| January
17 |
Martin Luther
King, Jr. March and Rally. Largest people's march
in the country honoring the civil rights leader. Martin
Luther King, Jr. Plaza. Citywide Martin Luther King,
Jr. Commission. Other activities are planned citywide.
Free. 210/207-2098. www.sanantonio.gov/mlk |
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|
February
12 |
Asian
New Year Festival. Celebrate with mouth-watering
cuisine, ethnic dance, martial arts and more. Institute
of Texan Cultures. Admission. 210/458-2330. www.texancultures.utsa.edu |
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|
| February
4 - 20 |
San Antonio
Stock Show & Rodeo. Features great entertainment
with star-studded country, rock 'n' roll and Latin artists
during all 20 PRCA rodeo performances. A 16-day spectacular
of fun for the entire family includes shopping and livestock
centers. SBC Center. San Antonio Livestock Exposition,
Inc. Admission. 210/225-5851. www.sarodeo.com |
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|
| March |
Watercolor
Month. In San Antonio, the winds of March blow in
Watercolor Month. In galleries, museums, and other exhibition
spaces all over town you will find beautiful works in
this expressive medium from the traditional Texas Bluebonnet
paintings to portraits to wild and colorful abstractions.
For more information call 210/222-ARTS (2787) or www.sanantonio.gov/art |
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|
| March |
Six Flags
Fiesta Texas Season Opening. Six Flags Fiesta Texas
offers themed rides, thrilling roller coasters, attractions
and shows for every age, including opportunities to meet
the Looney Tunes characters throughout the visually stunning
200-acre park. Admission. 210/697-5050. www.sixflags.com |
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|
| March |
SeaWorld
San Antonio Season Opening. SeaWorld San Antonio,
the world's largest marine life adventure park, features
more than 25 major shows, rides, exhibits and attractions.
Park is open from early March through Thanksgiving weekend.
Please call for up-to-date schedule information. Admission.
800/700-7786. www.seaworld.com |
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|
| March
5 - 6 |
Dawn
At The Alamo and Remember The Alamo Weekend. Commemorative
and educational programs that recognize the sacrifices
made and includes reenactments interpreting the men,
women and children on both sides of the Alamo battle.
Alamo Plaza. San Antonio Living History Association.
Free. 210/273-1730. www.sanantoniolivinghistory.org |
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|
| March |
St.
Patrick's Day Celebrations. A variety of events mark
St. Patrick's Day in the Alamo City. There is a street
parade and a river parade on the River Walk which follows
the Dyeing O' the River Green; and solemn ceremonies
at the Alamo to honor the fallen heroes. www.SanAntonioVisit.com |
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|
| April
15 - 24 |
Fiesta
San Antonio! Fiesta San Antonio is a 10-day citywide
celebration, which includes exciting carnivals, spectacular
sports, fantastic fireworks, lively entertainment, ethnic
feasts, art exhibits and sparkling parades that glide
down San Antonio's River Walk and streets. More than
150 unique events, to satisfy every taste and interest,
drawing some 3 million participants and spectators from
around the city, nation, and world. Since 1891 when the
first Fiesta event, the Battle of Flowers, honored the
memory of our Texas heroes, Fiesta has expanded the initial
commemoration to include the recognition and celebration
of San Antonio's rich and diverse cultures. Come celebrate
Fiesta San Antonio! 210/227-5191. www.fiesta-sa.org |
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|
| May |
S.A.
Umbrella Dance Month. Dancers and dance groups from
all over the state flock here for our annual Homage to
the Dance. Every style imaginable from Ballet to Modern
to Jazz to Tap to Ethnic to Improvisational can be seen
in a wide variety of performance spaces. Dancers perform
in adjudicated competitions. A wheelchair dance troupe
turns disability into marvelous mobility. If you didn't
bring your shoes with you, at least enjoy the fleeting
forms of those who did. For more information, 210/212-7775 |
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|
| April
30 - May 1 |
Cinco
de Mayo Events. Celebrations commemorate the Mexican
Army's defeat of the invading French at the Battle of
Puebla on May 5, 1862. Events include a festival with
music and food at historic Market Square, concerts and
other commemorations. www.SanAntonioVisit.com |
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|
| May
4 - 7 |
Tejano
Conjunto Festival en San Antonio. A three-day festival
featuring
live performances by more than 20 of the best musical groups
from the traditional Conjunto to the progressive Tejano.
