Here is what’s on tap across the Alamo City.
SAN ANTONIO — No, we’re not going to pretend it feels like the holiday season has fully arrived in San Antonio so long as the thermometer keeps threatening to reach 90 degrees.
The good news: Many of our picks for this weekend’s standout events happening across San Antonio are inside or in the evening, so you might be able to get away with a light sweater and convince yourself we really are less than two weeks from November.
Read on for what’s on tap this weekend in the Alamo City, from the return of a popular pop-rock trio and the opportunity to walk through an artistic wonderland downtown.
A new barbecue festival to feast on
The Pearl’s Pullman Market is cooking up what it hopes becomes an annual tradition satisfying the taste buds of local BBQ-nnoisseurs.
The Smoke & Fire BBQ Event is being touted as a “celebration of craft, flavor and community” and features a mouth-watering line-up. Among those serving up bites of their tender, juicy meats this weekend are chefs from Curry Boys BBQ, Burnt Bean Company, 2M Smokehouse, Reese Bros, Pinkerton’s and several other barbecue mainstays.
Both general admission and VIP tickets are available.
When: Saturday, Oct. 28, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. for general admission
Where: Pullman Market (221 Newell Ave.)
Cost: $65 for general admission (unlimited sampling included). $125 for VIP tickets, which also includes early entry at 4 p.m. Children 12 and under get in for free. Buy tickets here.
Gearing up for another Spurs season
We’re mere days away from the start of another San Antonio Spurs campaign, one that has fans hopeful for a return to the playoffs for the first time since the 2018-2019 season.
The team is capitalizing on the excitement surrounding Wemby, De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castlte and company with an official tip-off celebration at The Rock at La Cantera this Sunday. The Coyote and Hype Squad are expected to make appearances, as well as “some of your favorite Spurs players,” the team says. The best part: It’s free to attend.
When: Sunday, Oct. 19, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Where: The Rock at La Cantera (1 Spurs Way)
Cost: Free
Jonas Brothers jam out
Yes, tickets are still available for you to fulfill your dreams from circa the mid-2000s and catch the former Disney Channel stars all grown up and rocking out to hits like “Waffle House,” “Sucker” and that Millennial classic: “Year 3000.”
The brothers will take the stage at Frost Bank Center, joined by the All-American Rejects.
When: Saturday, Oct. 18, at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Frost Bank Center (1 Frost Bank Center Drive)
Cost: Tickets are still available here, starting at $43.
Calling all cosplayers!
Despite a few last-minute cancellations, the 2025 edition of Big Texas Comicon is set to bring some high-wattage celebrity names to downtown, including (but certainly not limited to) Priscilla Presley, Jason Isaacs (“Harry Potter,” “White Lotus”), Luis Guzman (“Boogie Nights”) and John Rhys-Davis (“Indiana Jones,” “Lord of the Rings”).
The guest list only continues from there.
The annual pop culture extravaganza features meet-and-greets, hundreds of vendors, unique merchandise and the chance to win a cosplaying crown in the costume contest.
When: Friday, Oct. 17, through Sunday, Oct. 19.
Where: Henry B. González Convention Center (900 E. Market St.)
Cost: Express passes are sold out, but you can still nab individual day passes as well as $73 adult three-day passes here.
Luminaria lights up downtown
Just a few steps away from Big Texas Comicon, South Texas artists of all kinds are coming together to show off their contemporary creations at Luminaria—the region’s biggest festival of its kind. Attendees can expect to see works from the realms of fine art, dance, theater, film, music and even large-scale installations at St. Paul’s Square.
Organizers say Luminaria “highlights the art and artists, the city’s creative economy, as well as the rich artistic culture that makes San Antonio unique.” An opening ceremony featuring Shelly Lares and Jesse Borrego is set for 5:30 p.m. Saturday, with the party continuing until midnight.
When: Saturday, Oct. 18, from 6 p.m. to midnight
Where: St. Paul Square (1160 E. Commerce St.)
Cost: Free to attend, with VIP passes available for purchase here.
Plus….
For those needing another refresher from the summer-like heat, pints of cool lagers will be available at the 20th Annual SA Beer Festival this Saturday at Civic Park. That day will bring more of a bring-the-whole-family atmosphere to Mission Marquee Plaza for the latest Farmers & Artisans Market, running from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Need something to do after the beer-sipping and vendor-hopping? Grab your family and a blanket and head to the Eastside Cemeteries at 6 p.m. for a free screening of everyone’s favorite Dia de los Muertos adventure, “Coco.” Finally, on Saturday morning, the Esperanza Peace & Justice Center will celebrate the grand opening of its Museo del Westside museum, commemorating the women and people of the historic San Antonio neighborhood, with musical performances, workshops and exhibits.