San Antonio Events & Things to Do: River Walk, The Alamo, Spurs & Family Fun

Quick answer: The best things to do in San Antonio include walking the River Walk, visiting the Alamo, exploring the San Antonio Missions UNESCO World Heritage Site, shopping and dining at Historic Market Square and the Pearl, and catching a Spurs game. Coming up: the Spurs home opener (October 20), Luminaria (November 14), and the Ford Holiday River Parade (November 27).

Planning things to do in San Antonio today, this weekend, or with kids? Start on the River Walk, a 15-mile network of paths, restaurants, and river cruises, then visit The Alamo and the UNESCO-listed San Antonio Missions. The Pearl District is the city's food hub, the Spurs play at the Frost Bank Center, and families can spend days at SeaWorld and Six Flags Fiesta Texas.

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Upcoming San Antonio Events in 2026 and 2027

• Spurs home opener: San Antonio hosts the Oklahoma City Thunder at Frost Bank Center on October 20, 2026.
• Luminaria: The contemporary arts festival lights up the city on November 14, 2026, from 6 p.m. to midnight.
• Ford Holiday River Parade: Lighted floats and the river lighting ceremony on the River Walk, November 27, 2026.

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What Is There to Do on the San Antonio River Walk?

The River Walk winds through downtown one level below the streets, lined with restaurants, bars, hotels, and shops. Take a river barge cruise, dine along the water, and follow the path north to the Pearl district or south along the Mission Reach. During the holidays, the River Walk is lit with thousands of lights beginning the night of the Holiday River Parade.

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How Do You Visit the Alamo?

Admission to the Alamo Church, Long Barrack, and grounds is always free, but a free timed ticket is required to enter the Alamo Church. The site is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and closed on Christmas Day. Guided tours and exhibits add more of the story of the 1836 battle.

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What Are the San Antonio Missions?

The four missions south of downtown (Concepcion, San Jose, San Juan, and Espada) make up San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site with the Alamo. Admission is free and no reservations are required. Bike or drive the Mission Reach trail to see all four in one day.

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San Antonio Food, Drink & Culture

San Antonio is a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. Try puffy tacos, breakfast tacos, Tex-Mex enchiladas, and barbecue, browse Historic Market Square, and explore the restaurants and farmers market at the Pearl.

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San Antonio Sports Events & Game Day

• San Antonio Spurs: NBA basketball at Frost Bank Center.
• UTSA Roadrunners: College football at the Alamodome.
• San Antonio Missions: Minor league baseball in the spring and summer.

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Things to Do in San Antonio With Kids

Traveling with kids? Visit SeaWorld San Antonio, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, the San Antonio Zoo, the DoSeum children's museum, and Natural Bridge Caverns, then take a River Walk boat ride.

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Free Things to Do in San Antonio

• The River Walk: Walk the downtown loop and the quieter Museum and Mission reaches.
• The Alamo: The historic church is free to visit, with reservations recommended.
• San Antonio Missions National Historical Park: Four Spanish colonial missions linked by trail.
• Historic Market Square: Mexican crafts, food, and weekend music.

Things to Do in San Antonio for Adults & Couples

• Dinner on the River Walk: Waterside patios and margaritas at night.
• The Pearl: Food hall, cocktail bars, and a weekend farmers market.
• Evening river cruise: See the lit-up River Walk from the water.
• Spurs game at Frost Bank Center: NBA basketball on the city's east side.

Things to Do in San Antonio This Weekend & Today

San Antonio weekends are easy to plan around the River Walk and downtown, with the Pearl for brunch and the Missions for a quieter afternoon. In April, Fiesta San Antonio brings 10-plus days of parades and parties.

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Popular San Antonio Questions

What are the best free things to do in San Antonio?

Free favorites in San Antonio include The River Walk, The Alamo, San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, and Historic Market Square. See the free things to do section above for details.

What are the best things to do in San Antonio for adults and couples?

Popular picks for adults and couples in San Antonio include dinner on the River Walk, The Pearl, evening river cruise, and Spurs game at Frost Bank Center.

Is the Alamo free to visit?

Yes. Admission is always free, but you need a free timed ticket to enter the Alamo Church.

When is the Spurs home opener 2026?

The Spurs host the Thunder on October 20, 2026 at Frost Bank Center.

When is Luminaria 2026?

Luminaria takes place on November 14, 2026, from 6 p.m. to midnight.

When is the Holiday River Parade 2026?

The Ford Holiday River Parade is on November 27, 2026, at 6 p.m., the day after Thanksgiving.

Are the San Antonio Missions free?

Yes. Admission is free and no reservations are required.

What is there to do in San Antonio this weekend?

Browse San Antonio tours and activities for river cruises, history tours, and experiences you can book for your dates.

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Plan Your San Antonio Trip

Walk the River Walk, visit the Alamo, bike the Missions, eat puffy tacos at Market Square, catch a Spurs game, and watch the Holiday River Parade.

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