San Antonio is preparing for a busy October with a range of seasonal events and activities throughout the city. As temperatures cool, residents and visitors can expect fall festivals, cultural celebrations, themed cruises, concerts, and food and drink events.
River Walk cruises are offering several themed experiences this month. Adults can enjoy the Wine Down Sunset Cruise or Sip, Drift & Chill Cocktail Cruise, both hosted by Zocca Cuisine D’Italia and launching from The Westin Hotel. For those interested in local legends, the Ghost Tour Cruise departs from the Briscoe Western Art Museum on select dates in October. GO RIO’s Rio de la Vida – Tradition Trail Tour explores the history of alebrijes along the River Walk every Tuesday and Sunday through early November.
Several pop-up bars will open across San Antonio in October. Hard Rock Cafe’s rooftop hosts “La Vida After Dark,” which features Día de los Muertos-inspired decor and live DJ sets until November 9. Be Kind & Rewind presents The Horror Section through November 2 with Halloween-themed drinks and immersive experiences. El Colegio at Omni La Mansión del Rio will offer a Day of the Dead pop-up bar with specialty cocktails and food from October 13 to November 2.
Music fans have multiple concert options this month. Performers such as Cage the Elephant (October 4), Phantogram (October 6), Kinan Azmeh & City Band (October 12), Jonas Brothers (October 18), Paul McCartney (October 25), and All Time Low (October 26) are scheduled at various venues including Boeing Center at Tech Port, Aztec Theatre, Stable Hall, Frost Bank Center, and Alamodome.
Oktoberfest celebrations will take place across San Antonio during October weekends. The San Antonio Botanical Garden hosts an October Beer Garden with live music through October 26. Six Flags Fiesta Texas offers an Oktoberfest Food Festival on select days until late October featuring German food and performances alongside amusement rides. Mad Dogs British Pub holds its Oktoberfest event on October 10–11 with beer from Shiner, Altstadt, Samuel Adams, live music, contests, and prizes. The Rock at La Cantera will host one of the city’s largest Oktoberfests on October 17–18.
Other notable food and drink events include the San Antonio Beer Festival’s twentieth anniversary on October 12 at Civic Park at Hemisfair for adults over twenty-one; tickets provide access to hundreds of craft beers along with music and games. Pullman Market debuts its Smoke & Fire BBQ Event on October 18 with ten pitmasters serving tastings in a family-friendly environment—children under twelve enter free with general admission tickets. That same evening brings the Tequila & Tacos Festival to Tower of the Americas for attendees aged twenty-one or older.
The Monarch Butterfly & Pollinator Festival returns for its tenth year on October 18 at Brackenridge Park next to the San Antonio Zoo. This free event features butterfly tagging opportunities as well as educational activities provided by over forty partners.
Additional upcoming highlights include film screenings during SABIFF—the San Antonio Black International Film Festival—and contemporary art installations as part of Luminaria Contemporary Arts Festival later this fall.
