San Antonio, attracting crowds of more than 550,000. It is the only parade in the United States produced entirely by women, all of whom are volunteers. The city of San Antonio owes its annual Fiesta to a small group of passionate, dedicated women who started it all with the first Battle of Flowers® Parade in 1891. What began as a patriotic celebration to honor the heroes of the Alamo, Goliad and the…
Celebration of Poetry
Poetry is a gift and something everyone can enjoy receiving or creating. We invite you to join us on Saturday, November 14th for our Celebration of Poetry event - our final Author Series program of the year. The event is free with admission and will feature three fun activities: Painting a Poem, Nature Poetry, and Rhyming Rhythms. Let’s celebrate the power of poetry and the author in you! All Day Activities Include: Painting a Poem In this activity, children will…
CANCELLED: King William Fair
Approximately 35,000 visitors attend our fun-filled, family festival on the final Saturday of Fiesta® San Antonio each year. The King William Fair is the primary fundraising event for the King William Association, a non-profit organization that works to preserve and protect the oldest residential historic district in Texas and promotes the unique cultural heritage of San Antonio. Beginning with a delightfully funky parade, the day-long event offers a variety of art and craft vendors, lively music, dance, Kids Kingdom play…
CANCELLED: Fiesta Flambeau Parade
Time to start planning for the 72nd Annual Fiesta Flambeau® Parade! This marks the second year in a row our parade has been named “best” in our budget category. Last year Best in the World by the International Festivals and Events Association and in August 2019, Best in Texas at the Texas Festivals and Events Association. Two great awards that make us proud to be Flambeau® members and Fiesta® family. The theme for the 2020 Flambeau® Parade is “Celebrating Classic…
Virtual Conversation: Demystifying Folk, Fine, and Popular Art
Inspired by both the current exhibition Folk Pop: Victoria Suescum’s Tienditas (at the McNay) and the reopening of the Latin American Popular Art Galleries (at the San Antonio Museum of Art), two curators and one visual artist share perspectives on the spectrum of terms, spaces, challenges, and traditions on view. Tune in for a virtual conversation via Zoom to find out more. Panelists: Lucía Abramovich, Associate Curator of Latin American Art, San Antonio Museum of Art Victoria Suescum, Visual Artist…
Ballet San Antonio’s The Nutcracker v. 2020
Ballet San Antonio, in partnership with the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, proudly presents The Nutcracker v. 2020, with socially distanced seating for the holidays! An original commission by Ballet San Antonio for Ballet San Antonio, The Nutcracker v. 2020 is co-choreographed by Easton Smith and Haley Henderson Smith. Ballet San Antonio’s The Nutcracker v. 2020 runs November 27th through December 13th in the H-E-B Performance Hall at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts. “I’m very excited for…
Winter Luau
We're missing meeting everyone and sharing our heritage so we are now ready to start over and finish the year out with our “Winter Luau”. Come celebrate being able to gather again as are invited to share in the "Spirit of Aloha" If you have been to Hawaii you will feel as though you are there and once again feel the joy in your heart, but if you have never been there you'll experience the spirit of Polynesia through authentic…