San Antonio, August 26, 2025
News Summary
The City of San Antonio’s Department of Arts and Culture has inaugurated Fiestas Patrias and Hispanic Heritage Month 2025, a month-long celebration of Hispanic culture. The festivities commenced at Historic Market Square, featuring a performance by the Guadalupe Dance Company. The program includes over 40 events, a river parade, and an exhibit showcasing Mexican-American culture. The city aims to enhance community awareness and appreciation for Hispanic heritage throughout the celebration period.
San Antonio
The City of San Antonio’s Department of Arts and Culture has launched Fiestas Patrias and Hispanic Heritage Month 2025, a month-long program of cultural events that began with an opening ceremony on Monday at Historic Market Square. The opening included a special performance by the Guadalupe Dance Company and marks the start of a series of events honoring Dieciséis de Septiembre and the broader contributions of Hispanic and Latin American communities.
Key details
The celebrations coincide with Hispanic Heritage Month, observed from September 15 to October 15, and commemorate Mexico’s independence from Spain in 1810. The month-long program includes more than 40 scheduled events and a city directory that lists nearly 60 events occurring throughout the festival period. Many of the planned activities are free to attend and are designed to be family-friendly.
Featured events and highlights
Planned highlights for the festivities include a river parade in honor of Dieciséis de Septiembre, a salsa cookoff, a Mariachi festival, multiple music performances, children’s programming, and piñata-making demonstrations. The range of offerings is intended to deliver authentic cuisine, traditional and contemporary cultural experiences, and participatory activities suitable for all ages.
A prominent arts component of the celebrations is an exhibit titled Dining with Rolando Briseño: A 50-Year Retrospective, which focuses on Mexican‑American culture through artwork. The retrospective will remain on display through February 9, and Rolando Briseño is scheduled to give a public talk as part of the month’s programming on October 17.
Community goals and accessibility
The Fiestas Patrias activities aim to foster greater community awareness and appreciation of Hispanic culture and San Antonio’s historic ties to Mexico. The Department of Arts and Culture has emphasized a broad mix of performances, demonstrations, and exhibitions, with many events offered at no cost to encourage community participation.
Local-interest note
As part of related local-interest news during the festival period, a former local television journalist from San Antonio will appear on a national television series that premieres on September 29. This appearance has been noted as a point of local attention during the month of celebrations.
How to find events
A directory maintained on the city website lists nearly 60 events across the festival period. Attendees are encouraged to consult the directory for dates, times, and accessibility information. The schedule includes multiple simultaneous events on some days, allowing visitors to select activities that suit their interests and schedules.
Background context
Dieciséis de Septiembre commemorates the start of Mexico’s movement for independence from Spain in 1810 and is a central element of Fiestas Patrias programming. Hispanic Heritage Month, observed annually from September 15 to October 15, recognizes the histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latin American communities in the United States. San Antonio’s programming reflects the city’s longstanding cultural ties and the role of Mexican and Mexican‑American traditions in local civic life.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Hispanic Heritage Month run?
Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 to October 15.
What is Fiestas Patrias?
Fiestas Patrias is a month-long celebration that marks Dieciséis de Septiembre and celebrates the contributions and cultural influences of Hispanic and Latin American communities, including the commemoration of Mexico’s independence in 1810.
How many events are planned during the celebration?
There are over 40 scheduled events during the month-long celebration, and a city directory lists nearly 60 events across the festival period.
Are events free to attend?
Many events are free to attend. Specific entry information is available in the city’s event directory.
Who performed at the opening ceremony?
The opening ceremony at Historic Market Square featured a special performance by the Guadalupe Dance Company.
What is the Rolando Briseño retrospective and when does it run?
The exhibition titled “Dining with Rolando Briseño: A 50-Year Retrospective” focuses on Mexican‑American culture through art, will remain on display through February 9, and includes a public talk by Rolando Briseño on October 17.
Is there a local-interest event involving a San Antonio resident?
A former local television journalist from San Antonio will appear on a national television series that premieres on September 29, noted as a point of local interest during the festival period.
Key features of Fiestas Patrias and Hispanic Heritage Month 2025
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Host | City of San Antonio Department of Arts and Culture |
| Duration | Hispanic Heritage Month: September 15 – October 15; exhibit through February 9 |
| Opening | Opening ceremony held Monday at Historic Market Square; featured Guadalupe Dance Company |
| Number of events | Over 40 scheduled events; city directory lists nearly 60 events |
| Main highlights | River parade, salsa cookoff, Mariachi festival, music performances, children’s events, piñata-making |
| Major exhibit | Dining with Rolando Briseño: A 50-Year Retrospective (exhibit runs through February 9; talk on October 17) |
| Accessibility | Many events free; schedule and details listed in city directory |
Event timeline
| Date / Time | Event | Status / Source |
|---|---|---|
| September 15 | Start of Hispanic Heritage Month programming | Scheduled (City Department announcement) |
| September 16 | River parade in honor of Dieciséis de Septiembre (parade date corresponds to the national observance) | Planned (City Department programming) |
| September 29 | Local-interest television series premiere featuring a former San Antonio journalist | Noted (Local interest) |
| October 15 | End of Hispanic Heritage Month programming | Scheduled (City Department announcement) |
| October 17 | Rolando Briseño public talk (part of Hispanic Heritage Month events) | Planned (Exhibition schedule) |
| Through February 9 | Dining with Rolando Briseño: A 50-Year Retrospective (exhibit on display) | Ongoing (Exhibit schedule) |
Event statistics (visual)
Note: Visual bars represent the relative counts and descriptive data provided in the event summary and city listings. For precise scheduling, locations, and admission details, consult the city’s event directory.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
San Antonio Hosts Month-Long Cultural Events
Additional Resources
- KENS 5
- Wikipedia: Hispanic Heritage Month
- San Antonio Things To Do – Kids Events
- Google Search: San Antonio Fiestas Patrias
- CultureMap San Antonio
- Google Scholar: Mexican Independence Day
- KSAT
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Mexico Independence
- Fox San Antonio
- Google News: Dieciséis de Septiembre
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.
