Below is a list of select events taking place in the San Antonio area. Have a local event you would like Focus On San Antonio to promote? Email all the details to eortiz@journalist.com.
CINEMA
Sept. 19
San Antonio’s World Heritage Office will present a free screening of “Selena” at Mission Marquee Plaza. The family and pet friendly venue opens at 7 p.m. The movie starts a little bit after sunset. Attendees may bring their blanket or lawn chair. Food trucks will be on site. 3100 Roosevelt Ave.
LITERARY
Sept. 19
Jenna Avery will discuss and sign copies of her new book, a “romantasy” called “Glittering Skies.” Noon-3 p.m. Admission is free. Barnes and Noble Huebner Oaks, 11745 I-10 W., Suite 750
Sept. 25-26
Friends of Universal City Library will have a used book sale benefiting the library 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 25 and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept. 26 at the library, 100 Northview Blvd., Universal City
STAGE
Weekly
Woodlawn Comedy at Woodlawn Theatre presents Friday Night Lights. Each Friday night features standup comics or improv comedy activities. Ages 21-over allowed. Seating is first-come, first-served. 8 p.m. Tickets: $20. 1920 Fredericksburg Road
Now through Oct. 3
Overtime Theater hosts performances of “flowerboy,” a story of queer love, addiction, and losing one’s self at a nightclub. 8 p.m. Fri. and Sat., Sept. 11-Oct. 3. Tickets: $20 general; discounts available for students, seniors, military and teachers. (Attendees may pay what they can Sept. 17; mimosa matinee set for Sept. 27.) 4335 Vance Jackson Road, Suites 103-104
Sept. 18
Guadalupe Dance Company presents “Celebrando Tradiciones: Corazón y Raíz (Heart and Roots),” a celebration of the troupe’s 35th anniversary that combines traditional dance and community storytelling. The company is joined by Mariachi Azteca de América in a show that explores the cycle of life, and how our experiences shape us, how our community sustains us, and how our cultural roots anchor us. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $20-$30. Jo Long Theatre, Carver Center, 226 N. Hackberry St.
Sept. 18-Oct. 11
Wonder Theatre presents performances of “The Addams Family Musical” where the spotlight falls on daughter Wednesday who asks her father Gomez not to tell her mother Morticia about her new “normal” boyfriend. 7:30 p.m. Fri. and Sat., and 3 p.m. Sun. through Oct. 11. Also, 2 p.m. Oct. 3. Tickets: $35 adults; discounts available for seniors, military, first responders, students, children and educators. Wonderland of the Americas Mall, 4522 Fredericksburg Road, Suite A-90, Balcones Heights
Sept. 26
Society of Professional Journalists San Antonio Chapter presents its annual Gridiron satirical fundraiser show where local journalists and communications specialists perform sketches inspired by the biggest local, national and global news of the past year. This year’s theme is “Stranger Times: Writing the Upside Down.” Beverages will be sold. 2 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $30. UTSA Downtown Campus Buena Vista Theater, 512 Buena Vista St.
WELLNESS
Weekly
Wellness at The Tobin is a weekly series of fitness and exercise classes designed to nurture the body and mind. Classes are held from 10-11 a.m. Saturdays at the Will Naylor Riverwalk Plaza. Dress and equip accordingly. Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle.
SPECIAL EXHIBITS
Now through Sept. 27
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory co-presents Smithsonian Starstruck: An Immersive Experience, which offers a VR journey through the cosmos. Visitors can feel like they are using the Hubble Space Telescope, the James Webb Space Telescope, and the Chandra X-ray Observatory to look deep into space and encounter extreme exoplanets and galaxies, and explore the vastness of the universe. Guests can order tickets by date and time. Admission: $24 general; discounts available for children, students, seniors and groups. The Shops at Rivercenter (lower level on the Alamo side below H&M), 849 E. Commerce St.
Now through Nov. 2
“Jardín de las Catrinas” blends art, plants, and tradition across the San Antonio Botanical Garden, as visitors get to explore eight larger-than-life catrinas created by local artist Regina Moya. Surrounded by thousands of colorful, living plants and thousands of marigolds, each catrina is inspired by nature, Mexican traditions, and refranes—traditional sayings that share wisdom passed down through generations. Entry with garden admission. 555 Funston Place
Now through Feb. 7
The Witte Museum is hosting “Gather ‘Round the Table: Texas Food Traditions,” an exhibit that explores the ingredients, people, and cultural exchanges behind familiar Texas foods. The exhibit also includes interactive areas where guests can make their own plate of Texas foods, visit a model icehouse, and learn how Texans have grown, prepared and distributed their food for market through the decades. Special exhibit ticket required. 3801 Broadway St.
