San Antonio, October 12, 2025
News Summary
San Antonio welcomes the fall season with a vibrant array of family-friendly festivals and concerts from October 9-12. Highlighting the calendar are the Gruene Music & Wine Festival, performances by Melissa Etheridge and the Indigo Girls, and numerous cultural celebrations, including Oktoberfest and Diwali events. Families can enjoy activities like the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo Fest and KLRN Kids Fall Festival, while food enthusiasts will savor offerings at the Barbacoa and Big Red Festival and the San Antonio Beer Festival.
San Antonio — Free family fun and foodie-approved festivals and a busy schedule of concerts and performances mark the start of the fall season, with multiple events planned across the city from October 9-12 and additional fall festivals later in October and November. The following calendar highlights major appearances, family activities, cultural celebrations and food-focused festivals taking place in San Antonio during the mid-October window and beyond.
Key overview
Concerts and events are scheduled from October 9-12 across various venues in the city. A mix of ticketed concerts, free outdoor shows, family-friendly activities and food festivals are on the calendar. Several single-day and multi-day events are concentrated the weekend of October 9-12, with other notable festivals occurring on October 18 and into November.
Highlighted events (dates and short descriptions)
Below are event listings and short descriptions. Each sentence is presented as an exact summary of the scheduled activity.
Free family fun and foodie-approved festivals mark the beginning of the fall season in San Antonio.
The Gruene Music & Wine Festival runs from October 9-12 and includes concerts, wine tastings, and food vendors.
On October 9, rock musician Melissa Etheridge and the Indigo Girls perform live at The Espee.
A free Jazz in the Garden concert featuring Toro Flores & Hot Sauce is scheduled for October 10 at the Japanese Tea Garden.
iLuminate, a performance group known for their LED costumes, performs on October 10 at the Empire Theatre.
Movie night under the stars with the film “Curly Sue” takes place at the Tobin Center on October 11.
Twilight in Concert, celebrating the 15th anniversary of the film, will be held on October 12 at the Majestic Theatre with a live band.
Metal band Mudvayne performs live at the Boeing Center as part of their L.D. 50 25th Anniversary Tour, also on October 12.
The Barbacoa and Big Red Festival takes place on October 11-12 at the Freeman Coliseum, featuring a mini mercado and entertainment.
The San Antonio Botanical Garden hosts Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo Fest with Halloween-themed shows on October 10-11.
ConcordiaFest will occur on October 12, offering rides, games, and food at Huebner Road.
The Diez y Seis Mariachi Festival will be held on October 11 at the Arneson River Theatre, featuring student performances.
KLRN Kids Fall Festival offers educational activities and a meet and greet with Elmo on October 11 at Mission Marquee Plaza.
The Monarch Butterfly and Pollinator Festival is scheduled for October 18 at Brackenridge Park, featuring nature education activities.
Oktoberfest celebrations featuring music and German food will occur at two locations, The Rock at La Cantera and Six Flags Fiesta Texas, through mid-October.
The annual San Antonio Beer Festival returns on October 18, showcasing beers, local food, and live music.
Diwali celebrations, including themed festivals, are scheduled for November as part of the fall festival season.
Practical notes
- Event formats include outdoor free concerts, ticketed theatre performances, family festival activities, and food-focused fairs.
- Venues mentioned range from theatres and parks to sports and convention facilities across the city.
- Attendees should verify dates, times and ticketing requirements with event organizers prior to arrival.
What to expect
Expect a mix of live music genres (rock, jazz, metal, mariachi), family programming (kids festivals, Halloween shows, movie nights), cultural celebrations (Diwali-themed events, Oktoberfest), and food-centered festivals (barbacoa, beer festival, wine festival). Multiple events offer free admission or family-focused programming, while larger concerts and special anniversary tours are ticketed.
