San Antonio hosts a variety of events in early October including the San Antonio Black International Film Festival (SABIFF), the Monarch Butterfly & Pollinator Festival, and National Night Out neighborhood celebrations. Additional activities include the MLK Youth Art Contest, outdoor family film screenings, and upcoming Halloween-themed events.
- SABIFF 2026 features a pre-fest happy hour, student matinee, and a free Cinema Under the Stars event from October 1 to 4.
- The Monarch Butterfly & Pollinator Festival on October 3 offers family activities, monarch tagging, and educational programs in Brackenridge Park.
- National Night Out, known locally as San Antonio Neighbors Together, occurs on October 6 with block parties and community gatherings across multiple neighborhoods.
- The City’s annual MLK Youth Art Contest accepts submissions until October 9, with the theme commemorating the 40th anniversary of San Antonio’s MLK March.
- Upcoming events include Halloween-themed activities such as a free screening of Hocus Pocus at Eastside cemeteries on October 10 and SAGE HalloEast on October 25.
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October Has Arrived, and San Antonio’s Fall Events Are Stacked
The month of October kicks off with the San Antonio Black International Film Festival, including its opening happy hour, student matinee and free Cinema Under the Stars finale.
Families can also take advantage of free fall activities, while neighborhoods across San Antonio will come together Tuesday for National Night Out and San Antonio Neighbors Together celebrations. Young artists also have until Friday, Oct. 9, to enter the City’s annual MLK Youth Art Contest.
And with Halloween just a few weeks away, spooky season is starting to creep onto the calendar with Hocus Pocus at the historic Eastside cemeteries, SAGE’s HalloEast and more coming later this month.
This Week’s Calendar of Events: October 1- October 8
LAST WEEK FOR SUBMISSIONS: 2027 MLK Youth Art Contest
When: Submissions due Friday, Oct. 9 | 4:30 p.m.
Young artists ages 18 and younger can submit original artwork for the City of San Antonio’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Art Contest. This year’s theme, “40 Years Strong: Upholding a Dream,” will help commemorate the 40th anniversary of San Antonio’s MLK March.
Selected artwork will be featured in promotional materials for the 2027 MLK March and commemorative events, with prizes also available. Review the contest rules and submit artwork HERE.
Thursday, October 1
SABIFF 2026 Pre-Fest Happy Hour
Where: TRYST Kitchen + Cocktails, 1915 Broadway, Suite 111 | When: Thursday, Oct. 1 | 6–8:30 p.m.
Kick off the San Antonio Black International Film Festival’s eighth year with an evening of soul food, music, spoken word and Black cinema culture. The pre-festival celebration will feature an open-mic poetry session, DJ, live painting, giveaways and appearances from local creatives, including former San Antonio Poet Laureate Andrea “Vocab” Sanderson.
Admission is $10, and free garage parking is available. See SABIFF event details and ticket information. Click here for SABIFF’s schedule of events.
Downtown Thursdays
Where: Downtown San Antonio | When: Thursday, Oct. 1 | After 5 p.m.
Downtown Thursday continues with specials and programming from more than 30 restaurants, shops, arts organizations and other downtown businesses. Visitors can find food and drink specials, arts and cultural programming, live entertainment and family-friendly activities, along with free parking after 5 p.m. at participating City-owned facilities.
See this week’s Downtown Thursday events, specials and participating businesses.
Friday, October 2
SABIFF 2026 Student Matinee: HistoryUpRising!
Where: Carver Community Cultural Center, 226 N. Hackberry St. | When: Friday, Oct. 2 | 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
The San Antonio Black International Film Festival will host a free student matinee featuring film screenings, guest speakers and discussions connecting Black history with film, travel, technology and AI. This year’s festival theme, HistoryUpRising!, centers preserving and sharing Black history through storytelling.
Schools must RSVP in advance, while students, educators, seniors, filmmakers and community members are also invited to participate. Click here, for more details and information.
Saturday, October 3
Elio: Outdoor Family Film Series
Where: Mission Marquee Plaza, 3100 Roosevelt Ave. | When: Saturday, Oct. 3 | 6–10 p.m.; movie begins shortly after dusk
Bring blankets, lawn chairs and a picnic for a free outdoor screening of Disney and Pixar’s Elio on Mission Marquee Plaza’s original 1948 jumbo screen. The family-friendly evening also includes entertainment and food trucks, with free admission and parking. The event is pet-friendly.
For event updates, visit the Mission Marquee Plaza Facebook page.
Mission Marquee Farmers & Artisans Market
Where: Mission Marquee Plaza, 3100 Roosevelt Ave. | When: Saturday, Oct. 3 | 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
Shop fresh, locally sourced foods and handmade goods from local pop-up vendors at Mission Marquee Plaza’s free Farmers & Artisans Market. A free yoga or Zumba class kicks off the market at 9 a.m., and all fitness levels are welcome. Parking is free, and the venue is pet-friendly.
See Mission Marquee Plaza events and updates on their Facebook page.
