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
Aug. 20
San Antonio’s World Heritage Office will present a free screening of “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” 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.
Aug. 25
San Antonio Jewish Film Festival Summer Series presents a screening of “The Ring,” a drama about a religious man who goes to great lengths to try and retrieve a gold ring, which inspired his mother to fight and survive the Holocaust. 7-9 p.m. Tickets: $15. Jewish Community Center of San Antonio, 12500 N.W. Military Hwy.
LITERARY
Aug. 22
Author Rosanne Gray will discuss and sign copies of her “Rose Mountain Romance” series. 3 p.m. Admission is free. Pages for Ages, 10350 Bandera Road, Suite 300
Aug. 28
McKenna’s Book Fair will feature kid-friendly storytimes, crafts, snacks, and a visit from friends with the organization Canine Classmates. Every child can go home with a free book. 9 a.m.-noon. Entry with museum admission. McKenna Children’s Museum, 801 W. San Antonio St., New Braunfels
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 Aug. 22
Overtime Theater presents performances of “High Tea at Medusa’s Court,” a comedy about Medusa hosting tea time with Cassandra and Billie Holiday when Photis and Lucius, characters from another story and another time, crash the bash. Final shows: 8 p.m. Aug. 20-22. Tickets: $20 general; discounts available. 4335 Vance Jackson Road, Suites 103-104
Now through Aug. 30
San Pedro Playhouse presents Classic Theatre of San Antonio’s performances of “The Seagull,” an adaptation of Chekhov’s drama that follows a group of artists, lovers, and dreamers as they grapple with ambition, heartache, and the passage of time. Most showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Wed.-Sat. Check details on other showtimes. Tickets: $55 adults; discounts available. 800 W. Ashby Place
Aug. 20
La Noche del Tigre is a new live music and comedy series presented by The Krishna Co. The event is launching with an inaugural show with six Texas and nationally acclaimed acts performing alongside two standout comedians. 7 p.m. Tickets: $25-$30. Paper Tiger, 2410 N. St. Mary’s St.
Aug. 20-23
Boerne Champion High School theater students will perform “Blithe Spirit,” Noël Coward’s comic play that follows a novelist who accidentally summons the ghost of his dead first wife in a seance, creating chaos with his current wife. 7 p.m. Aug. 20-22, and 3 p.m. Aug. 23. Tickets start at $10. Boerne Champion High School auditorium, 201 Charger Blvd.
Aug. 22
Woodlawn Theater hosts Legend Zeppelin, a quartet who use performance art to recreate the explosiveness that famed rock band Led Zeppelin displayed throughout its main period of popularity. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $20. 1920 Fredericksburg Road
MUSIC
Aug. 23
Jazz, TX, the famed jazz club at Pearl, is marking its 10th anniversary this weekend with a series of shows led by club owner/founder, entrepreneur and musician Brent “Doc” Watkins, who is also marking the occasion with the release of a book about his musical journey and the opening of Jazz. Aug. 21 and 22 performances are sold out at calendar publication time. Remaining shows are 7 and 9:30 p.m. Make a reservation at this link. 312 Pearl Pkwy., Bldg. 6.
SPECIAL EXHIBITS
Now through Sept. 7
The San Antonio Zoo is hosting Zoorassic Park, a display of 22 animatronic dinosaurs, including Tyrannosaurus Rex, a velociraptor, and a triceratops. Visitors can learn about the prehistoric creatures, how they moved and ate, and even get a photo op with them. Entry with zoo admission. 3903 N. St. Mary’s St.
Now through Sept. 7
Witte Museum hosts “Pterosaurs: Flight in the Age of Dinosaurs,” an exhibit that explores how the world’s first vertebrates achieved powered flight. Free with museum admission. 3801 Broadway St.
Now through Sept. 7
The DoSeum hosts “Dinosaurs in Motion,” which features 14 life-size, interactive dinosaur sculptures crafted from recycled metal. Visitors are invited to engage directly with the mechanics behind each piece using levers, pulleys and remote controls to set the massive kinetic sculptures in motion. Here, guests, especially youngsters, can learn how to channel their curiosity and creativity. Entry with museum admission. 2800 Broadway St.
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.
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.
Now through Aug. 31
San Antonio Botanical Garden hosts Dog Days of Summer. Pet owners can bring their dog(s) on a leash or in a carrier between 8 a.m. (7 a.m. for SABG members) and noon any day now through Aug. 31 for $5 per canine. Pup cups will also be available. Free admission is available during these times for SABG members. 555 Funston Place.
