March is packed with events! And I suspect with Spring Break right around the corner, even more events will be popping up. Be sure to check back for updates. This month we’ve also included several fun events worth checking out in surrounding towns. Let’s get outside, explore a new-to-you part of town, and enjoy the diversity of events San Antonio has to offer!
Thursday, March 2
Dr. Seuss’ Birthday Carnival Celebration!, 3:30–5:30 P.M. at The Purple Chair (New Braunfels)—Celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday and have a carnival of Seusstastical fun. Games and crafts, Seusstastic stories, and Dr. Seuss-inspired art contest for ages 0 to 105. Best costume will win a Suess-worthy prize. Tuesday, February 28 is the last day to enter the Suess-inspired art contest. Please bring your entries to The Purple Chair. Free.
Friday, March 3
Monarch Butterfly Youth Education Program, 11:00 A.M.–3:00 P.M. at Hemisfair—Join us for a fun-filled family activity with the University of Texas at San Antonio to learn more about the monarch butterfly and its habitat and migration pattern. Presentations at 11:00 A.M. and another at 2:00 P.M., both in Central Games Plaza. Free.
Free Outdoor Movie: Red Tails, 7:00 P.M. at Stinson Municipal Airport—Introducing a new plane-themed outdoor film series at Stinson. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. Free.
H-E-B Cinema on the Plaza: Raiders of the Lost Ark, 8:00–11:00 P.M. at River Walk Plaza at the Tobin Center—The plaza’s 32-foot LED screen will make this an incredible adventure. Harrison Ford plays archaeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones, who has been hired by the U.S. government to find the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis. Bring your own blankets and lawn chairs. Concessions available to purchase; please no outside food or drinks. Plaza opens at 7:00 P.M. Free.
Saturday, March 4
Dinosaur George, 9:00–11:00 A.M. at Urban Ecology Center Phil Hardberger Park West—George Blasing presents an amazing program about dinosaurs of Texas. Great for the whole family; kid-friendly activity included. “Dinosaur George” Blasing is a self-taught paleontologist and animal behaviorist with more than 35 years of study and research. A donation of $3 per person or $5 per family is suggested.
Workshop: Build a Rain Gauge, 9:00 A.M.–12:00 P.M. at Home Depot stores—Join a hands-on workshop and you and your child can build a rain gauge house, so you and your budding scientist can measure the rain dropped by spring storms. Once the gauge is built, your child can paint his/her project to personalize it. All kids get to keep their craft, receive a free certificate of achievement, a workshop apron, and a commemorative pin while supplies last. Free.
First Saturday at the Alamo, 9:00 A.M.–4:00 P.M. at the Alamo—On the first Saturday of every month, the grounds of the Alamo are transformed back in time to the 1830s. Join us for a full day of living history fun that the whole family will enjoy. Learn about life in frontier Texas with special demonstrations and crafts. Free.
Kite Flying Fandango, 11:00 A.M. at Hemisfair—Part of the Super Fun Saturday series. These free activities are staff-led exercises in creativity and fun. Get out to the park and get moving. Color, build, and fly your very own kites on the lawn! Free.
March 4 & 5
New Witte: Opening Weekend at the Witte Museum—Be among the first to explore the New Witte! Join Witte staff, local and state representatives, and dignitaries in celebration of the New Witte. Throughout the day, visitors will enjoy a full schedule of events and activities in addition to the exciting and interactive galleries and labs. All activities included with general admission
Sunday, March 5
First Sundays for Families: Mythical Magical Creatures, 11:00 A.M.–3:00 P.M. at San Antonio Museum of Art—Meet pegasus, Chinese dragons, hydras, and more enchanting creatures as you navigate the realms of fantasy. Invent your own magical animal! Free admission all day for SAISD students and their families. Free with museum admission. Children 12 and under are free. *Museum admission is free before noon on Sundays.
Picture Your World Youth Photography Workshop, 1:00–4:30 P.M. at Friedrich Wilderness Park—Open to youth ages 8-18, these workshops teach photographic composition and technique through hands-on demonstration, and constructive critique. Participants will produce a visual memory of their day and begin a creative portfolio while experiencing the wonders of the natural environment. Each workshop is led by the Picture Your World Program Manager, Carra Garza, along with a professional photographer, and a Master Naturalist. Participants may bring their own digital camera or, we will provide one for you. Registration is $10-20.
