San Antonio Hosts Weekend of Festivals and Family Fun

Visitors enjoying a festival in San Antonio with colorful decorations and food stalls.

San Antonio, October 15, 2025

News Summary

San Antonio is gearing up for a vibrant weekend loaded with festivals, cultural events, and family-friendly activities from October 17-19. Major happenings include the San Antonio Beer Festival and Big Texas Comicon, alongside seasonal attractions like drive-thru light shows and local culinary festivals. The weekend promises diverse options with ticketed events as well as free activities perfect for families. Visitors will find plenty to do across parks, museums, and shopping centers throughout the city.

San Antonio — The city will host a packed weekend of festivals, family activities and cultural events from October 17-19, 2025, with major single-day events concentrated on October 18 and ongoing attractions running through late October and early November. Highlights include the San Antonio Beer Festival, Big Texas Comicon, seasonal drive-thru light and corn maze attractions, and a range of free, family-friendly activities across parks, museums and shopping centers.

Top-line details

The San Antonio Beer Festival is scheduled at Civic Park, Hemisfair with operations from noon to 6:30 PM on October 18, and Entry starts at $45. The Big Texas Comicon runs at the Henry B. González Convention Center from October 17-19. Seasonal attractions include Corny Maze + Enchanted Lights at Traders Village from September 19 to November 1 and the Natural Bridge Caverns Amazen’ Ranch Round-Up from October 17-November 1. Other headline events include an Oktoberfest at The Rock at La Cantera on October 17-18, a Romanian Food Festival – Dracula Fest at Rosedale Park on October 18 from 11 AM to 8 PM, and a Tequila & Tacos Festival at Tower of the Americas on October 18.

Where to find free and family-friendly options

  • Fall Festival – Bexar County Pct. 2 at Rodriguez Park on October 18 from 12 PM to 4 PM, with trunk-or-treating, a petting zoo, costume contests and food trucks.
  • International Archaeology Day at San Antonio Museum of Art on October 18 from 10 AM to 3 PM, offering free educational activities and craft stations.
  • Holly Market of New Braunfels from October 17-19, featuring over 130 vendors.
  • Día de los Muertos Fashion Show at The Shops at La Cantera on October 18 at 6 PM.
  • Spooky Sprint 5k/10k & Half Marathon at McAllister Park on October 19 at 8 AM.

Recurring and seasonal offerings

  • Mariachi Performances at Hotel Contessa — free live mariachi music every Friday from 6:30 PM to 9 PM from October 17 until December 26.
  • October Beer Garden at San Antonio Botanical Garden — beverages, live music and interactive activities every weekend from October 4-26.
  • Corny Maze + Enchanted Lights — a drive-thru light show with carnival games, a corn maze, petting zoo and food concessions at Traders Village from September 19 to November 1.

Miscellaneous community and pet-friendly notes

  • Pet-friendly events and festival activity include Barktoberfest with dog costume contests and adoption events at Main Plaza in Boerne on October 18.
  • Interactive and educational experiences include the Monarch Butterfly & Pollinator Festival at Brackenridge Park on October 18 from 9 AM to 2 PM.
  • Children’s Admission Free: For select events at San Antonio Zoo and Morgan’s Wonderland Halloween Bash.

What to plan for this weekend

Expect a mix of ticketed and free events, family-focused activities, cultural celebrations and holiday-themed attractions. Several major events concentrate on October 18, while other attractions run over multiple days or weekends through late October and early November. Attendees should check event hours and ticketing in advance for time-limited activities like tastings, concerts and seasonal light shows.

FAQ

When and where is the San Antonio Beer Festival?

An annual event featuring hundreds of craft beers, live music, food trucks, and vendors at Civic Park, Hemisfair from noon to 6:30 PM on October 18. Entry starts at $45.

What are the dates for Big Texas Comicon?

Pop culture convention at Henry B. González Convention Center featuring celebrity guests, panels, and merchandise from October 17-19.

When does Corny Maze + Enchanted Lights run?

A drive-thru light show with carnival games, a corn maze, petting zoo, and food concessions at Traders Village from September 19 to November 1.

What activities are included in Natural Bridge Caverns Amazen’ Ranch Round-Up?

Featuring free trick-or-treating, live music, and hay maze activities from October 17-November 1.

Where and when is the Romanian Food Festival – Dracula Fest?

Showcasing Romanian cuisine, crafts, and traditions at Rosedale Park from 11 AM to 8 PM on October 18.

What free family events are available on October 18?

Fall Festival – Bexar County Pct. 2 featuring trunk-or-treating, a petting zoo, costume contests, and food trucks at Rodriguez Park on October 18 from 12 PM to 4 PM; International Archaeology Day at San Antonio Museum of Art with free educational activities and craft stations from 10 AM to 3 PM on October 18; Monarch Butterfly & Pollinator Festival at Brackenridge Park on October 18 from 9 AM to 2 PM; and other activities.

When are recurring mariachi performances and the October Beer Garden?

Mariachi Performances at Hotel Contessa: Free live mariachi music every Friday from 6:30 PM to 9 PM from October 17 until December 26. October Beer Garden at San Antonio Botanical Garden: Enjoy beverages, live music, and interactive activities every weekend from October 4-26.

Key features

Feature Details
Dates October 17-19, 2025 (with multi-week attractions from September 19 to November 1)
Major Events San Antonio Beer Festival; Big Texas Comicon; Corny Maze + Enchanted Lights; Natural Bridge Caverns Amazen’ Ranch Round-Up; Oktoberfest; Romanian Food Festival – Dracula Fest; Tequila & Tacos Festival; Halloween-themed events
Family & Free Options Fall Festival – Bexar County Pct. 2; International Archaeology Day at San Antonio Museum of Art; Holly Market of New Braunfels; Día de los Muertos Fashion Show; Spooky Sprint 5k/10k & Half Marathon
Recurring Events Mariachi Performances at Hotel Contessa; October Beer Garden at San Antonio Botanical Garden
Pet-Friendly Barktoberfest and other events with pet activities
Notable pricing San Antonio Beer Festival entry starts at $45; other events vary

Event timeline

Date / Time Event Status / Source
September 19 – November 1 Corny Maze + Enchanted Lights at Traders Village Scheduled — Event listing
October 17-19 Big Texas Comicon at Henry B. González Convention Center Scheduled — Event listing
October 17-November 1 Natural Bridge Caverns Amazen’ Ranch Round-Up Scheduled — Event listing
October 17-18 Oktoberfest at The Rock at La Cantera Scheduled — Event listing
October 18, noon–6:30 PM San Antonio Beer Festival at Civic Park, Hemisfair Scheduled — Event listing
October 18, 11 AM–8 PM Romanian Food Festival – Dracula Fest at Rosedale Park Scheduled — Event listing
October 18 Tequila & Tacos Festival at Tower of the Americas Scheduled — Event listing
October 18, 12 PM–4 PM Fall Festival – Bexar County Pct. 2 at Rodriguez Park Scheduled — Event listing
October 19, 8 AM Spooky Sprint 5k/10k & Half Marathon at McAllister Park Scheduled — Event listing

Weekend event statistics

Summary counts based on event categories listed in this article:

Major Events: 8

Free and Family-Friendly Activities: 5

Recurring Weekly Events: 2

Miscellaneous Notes Items: 3

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Additional Resources

STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
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.

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