Browse a list of select public events taking place in the San Antonio area between Oct. 1 and 15, be it online and/or in person. Have a community event you want to promote for free? Please email edmond@focusonsanantonio.com and eortiz@journalist.com with the basic details, including prices (if applicable) and public contact information.
STAGE
Now through Oct. 11
Trinity University Department of Human Communication and Theatre is performing “Sanctuary City,” a drama about two undocumented Newark, New Jersey teenagers who struggle to obtain love, safety and a secure future in a nation that has offered many promises, most of which seem unobtainable. Admission is free, but tickets are required. 7 p.m. Oct. 8 and 9; 8 p.m. Oct. 10 and 11. Attic Theater, Ruth Taylor Theater Building, Trinity University, 1 Trinity Place.
Now through Oct. 12
Magik Theatre is hosting performances of “Red Riding Hood,” with a humorous, more contemporary take on the classic fairy tale. Here, Wolfgang, a renowned actor, sets out to stage a one-man version of “Little Red Riding Hood” when he’s interrupted by a delivery girl with a mysterious package and plenty of opinions about how the story should go. Admission: $26.50-$33.50. Performance times vary. 420 S. Alamo St.
Oct. 15-19
Boerne Community Theatre’s Teen Troupe will perform “Annie Jr.,” based on the popular comic strip and adapted from the hit musical about a plucky orphan who fights adversity and finds a forever family. Admission; $. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 15 and 16; 8 p.m. Oct. 17; 2:30 and 8 p.m. Oct. 18; and 2:30 p.m. Oct. 19. 907 E. Blanco Road, Boerne. (830-249-9166)
MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES
Now through Jan. 4
“Improvisations” is one of the San Antonio Museum of Art’s new exhibits that displays works from Los Angeles-based artist Larry Bell. The art works here explore themes of light and surface by transforming industrial materials into physical realities. Admission varies. 200 W. Jones St.
Now through Feb. 1, 2026
“Enchanting Nature” is the McNay Art Museum’s newest exhibit, featuring works by American artist Sandy Skoglund. The display showcases Skoglund’s skills as a sculptor, installation artist and photographer. The exhibition is anchored by three distinct room-size environments, debuting the never-before-shown “Fresh Hybrid,” an installation that encourages the viewer to observe everyday life with fresh eyes. Admission varies. 6000 N. New Braunfels Ave.
Now through Feb. 22, 2026
Centro de Artes will host two new art exhibits. “Madre Land: South Texas Memory and the Art of Making Home,” on the first floor, will explore borderland culture through a variety of media. On the second floor, “Cuentos y Arte: Mexican American Folk Tales of the Southwest” will take on renowned Hispanic legends and folk tales such as the Weeping Woman and El Cucuy. Admission is free. 101 S. Santa Rosa St.
Now through Jan. 19, 2026
Briscoe Western Art Museum will present “Going to Texas: Five Centuries of Texas Maps,” an exhibition of 66 original maps from the Yana and Marty Davis Map Collection on loan from the Museum of the Big Bend at Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas. The display spans nearly 500 years, from 1525 to 2006, chronicling Texas’ transformation from colonial and frontier land to one of the nation’s largest states. Admission varies. 210 W. Market St.
MOVIES
Oct. 10-12
San Antonio QFest/LGBT International Film Festival will offer curated feature, documentary and short films from around the world. Show times vary. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. City Base Cinema, 2623 S.E. Military Drive.
MUSIC
Oct. 9-12
The 39th annual Gruene Music and Wine Festival features several Texas and Americana musical acts, such as Jamey Johnson, Cody Canada, and the Josh Abbott Band, alongside a celebration of beer and wine made in Texas. Activities take place at different venues in the Gruene entertainment district. Proceeds go to benefit the United Way of Comal County. Admission varies.
Oct. 10
San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department will present “Jazz in the Garden” – live jazz music with Toro Flores and Hot Sauce. Admission by $5 suggested donation; refreshments are available to purchase at the Jingu House. 6:30- p.m. Japanese Tea Gardens, 3853 N. St. Mary’s St.
Oct. 11
San Antonio Philharmonic and Avenida Guadalupe Association will present “Musica Libre!” a program that will blend classical music with the spectacle of wrestling. Admission is free. 6:30 p.m. 1314 Guadalupe St.
Oct. 11
LULAC Council 4947 will present the Diez y Seis Mariachi Festival, featuring performances by middle and high school students from schools across the San Antonio area, in a Hispanic Heritage Month event. There will also be food and arts and crafts vendors. Admission is free. 2-9 p.m. Arneson River Theater, 418 Villita St.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Oct. 7
National Night Out is an annual opportunity (first Tuesday in October in Texas) for community members to get better acquainted with each other and their local police, fire and EMS workers – all in the name of crime prevention and boosting public safety. Contact your respective city, county or neighborhood association to see if any block party or event is taking place at dusk.
Oct. 10
Burger Showdown 6.0 will have 12 top local chefs showing off their burger-cooking skills. Guests will get to vote for their favorite chef, and a panel of judges will determine a winning chef, with a third chef chosen as a runner-up, which factors in both primary categories). The host venue will have beer, cocktails and more available for purchase. Proceeds will benefit Mercy Chefs, an organization of area chefs who use their skills to help those in crisis; in this case, proceeds will go to flood recovery efforts in the Hill Country. Tickets start at $65. 6:30 p.m. Cherrity Bar, 302 Montana St.
Oct. 11
Friends of Encino Branch Library will hold a book sale fundraiser, featuring a variety of books, DVDs, videos and other items at low prices. Proceeds go to help programming at the city of San Antonio’s Encino Park-area branch library. Admission is free. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. 2515 E. Evans Road.
Oct. 11
Paws with Purpose Expo is an event that celebrates the connection between humans and animals. The family friendly program will include pet adoption opportunities, a chance to meet therapy/service animals, 30-plus animal welfare organizations and businesses, educational presentations, interactive exhibits, refreshments and other outdoor activities. Admission: $10 for adults, free for children 15-under. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. San Antonio Food Bank, 5200 Old Hwy. 90 W.
Oct. 11-12
The annual Barbacoa and Big Red Festival will have several vendors offering their signature barbacoa dishes – with plenty of Big Red soda to wash it all down. There will be other food and beverage options alongside several musical acts. Admission: $8 general per day, free for children ages 12-under. VIP admission is also available. Noon-midnight Oct. 11, noon-11 p.m. Oct. 12. Freeman Coliseum and Expo Hall, 3201 E. Houston St.