Tween Yoga, 2:00–3:00 P.M. at Half MoonPower Yoga—Calling all tween yogis! Boys and girls ages 9–12 are invited to join a special tween yoga class. No previous yoga experience is necessary. Bring a water bottle and a willing spirit. Lots of fun awaits on your yoga mat. Price is $15 per tween. Pre-registration is preferred.
Monday, March 6
Dusk at the Alamo, 6:00–6:30 P.M. at the Alamo—A year after the battle at the Alamo, Colonel Juan N. Seguín and his battalion returned to San Antonio to hold a memorial service in honor of their fallen comrades. Alamo Living Historians commemorate the lighting of the funeral pyres with a brief ceremony in front of the Alamo Church. Juan Seguin’s memoral address will be recited in English and Spanish. Learn more about the Alamo’s Commemoration events, happening February 23–March 6. Free.
Friday, March 10
Carver Youth Matinee: Puppet Pizzazz, 11:00 A.M.–12:00 P.M. at the Carver Community Cultural Center—Puppeteer Greg Ruhe seamlessly interweaves entertaining puppet characters of varying sizes, dimensions, and styles into a highly theatrical exploration of this unique art form. This spectacular performance, filled with an array of various puppetry styles, including hand puppets, giant full-body puppets, and shadow puppetry, combines dramatic storytelling and lots of audience participation to enthrall, engage, and educate audiences of all ages. Registration required for all guests. Free.
Saturday, March 11
Nature Playscape Grand Opening, 10:00–11:00 A.M. at Government Canyon State Natural Area—There will be a short ceremony to honor those who made this long awaited, family-friendly addition to Government Canyon a reality. The ceremony will be followed by a ribbon cutting for the kids, refreshments, and lots of fun. All ages are welcome. Free.
Fun Family Art Day: Welcome Spring!, 10:00 A.M.–1:00 P.M. at Inspire Community Fine Art Center—Join instructor Stacy Berlfein for Spring-inspired make-and-take art activities, snacks and lots of wholesome family fun as always. Free.
Mockingbird Fest, 12:00–5:00 P.M. at Hemisfair—A fun-filled festival of tasting, moving, and discovering things that make Texas great—only at Hemisfair! Educational activities will teach state history, natural wonders, and cultural traditions while local chefs and brewers will serve up the flavors Texans love most. Come enjoy arts, crafts, music, and more. Free.
Free, Fun, Family Block Party Benefit, 1:00–5:00 P.M. at The Enclave at Arcadia Ridge—This event will have free food, activities for the kids including character appearances, lots of vendors, great raffles, and more. The event is meant to bring awareness to Bryce’s NICU Project, a non-profit organization who’s mission is to provide gifts of love to parents with babies in the NICU. There will be a drop off station for anyone who wants to donate items to go towards our NICU Mother’s Day event. Free
Ballet in the Park, 6:00 P.M. at Travis Park—Free annual event for the community at Travis Park presented by Ballet San Antonio. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, family, and friends to enjoy snippets of large productions performed by Ballet San Antonio. There will be a class and Q&A at 6:00 P.M. The performance will begin at 7:00 P.M. Free.
Star Party, 6:30–8:00 P.M. at Eisenhower Park—What’s to see in the spring skies? Observe the night skies with the San Antonio Astronomical Association and learn about the planets and the moon. Fun for families of all ages. During inclement weather, be sure to check the calendar as this program may be cancelled. No reservations needed. For more information email [email protected]. Suggested donation is $3 per person, or $6 per family.
Free Outdoor Movie: Back to the Future, 7:00 P.M. at Hemisfair—Bring picnics, lawn chairs, and blankets. Movie starts at dusk. Live pre-movie music from Divine Atoms. Free.
Sunday, March 12
Free Second Saturday: German Heritage Day, 12:00–4:00 P.M. at Institute of Texan Cultures—Explore German heritage and culture in Texas through engaging family presentations, activities, and more. The day will include a presentation on the historical importance of baseball to the German communities of Texas. Free.
Monday, March 13
Little Sprouts Monday: Birds, 10:00–11:30 A.M. at San Antonio Botanical Garden—Learn about unique features of birds. Bring your little one, age 3–5 years, to the garden for kid-friendly fun. Each Little Sprout Monday includes storytelling, kids’ crafts, and hands-on explorations at your child’s pace. Little Sprouts Mondays are the second Monday of each month. A parent or guardian must stay with the child. Registration is $12 per child and includes one adult.