Event features table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Date range | Primarily October 9-12, with additional events on October 18 and Diwali-themed events in November |
| Types of activities | Concerts, family festivals, cultural celebrations, food and drink festivals, outdoor and indoor performances |
| Notable headliners and acts | Melissa Etheridge and the Indigo Girls; Toro Flores & Hot Sauce; iLuminate; Mudvayne; Twilight in Concert live band |
| Family offerings | Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo Fest; KLRN Kids Fall Festival with Elmo; movie night “Curly Sue”; ConcordiaFest rides and games |
| Food and beverage highlights | Gruene Music & Wine Festival; Barbacoa and Big Red Festival; Oktoberfest locations; San Antonio Beer Festival |
Timeline of selected events
| Date/Time | Event | Status/Source |
|---|---|---|
| October 9-12 | The Gruene Music & Wine Festival runs from October 9-12 and includes concerts, wine tastings, and food vendors. | Scheduled |
| October 9 | On October 9, rock musician Melissa Etheridge and the Indigo Girls perform live at The Espee. | Scheduled |
| October 10 | A free Jazz in the Garden concert featuring Toro Flores & Hot Sauce is scheduled for October 10 at the Japanese Tea Garden. | Scheduled |
| October 10 | iLuminate, a performance group known for their LED costumes, performs on October 10 at the Empire Theatre. | Scheduled |
| October 11 | Movie night under the stars with the film “Curly Sue” takes place at the Tobin Center on October 11. | Scheduled |
| October 12 | Twilight in Concert, celebrating the 15th anniversary of the film, will be held on October 12 at the Majestic Theatre with a live band. | Scheduled |
| October 12 | Metal band Mudvayne performs live at the Boeing Center as part of their L.D. 50 25th Anniversary Tour, also on October 12. | Scheduled |
| October 11-12 | The Barbacoa and Big Red Festival takes place on October 11-12 at the Freeman Coliseum, featuring a mini mercado and entertainment. | Scheduled |
| October 10-11 | The San Antonio Botanical Garden hosts Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo Fest with Halloween-themed shows on October 10-11. | Scheduled |
| October 11 | The Diez y Seis Mariachi Festival will be held on October 11 at the Arneson River Theatre, featuring student performances. | Scheduled |
| October 11 | KLRN Kids Fall Festival offers educational activities and a meet and greet with Elmo on October 11 at Mission Marquee Plaza. | Scheduled |
| October 12 | ConcordiaFest will occur on October 12, offering rides, games, and food at Huebner Road. | Scheduled |
| October 18 | The Monarch Butterfly and Pollinator Festival is scheduled for October 18 at Brackenridge Park, featuring nature education activities. | Scheduled |
| Mid-October (through) | Oktoberfest celebrations featuring music and German food will occur at two locations, The Rock at La Cantera and Six Flags Fiesta Texas, through mid-October. | Scheduled |
| October 18 | The annual San Antonio Beer Festival returns on October 18, showcasing beers, local food, and live music. | Scheduled |
| November | Diwali celebrations, including themed festivals, are scheduled for November as part of the fall festival season. | Scheduled |
Simple visual charts (event counts by type)
Counts below are a simple categorization of the listed events by primary type.
FAQ
When does The Gruene Music & Wine Festival run and what does it include?
The Gruene Music & Wine Festival runs from October 9-12 and includes concerts, wine tastings, and food vendors.
Who performs at The Espee on October 9?
On October 9, rock musician Melissa Etheridge and the Indigo Girls perform live at The Espee.
Is there a free jazz concert in October?
A free Jazz in the Garden concert featuring Toro Flores & Hot Sauce is scheduled for October 10 at the Japanese Tea Garden.
What special performance is scheduled at the Empire Theatre on October 10?
iLuminate, a performance group known for their LED costumes, performs on October 10 at the Empire Theatre.
What family movie event is planned at the Tobin Center?
Movie night under the stars with the film “Curly Sue” takes place at the Tobin Center on October 11.
What event marks the 15th anniversary of a film on October 12?
Twilight in Concert, celebrating the 15th anniversary of the film, will be held on October 12 at the Majestic Theatre with a live band.
Which metal band performs at the Boeing Center on October 12?
Metal band Mudvayne performs live at the Boeing Center as part of their L.D. 50 25th Anniversary Tour, also on October 12.
When and where is the Barbacoa and Big Red Festival?
The Barbacoa and Big Red Festival takes place on October 11-12 at the Freeman Coliseum, featuring a mini mercado and entertainment.
What are the dates for Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo Fest?
The San Antonio Botanical Garden hosts Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo Fest with Halloween-themed shows on October 10-11.
When is ConcordiaFest and what does it offer?
ConcordiaFest will occur on October 12, offering rides, games, and food at Huebner Road.
When and where is the Diez y Seis Mariachi Festival?
The Diez y Seis Mariachi Festival will be held on October 11 at the Arneson River Theatre, featuring student performances.
What family activities does the KLRN Kids Fall Festival include?
KLRN Kids Fall Festival offers educational activities and a meet and greet with Elmo on October 11 at Mission Marquee Plaza.
When is the Monarch Butterfly and Pollinator Festival?
The Monarch Butterfly and Pollinator Festival is scheduled for October 18 at Brackenridge Park, featuring nature education activities.
Where are Oktoberfest celebrations being held?
Oktoberfest celebrations featuring music and German food will occur at two locations, The Rock at La Cantera and Six Flags Fiesta Texas, through mid-October.
When does the San Antonio Beer Festival return?
The annual San Antonio Beer Festival returns on October 18, showcasing beers, local food, and live music.
Are there Diwali events during the fall season?
Diwali celebrations, including themed festivals, are scheduled for November as part of the fall festival season.
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Additional Resources
- KSAT: Fall Festivals in San Antonio
- Wikipedia: Fall Festival
- San Antonio Things to Do: Free and Fun Events
- Google Search: San Antonio Events October 2025
- SA Current: Pumpkin Patches and Corn Mazes
- Google Scholar: San Antonio Fall Festivals
- CultureMap San Antonio: Best Pumpkin Patches
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Halloween Celebrations
- Community Impact: Festivals and Food Trucks
- Google News: San Antonio Food Festivals
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
