January
January – April: San
Antonio SPURS Season
GO SPURS GO! The
four-time World
Champions take on their
2009 regular season from
January through April in
the AT&T Center.
Admission. (210)
444-5000
www.attcenter.net
2:
Valero Alamo Bowl
Major college football
comes to the Alamodome
in San Antonio. It
features teams from the
Big 12 and Big Ten
conferences. (210)
226-2695
www.alamobowl.com
3:
U.S. Army All-American
Bowl
The game showcases the
nation's top high school
football players. Spot
the talent that will be
tomorrow's college and
NFL superstars. A week
of festivities leads up
to the big game day.
19: Martin
Luther King Jr. March
and Rally
Honoring the Civil
Rights leader, this is
the largest people's
march in the country.
Other events throughout
the city include a
rally, art exhibits,
workshops and
candlelight vigils.
http://www.aclutx.org/projects/knowwhyyourem.php
31: Asian Festival at
UTSA's Institute of
Texan Cultures
This event honors Asian
cultures and traditions
from the Middle East to
the Pacific Rim. With a
variety of delicious
foods (Chinese,
Japanese, Thai,
Vietnamese, Pakistani,
Filipino and Polynesian,
just to name a few!) and
an array of
performances, including
martial arts and dance
demonstrations.
www.texancultures.com
February
5
– 22: San Antonio Stock
Show & Rodeo
Features great
entertainment with
star-studded country,
rock 'n' roll and Latin
artists during all 20
PRCA rodeo performances.
This spectacular of fun
also includes shopping,
a carnival and livestock
centers. AT&T Center.
Admission. (210)
225-5851
www.sarodeo.com
28:
SeaWorld San Antonio
Opens for 2009 Season
SeaWorld San Antonio’s
combination of unique
animal attractions,
entertaining shows that
combine artistry,
emotion and marine
animals into amazing
performances, the thrill
of our state-of-the-art
coasters and educational
experiences for all ages
make this park an
exciting place to be!
Admission. (800)
700-7786
www.seaworld.com
28:
Six Flags Fiesta Texas
Opens for 2009 Season
Let the fun begin. Check
out 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
March
6:
Dawn at the Alamo
A pre-dawn commemorative
ceremony kicks off an
annual weekend to honor
the fallen on both sides
from the Battle of the
Alamo. Alamo Plaza.
Free. (210) 273-1730
www.sanantoniolivinghistory.org
7
- 8: Remember the Alamo
Weekend
This event is a
dramatization of the
events in the final two
days (March 5 and 6,
1836) of the 13 day
Alamo siege by General
Santa Anna's Army of
Operations, played out
in Alamo Plaza. Free.
(210) 273-1730
www.sanantoniolivinghistory.org
6 – 17: St. Patrick's
Day Celebrations
Make sure to get a good
spot on the River Walk
for the St. Patrick's
Day River Parade and
then head over to the
Alamo for solemn
ceremonies to honor the
fallen heroes. Free.
(210) 227-4262
www.harpandshamrock.org & www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com
14:
Luminaria—Arts Night in
San Antonio
All
manner of creative
endeavors -- art, music,
poetry, performance,
light shows -- explode
across San Antonio. The
vortex is in the city
center, where all the
streets are closed to
vehicles. Patterned
after similar Paris and
Madrid arts festivals,
Luminaria features
hundreds of local,
national and
international talent.Learn
more
29: 11th Annual Komen
San Antonio Race for the
Cure
This event honors those
who have survived the
battle with breast
cancer, those who have
lost their lives, and
the families and friends
who support them. The
annual race attracts
tens of thousands of
participants to help
raise money for the
continued fight to end
breast cancer.
Admission. Alamodome.
www.sakomen.org
April
3
-5: Poteet Strawberry
Festival
More than just a
celebration of the
strawberry, this
festival is one of the
oldest, most popular
events in the state and
is recognized as the
largest agricultural
festival in Texas.
Located just south of
San Antonio, the Poteet
Strawberry festival
includes concerts,
dancing, rides,
gunslingers, rodeo
performances and of
course lots of
strawberries.
www.strawberryfestival.com
April
16 - 26: Fiesta San
Antonio!
