San Antonio, October 16, 2025
News Summary
The 15th annual Luminaria Contemporary Arts Festival promises an unforgettable experience in San Antonio’s St. Paul Square. Scheduled for October, the event will showcase the work of over 200 artists from diverse disciplines, including visual art, dance, and music. Free to all ages, attendees can expect live performances and unique installations. Don’t miss the special tribute to local legend Flaco Jiménez amid this celebration of creativity.
San Antonio — The 15th annual Luminaria Contemporary Arts Festival will take place on Saturday, October 18, 2025, running from 6 p.m. to midnight in St. Paul Square. The event will transform the square into a dynamic open-air gallery featuring the work of over 200 artists across multiple disciplines, and the festival is free and open to all ages.
What to expect at the festival
The festival will feature the work of over 200 artists across multiple disciplines including visual art, digital media, film, dance, live music, poetry, and interactive installations. Attendees are invited to explore the historic streets where Commerce and Downtown meet as San Antonio artists present a variety of disciplines, including visual art, music, performance, and installations. Featured artists for the event include local San Antonio talent as well as artists from other states and countries.
Programming highlights
- Live performances from artists including Monique Martinez, The34K, Brooklyn Michelle, and Urban-15.
- Filmmaker participation from Jose Raul Corres and Caleb Barber, with performance collaborations including Performance in Flux and Navajo Nation artist Ryan Begay.
- Contributions from local organizations such as the San Antonio Street Art Initiative and D.R.E.A.M Mural Arts District.
- A special tribute to the late Flaco Jiménez, featuring actor Jesse Borrego and Flaco’s son, Arturo Jimenez.
Access and extras
The festival is free and open to all ages, aiming to provide an unforgettable evening of creative expression and local culture. VIP passes for the event can be obtained via The Espee’s website. Luminaria is also hosting a pop-up art exhibition titled “It’s Hot!” at The Aiden Hotel, which celebrates Texas summer through local artists’ works and is open 24/7 until September 12, 2025.
Leadership and background
Architect and arts advocate Eduardo Garcia has been elected as Chair of the Board of Directors for Luminaria. Garcia brings over 30 years of experience in architecture, design, and public art, having worked across the U.S., Mexico, South America, the Caribbean, and Europe. Luminaria was founded in 2008 to celebrate creative expression in San Antonio. The festival’s programming reflects San Antonio’s unique heritage while fostering nationally and internationally resonant creative experiences, and it is positioned as one of the most significant contemporary arts festivals in South Texas, enhancing community engagement through diverse artistic presentations.
Event logistics
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, October 18, 2025 |
| Time | 6 p.m. to midnight |
| Location | St. Paul Square (where Commerce and Downtown meet) |
| Artists | Over 200 artists |
| Disciplines | Visual art, digital media, film, dance, live music, poetry, interactive installations |
| Admission | Free and open to all ages |
| Pop-up exhibition | “It’s Hot!” at The Aiden Hotel, open 24/7 until September 12, 2025 |
| Board Chair | Eduardo Garcia |
| Founded | 2008 |
Timeline
| Date/Time | Event | Status/Source |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, October 18, 2025 — 6 p.m. to midnight | The 15th annual Luminaria Contemporary Arts Festival | Scheduled — festival announcement |
| Until September 12, 2025 — open 24/7 | Luminaria pop-up exhibition “It’s Hot!” at The Aiden Hotel | Ongoing until specified end date |
| 2008 | Luminaria was founded to celebrate creative expression in San Antonio | Founding year |
| Not specified | Architect and arts advocate Eduardo Garcia has been elected as Chair of the Board of Directors for Luminaria | Election announced (date not provided) |
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FAQ
The 15th annual Luminaria Contemporary Arts Festival will take place on Saturday, October 18, 2025.
The festival will run from 6 p.m. to midnight.
The festival will run from 6 p.m. to midnight.
St. Paul Square will be transformed into a dynamic open-air gallery for the event.
St. Paul Square will be transformed into a dynamic open-air gallery for the event.
The festival will feature the work of over 200 artists across multiple disciplines including visual art, digital media, film, dance, live music, poetry, and interactive installations.
The festival will feature the work of over 200 artists across multiple disciplines including visual art, digital media, film, dance, live music, poetry, and interactive installations.
Featured artists for the event include local San Antonio talent as well as artists from other states and countries.
The festival is free and open to all ages, aiming to provide an unforgettable evening of creative expression and local culture.
VIP passes for the event can be obtained via The Espee’s website.
Luminaria is also hosting a pop-up art exhibition titled “It’s Hot!” at The Aiden Hotel, which celebrates Texas summer through local artists’ works and is open 24/7 until September 12, 2025.
The Aiden Hotel pop-up is open 24/7 until September 12, 2025.
Architect and arts advocate Eduardo Garcia has been elected as Chair of the Board of Directors for Luminaria.
Garcia brings over 30 years of experience in architecture, design, and public art, having worked across the U.S., Mexico, South America, the Caribbean, and Europe.
Luminaria was founded in 2008 to celebrate creative expression in San Antonio.
The festival’s programming reflects San Antonio’s unique heritage while fostering nationally and internationally resonant creative experiences.
A special tribute to the late Flaco Jiménez will be included, featuring actor Jesse Borrego and Flaco’s son, Arturo Jimenez.
The tribute will be included in the festival programming.
Luminaria is positioned as one of the most significant contemporary arts festivals in South Texas, enhancing community engagement through diverse artistic presentations.
The festival aims to enhance community engagement through diverse artistic presentations.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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San Antonio Celebrates October with Festivals and Events
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Armando Sánchez Unveils ‘Lust for Art’ at Bihl Haus Arts
San Antonio Artist Elizabeth Rodriguez Passes Away at 56
Additional Resources
- KENS5
- Wikipedia: Flaco Jimenez
- San Antonio Current
- Google Search: Luminaria Contemporary Arts Festival
- San Antonio Express-News
- Google Scholar: Luminaria Contemporary Arts Festival
- News 4 San Antonio
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Luminaria Festival
- San Antonio Current
- Google News: Luminaria Contemporary Arts Festival
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