If you like beer, wine or tamales, we’ve got the weekend Alamo City event for you.
SAN ANTONIO — With Halloween and Dia de los Muertos behind us, the holiday season is officially in full swing—and in that limbo period where we’re stuck in a staring contest with our neighbors over who will put up their Christmas decorations first.
For those who don’t want to participate in the debate, good news: There’s plenty happening around town to occupy your attention. (And if you are spending your weekend putting up the Christmas tree and lights, we won’t hold it against you.)
Here’s what is on tap across San Antonio this weekend.
Root on the Spurs
San Antonio may have lost a heartbreaker to Golden State on Wednesday, dampening the Fiesta court excitement, but at 8-3 the team is still off to a good start that fortifies their playoffs aspirations. The next steps in that journey come in the next games of San Antonio’s homestand.
First up is a rematch with the Warriors on Friday – the next game in the Spurs’ NBA Cup group stage – at 8:30 p.m., followed by a Sunday showdown with De’Aaron Fox’s former team, the Sacramento Kings. Sure, you can watch them at Frost Bank Center (tickets start at around $50 for both matchups), but there won’t be a shortage of watch parties around town, starting at your friendly neighborhood sports bar. The Rock at La Cantera is also welcoming fans to watch the game on its lawn for free.
When: Warriors game starts at 8:30 p.m. Friday; Kings game starts at 3 p.m. Sunday
Cost: Varies
Where: Frost Bank Center (1 Frost Bank Center Drive), The Rock at La Cantera (1 Spurs Way)
Reminisce (and rock out) over the ’60s
Whether you lived through them or not, the 1960s were a pivotal sociopolitical and cultural time in U.S. history, from the Beatles and the space race to the Civil Rights Movement and Woodstock.
“The Sixties Show” – an Off Broadway show billing itself as “the greatest 1960s musical recreation show – explores all that history “at full volume. This weekend, it’ll turn back the clock at downtown’s Tobin Center, featuring current and former members of iconic bands like The Who, The Rascals and Creedence Clearwater Revival.
When: Sunday at 7:30 p.m.
Cost: Tickets start at $39 and are available here
Where: H-E-B Performance Hall at Tobin Center (100 Auditorium Circle)
Metallica by candlelight
The Josephine Theater’s music by candlelight concert series continues with a tribute to some of the hardest-rocking musicians in the history of American music. Fans can expect to hear covers of classic Metallics hits like “Enter Sandman,” “One” and “Master of Puppets” in one of the most tranquil settings, surrounded by the soft glow of candles.
The show runs about an hour; the show is restricted to those over 7 years old, and anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
When: Friday at 8:45 p.m.
Cost: Tickets start at $64 and are available here
Where: The Josephine Theater (339 W. Josephine St.)
Chow down at the Tamale Throwdown
If the holiday season in San Antonio means one thing (aside from visiting the River Walk lights), it’s that it’s time to stock up on tamales. Thankfully, one place in San Antonio will have all the tamales you need on Saturday.
Alamo Beer Company is hosting the first-ever mySA Tamale Throwdown, where hungry patrons will be the judge. On hand will be the chance to try samples from various restaurant groups, including Milpa, Baked, the Jason Dady Group and Alfonso’s Tamales. Those who are extra hungry can participate in the tamale-eating contest for a chance to win $500.
When: Saturday, from noon to 4 p.m.
Cost: General admission tickets are $20, kids under 12 get in free; buy tickets here
Where: Alamo Beer Co. (202 Lamar St.)
Vino Fest
And if you need a little something to wash all those tamales down, good news: Vino Fest will be underway just a few blocks away.
Hosted by Casa Guipzot tasting room at La Villita, the event promises to offer samples for “over 50 premium wines from across Mexico’s most exciting wine regions.” VIP tickets will get you early entry and some event merchandise.
When: Saturday, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Cost: Tickets start at $50 for general admission, with VIP tickets running $100; buy here
Where: Plaza Juarez at La Villita (418 Villita St.)
Also…
If you need an appetizer to “The Sixties Show,” Saturday will bring the Beatles tribute show “1964” to downtown’s Empire Theatre. It’s regarded by Rolling Stone as “the best Beatles tribute on Earth.”
For families with little ones, Sunday brings the official return of San Antonio Zoo Lights—a winter wonderland turning one of the city’s favorite attractions into a glowing holiday season paradise.