More than 100 unique
events satisfy every
taste and interest
and draw 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! More than half
of the events are FREE.
(210) 227-5191
www.fiesta-sa.org Learn
more about the
Sights and Sounds of
Fiesta!
18: Splashtown San
Antonio Opens for 2009
Season
Splashtown San Antonio
is 20 landscaped acres
of cool, clean water
excitement just three
minutes North of
downtown on IH-35 at the
Splashtown exit.
www.splashtownsa.com
25: Schlitterbahn
Waterpark Resort Opens
for 2009 Season
The original
Schlitterbahn, in New
Braunfels, just 20
minutes north of San
Antonio, wins
recognition, year after
year, as the world's top
waterpark. With over 65
acres of tube rides,
water slides and uphill
water coasters there is
plenty of fun for the
whole family.
www.schlitterbahn.com
May
All Month: S.A. Dance
Umbrella Celebrates
Dance Month
San Antonio Dance
Umbrella will celebrate
Dance Month with
numerous performances
around the city. Some of
the highlights of the
month long dance
celebration include:
"The Cloggers'
Showcase,” "Dance Around
the World,” and "WIP
Crème.” (210) 212-6600
www.sadu.org
May – August: WNBA - San
Antonio Silver Stars
Go Silver Stars Go! San
Antonio’s WNBA team will
continue to rock the
AT&T Center as they kick
off their 2009 season.
AT&T Center. Admission.
(210) 444-5000
www.attcenter.net
5: Cinco de Mayo
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.
(210) 207-8600
www.marketsquaresa.com
6-9: Tejano
Conjunto Festival en San
Antonio
Features live
performances by more
than 20 of the best
musical groups from
traditional Conjunto to
progressive Tejano.
Rosedale Park.
Admission. (210)
271-3151
www.guadalupeculturalarts.org
11
- 17: Valero Texas Open
The third oldest
tournament on PGA TOUR (orginated
and played in San
Antonio since in 1922).
It has been one of the
top-three most
charitable PGA
tournaments on TOUR for
the last several years.
72-hole. Admission.
(210) 345-3818
www.golfsanantonio.org
15
- 16: 9th Annual Soul
Food Festival & 2nd
Annual Gospel on the
Plaza Competition
This event kicks off
with a gospel choir
competition and
continues with amazing
food, arts, crafts,
family events and more.
www.lavillita.com/soulfoodfest
May
15 – August 8: Fiesta
Noche Del Rio
A San Antonio tradition,
this performance
features songs and
dances of Mexico, Spain,
Argentina and Texas and
occurs Friday and
Saturday evenings at the
River Walk’s historic
Arneson River Theatre.
(210) 226-4651
www.alamo-kiwanis.org/FiestaNoche.html
June
2 – 27:
TeatroFest
The 4th Annual
TeatroFest is a
month-long festival
celebrating Hispanic
Theater and Performing
Arts, Guadalupe Theater
and other theatrical
venues. Sponsored by the
Guadalupe Cultural Arts
Center. Admission. (210)
271-3151
www.guadalupeculturalarts.org
12-14:
Texas Folklife Festival
Join in the celebration
of all things Texas at
the 38th annual Texas
Folklife Festival.
Hosted at The Institute
of Texan Cultures, this
three-day cultural
extravaganza brings more
than 40 ethnic groups
together in one place to
showcase their authentic
food, traditional music
and dance and authentic
crafts. Come celebrate
your heritage and share
in a Texas tradition.
The Institute of Texan
Cultures is located in
HemisFair Park, a short
walk from the Alamo and
the River Walk. Contact
(210) 458-2224, or
www.TexasFolklifeFestival.org.
