Editor's note: As 2023 comes to a close, we're looking back at the stories that defined San Antonio this year, and that includes entertainment around town. San Antonians were most interested in celebrity TV buzz, popular movies, and local festivals. Here are the top 10 entertainment headlines of 2023.
1. Gwen Stefani had 'a plan' for San Antonio singer in knockout round on 'The Voice'. A little more than a month after her standout audition on NBC's The Voice – which inspired all four famous judges to commit to battling for her as a protege for the season – San Antonio singer Rudi stunned again and came out unscathed from a three-way knockout round.
2. Texas Renaissance Festival calls adventurers to mead up for ale, performances, and more. The Texas Renaissance Festival welcomed people of all ages to come experience the magic of the nation’s largest and most acclaimed festival of food, fun, and immersive experiences.
3. Barbie movie pops out of the box with existential adventure that's fun for all. As with Barbie herself, Barbie is a self-referential ode to the many types of Barbies, Kens, and other dolls that have been put out over the years, complete with shots at parent company Mattel.
It's time to roll out like Barbie and Ken, San Antonio.
Photo courtesy of Warner Bros.
4. New documentary explores Austin and San Antonio as an emerging mega-metro. The program focuses on the region's growth and the challenges that arise with such rapid expansion, like water scarcity, environmental impacts, and increasingly common transportation and traffic woes.
5. 3 Central Texas tours ranked among Tripadvisor's best experiences in the nation. From sightseeing to wine-drinking, there is plenty to do on a day trip around the San Antonio area.
6. Sideways star and director reunite for simply great film The Holdovers. Set in 1970 at a private New England boarding school called Barton Academy, The Holdovers centers on history teacher Paul Hunham (Paul Giamatti), a curmudgeon whose life revolves around the school.
7. Historic San Antonio venue chugs ahead with new owners and all-day music festival. Ambassador Theatre Group, the company behind the Majestic and Empire Theatres, has taken over The Espee in St. Paul's Square and celebrated with an all-day music festival.
New owners have revived The Espee.
Photo courtesy of Ambassador Theatre Group
8. Free festival swings into Balcones Heights with smooth jazz hitmaker. As the San Antonio Parks Foundation trumpeted the details of Jazz'SAlive in Civic Park, Balcones Heights was busy announcing its own free jazz festival on July 28.
9. San Antonio is the 3rd geekiest city in America. Heads up gamers, it looks like the Alamo City is more than just a place for the history buffs.
10. San Antonio golf course scores title from Texas Monthly as one of the state's best. You can't swing a Callaway or TaylorMade in San Antonio without hitting a great opportunity to golf.
