A full slate of weekend events has City of San Antonio officials urging attendees to plan for parking and traffic.
SAN ANTONIO — If you’re heading downtown this upcoming weekend, plan ahead because it’s going to be packed in the Alamo City.
On Oct. 25, more than 100,000 people are expected to descend on the downtown area for a lineup of major events, including Paul McCartney’s concert at the Alamodome, Muertos Fest at Hemisfair, Day of the Dead San Antonio at La Villita, a Michael W. Smith performance at the Tobin Center, and shows at both the Majestic and Aztec theatres.
City official said this kind of crowd rivals what they saw during the Final Four weekend and with it comes one big challenge: parking and traffic.
To help ease the influx, VIA is expanding its Park & Ride service at three different drop-off and pick up spots at the Frost Bank Center, Brooks Transit Center, or Crossroads starting at 3 p.m. through midnight. VIA will also run its Primo Route 100 shuttle service, connecting downtown garages to the Robert Thompson Transit Center near the Alamodome. These routes will serve all downtown events.
The San Antonio Police Department and the city are also adding a first-of-its-kind second designated rideshare pick-up and drop-off zone at Ellis Alley on Chestnut Avenue.
Officials are urging attendees to arrive early and plan ahead. Events are scheduled to run from 11 a.m. to midnight, and those driving downtown can use ParkWhiz through the Alamodome’s website to reserve parking spots in advance.
The city said no new downtown road closures or detours are planned for the weekend of October 24-26 and Public Works is working with SAPD to coordinate event-related traffic signal timing.
“As with past events, SAPD is well prepared for these events. We have increased the number of officers working the event, based on attendance, and our FUSION center will be monitoring before, during and after the event to ensure all law abiding concert goers enjoy the show safely. We ask the people plan their evenings and find a safe ride home if they intend on drinking adult beverages during the show,” the city said in a statement.