19: Juneteenth
Observances throughout
the city, including a
picnic, festival,
Freedom Fair, and
cultural celebrations
honoring the date, June
19, 1865, the day that
Texas slaves received
word of the Emancipation
Proclamation. (210)
527-1830 www.juneteenthsanantonio.com
30 – July 4th:
Fourth of July
Celebration
Enjoy festivals,
concerts and fireworks
at locations across San
Antonio celebrating
Independence Day. Some
highlights include
Freedom Fest at Market
Square, an arts and
crafts show along the
River Walk and
extravaganzas at local
theme parks.
www.marketsquaresa.com &
www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com
July
All Month:
Contemporary
Art Month
The month-long
celebration of
contemporary arts
features more than 400
exhibitions and involves
more than 50 venues.
Events take place in
galleries, museums,
neighborhoods and
studios. Some events
have an admission
charge. (210) 223-5310
Learn more
August
27-29: Texas Football
Classic
Ten of the top high
school football teams in
the state compete at
this weekend football
rumble in the Alamodome.
Included schools have
played in 12 state
championships.
Admission. (210)
207-3663 or (800)
884-3663
www.alamodome.com
15: FORD Canoe Challenge
Over 90 canoe teams
including local
celebrities, city
officials, corporate
teams and Boy Scouts &
Girl Scouts compete in
the FORD Canoe
Challenge. River Walk.
(210) 227-4262
www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com
September
All
Month: FOTOSEPTIEMBRE
USA
This
annual
international
photography
festival
is a
unique,
eclectic,
month-long
celebration
of the
photographic
arts.
Dozens
of
exhibits
showing
traditional
photographs,
digital
images,
photography
based
works,
photographic
installations,
funky
camera,
and
alternative
processes,
are
presented
in
galleries,
museums,
art
centers
and
other
exhibition
spaces
throughout
San
Antonio,
the
Texas
Hill
Country
and in
the
festival’s
web
galleries.
Free.
(210)
737-8255
www.fotoseptiembreusa.com
10: Dos
Equis
Pachanga
del Rio
Ticket
holders
enjoy
sampling
culinary
offerings
from 20
participating
River
Walk
establishments
from
6:00pm
until
8:30pm.
Then,
all
party-goers
are
encouraged
to go to
to the
Post-Party.
(210)
227-4262
www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com
12 - 14,
16: Diez
y Seis
Events
Marking
Mexico's
independence
from
Spain,
San
Antonio
celebrates
September
16 with
special
events
all over
town
including
a street
parade
with
floats
and
marching
bands, a
gala,
Market
Square
celebrations,
festivals,
dance
presentations
and
other
special
activities.
(210)
207-8600
www.marketsquaresa.com
19-20:
Jazz'SAlive
Dave
Brubeck
headlines
an
outdoor,
two-day
music
festival.
Some of
the
nation's
top jazz
entertainers,
along
with
regional
and
local
talent,
take
over
Travis
Park and
dazzle
the
crowd
with
their
smooth
sounds.
Travis
Park.
Free.
(210)
212-8423
www.saparksfoundation.org
October
2 - 3; 9
- 10:
Oktoberfest
San
Antonio
Head
over to
the
Beethoven
Halle &
Garten
to
celebrate
the
ultimate
German
festival! Music,
food and
dancing
plus
German
specilities
like
bratwurst,
reubens
and beer
will be
available
to help
put you
in the
spirit! Suggested
donation
is $5 at
the
gate.
www.beethovenmaennerchor.com
9-11:
International
Accordion
Festival
A
three-day
festival
of
music,
dancing,
food and
fun
which
celebrates
the
versatility
of the
accordion
and
accordion-based
international
styles
of
music.
La
Villita.
Free.
(210)
865-8578
www.internationalaccordionfestival.org
TBD: A
Festival
of
Films™
Produced
by Texas
Independent
Filmmakers,
this
event
starts
each
year
with a
free
public
kick off
party at
the
Cadillac
Bar, 212
S.
Flores.
The
second
day of
the
event is
held at
Santikos
Northwest
14
Theatre,
7600 W
IH10.
Filmmakers'
workshops
and
independent
movies
are
shown.
Admission.
(210)
736-FILM
www.afestivaloffilms.com
23-25:
AT&T
Championship
The PGA
Champions
Tour
returns
to San
Antonio
for its
24th
year.