Sept. 19-Nov. 1
San Antonio Zoo’s 40th Zoo Boo is a daily, family friendly celebration of fall and the Halloween season. There is daily trick-or-treating, themed food and seasonal treats, entertainment, a spider rainforest with real spiders, interactive animal experiences, and the debut of Fiesta de los Muertos. The latter, inspired by Dia de los Muertos traditions, features three themed realms with large-scale artistic displays and special photo opportunities. Entry with zoo admission for the general public; free for zoo members. 3903 N. St. Mary’s St.
ART EXHIBITS/SHOWS
Now through Sept. 24
Visitors may watch local artist Rubio, Luminaria Contemporary Arts Festival’s first artist-in-residence, live-paint at Luminaria’s newly opened headquarters during regular studio hours 5-9 p.m. Thu.-Fri., and 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Sat. and Sun. now through Sept. 24. His art is available for purchase. The 2026 edition of Luminaria is planned for Nov. 14 along West Houston Street downtown. 207 E. Travis St.
Now through Sept. 30
Centro Cultural Aztlan is hosting “Cultural Imagination Across Generations,” an exhibit of local artists and photographers images of quinceañeras, birthdays, religious observances, and quiet scenes of domesticity, all of which captures moments of daily ordinary life and unique extraordinary events in Tejano and Chicano communities. The event is happening in conjunction with FotoSeptiembre, a monthlong celebration of photography with various in-person and online exhibits happening through September. Admission is free. 1800 Fredericksburg Road, Suite 103
Now through Oct. 3
San Antonio Street Art Initiative’s is hosting “Everybody’s Playhouse: Pee Wee Takes Over Chestnut” at 313 Chestnut St. More than 25 local artists created all sorts of works inspired by Pee-Wee Herman, his famed television show “Pee-Wee’s Playhouse,” and his classic film “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure,” which includes a brief, memorable stop at an iconic San Antonio landmark. The art works are on display through Oct. 3.
Now through Oct. 26
San Antonio Museum of Art hosts “Canvas to Clay: Georgia O’Keeffe and Maria Martinez to Mata Ortiz and Tonalá.” Featuring paintings by O’Keeffe and ceramic vessels by Martinez, including works from Mata Ortiz, Chihuahua, and Tonalá, Jalisco, this exhibit explores both artists’ cultural and natural inspirations, which transcend the U.S./Mexico border. Free with museum admission. 200 E. Jones Ave.
Now through Nov. 8
McNay Art Museum hosts “A People’s History: The American Experiment on Stage.” Inspired by the United States’ 250th anniversary, this exhibit explores theater’s role in telling the evolution of America through maquettes and set and costume designs from a range of iconic productions, such as “Hair,” “Hamilton,” “The Color Purple,” “In the Heights” and “Porgy and Bess.” Entry with museum admission. 6000 N. New Braunfels Ave.
Now through Dec. 18
Mexican American Civil Rights Institute hosts “Somos Americanos: Our American Story,” an exhibit chronicling noted Mexican-American trailblazers who have lived out the nation’s highest democratic ideals through public service, civic leadership, and acts of valor. Viewable 10 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. Wed.-Fri. or by appointment. Admission is free. 2123 Buena Vista St.
Now through Jan. 4, 2027
Briscoe Western Art Museum hosts “Selena Forever/Siempre Selena,” an exhibit featuring San Antonio photographer John Dyer’s images that celebrate the life and career of the late Tejano star Selena Quintanilla-Pérez. Entry with museum admission. 210 W. Market St.
Now through Jan. 9, 2027
Witte Museum hosts “The Witte Museum: 100 Years,” an exhibit that shows how the institution has interpreted and shared the story of Texas through natural history specimens, cultural artifacts, Texas art, and global collections. Free with museum admission. 3801 Broadway St.
Now through Jan. 15. 2027
The exhibit “Built on Legacy: Artists of San Antonio” features paintings, prints, installations, and more from 23 artists, living and deceased, reflecting San Antonio’s artistic community over the last 50 years. Admission is free. Centro de Artes Culture Commons gallery, 115 Plaza de Armas
Now through Jan. 18, 2027
“Tejano Legacy: Another American Origin Story” is an exhibit of 100-plus rare paintings, sculptures, saddles, weapons, and maps from U.S. and Mexican collections. Free with museum admission. Briscoe Western Art Museum, 210 W. Market St.
