Events & What’s Happening
Held at the Institute of Texan Cultures, this festival celebrates over 40 ethnic cultures through food, music, dance, and crafts.
💡Sample foods from dozens of cultures and watch live folk dance performances; shaded areas help beat the early summer heat.
A family-friendly Halloween event at the San Antonio Zoo with trick-or-treating stations, costume contests, and themed animal encounters.
💡Costumes are encouraged for kids; come on a weekday evening for shorter lines at the candy stations.
A free all-night outdoor arts festival transforming Hemisfair Park with large-scale installations, performances, and interactive art.
💡Go at dusk to enjoy the light installations before it gets too late for young children; the interactive exhibits are a hit with all ages.
The San Antonio River Walk is illuminated with thousands of lights as decorated floats parade down the river to kick off the holiday season.
💡Claim a spot along the River Walk at least an hour early; the free lighting ceremony is magical for young children.
One of the largest rodeos in the country, featuring livestock shows, carnival rides, mutton bustin' for kids, and nightly concerts at the AT&T Center.
💡Purchase a combo ticket for the rodeo and carnival; kids love the petting zoo and mutton bustin' competition.
A massive 11-day citywide celebration featuring parades, carnivals, food, and cultural events honoring San Antonio's diverse heritage.
💡The Battle of Flowers Parade and Fiesta Flambeau Parade are free and great for kids; arrive early to claim a curbside spot.
A free annual literary festival at the Central Library and surrounding areas featuring author talks, children's programming, and book signings.
💡The children's tent has storytelling and craft activities that keep younger kids engaged while parents browse author sessions.
San Antonio's most popular weekly farmers market at the Pearl district, featuring local produce, artisan goods, prepared foods, and live music.
💡Arrive before 10am for the best selection and less heat; kids enjoy the food vendors and open plaza space to roam.
Free weekly story time sessions for toddlers and preschoolers at various San Antonio Public Library branches, including songs, stories, and crafts.
💡Check the library system's branch calendar as days and times vary by location; the Central Library downtown has the largest program.
San Antonio's children's museum offers hands-on STEM, art, and sensory exhibits open daily, with Sundays often featuring special programming and activities.
💡Membership pays for itself in two visits; sensory-friendly hours are offered periodically for children with special needs.
The San Antonio Missions Double-A baseball team plays home games at Nelson Wolff Stadium, offering affordable family-friendly minor league baseball.
💡Friday night games often include post-game fireworks; kids 12 and under get discounted tickets and the lawn seating area is great for families.
Families gather at Brackenridge Park for picnics, the Japanese Tea Garden, paddleboat rentals, and access to the San Antonio Zoo on mild-weather Sundays.
💡The Japanese Tea Garden entry is free and beautiful year-round; pack a picnic and combine it with a zoo visit for a full day out.
Planning Your Visit
Neighborhoods & Areas
Local Tips for Families
- 💡The Alamo is always free but the expanded grounds and Long Barrack Museum require a timed reservation (book at thealamoexperience.org at least a week ahead in spring — same-day slots disappear by 9am).
- 💡The San Antonio Zoo offers half-price admission after 3pm on select weekday afternoons called 'ZooLights' hours — check their website calendar, as these discounted windows are not widely advertised.
- 💡The Japanese Tea Garden inside Brackenridge Park is free to enter and one of the most photogenic spots in the city — visit on a Tuesday or Wednesday morning to avoid the weekend crowds that form near the koi ponds and waterfall.
- 💡H-E-B grocery stores (the Texas-based chain headquartered here) sell freshly made tortillas in the bakery section for under $3 — locals pick these up for impromptu picnics in Brackenridge Park rather than paying River Walk restaurant prices for chips and sides.
- 💡The San Antonio River Authority runs free kayak and canoe rentals at Confluence Park (where the San Pedro Creek meets the River Walk) on the first Saturday of each month — arrive by 8:30am as the 30 available spots go fast.
- 💡For the best puffy tacos in the city — a dish invented in San Antonio — go to Ray's Drive Inn on Fredericksburg Road rather than the more tourist-facing spots downtown. Expect a cash-preferred, no-frills ordering window and tacos under $4 each.
- 💡The Witte Museum's H-E-B Science Treehouse (included with general admission) has three floors of hands-on exhibits designed for kids under 12 — visit this on a weekday in summer when Six Flags and SeaWorld pull most families to the northwest side and the museum is noticeably less crowded.
- 💡Natural Bridge Caverns offers a Lantern Tour on Friday and Saturday nights that is genuinely more dramatic than the daytime tour — kids 6 and older are allowed and the 60-minute candlelit cave walk is one of the most memorable experiences within an hour of downtown San Antonio.