Purple Rain Live, 8:00 P.M. at Tobin Center for the Performing Arts—For one night only, a dozen of San Antonio’s most exciting bands perform Prince’s 1984 classic Purple Rain, from start to finish. Backed up by the YOSA Philharmonic (a full symphony orchestra), luminaries of the local music scene reinvent familiar hits from this Grammy- and Oscar-winning album, widely hailed as one of the greatest records of the 20th century. Tickets $25–70.
March 13–17—Spring Break
Spring Break Camps, 7:30 A.M.–5:30 P.M. at City of San Antonio Community Centers—The Spring Break Camp offers a variety of age appropriate activities for youth ages 6–14. Activities include: traditional sports, active games, and seasonally themed craft projects. Lunch and snack are included daily (provided through partnership with the San Antonio Food Bank). Space is limited to 50 spaces at each site. The fee is $3 per child per day.
Texas Frontier Week, 10:00 A.M.–2:00 P.M. at Institute of Texan Cultures—The Back 40 is open for Spring Break! Take a look at life on the Texas Frontier. Experience the log house, barn, schoolhouse, adobe house and frontier fort, and get a look at pioneer agriculture and spring crops. Included with regular admission.
Tuesday, March 14
Spring Break Free Day, 10:00 A.M.–9:00 P.M. & Family Day: Pattern Palooza, 12:00–4:00 P.M. at San Antonio Museum of Art—General admission is free for all ages, all day. For Family Day: Dots, checks, and stripes–oh, my! It’s a festival of patterns and fun for all as we celebrate spring break. Free.
March 14–16
Spring Break Free Family Days: Tour de McNay, 2:00–4:00 P.M. (2:00–6:00 P.M. on March 16) at McNay Art Museum—Celebrate art and the scenic French countryside this Spring Break! Enjoy three days of free family fun as you screen print a “Tour de McNay” flag; create art inspired by Chagall, Matisse, Monet, and more; plus, take in the charming children’s film The Triplets of Belleville. Bring your bike, trike, and helmet Thursday for a special “Tour de McNay” with a demo on bike safety and a ride around the grounds led by San Antonio B-Cycle.
March 14-17
Spring Break Activity Week, 8:30–11:30 A.M. at Mitchell Lake Audubon Center—Flex your creativity and get some exercise, all while spending time in nature! Feel free to arrive anytime, with each day having a different theme plus crafts and special animal guests to see and learn about. Family-friendly nature walk at 9:30 A.M. Bring a picnic lunch and eat outside afterward. Snacks and drinks available for purchase. Daily themes: Owls & Raptors (Tuesday), Butterflies & Insects (Wednesday), Rockin’ Reptiles (Thursday), Backyard Birds & Wildflowers (Friday). Free with general admission.
Lil Partners Spring Break Play: Build the West, 10:00 A.M.–12:00 P.M. at Briscoe Western Art Museum—Make a stop-motion video with Western backdrops—featuring the Alamo, a train station, and other scenes inspired by the Museum’s collection. Meet and chat with the Artist-in-Action as he recreates Western masterpieces with LEGOs. Build your own Western scene at the LEGO creation station. Free.
March 13–17
Spring Break Camps, 7:30 A.M.–5:30 P.M. at City of San Antonio Community Centers—The Spring Break Camp offers a variety of age-appropriate activities for youth ages 6–14. Activities include: traditional sports, active games, and seasonally themed craft projects. Lunch and snack are included daily (provided through partnership with the San Antonio Food Bank). Space is limited to 50 spaces at each site. The fee is $3 per child per day.
Texas Frontier Week, 10:00 A.M.–2:00 P.M. at Institute of Texan Cultures—The Back 40 is open for Spring Break! Take a look at life on the Texas Frontier. Experience the log house, barn, schoolhouse, adobe house and frontier fort, and get a look at pioneer agriculture and spring crops. Included with regular admission.
March 14–16
Spring Break Free Family Days: Tour de McNay, 2:00–4:00 P.M. (2:00–6:00 P.M. on March 16) at McNay Art Museum—Celebrate art and the scenic French countryside this Spring Break! Enjoy three days of free family fun as you screen print a “Tour de McNay” flag; create art inspired by Chagall, Matisse, Monet, and more; plus, take in the charming children’s film The Triplets of Belleville. Bring your bike, trike, and helmet Thursday for a special “Tour de McNay” with a demo on bike safety and a ride around the grounds led by San Antonio B-Cycle.