Now through May 30, 2027
Institute of Texan Cultures hosts “Pure Conjunto: Border(less) Sound,” an exhibit of photos, instruments, posters and other artifacts that demonstrate the power of Conjunto music, and how it was shaped by German and Eastern European immigrants, and influenced by Tejano communities drawing on Indigenous, Spanish, and Mexican traditions. Entry with museum admission. 111 W. Houston St., Suite 121.
Sept. 26
MujerArtes’ 31st anniversary exhibit and sale, “Mujeres de Barro: que Cargan, Que Sirven, Que Crían, y Que Sostienen,” celebrates the art, culture and history of the MujerArtes Women’s Clay Cooperative. This opening reception includes members’ original clay art, music and refreshments. All artwork are up for purchase with proceeds benefiting the cooperative. 7 p.m. Admission is free. MujerArtes Cooperativa de Esperanza, 816 S. Colorado St.
MUSIC
Sept. 19
Rudi and the Rudiments will perform acoustic and world-beat music at the Cave Without a Name in a salute to the arrival of the fall equinox. 7 p.m. Tickets: $35-$40. 325 Kreutzberg Road, Boerne
Sept. 25-26
San Antonio Parks Foundation presents the 43rd Jazz’SAlive, featuring local talent, military musicians, and nationally renowned acts all performing contemporary jazz in a free, family friendly music festival that benefits the parks foundation. Refreshments will be sold. 4-11 p.m. Sept. 25 and 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Hemisfair Civic Park, 210 S. Alamo St.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Weekly
The city of San Antonio’s Downtown Thursday series offers family friendly, public block parties through the end of 2026. Each Thursday night, residents and visitors are encouraged to experience different parts of downtown. Programming after 5 p.m. includes music, art, culture, free light bites and drinks, kids’ activities and more. The Local SATX micro‑transit service offers transportation from other downtown locations to the event. Free parking is available in the City Tower Garage, 60 N. Flores St. after 5 p.m.
Sept. 19
Woodlawn Lake Community Association presents Community in Bloom, a celebration of community, nature, and the evolution of the Woodlawn Lake Centennial Garden. The event is a garden workday and includes the installation of 100-plus plant identification signs, educational demonstrations, a plant and seed swap, and refreshments. 8 a.m.-noon. 2301 W. Craig Place
Sept. 19
Alamo Ranch Food Truck Park will hold a pooch vendor market, with local artisans and makers offering homemade pet products, such as apparel, accessories, supplies, treats and foods. There will also be pet adoptions, a pet costume contest, and low-cost pet vaccinations. 5-10 p.m. Admission is free. 5615 Lone Star Pkwy.
Sept. 19
Ballet San Antonio and the School of Ballet San Antonio will present Fang Fest, a family friendly event that will celebrate BSA’s upcoming season opening show, “Dracula,” with free demonstration ballet classes, arts and crafts, drawings and prizes. There will also be a chance to meet teachers and students from both ballet organizations. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Admission is free. Boho Market at Castle Hills, 2211 NW Military Hwy., Suite 127A, Castle Hills
Sept. 19
The 22nd annual Comal County Fair BBQ Cook-off is a prelude to the annual county fair. The family friendly event includes mutton busting, an antique tractor pull, pig wrangling, and a kids western dress contest. Comal County Fair and Rodeo grounds, 701 E. Common St., New Braunfels
Sept. 19-20
Alamo Orchid Society will present its annual orchid show and sale in an event featuring a variety of orchids, tropicals, art and garden goods and gifts. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 19 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 20. Admission is free. San Antonio Garden Center, 3310 N. New Braunfels Ave.
Sept. 23
Alamo Heights’ annual Howdy Night, a community celebration of Alamo Heights High School’s homecoming week, begins with a 4:30 p.m. parade from 103 Alamo Heights Blvd. to the high school, 6900 Broadway St., where a carnival will follow.
Sept. 23-27
Comal County Fair and Rodeo is highlighted by plenty of activities, including a traditional parade, a pet parade, a carnival, a livestock show and competitions, agriculture and conservation exhibits, children’s programming, and more. Comal County Fair and Rodeo grounds, 701 E. Common St., New Braunfels
Sept. 26
Spay-Neuter-Inject-Protect San Antonio presents its 19th Race for the Rescues fundraiser, featuring 5K individual runs where participants can run with their dog or without. There are also 5K run/walks for children under age 14 (with their dog or without). 8-10 a.m. Fees vary. Alamo Heights Pool, 250 Viesca Ave.