ART EXHIBITS/SHOWS
Now through Aug. 23
McNay Art Museum is hosting “Tony Walton: Designer of Dreams,” an exhibition featuring designs from one of Hollywood and Broadway’s most prolific scenic and costume designers, whose creations are showcased in films such as “Mary Poppins” and “The Wiz,” or stage productions of “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” and “Chicago.” Entry with museum admission. 6000 N. New Braunfels Ave.
Now through Aug. 27
Centro Cultural Aztlan hosts “Había Una Vez,” San Antonio sisters Manola and Maria Ramirez’s interactive and immersive art exhibit that explores and commemorates the experiences and culture of immigrant families. Admission is free. 1800 Fredericksburg Road, Suite 103
Now through Aug. 30
Ruby City is hosting “Sensing Meaning, Abstract Painting,” a selection of 20-plus artists’ works from the mid-20th century through today that explore the art of abstraction. The exhibition runs through Aug. 30. Admission is free. 150 Camp St.
Now through Aug. 30
“A Postmodernist Says ¿Que?” is an exhibition that explores the Latinx experience framed within various realms of humor as a way for individuals and groups to connect to and understand each other. Admission is free. Centro de Artes, 101 S. Santa Rosa St.
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 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 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.
Now showing
Larry Graeber’s free exhibit “Silent Drift” has paintings, sculpture and works on paper depicting subjects of experiences and encounters. Central Library Gallery, 600 Soledad St.
Aug. 20
San Antonio Department of Arts and Culture holds a “Built on Legacy: Artists of San Antonio” panel discussion. The talk will examine the parameters of artistic legacy from the points of view of the artist, institutional and private collector, gallery representative, educator, scholar, and curator. 6-8 p.m. Admission is free. Culture Commons Gallery, 115 Plaza de Armas.
Aug. 21
San Antonio Art League and Museum will hold an opening reception for “One People, Many Paths: Sacred Art of Altars.” an exhibit of works by 50-plus artists who are displaying their personalized “nichos,” all created the same size and shape. This artistry is popular in the Southwest and has long been a vital part of San Antonio’s heritage. All altars will be available for purchase through an auction. 5-7 p.m. The exhibit is on view through Sept. 5. Admission is free. 130 King William St.
Aug. 21
San Antonio Street Art Initiative’s Third Friday activation features an opening reception of “Everybody’s Playhouse: Pee Wee Takes Over Chestnut.” More than 25 local artists have 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. There will be music, and vendors offering Pee-Wee Herman-themed treats and snacks. Attendees are encouraged to come in their favorite Pee-Wee Herman-driven costumes. 7-11 p.m. Admission is free. 313 Chestnut St.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Weekly
The city of San Antonio offers Downtown Thursday, a series of family friendly, public block parties that encourage residents and visitors to experience different parts of downtown. Programming after 5 p.m. includes music, art, culture, free light bites and drinks, kids’ activities and more through Aug. 27. 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.
Aug. 20
A Night In Old Blue Star is a chance for community members to view art exhibits, do some shopping, enjoy food and drink specials, take part in a scavenger hunt and experience other festivities at Blue Star Arts Complex’s galleries, restaurants, bars and boutiques. There is also a chance to win a gift basket with goodies. 5-10 p.m. Admission is free. 1420 S. Alamo St.
Aug. 22
Local organizations Mission City Athletics, Mission City Fastpitch and The Training Lab will offer a free softball clinic. Two-hour softball sessions will be taught to different age groups throughout the day (9-11 a.m.; noon-2 p.m. and 6:30-8:30 p.m.) In addition to softball fundamentals, skills and drills, participants will learn teamwork and positive attitude and how those intangibles will help youths in life. A waiver will be provided to all participants. Pre-registration and walkup registration are welcome. Westover Hills Athletic Complex, 9340 Westover Hills Blvd.
Aug. 22
Converse Animal Care will hold a block “paw-ty” for local residents. The event includes music, food vendors, free coffee drinks, a petting zoo, information from community groups and businesses, and pet adoptions. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Admission is free. Converse City Park, 307 School St.
Aug. 27
Texas Department of Transportation will have an open house on planned improvements coming to the Loop 410/U.S. 281 area, where work is anticipated to begin later this year. Community members may view drawings and get more information on the construction timeline, project plan, and other details. 5-7 p.m. Walker Ranch Senior Center, 835 W. Rhapsody Drive.