Highlights include a national poster contest and exhibits;
inductees into the Conjunto Music Hall of Fame; accordion
students' recital; food booths, games and plenty of dancing!
Guadalupe Campus and Rosedale Park. Sponsored by the Guadalupe
Cultural Arts Center. Admission. 210/271-3151. www.guadalupeculturalarts.org |
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|
| May
28 - 30 |
The
Return Of the Chili Queens. A return to that historical
and colorful time in Market Square when the Chili Queens
set out their tables in the open plazas and served their
traditional foods and chili con carne. Sponsored by the
El Mercado Merchants Association. Free. 210/207-8600.
E-mail jessemo@sanantonio.gov |
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|
| June
9 - 12 |
Texas
Folklife Festival. The annual four-day celebration
of the diverse ethnic and cultural groups that settled
our state. Some 45 groups bring their stories, crafts,
music, dances, and foods to share with visitors in a
vibrant blend of education and entertainment. Institute
of Texan Cultures. Admission. 210/458-2300. www.texasfolklifefestival.org |
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|
| June |
Juneteenth. Observances
throughout the city, including a picnic, festival, Freedom
Fair, and cultural celebrations honoring the date, June
19, 1865, that Texas slaves received word of the Emancipation
Proclamation. www.juneteenthsanantonio.com |
| |
|
| July |
Contemporary
Art Month. The only month-long contemporary arts
festival in the nation features more than 400 exhibitions
and involves more than 50 venues. Events take place in
galleries, museums, neighborhoods and studios. This special
month is a celebration with a focus on Contemporary Art
in San Antonio. Some events have an admission charge.
For information and a calendar, contact the Office of
Cultural Affairs, 210/222-ARTS (2787). www.sanantonio.gov/art |
| |
|
| July
23 - 24 |
Annual
San Antonio Conjunto Shootout. A celebration that
revitalizes an old custom of "mano-a-mano," a
form of competition between two conjunto groups to determine
who is best. This event utilizes a similar concept except
the conjuntos are on opposite stages facing each other.
More than 25 local entertainers are paired during the
three-day event. Food and refreshments, working artists,
street dancing. City of San Antonio Parks and Recreation.
Market Square. Free. 210/207-8600. E-mail: jessemo@sanantonio.gov |
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|
| July
4 |
Fourth
of July. Festivals, concerts and fireworks at locations
across the city celebrate America's freedom. Weekend
includes Freedom Fest celebration at Market Square, arts
and crafts show along the River Walk and extravaganzas
at local theme parks. 800/447-3372. www.SanAntonioVisit.com |
| |
|
| September
1 - 30 |
FotoSeptiembre
USA. One of the three largest photography festivals
in the country, this month-long celebration of photography
includes innovative photographic techniques, multi-media
presentations and traditional photographic images at
various venues. For a full listing of events and sites,
visit the Office of Cultural Affairs. 210/737-8255. www.safotofestival.com E-mail: sanantoniofestival@aol.com |
| |
|
| September
19 - 25 |
Valero
Texas Open at La Cantera. One of the oldest professional
golf tournaments takes place at La Cantera Golf Club.
72-hole, four-day PGA TOUR EVENT. Admission. 210/341-0823.
www.golfsanantonio.org
September Diez y Seis Events. Marking Mexico's independence
from Spain, San Antonio celebrates September 16 with special
events all over town. Events include a street parade with
floats and marching bands, a gala, Market Square celebrations,
festivals, dance presentations, and other special activities.
