Enjoy Fun, Free Events in Downtown San Antonio
Published on August 29, 2024
SAN ANTONIO (August 1, 2024) — The City of San Antonio invites the community to visit downtown, including La Villita Historic Arts Village and Historic Market Square, this August for a wide variety of events.
While you enjoy La Villita and Market Square events, don't forget to stop inside their stores to shop for one-of-a-kind treasures.
Market Square Events
Location: 514 W. Commerce Street
Directions
Market Square Labor Day Celebration
When: August 31 – September 2, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; free
Celebrate Labor Day weekend at Historic Market Square with our exciting three-day event, packed with activities for the whole family. Enjoy live entertainment featuring local bands and performers, indulge in delicious offerings from a variety of food vendors, and support our community by shopping local. For more information, visit theMarket Square event page.
El Grito Cultural Program and Civic Ceremony
When: Friday, September 13, 6-9:30 p.m.; free
Celebrate Labor Day weekend at Historic Market Square with our exciting three-day event, packed with activities for the whole family. Enjoy live entertainment featuring local bands and performers, indulge in delicious offerings from a variety of food vendors, and support our community by shopping local. For more information, visit the Market Square event page.
Diez y Seis Fiestas Patrias at Market Square
When: Saturday, September 14, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. & Sunday, September 15, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.; free
Come join us as we come together for a fun filled weekend of the Diez y Seis Fiestas Patrias Celebration at Historic Market Square. Fiestas Patrias will include international and local entertainment as well as great mariachi and ballet folklorico groups. Delicious antojitos will be available with various food vendors as well as cultural artisans selling handmade products.For more information, visit theMarket Square event page.
Market Square Weekend Programming
When: Every weekend in August, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., FREE
Enjoy music, working artists, and food booths at Market Square every weekend! For more information, visit the Market Square event page.
La Villita Events
Location: 418 Villita Street
Directions
La Villita Market Days
When: Every Saturday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.; free
La Villita Market Days transforms Maverick Plaza into a vibrant, open-air marketplace featuring local artisans, craftspeople, and food vendors. Visitors to this free event will enjoy unique arts and crafts, cooking demonstrations, guest artists at work on their craft, live music and performing dance troupes. For more information, visit the La Villita website.
Craft Tuesday
When: Tuesday, September 10, 5-7 p.m.; free
You’re invited to a free, family-friendly DIY event. All supplies provided – just bring yourself, your friends, and family. Come early to grab dinner in the Village, or you can purchase light bites and beverages from Prost Haus. Seating is limited.Downtown Tuesday free parking begins at 5 p.m. in City-owned lots and garages. For more information, visit the La Villita website.
Viva México! Folklorico for 16 de Septiembre
When: Sunday, September 15, 11 a.m.; free
Join San Antonio Parks and Recreation to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month and Mexican Independence Day. Students from Parks and Recreation’s award-winning dance program will perform regional Mexican folkorico dances at La Villita’s Arneson River Theatre. For more information, visit the event website
River Walk LIVE!
When: Thursday, August 15, 7 - 9:30 p.m.; free
River Walk LIVE! is a monthly concert series that happens every third Thursday. Local and national talent make their way to the Arneson River Theatre at La Villita to perform musical acts that fill the River Walk with sweet sounds. For more information and reserved seating, visit the event website.
Oktoberfest at La Villita
When: September 20-22; free
The inaugural Oktoberfest at La Villita makes its debut at La Villita Historic Arts Village. The vibrant German celebration offers a unique cultural experience filled with traditional music, classic cuisine, local brand representation, and river parades. For more information and a schedule of events, visit the event website.
Dancing in the Dark
When: Tuesday, September 24, 6-8 p.m.; free
Looking for a fun, free date night? Join us for La Villita’s Dancing in the Dark series with line dancing lessons taught by professional dance instructor! Come a little early with your partner, friends, or by yourself to grab dinner in the Village, or you can purchase light bites and beverages from Prost Haus.Downtown Tuesday free parking begins at 5 p.m. in City-owned lots and garages. For more information, visit the La Villita website.
Rey Feo Superhero River Parade
When: Saturday, September 28, 7:30-11 p.m.; ticketed event
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, enjoy the day with superheroes on San Antonio’s iconic River Walk as it transforms into a vibrant, action-packed river parade. This exciting event at La Villita’s Arneson River Theatre draws thousands of locals and visitors alike to celebrate heroism, creativity, and community spirit. For more information, visit the Rey Feo Scholarship Foundation website.
Travis Park Events
Location: 301 E. Travis St.
Directions
Eat & Play in Travis Park
When: Friday, September 13, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Every second Friday of the month, enjoy a variety of food trucks, music, and activities during lunchtime at Travis Park. For more information, follow @satxfoodtrucks on Instagram.
Lunch Break on Houston Street
Location: in front of the Majestic Theatre,
224 E. Houston Street
Directions
When: Thursday, August 1 & 15, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Make your way to Houston Street every first and third Thursday of the month for food trucks and music in front of the Majestic Theatre! For more information, follow @satxfoodtrucks on Instagram.
Hoops on Houston
When: Saturday, September 14, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.; free
Tip off the 2025 NCAA® Men's Final Four festivities with “Hoops on Houston Street”! This free, family-friendly event will serve as the official launch of the Final Four Fan Jam truck and transform a few blocks of Houston Street in downtown San Antonio into a basketball and entertainment extravaganza. Hosted by the San Antonio Local Organizing Committee and the City of San Antonio, there will be activities for all ages including basketball games, fitness challenges, live entertainment and more. The featured attraction will be the Men's Final Four® Fan Jam, a 16-foot box truck wrapped in 2025 Men’s Final Four branding paired with a sport court, and a special press conference and celebrity hoops challenge starting at 11 a.m. Find more information onwww.finalfoursanantonio.com.
Park(ing) Day
When: Friday, September 20, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; free
Park(ing) Day is a global, participatory event inviting the community to temporarily transform curbside parking spaces and streetscapes into public parks and social spaces that prioritize walking, biking, expressing creativity, and playing. Hosted by Centro San Antonio in partnership with the 80 I 20 Foundation, the celebration will feature 20+ hyper-local designers, architects, non-profits, students, businesses, and residents activating Houston Street (between N. Main and Laredo) with mini-parks, live music, lunch time bites, and dynamic street experiences. For more information, visit the Park(ing) Day event page or contact lburt@centrosa.org.
Plan Ahead
Downtown can get busy on the weekends – plan ahead! There are numerous street closures in the downtown area as well as the potential for heavy traffic with several large events taking place throughout the month. Take public transportation, ride-share, bike, walk, or consult Google Maps or Waze before you leave. Visit the City's Know Before You Go Downtown website for helpful resources and parking information.
Visitor Parking
Check out the City's SAPark website for easy, convenient, and affordable parking. A map shows a full list of City-owned garages and lots.
The St. Mary's Garage (205 E. Travis St.) and the City Tower Garage (60 N. Flores St.) are located just steps from the River Walk, Houston Street and Travis Park, and they generally have a large availability of public parking spaces. Downtown Tuesday offers free parking on Tuesdays from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. in City-owned parking facilities, and City Tower Sundays offers free parking on Sundays from 7 a.m. to midnight at the City Tower Garage (60 N. Flores St.).