This weekend begins with the last Friday the 13th of the year. Find discounted tattoos around the city or celebrate this spooky day with a Nightmare Before Christmas-meets-Friday the 13th party on the near East Side. There are also plenty of Christmasy events to keep your holiday spirits up – unless you visit the Modernist on Sunday for a spirit-free evening. Keep reading for ideas on what to do this weekend.
Friday the 13th Tattoos
Have you been wanting to get another tattoo but have been uninspired? Friday the 13th is a perfect time to go tattoo shopping, as many tattoo parlors offer discounts on a preselected catalog of designs that day. Golden Rose Tattoo, Pleasant Dreams CO REWK, Nite Owl Tattoo Studio, and Deadlights Tattoo are all running Friday the 13th specials. Click each link to find out the location and details.
Friday
Various locations
Art in the Park
This monthly free art event at Hemisfair concludes 2019 with several activities – painting, balloon making, crafts, and caroling. You can also shop local vendors and buy snacks and drinks from the Hemisfair tenants.
Friday, 7-9 p.m.
Hemisfair, 630 E. Nueva St.
Free
Nightmare Before Christmas Bash on Friday the 13th
The team behind the Burton Ball is getting into the holiday spirit with a Nightmare Before Christmas party on Friday. There will be costume contests for both adults and kids, artists, vendors, and live entertainment. Doors open at 7 p.m, and general admission entry starts at $7. Find tickets here.
Friday, 7 p.m.-1 a.m.
Vibes Event Center, 1223 E. Houston St.
$7-$40
Wizard of Oz: Live in Concert
The San Antonio Symphony marks 80 years since the Wizard of Oz‘s debut with a concert. The classic film follows Dorothy through her adventures in Oz; the Midwesterner searches for a way back to Kansas and is joined by a cowardly lion, a tin man looking for a heart, and a scarecrow looking for a brain. The symphony will play the soundtrack live alongside the film at the Majestic Theatre. Find tickets here.
Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Majestic Theatre, 224 E. Houston St.
$28-$67
Whose Live Anyway?
Two cast members from the iconic improv show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” make their way to San Antonio for 90 minutes of musical comedy and improvisation. Ryan Stiles and Jeff B. Davis riff off of actor Joel Murray and Kids in the Hall’s Dave Foley to whip up hilarious scenes right before your eyes. And don’t forget – audience participation will be key to those moments, so get ready. Find tickets here.
Friday, 8-10 p.m.
The Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Cir.
$29.50-$65
Yoga at Mission San José
Free outdoor yoga at Mission San José. Bring your own yoga mat and water bottle, dress warmly and comfortably, and get ready to flow.
Saturday, 9-10 a.m.
Mission San José, 701 E. Pyron Ave.
Free
RISE + Shine: TEDx San Antonio Women 2019
TEDx San Antonio is putting on an event celebrating self-empowerment geared toward women on Saturday, though people of all genders are welcome to attend. Lily Casura, Sarah Bodner, and Nadia Noel-Anglade will speak. General admission costs $55, while students, educators, military members, and seniors pay $35. Find the schedule and tickets here.
Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
The Garage at the Pearl, 250 E. Grayson St.
$35-$55
Cowboy Christmas
Bring the family to the Briscoe to meet Cowboy Santa. You can participate in art activities, storytime, and hot chocolate. Tickets for member families cost $15, and $25 for non-member families (two adults and any children under the age of 12). Find tickets here.
Saturday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Briscoe Western Art Museum, 210 W. Market St.
$15-$25
Coffee and Cordials Festival
The Coffee and Cordials Festival is back, benefiting the Hemisfair Conservancy. Entry is free, but $11 grants the ticket holder three coffees. Sample from over 80 roasts and grab snacks from local food vendors. The pet costume parade and contest starts at 11 a.m., with a grand prize of $100 in merch and coffee up for grabs. Find more information and tickets here.
Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Hemisfair, 630 E. Nueva St.
$0-$29.17
Battle of Bejar
Experience the Battle of Bejar with a free history reenactment at La Villita on Saturday from the San Antonio Living History Association. The event will feature props and a history tour of the village. Actors will sign the Texas Article of Confederation in front of the Cos House after the battles.
Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
La Villita, 418 Villita St.
Free
Super Fun Saturday: Holiday in the Garden
It’s the last Super Fun Saturday of 2019 at Hemisfair. Kids can visit Santa, meet his reindeer, decorate a stocking, make an ornament, write letters to Santa, drink hot chocolate, and make slime at Hemisfair on Saturday afternoon.
Saturday, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Hemisfair, 630 E. Nueva St.
Free
Spot Barnett: A Celebration of Life
The community will gather Saturday to celebrate the local jazz and blues legend Spot Barnett. The saxophonist, who died in October, was recognized as an iconic musician in San Antonio’s art landscape and was honored by the City’s Department of Arts and Culture with a Distinction in the Arts award in 2017. The event is free with a suggested donation of $5 to benefit Barnett’s family, but you can also register here.