800/447-3372. www.SanAntonioVisit.com |
| |
|
| September
17 - 18 |
Jazz'SAlive. Two
days of performances from the nation's top jazz entertainers,
along with regional and local talent. Travis Park. City
of San Antonio Parks & Recreation Department and San
Antonio Parks Foundation. Free. 210/207-3000 or 210/212-8423. www.saparksfoundation.org or www.sanantonio.gov/sapar |
| |
|
| October
15 - 16 |
International
Accordion Festival. A two-day festival of music,
dancing, food and fun which celebrates the versatility
of the accordion and accordion-based international styles
of music. La Villita. Texas Folklife Resources. Free.
210/212-4845. www.internationalaccordionfestival.org |
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|
| October |
SBC
Championship presented by Alcatel. An official Senior
PGA Tour Event. Oak Hills Country Club. Admission. 210/698-3582. www.pgatour.com email: taird@sbcchamp.com |
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|
| November |
El
Dia de los Muertos. Translated literally as "the
Day of the Dead," this important and ancient celebration
in the Mexican cultural tradition is a celebration in
which the family welcomes back departed loved ones, sharing
the joys of life with them as their memories live on.
Creative and respectful altars are set up with ofrendas
around town at galleries, cultural centers, restaurants
and elsewhere commemorating loved ones who have passed
on. Cemeteries are popular with families decorating the
graves, especially with some of holiday's staples of
marigolds, pan de muerto (Dead Bread), sugar skulls and
other traditional items. Poetry readings, and calavera
processions (participants dress as skeletons) are typical
events as well. Citywide. Some events have an admission
charge. Office of Cultural Affairs, 210/222-ARTS (2787). www.sanantonio.gov/art |
| |
|
| November
3 - 6 |
San
Antonio New World Wine & Food Festival. A multi-cultural
culinary festival focusing on the wines and foods of
all the Americas with special emphasis on Texas and Mexico.
Various locations. Admission. 210/930-3232. www.nwwff.org.
Email: info@nwwff.com |
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|
| November
4 - 7 |
Big
12 Women's Soccer Tournament. Collegiate conference
women's soccer championship. Winner advances to national
championship. Blossom Soccer Stadium. San Antonio Sports
Foundation. Admission. 210/820-2100. www.sanantoniosports.org |
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|
| November
25 |
Holiday
River Parade and Lighting Ceremony. Presented by
the Paseo del Rio Association and the City of San Antonio.
Held the day following Thanksgiving, the switch is pulled
to turn on over 122,000 lights illuminating the River
Walk until New Year's Day. Decorated floats wind through
the river in one of the country's only nighttime river
parades. Admission. Paseo del Rio Association. 210/227-4262. www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com |
| |
|
| December |
Hecho
a Mano: Made by Hand. A three-day art and craft sale
where visitors can find unique jewelry, ceramics, textiles,
sculpture and other items all "made by hand." Guadalupe
Cultural Arts Center. 210/271-3151. www.guadalupeculturalarts.org |
| |
|
| December
10 |
Bazar
Sábado. Just in time for the holidays, the
best in folk art from Mexico is displayed for enjoyment
and acquisition (on a Saturday, of course). San Antonio
Museum of Art. 210/978-8100. www.samuseum.org |
| |
|
| December
29 |
MasterCard
Alamo Bowl. Major college football comes to the Alamodome
in San Antonio. It features fourth choices from teams
that make up the Big 12 and Big Ten conferences. 210/226-2695. www.alamobowl.com |
| |
|
| December
31 |
Celebrate
San Antonio. Ring in the New Year San Antonio style!
Enjoy spectacular fireworks, live music on multiple stages,
food booths, family activities and more. On S. Alamo
between Durango and Market streets; La Villita and HemisFair
Park. City of San Antonio Parks
& Recreation, San Antonio Parks Foundation. Free. 210/207-3000
or 210/212-8423. www.sanantonio.gov/sapar |