Nestled
within
200
acres of
majestic
oak
trees
and
rolling
hills,
the Oak
Hills
Country
Club is
the
perfect
setting
for this
tournament
and
charity
event.
Oak
Hills
Country
Club.
Admission.
(210)
698-3582
www.pgatour.com
30 -
November
8:
Wurstfest
A unique
celebration
rich in
German
culture
and full
of Texas
fun!
During
this
10-day
salute
to
sausage,
you’ll
find a
variety
of
entertainment
options
including
a polka
contest,
games,
rides,
food and
drinks
on the
Wurstfest
Grounds
in Landa
Park as
well as
special
events
throughout
New
Braunfels
and
Comal
County.
New
Braunfels
at Landa
Park.
Admission.
www.wurstfest.com
November
2:
El Dia
de los
Muertos
Translated
literally
as "the
Day of
the
Dead,"
this
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
around
town at
galleries,
cultural
centers,
cemeteries
and
restaurants
to
commemorate
loved
ones who
have
passed
on.
Poetry
readings,
and
calavera
processions
(participants
dress as
skeletons)
are
typical
events
as well.
Citywide.
Some
events
have an
admission
charge.
Learn
More
10-15:
The San
Antonio
New
World
Wine &
Food
Festival
Giving
wine and
food
aficionados
one more
thing to
be
thankful
for this
November,
the
Festival
will
showcase
the
Alamo
City's
finest
restaurants
and
chefs as
well as
celebrity
guests
from
Mexico,
Miami,
Manhattan
and all
over
Texas as
it
celebrates
San
Antonio
as a
premier
wine and
food
destination
and an
important
culinary
and
cultural
gateway
to
Mexico
and
Latin
America.
(210)
822-9555
www.nwwff.org
15:
San
Antonio
Rock ‘N’
Roll
Marathon
& ½
Marathon
This one
of a
kind
marathon
features
over 70
bands
along
the
course
which
passes
several
historic
missions
and
wraps up
at the
Alamodome.
www.rnrsa.com
November 22
–
January
6: Light
the Way
at the
University
of
Incarnate
Word
A
million
twinkling
lights
will
illuminate
the
night
sky at
the
University
of
Incarnate
Word to
celebrate
the
holiday
season
in
style.This
walking
or
driving
experience
has been
going on
for more
than two
decades
and is
truly a
San
Antonio-style
holiday
event.
Free.
www.uiw.edu
27:
Ford
Holiday
River
Parade
and
Lighting
Ceremony
The day
after
Thanksgiving,
the
switch
is
pulled
to turn
on over
122,000
lights
that
illuminate
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
for all
river-level
access.
(210)
227-4262
www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com
San
Antonio
Shines
during
the
Holidays
December
TBD::
Hecho a
Mano/Made
by Hand
Fine art
exhibit
and sale
is open
to
individual
artists
selling
their
own
original
work. In
order to
maintain
a high
quality
of
traditional
and
contemporary
crafts
sold
every
year,
Hecho a
Mano/Made
by Hand
is a
juried
show.
Each
year an
invited
panel of
jurors
selects
the
participating
artists.
Sponsored
by the
Guadalupe
Cultural
Arts
Center.
210)
271-3151
www.guadalupeculturalarts.org
4 - 20:
Ford
Fiesta
de las
Luminarias
Stroll
along
the lush
banks of
the San
Antonio
River
guided
by more
than
2,500
luminarias.
Warmly
glowing
candles
in sand
filled
bags
line the
walkways
to
symbolically
mark the
"lighting
of the
way" for
the Holy
Family.
This
centuries
old
tradition
begins
at dusk
Friday,
Saturday
& Sunday
only.
(210)
227-4262
www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com
TBD: Art.i.copia
Locals
on the
lookout
for
creative
and
unusual
gifts flock
to the
Southwest
School
of Art &
Craft's
annual shopping celebration.
The
setting
-- a
centuries-old
convent
on the
banks of
the San
Antonio
River
-- will
inspire
a little
holiday
serenity.
http://www.swschool.org/calendar.php
TBD:
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
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.
Free.
(210)
212-8423.
www.saparksfoundation.org