Monarch Butterfly & Pollinator Festival
Where: Brackenridge Park Pecan Grove, 3700 N. St. Mary’s St. | When: Saturday, Oct. 3 | 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
Celebrate the annual monarch migration with a free family festival featuring monarch tagging, educational activities, a migration obstacle course, plant and tree giveaways, live music, face painting and more than 50 participating community organizations.
Free parking and trolley transportation will also be available. Check the festival website for the latest schedule and family activity information.
Sunday, October 4
SABIFF 2026 Cinema Under the Stars
Where: VelocityTX, 1305 E. Houston St. | When: Sunday, Oct. 4 | Wrap party begins at 5 p.m.; outdoor screening 7:30–9:30 p.m.
The San Antonio Black International Film Festival will close out its 2026 festival with a free community celebration and outdoor movie night on the East Side. The evening begins with a wrap party featuring San Antonio DJ Dark Night, local vendors, food trucks and opportunities to meet filmmakers before Cinema Under the Stars showcases SABIFF’s 2026 Best of Show-winning documentary, narrative and student shorts.
The event is free, but RSVP is required. Free parking is available in the lot across from VelocityTX.
Tuesday, October 6
National Night Out: San Antonio Neighbors Together
Where: Various San Antonio neighborhoods | When: Tuesday, Oct. 6 | Various Times
San Antonio neighborhoods will come together for National Night Out, locally known as San Antonio Neighbors Together, with free block parties, family activities, food, music and opportunities to meet neighbors, police officers, city departments and community organizations.
Public celebrations are planned across the East, Southeast, West and Northeast sides, with additional neighborhood gatherings throughout the city. Learn more about San Antonio Neighbors Together.
East Side: St. Philip’s College, 1801 Martin Luther King Drive, 5–7 p.m.; Coliseum Willow Park at Second Baptist Church, 3310 E. Commerce St., 5:30–8 p.m.; and United Homeowners Improvement Association at Pletz Park, 5–7:30 p.m.
Southeast Side: Monte Viejo Park, 4011 Emory Oak Drive, 5–8 p.m.; Pickwell Park, 6911 Pickwell Drive, 6–9 p.m.; and Good News Lutheran Church, 11020 Old Corpus Christi Highway, beginning at 6 p.m.
West Side: Family Service’s 8th Annual National Night Out at Family Service Neighborhood Place, 3014 Rivas St., 4–7 p.m.
Northeast Side: Roosevelt High School, 5110 Walzem Road, 5–8 p.m.
Citywide: San Antonio Parks and Recreation will host free Neighbors Together activities and snacks from 6–8 p.m. at participating community centers.
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Jazz in the Garden: Audra Menconi Trio & Friends
Where: Japanese Tea Garden, 3853 N. St. Mary’s St. | When: Friday, Oct. 9 | 6:30–9 p.m.
Enjoy an evening of live jazz from Audra Menconi Trio & Friends at the Japanese Tea Garden. Guests are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets, and food and drinks will be available for purchase from Jingu House. A $5 donation is suggested.
Visit the San Antonio Parks Foundation for event details and more.
Picnic & a Movie: Hocus Pocus
Where: City Cemetery #1, Paso Hondo Street between S. Monumental and S. Palmetto streets | When: Saturday, Oct. 10 | Gates open 6:30 p.m.; movie around 7:30 p.m.
Spooky season heads to one of San Antonio’s most fitting settings when the City’s Office of Historic Preservation hosts a free screening of the Halloween classic Hocus Pocus inside the historic Eastside cemeteries. Pack a picnic, blanket or lawn chair and learn about the Cemetery Steward Program and ongoing preservation work. Popcorn and street parking are free, and no registration is required.
Learn more on the City’s Office of Historic Preservation FB page.
Susan G. Komen MORE THAN PINK Walk
Where: SeaWorld San Antonio, 10500 SeaWorld Drive | When: Saturday, Oct. 17 | 7 a.m.
Thousands of breast cancer survivors, patients, families and supporters are expected to come together for Susan G. Komen’s annual San Antonio MORE THAN PINK Walk. Participation is free, with individuals able to walk, form or join a team, fundraise or donate. Komen has set a $310,000 fundraising goal for this year’s event.
Register here for the San Antonio MORE THAN PINK Walk.
Muertos Fest
Where: Hemisfair, 630 Nueva St. | When: Friday, Oct. 23–Sunday, Oct. 25 | Friday 5–11 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.–11 p.m.; Sunday noon–9 p.m.
San Antonio’s massive Día de los Muertos celebration returns for three days of remembrance, culture and community with more than 80 handmade altars, processions, live music, art, workshops, food and local vendors. The festival is free and open to the public, with sensory-friendly hours Friday from 5–7 p.m.
See more Muertos Fest information and updates.
SAGE HalloEast 2026
Where: The Espee, 1174 E. Commerce St. | When: Sunday, Oct. 25 | 1–5 p.m.
Halloween comes to the East Side with SAGE’s annual HalloEast celebration, featuring costumes, candy, children’s activities, food, music, local businesses and community organizations. The family-friendly event is free, with advance registration requested.
