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Hello Fall, Goodbye September With Jams, Downtown Deals and More
Fall is officially here, and San Antonio is closing out September with free music, festivals, downtown specials and more. Jazz’SAlive returns to Hemisfair for two days of live music, while the Westside R&B & Blues Festival brings Nellie “Tiger” Travis and a full lineup to ACME Park.
Families can also take advantage of free fall dance and music classes, young artists still have time to enter the City’s annual MLK Youth Art Contest, and Downtown Thursdays will keep the week moving as September gives way to October.
This Week’s Calendar of Events: September 24- October 1
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.
Free Fall Dance And Music Classes
Where: Various San Antonio Parks and Recreation locations | When: Through Saturday, Nov. 21 | Various Times
San Antonio Parks and Recreation is offering free fall dance and music classes for all ages, including opportunities to learn guitar, ballet, flamenco and more. Classes continue through Nov. 21 at locations across the city, but advance registration is required.
View available classes and register here.
Thursday, September 24
Downtown Thursday
Where: Downtown San Antonio | When: Thursday, Sept. 24 | 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, September 25
43rd Annual Jazz’SAlive
Where: Civic Park at Hemisfair | When: Friday, Sept. 25, 4–11 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 26, 11 a.m.–11 p.m.
San Antonio’s free, two-day jazz festival returns with performances across two stages and programming presented in collaboration with the Carver Community Cultural Center. General admission is free for all ages, while paid VIP experiences are available.
Oktoberfest At La Villita
Where: La Villita Historic Arts Village, 418 Villita St. | When: Friday, Sept. 25, 3–10 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 26, 11 a.m.–10 p.m.; Sunday, Sept. 27, noon–7 p.m.
The free, family-friendly festival returns with three days of German, Czech, Polish and Alsatian food, live music, cultural performances, dancing, cooking demonstrations, kids’ activities and traditional Oktoberfest festivities.
See the full Oktoberfest schedule HERE.
Saturday, September 26
2026 Fall Swim Lessons Registration OPENS
Where: Atanacio Garcia Natatorium, 1430 W. Cesar Chavez Blvd. | When: Registration begins Saturday, Sept. 26 | Classes begin Oct. 5
Registration opens Sept. 26 for San Antonio Parks and Recreation’s fall swim lessons at the Atanacio Garcia Natatorium. Free group lessons will be offered Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in several two-week sessions through Dec. 11, while private lessons will be available Tuesdays and Thursdays for $50 per session.
Lessons are open to all ages, with class times varying by offering. View available classes and register online here.
Fall Family Fishing Day
Where: Joske Pavilion at Brackenridge Park, 531 Brackenridge Way | When: Saturday, Sept. 26 | 9 a.m.–noon
Families can spend the morning fishing along the San Antonio River after Texas Parks and Wildlife stocks it with more than 600 fish. Free fishing instruction will be available, no fishing license is required during the event, and young anglers can compete for prizes.
Learn more about Fall Family Fishing Day on Brackenridge Park website.
Westside R&B & Blues Festival
Where: ACME Park, 534 S. Acme Road | When: Saturday, Sept. 26 | 4–9 p.m.
Bring the family and lawn chairs for a free afternoon and evening of R&B, blues and West Side community at ACME Park. Nellie “Tiger” Travis headlines the festival, with additional performances by GSB, 34K, Aylia, Spitcup and the Jukes. Food and local vendors will also be on site.
Admission is free, and advance registration is encouraged but not required. Register and see festival details here.
2026 Fall Boxing Show
Where: Lincoln Community Center, 2915 E. Commerce St. | When: Saturday, Sept. 26 | First bell at 1 p.m.
Twenty-five bouts are scheduled for the City’s Fall Boxing Show on the East Side, with boxing gyms and spectators invited to attend. Admission is $20 for spectators.
See more Fall Boxing Show details 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.
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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.
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.
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.