March 14-17
Spring Break Activity Week, 8:30–11:30 A.M. at Mitchell Lake Audubon Center—Flex your creativity and get some exercise, all while spending time in nature! Feel free to arrive anytime, with each day having a different theme plus crafts and special animal guests to see and learn about. Family-friendly nature walk at 9:30 A.M. Bring a picnic lunch and eat outside afterward. Snacks and drinks available for purchase. Daily themes: Owls & Raptors (Tuesday), Butterflies & Insects (Wednesday), Rockin’ Reptiles (Thursday), Backyard Birds & Wildflowers (Friday). Free with general admission.
Lil Partners Spring Break Play: Build the West, 10:00 A.M.–12:00 P.M. at Briscoe Western Art Museum—Make a stop-motion video with Western backdrops—featuring the Alamo, a train station, and other scenes inspired by the Museum’s collection. Meet and chat with the Artist-in-Action as he recreates Western masterpieces with LEGOs. Build your own Western scene at the LEGO creation station. Free.
Friday, March 17
Family Fun Night, 7:00–8:30 P.M. at Landa Recreation Center (New Braunfels)—Do you like to play dodge ball, board games, or other group games? We’ve got something that will be fun for you and your family! Snacks will be available for purchase. Open to all ages. Call (830) 221-4370 to register. Registration is $2 per person, or free with facility card.
Saturday, March 18
Spring Break Open House, 8:00 A.M.–4:00 P.M. at Mitchell Lake Audubon Center–Curious about Mitchell Lake Audubon Center? Come on out for free during this Open House. Kid-friendly crafts and family-friendly nature walks (9 A.M, 11:30 A.M., and 1 P.M.) will be provided. Come out and hike the trails, visit the native and drought-tolerant gardens, and look for migrating butterflies and birds. Bring a water bottle, closed-toe shoes, bug spray, hat, and sunscreen. Entry is FREE!
Fest of Tails Kite Festival & Dog Fair, 9:00 A.M.–4:00 P.M. at McAllister Park—This event will showcase food and live music, arts and crafts, dogs of all sizes and breeds, and a sky full of kites! Everyone is encouraged to bring a blanket and lawn chair to watch the spectacular air show. Bring your favorite kite and participate in the community flying exhibition. Kites will also be available for purchase at the festival. New this year—hot air balloon rides from 9:00–11:30 A.M, weather permitting. Children: $5 (must be able to see over basket), and adults: $10. Admission to the festival is free.
Texas Frontier Family Day, 10:00 A.M.–3:00 P.M. at Landmark inn State Historic Site (Castroville)—Find out if you have what it takes to live in the past! Discover how trades and industry enabled life west of San Antonio. In the 1850s, Landmark Inn operated as a store, hotel, post office, and gristmill. Learn trades of the past and enjoy fun activates for the whole family. Call (830) 931-2133 for more information. Free with regular admission charged; children under 5 free.
World Music, World Stories, 1:00–6:00 P.M. at Hill Country Science Mill (Johnson City)—A day of music, stories and culture from around the globe! Join the Science Mill and OUTSIDE VOICE TV for a backyard concert featuring: Tribu Baharú from Bogota, Colombia; Los Texmaniacs from San Antonio, Texas; Analogix from Fukuoka-shi, Japan; Hanato Chiruran from Tokyo, Japan. OUTSIDE VOICE is an Austin, Texas-based creative community that encourages creative inspiration in kids through its YouTube show ARTtv and other programs. Concert is free with regular admission to Science Mill.
March 18–19
Poly-Asian Faire at Wonderland of the Americas—Dragon Heart and Harajuku Dreams have teamed up to bring you an event that brings many Asian and Pacific Island cultures together to showcase not only the traditional arts & crafts, cuisine, dance, and music, but also the modern pop culture that has grown from them. The focus for the event is the arts in hopes that it may reveal some of the cultural flair and flavor and create a lasting impression. Free.
Thursday, March 23
Homeschool Student Workshop: Portraits, Still lifes, and Landscapes, 9:30 A.M.–12:00 P.M. at San Antonio Museum of Art—Designed specifically for homeschool students and their parents. Participate as a family in a guided experience of the museum’s encyclopedic collection with a tour and hands-on activity, and extend learning through art at home with materials provided by the museum. Advance registration required. E-mail [email protected]. Free with museum admission.
Growing Up Wild: Hiding in Plain Sight, 10:00–11:30 A.M. at Friedrich Wilderness Park—Learn about camouflage animals through stories, hands-on activities, and a guided hike. Growing Up Wild builds on a child’s sense of wonder about nature and invites them to explore wildlife and the world around them. Activities are designed to provide an early foundation and appreciation of nature. RSVP required. For more information, call 210-207-3782 or e-mail [email protected]. Suggested donation is $3 per person, or $6 per family.