Saturday, 2-6 p.m.
8910 Callaghan Rd.
Suggested donation, $5
The Christmas Bar Crawl – San Antonio
Rudolph’s nose isn’t the only thing that’s getting lit this season – 10 local bars are on the map for the Christmas Bar Crawl on Saturday, with drink specials for bar crawl badge holders and a Christmas costume contest with a $500 grand prize available to the best costume in the U.S., as many other cities have their own Christmas Bar Crawl the same night. Find details and tickets here.
Saturday, 4 p.m.-midnight
On The Rocks Pub, 270 Losoya St.
$25
Illume: Making Spirits Bright
The second annual Illume celebration features a temporary installation from Ansen Seale called Luminous Creek Urchins, made-to-order poetry from Typewriter Rodeo, a photo booth, food trucks, beer and wine, cultural performances, and music. The night ends with a drum and dance procession with illuminated costumes from Carnaval de San Anto. Free parking available. Find more information here.
Saturday, 6-9 p.m.
San Pedro Culture Creek Park, 715 Camaron St.
Free
Power of a Song: A Musical Salute to the Season!
Mariachi Azteca de America and students from the Guadalupe Mariachi Academy perform a holiday concert at Villa Finale on Saturday. Hot drinks and pastries will be free for attendees. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets cost $8 for children ages 4 to 12, $12 for members, and $15 for non-members. Find tickets here.
Saturday, 6-7:30 p.m.
The Gardens at Villa Finale, 401 King William
$8-$15
Santa Bowl at Bowl & Barrel
Dress up in your best holiday attire and bowl an hour for free at Bowl & Barrel on Saturday night. The best-dressed bowlers will be competing for a gift card prize.
Saturday, 6 p.m.-midnight
Bowl & Barrel, 17619 La Cantera Pkway Ste. 102
Free
Star Party
Look up at the stars at Eisenhower Park. The San Antonio Astronomical Association teaches about the planets and moon at a Star Party Saturday night. There will be a family-friendly activity included. Email nicole.mcleod@sanantonio.gov for more information.
Saturday, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Eisenhower Park
Free
Guadalupe Dance Academy: Pastorela Folklorica
Guadalupe Dance Academy puts on its annual “La Pastorela Folklorica,” which puts Folklorico and flamenco flair on the traditional shepherd’s play. Tickets are $10 at the door. For more information, call 210-271-3151.
Friday-Saturday, 6:30 p.m.
Guadalupe Theater, 1301 Guadalupe St.
$10
Jazz Brunch Matinee
Enjoy the San Antonio jazz musicians at the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center’s 37th annual holiday saxophones concert, plus brunch! George Prado and the Regency Jazz band play with other horn legends including Al Gomez, Joe Posada, and Frank Rodarte. At noon, concert-goers can enjoy a “jazz brunch” complete with a soul food menu. The evening concert, which is sold out, will pay tribute to the late Spot Barnett. Brunch tickets cost $30 and can be purchased here. Doors open at 11 a.m.
Sunday, noon
Guadalupe Theater, 1301 Guadalupe St.
$15 and up
Spirit-Free Cocktails
On Sunday evening, the Modernist will abstain from serving alcohol and offer a one-time menu of spirit-free cocktails. Try crafty concoctions of sodas, fruits, and “zero-proof” spirits at this cozy speakeasy. The indoor space is small, so be prepared to wait outside for a spot (though the bar offers blankets for patrons sitting outside).
Sunday, 5:15 p.m.-sold out
The Modernist, 516 Grayson St.
Free
20th Annual Gran Posada
Observe the traditional Mexican celebration of Christmas at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower on Sunday. The procession around the basilica acts as a vehicle to tell the biblical story of the journey to Bethlehem and includes Hispanic Christmas songs with invocations to the Virgin Mary, the Litany and Cantos de las Posadas, and traditional Christmas songs from around the world.
Sunday, 6-8 p.m.
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower, 1715 N. Zarzamora St.
Free
Familia, Food, and Oldies
Enjoy free cabrito tacos and all the sides at the Squeezebox on Sunday while supplies last. Local chef Teddy Liang will cook and DJ Aaron Peña will spin oldies through the night.
Sunday, 6 p.m.
The Squeezebox, 2806 N. St. Mary’s St.
Free
Magik Presents: A Charlie Brown Christmas
The Magik Theatre brings Charlie Brown to the Charline McCombs Empire Theatre for some Christmas fun this weekend. In the play, Charlie Brown becomes disenchanted with the materialism of the Christmas season and tried to find the real meaning of Christmas with the help of his friend Linus. Find tickets here.
Friday-Sunday
Charline McCombs Empire Theatre, 226 N. St. Mary’s St.
$15-$35
