San Antonio, TX, October 22, 2025
News Summary
Downtown San Antonio is set to welcome over 100,000 visitors during the weekend of October 24-26 for major events including concerts and cultural festivals. City planners are proactively enhancing transit services and crowd management strategies to accommodate the expected influx. Notable events include Paul McCartney at the Alamodome and Muertos Fest at Hemisfair, with local officials advising attendees to plan their travel and parking arrangements in advance to alleviate potential congestion.
San Antonio
More than 100,000 people are expected to travel to downtown San Antonio from October 24-26, 2025.
More than 100,000 people are expected to travel to downtown San Antonio from October 24-26, 2025, during a weekend that includes multiple major events and heightened traffic and crowd management measures. City planners and public safety officials are preparing expanded transit services, designated ride-share zones, and increased monitoring to help manage the influx. The crowd size is expected to rival a past large sporting weekend in the city.
What is happening this weekend
- Major events during this weekend include:
- Paul McCartney’s concert at the Alamodome.
- Muertos Fest at Hemisfair.
- Day of the Dead San Antonio at La Villita.
- Michael W. Smith’s performance at the Tobin Center.
- Various shows at both the Majestic and Aztec theatres.
- City officials noted that this crowd size rivals what was witnessed during the Final Four weekend.
Primary concerns and operational adjustments
A major challenge expected is parking and traffic congestion. To address that, the local transit agency is expanding Park & Ride services, operating shuttles, creating a designated rideshare zone, and coordinating traffic signal timing with public safety agencies. Attendees are advised to plan travel and parking in advance.
Transit and parking measures
- To alleviate the influx, VIA is expanding its Park & Ride service with three drop-off and pick-up locations:
- Frost Bank Center.
- Brooks Transit Center.
- Crossroads.
- The Park & Ride service will run from 3 p.m. to midnight.
- VIA will also operate its Primo Route 100 shuttle service, connecting downtown garages to the Robert Thompson Transit Center near the Alamodome.
- A new designated rideshare pick-up and drop-off zone will be established at Ellis Alley on Chestnut Avenue.
- Those driving downtown can reserve parking spots in advance through ParkWhiz via the Alamodome’s website.
Safety, traffic management and timing
- Events are scheduled from 11 a.m. to midnight.
- The city stated that no new downtown road closures or detours are planned for this weekend.
- Public Works is coordinating with the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) to manage event-related traffic signal timing.
- The SAPD will increase the number of officers on duty based on expected attendance.
- The SAPD’s FUSION center will monitor events to ensure safety for attendees.
- Attendees intending to consume alcohol are advised to arrange for safe rides home.
Practical advice for attendees
Attendees are encouraged to arrive early and plan ahead for the events. Use of the expanded Park & Ride services, shuttle connections, rideshare zones, and pre-reserved parking will reduce delays. Expect heavier-than-normal traffic downtown during peak arrival and departure windows, and allow extra time for travel.
Context
The cluster of concerts, cultural festivals and theater performances is concentrated in and around downtown venues, drawing both local residents and out-of-town visitors. The city’s decision to expand transit options and coordinate traffic management reflects anticipated demand on roads, garages and pedestrian routes. No new road closures are expected, but signal timing and officer deployment will be adjusted as needed to respond to real-time conditions.
FAQ
How many people are expected to travel to downtown San Antonio from October 24-26, 2025?
More than 100,000 people are expected to travel to downtown San Antonio from October 24-26, 2025.
What major events will take place this weekend?
Major events during this weekend include:
Paul McCartney’s concert at the Alamodome.
Muertos Fest at Hemisfair.
Day of the Dead San Antonio at La Villita.
Michael W. Smith’s performance at the Tobin Center.
Various shows at both the Majestic and Aztec theatres.
Does this weekend’s crowd compare to other large events?
City officials noted that this crowd size rivals what was witnessed during the Final Four weekend.
What is the major challenge expected?
A major challenge expected is parking and traffic congestion.
What Park & Ride arrangements are being made?
To alleviate the influx, VIA is expanding its Park & Ride service with three drop-off and pick-up locations:
Frost Bank Center.
Brooks Transit Center.
Crossroads.
When will the Park & Ride service operate?
The Park & Ride service will run from 3 p.m. to midnight.
What shuttle service is available?
VIA will also operate its Primo Route 100 shuttle service, connecting downtown garages to the Robert Thompson Transit Center near the Alamodome.
Where will rideshare pick-up and drop-off be located?
A new designated rideshare pick-up and drop-off zone will be established at Ellis Alley on Chestnut Avenue.
What are the event hours?
Events are scheduled from 11 a.m. to midnight.
Can I reserve parking in advance?
Those driving downtown can reserve parking spots in advance through ParkWhiz via the Alamodome’s website.
Will the city close downtown roads?
The city stated that no new downtown road closures or detours are planned for this weekend.
How are traffic signals and safety being managed?
Public Works is coordinating with the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) to manage event-related traffic signal timing.
Will law enforcement staffing change?
The SAPD will increase the number of officers on duty based on expected attendance.
How will events be monitored for safety?
The SAPD’s FUSION center will monitor events to ensure safety for attendees.
What should attendees who plan to drink alcohol do?
Attendees intending to consume alcohol are advised to arrange for safe rides home.
What planning advice is given to attendees?
Attendees are encouraged to arrive early and plan ahead for the events.
Key features
| Key Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Expected visitors | More than 100,000 people are expected to travel to downtown San Antonio from October 24-26, 2025. |
| Major events | Paul McCartney at the Alamodome; Muertos Fest at Hemisfair; Day of the Dead San Antonio at La Villita; Michael W. Smith at the Tobin Center; shows at Majestic and Aztec theatres. |
| Primary challenge | A major challenge expected is parking and traffic congestion. |
| Park & Ride locations | Frost Bank Center; Brooks Transit Center; Crossroads. Service runs from 3 p.m. to midnight. |
| Shuttle | Primo Route 100 connecting downtown garages to the Robert Thompson Transit Center near the Alamodome. |
| Rideshare zone | Ellis Alley on Chestnut Avenue. |
Event timeline
| Date/Time | Event | Status/Source |
|---|---|---|
| October 24-26, 2025 (various times) | Paul McCartney’s concert at the Alamodome | Scheduled / City officials |
| October 24-26, 2025 (11 a.m. to midnight) | Muertos Fest at Hemisfair | Scheduled / City officials |
| October 24-26, 2025 (11 a.m. to midnight) | Day of the Dead San Antonio at La Villita | Scheduled / City officials |
| October 24-26, 2025 (various times) | Michael W. Smith’s performance at the Tobin Center | Scheduled / City officials |
| October 24-26, 2025 (various times) | Various shows at Majestic and Aztec theatres | Scheduled / City officials |
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Additional Resources
- San Antonio Things To Do
- Wikipedia: San Antonio
- Axios San Antonio
- Google Search: San Antonio weekend events
- San Antonio CultureMap
- Google Scholar: San Antonio events
- KSAT San Antonio
- Encyclopedia Britannica: San Antonio
- KENS5 San Antonio
- Google News: San Antonio events
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.