Friday, March 24
Family Movie Night: The Peanuts Movie, 5:30–8:00 P.M. at Potranco Branch Library—Hosted by Councilman Ray Lopez. The event starts at 5:30 P.M. with free food, bounce houses, a balloon artist, a face painter, and free popcorn. Movie start at dusk (around 7:30 P.M.). Free.
Saturday, March 25
Touch-A-Truck, 10:00 A.M. at Crown of Life Preschool and MDO—Touch-A-Truck allows kids of all ages to experience and touch life-sized trucks and vehicles they see on the roads and construction sites throughout town. They also get the opportunity to interact with the community leaders that drive them. Come see construction vehicles, sanitation trucks, fire trucks, FBI SWAT and HazMat trucks, Bexar County Sheriff’s SWAT and K-9 unit vehicles, tree-trimming trucks, and so much more! Plus, food trucks will be on site for when you get hungry. Admission to the event is $1 per person for ages 2 and up.
2017 All-Star Challenge, 10:00 A.M. at Normoyle Community Center—Calling all boys and girls ages 10–18 to participate in this free annual youth basketball competition. Register at the Normoyle Community Center at 700 Culberson, (210) 923-2443. Free.
Festival of India, 3:00–9:00 P.M. at La Villita Historic Arts Village—Presented by the India Association of San Antonio. The theme for 2017 is cultural fusion: classical, folk, and pop to depict the spectrum of performing arts in India! A family-friendly festival with authentic cuisine, performances, ethnic clothing vendors, henna, and sari wrapping. Free.
Violins and Voices, 5:00 P.M. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church—The youngest artists of The Children’s Chorus and Youth Orchestras of San Antonio are the next generation of great San Antonio musicians and arts supporters! YOSA’s Prelude Strings and Capriccio Strings will perform side by side with CCSA’s Junior Choruses in an engaging program of youthful music and classical favorites. Free.
Free Outdoor Movie: Nacho Libre, 7:00–10:00 P.M. at Hemisfair—Bring picnics, lawn chairs, and blankets. Movie screenings begin at sundown every other Saturday, weather permitting. Free.
Sunday, March 26
Síclovía: World Heritage, 11:00 A.M.–4:00 P.M. at Southtown—Turn San Antonio’s streets into a safe, fun place for walking, bicycling, jogging and enjoying outdoor activities. By making a stretch of South St. Mary’s Street and Roosevelt Avenue (from Alamo Street to Mission Concepción) temporarily car-free, Siclovia opens the road to pedestrians, bicyclists, and recreationalists. Organized by the YMCA of Greater San Antonio along with key sponsors. Event is open to pets, but please keep them on leashes and remember to pick up after them. Free.
11th Annual Dignowity Hill Pushcart Derby, 2:00–6:00 P.M. at Lockwood Park—Adult and teen races will take place in historic downtown. Pushcart team registration open until March 23. Food and beverage will be available for purchase. Free.
More coming soon! Be sure to check back for updates.
February 10–March 12
The Secret Garden at The Playhouse—Book and lyrics by Marsha Norman, music by Lucy Simon. Musical adaptation based on the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett. When the sour young Mary is orphaned and sent to live with her tormented uncle, she is surprised to find what a little kindness and a bit of earth can do to transform not only her own heart but the haunted lives of all those at Misselthwaite Manor. Tickets are $10–40.
February 25–March 6
181st Anniversary Events, 10:00 A.M.–4:00 P.M. at the Alamo—Remember the Alamo with 13 days of interactive living history programming and special events to commemorate the 181st anniversary of the siege and battle of the Alamo. Daily at 10:00 A.M. & 2:00 P.M., Alamo staff will present an overview of what was happening at the Alamo on that day in 1836. These presentations will take place in front of the Alamo Church and last approximately 10–15 minutes. Living history demonstrations will take place on the grounds from 10:00 A.M.–5:00 P.M.
March 3–April 9
The Three Javelinas at Magik Theatre—This take on “The Three Little Pigs” is set in the southwest among the tumbleweeds and ocotillo, as brother and sister javelinas try to outwit a coyote and end up learning what it means to be a family. Based on the books by Susan Howell, illustrated by Jim Harris. Book and lyrics by Jenny Millinger, music by Todd Hulet. Sensory-friendly performance on Saturday, March 25 at 2:00 P.M. Tickets $12–15.
