Weekend Event Guide

Here are the top 7 things to do in San Antonio this weekend

Outdoor celebrations, a birthday bash, and can’t-miss concerts are all the reasons you need to explore the Alamo City for the next few days. Check out the top seven things to do in Austin this weekend. For a complete list of events, visit our calendar.

Thursday, September 19

Boeing Center presents Chromeo and The Midnight in concert
Electronic music artists Chromeo and The Midnight bring their co-headlining tour to the Boeing Center at Tech Port. Fans can expect songs from Chromeo’s new album, Adult Contemporary, and also a selection of music from The Midnight’s discography. The two will be joined by special guests Ruth Radelet and Girl Ultra. Tickets are available now.

Avatar: The Last Airbender in concert
Experience the popular animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender through sensory immersion and sound at Majestic Theatre. This production includes a selection of highlights from the show projected onscreen. The projection will accompany Avatar’s musical score performed by a live orchestra.

San Antonio Parks Foundation presents Jazz In The Garden

Photo by Francisco Cortes

Enjoy Jazz In The Garden featuring the Cartwright Brazilian Trio on September 20.

Friday, September 20

San Antonio Parks Foundation presents Jazz In The Garden
Jazz in The Garden returns for a fall season of live music, fresh evening air, and the botanical beauty of San Antonio’s Japanese Tea Garden. This month’s event features a live performance by the Cartwright Brazilian Trio. Guests are welcome to bring their own blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy the show in comfort. Beverages and food will be available for purchase at the Jingu House. Admission to this event is free. The monthly series continues through November.

SeaWorld San Antonio presents Howl-O-Scream
SeaWorld has undergone a spooky transformation with the return of Howl-O-Scream. Beginning at nightfall, the park comes to life with scare zones, haunted houses, signature Halloween bars, and more. Live entertainment and appearances by frightening guests are lurking around every corner. Entry to Howl-O-Scream is included with park admission and continues through October 27.

Tobin Center for the Performing Arts presents Ancient Aliens Live
Experience the long-running History Channel program Ancient Aliens live at Tobin Center for the Performing Arts. Audiences will hear from theorist Giorgio A. Tsoukalos, investigative mythologist William Henry, UK government UFO investigator Nick Pope, and and ancient civilizations expert Jason Martell in a discussion on theories and fan-favorite topics. Tickets are available now.

Saturday, September 21

Natural Bridge Caverns presents Butterflies & Blooms
Learn about butterflies and their natural habitats with hands-on activations and activities at Natural Bridge Caverns. The two-day event features live music, educational displays, yard games, scavenger hunts, and more. Guests will also get free seed packets to help them create their own butterfly-friendly environments at home. Admission is free and open to the public.

Tobin Center Birthday Block Party
Celebrate 10 years of the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts with a free block party for all ages. Party highlights include live music performances, games, fireworks, and more. Get a full schedule of events on the party website.

events things to do weekend activities weekend plans top 7 concerts outdoor live music halloween seaworld san antonio event planner

Garden Glow

San Antonio Botanical Garden glows with new winter lantern show

San Antonio Botanical Garden/Instagram

The exhibit featuring larger-than-life lantern sculptures opens November 29.

The San Antonio Botanical Garden is lighting up with a new concept called Illuminate for its annual holiday season light exhibition. Visitors can stroll through the garden after dark, guided by immersive light displays celebrating "the beauty of nature and cultural artistry," according to a press release. Illuminate will be open from November 29, 2024, to January 12, 2025.

Past efforts were called Lightscape, but Illuminate is created in collaboration with Tianyu Arts & Culture, a producer of Chinese lantern and other light shows. This partner is based in the United States, but it is a subsidiary of a company in China's Sichuan Province, giving it a strong claim to authenticity. A similar show called Tianyu Lights Festival has debuted in Dallas-Fort Worth this season.

Because the company specializes in lanterns, this show is different than a classic holiday lights display. Whereas a more standard show would draw 2D figures using individual string lights, these works are 3D sculptures made of translucent material and lit from the inside.

San Antonio Botanical Garden Illuminate Some of the sculptures affect how people interact with the space.San Antonio Botanical Garden/Instagram

The subject matter is also entirely different. Santa is nowhere to be found, and these works instead focus on flowers, insects, fish, birds, and other wild animals. Some of the lights also decorate the architecture that divides garden sections.

An FAQ section of the website says the self-paced walk is "a little over a mile long." There will be vendors onsite for food and drinks, and the Garden Gift Shop will be open.

Tickets (starting at $23 for adults and $18 for kids) are available for entry times every 30 minutes from 5:30-9 pm. Once a party enters, they can stay until closing time. Illuminate is for visitors of all ages, but minors under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Parking is also available for an additional charge.

visual art immersive holidays