The heat might be sweltering, but some people are picking up the holiday spirit and celebrating Christmas in July. If that sounds too much like an unbearable reminder of cooler temperatures, you can also hit up a salsa music festival, a Pokémon festival, and MMA bouts right here in San Antonio this weekend.
BIG Salsa Festival
The eighth annual BIG Salsa Festival brings dance music artists each night as well as a dance party for attendees. A $245 ticket gets you into every concert and dance show, but you can also buy individual passes each night. This year, Andy Montañez plays Friday, Domingo Quiñones plays Saturday, and Grupo Niche plays Sunday. Find the concert lineup and tickets here and weekend passes and other add-ons here.
Thursday-Sunday
San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter, 101 Bowie St.
$40-$275
Christmas in July Mercado
The Village at Incarnate Word, a senior residential community, is hosting its 11th annual craft fair on Friday, complete with entertainment, door prizes, and refreshments. Shop for your holiday gifts early, or just enjoy a Friday spent browsing handmade crafts.
Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
The Village at Incarnate Word Senior Living Community, 4707 Broadway
Free
Pink Floyd: The Wall Screening
Experience Pink Floyd’s music visualized on the big screen at the Aztec Theatre on Friday. The 1982 film focuses on Pink, who builds a wall around himself to protect himself from the world. Find tickets here.
Friday, 7 p.m.
The Aztec Theatre, 104 N. St. Mary’s St.
$14
The Try Guys: Legends of the Internet
The Try Guys started trying things in 2014 and created their own independent Youtube channel and brand in 2018. Some of their most notable “tries” includes simulating birth pain with electrodes and eating everything – yes, everything – on the Taco Bell menu. See the comedy troupe of Keith Habersberger, Ned Fulmer, Zach Kornfeld, and Eugene Lee Yang in the flesh on Friday at the Majestic. Find tickets here.
Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Majestic Theatre, 224 E. Houston St.
$38.50-$88.50
Balcones Heights Jazz Festival
MiChelle Garibay-Carey and Jessy J keep the free jazz festival going on Friday. Garibay-Carey performs at 7:30 p.m., and Jessy J goes on at 9 p.m. Free outdoor seating is available but limited. There will also be food and beverages available for purchase.
Friday, 7:30 p.m.-10 p.m.
Wonderland of the Americas, 4522 Fredericksburg Road
Free
Cocktails at the Botanical Garden
The San Antonio Botanical Garden is highlighting 15 bars from around San Antonio at its Tiki-themed event. Guests can enjoy inventive cocktails from each participating bar, snacks from different San Antonio eateries, live music, and a costume contest. Part of the proceeds from the event will support the Botanical Garden. VIP tickets are sold out, but general admission is available for $55. Buy tickets here.
Friday, 8-11 p.m.
San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston Place
$55
Nacho Libre Screening
The San Antonio Museum of Art is showing this classic starring Jack Black with plenty of themed activities to start. Make luchador masks, take pictures at a luchador-inspired photo booth, and enjoy live mariachi music. Bring lawn chairs, blankets, bug spray, and anything else you might need at an outdoor movie screening. Movie suggested for ages 11 and up. Film starts at sunset.
Friday, 8:30-10:30 p.m.
San Antonio Museum of Art, 200 W. Jones Ave.
Free
PokéFest SA
No, this isn’t a festival for raw, marinated fish – it’s a celebration of Pokémon. There will be a live action Pokémon battle room, question-and-answer panels with special guests, and a card gala and auction. Kids 13 and under can enter for free with an adult. Tickets are $15 online or $20 at the door. Cosplay encouraged. Buy tickets here.
Saturday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Norris Conference Center, 618 NW Loop 410, Suite 207
$0-$27
DCI Southwestern Championship
If you miss marching band season, no fear. Drum Corps International is bringing its tour to San Antonio, with 25 drum corps performing at the Alamodome. The night ends with a drum line battle. Doors open at noon, and performances start at 1:30 p.m and run through 10 p.m. The Alamodome’s clear bag policy will be in effect, so make sure your bag complies with the rules before heading to the stadium. Find the lineup here and buy tickets here.
Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
Alamodome
$35-$70
Frittsy’s Bow Wow Meow Luau
Usher in the dog days of summer with a luau with your furry friends. There will be a pet costume contest, puppy pool party, photo booth, and live music. The pool party starts at 5 p.m., and the pet costume contest starts at 7:30 p.m. with prizes for the best dressed.
Saturday, 5 p.m.-1 a.m.
Dorçol Distilling + Brewing Co., 1902 S. Flores St.
Free
UFC Fight Night
Catch MMA action live at the AT&T Center. There are six bouts scheduled: three heavyweight, two lightweight, and one welterweight. Homegrown fighter Alex Hernandez will be in the ring Saturday. Find tickets here.
Saturday, 5 p.m.
AT&T Center, 1 AT&T Parkway
$93 and up
Musical Meteorites
On the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, local artist Amada Miller will be activating her exhibition Hollow Moon Rings Like a Bell at the Blue Star Contemporary gallery in collaboration with composer Nathan Felix. Miller suspended small pieces of meteorites in glass bells, and guests will be able to play the bells before and after the performance. The gallery is free, with a suggested donation of $5. RSVP for the event here.
Saturday, 6 p.m.-8 p.m.
Blue Star Contemporary, 116 Blue Star
Suggested donation of $5
Free Movie Screening: Black Panther
Need to take a break from your living room TV? Watch Black Panther at Mission Marquee Plaza on Saturday. Bring lawn chairs, blankets, bug spray, and anything else you might need for an outdoor movie showing. Film starts at sunset. Pets allowed.
Saturday, 7 p.m.-10 p.m.
Mission Marquee Plaza, 3100 Roosevelt Ave.
Free
Hoppy Endings
Enjoy a free night of comedy, featuring a lineup of favorites and regulars from The Blind Tiger Comedy Club. Comedian Tori Pool hosts. There will also be raffle tickets for sale for a chance to win Freetail beer swag and a food truck for people who come hungry.
Saturday, 8 p.m.-10 p.m.
Freetail Brewing Co. Tasting Room, 2000 S. Presa St.
Free
Reclaiming Rumi
The Muslim Children Education and Civic Center will be discussing poet Rumi’s popularity in the West on Saturday in an event open to any and all who are interested in attending.
Saturday, 8:30 p.m.-10 p.m.
Muslim Children Education and Civic Center, 5281 Casa Bella
Free
Christmas in July Arts and Crafts Fair
The arts and crafts fair benefits the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower. Shop for handmade gifts, jewelry, baked goods, salsas, bath soaps, and more.
Sunday, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower, 1715 N. Zarzamora St.
Free
