Credit: Jaime Monzon

With the end of October quickly approaching, it’s time to start making plans for the Halloweekend, not to mention Day of the Dead.

Luckily, the Alamo City loves getting espooky, and there are a number of Halloween-themed events over the next week or so.


Watch the Halloween Riverboat Parade from a prime viewing location
Friday, Oct. 25

River Walk spots Hugman’s Oasis and Tokyo Cowboy are offering front-row seats to the Halloween Riverboat Parade, during which elaborately decorated boats start floating by at 6:30 p.m. Tiki bar Hugman’s Oasis is offering a number of spooky Halloween-themed cocktails to add to the experience. Tickets to Hugman’s parade viewing run $50 per person. Tokyo Cowboy is offering a bottle of champagne to each table for its parade-viewing package, which costs $150 for a pair of tickets. Both Hugman’s Oasis and Tokyo Cowboy are serving crispy karaage chicken and house pickles to snack on with each purchase of tickets. Tickets are $50 per person (Hugman’s), $150 per pair (Tokyo Cowboy), 135 E. Commerce St., (210) 305-7075, tokyocowboy.com.

Acenar Halloween Riverboat Parade viewing
Friday, Oct. 25

Modern Tex-Mex restaurant Acenar also is serving up front-row viewing for the Halloween Riverboat Parade. Tickets run $28 for seats along the river for Acenar guests. However, a $65 food and drink minimum is required for patio seating. Guests can also honor their loved ones by leaving a photo at Acenar’s ofrenda. Reservations for riverfront viewing are available by calling (210) 222-2362. Tickets are $28 per person plus $65 food and drink minimum,146 E. Houston St, (210) 222-2362, acenar.com.

The Esquire Tavern Día de los Muertos Celebration
Friday, Saturday and Wednesday, Oct. 25, 26 and 30

The downstairs at the Esquire will host a Día de los Muertos celebration, including themed cocktails and traditional decor. 155 E. Commerce St., (210) 222-2521, esquiretavern-sa.com.

Copa Wine Bar’s Stephen King-themed dinner
Thursday, Oct. 31
For horror novel enthusiasts, Copa Wine Bar is hosting a Stephen King-themed dinner event. The four-course meal features dishes including Children of the Corn (and Clam Chowder) and Beefshank Reduction. Each dish is paired with a wine selected from Copa’s extensive list. Guests are invited to come dressed in costume “to enhance the spooky atmosphere,” according to the venue. Reservations are available by calling (210) 495-2672. $75 per person, 7 p.m., 19141 Stone Oak Pkwy., (210) 495-2672, thecopawinebar.com.

Black Lagoon Halloween popup at Three Star Bar
Through Thursday, Oct. 31

Neighborhood watering hole Three Star Bar has transformed into the Black Lagoon for spooky season, offering up the pop-up bar’s themed cocktails in a creepy atmosphere. Drinks have names including Nightmare Fuel, Witching Hour and Memento Mori, and the musical playlist is full of punk and metal Halloween classics. Three Star Bar, 521 Grayson St., blacklagoonpopup.com. Day of the Dead altar and cocktails at Aldaco’s Mexican Cuisine
Monday, Oct. 28-Sunday, Nov. 3

Diners can pay tribute to their ancestors at Aldaco’s Day of the Dead altar. While there, they also can enjoy a themed specialty cocktail called the Blood Orange, a paloma roja made with a tequila of the diner’s choice. Aldaco’s Mexican Cuisine, 20079 Stone Oak Parkway, (210) 494-0561, aldacosrestaurants.com.

Smashin Crab Complimentary Kids Meal on Halloween
Thursday, Oct. 31

Kids in costume eat for free at San Antonio Smashin Crab locations this Halloween. The free meal is available for those under 10 with the purchase of an adult entrée. Smashin Crab has three San Antonio stores, which are in Stone Oak, Leon Valley and Alamo Ranch. Multiple locations, smashincrab.com.

Folklores Coffee House Halloween Block Party
Saturday, Oct. 26

Punk java joint Folklores Coffee House will stage a Halloween block party at its Government Hill location. This spooktacular event will include a costume contest, food, music, drinks and vendors. 6-10 p.m., 1943 N. New Braunfels Ave., (210) 455-0360, instagram.com/folklores_coffee_house.

Lighthouse Lounge’s annual ofrenda
Through Saturday, Nov. 2

Anyone who’s been to this neighborhood bar during spooky season knows that it maintains a beautiful Día de los Muertos ofrenda on the dancefloor so patrons can honor those they have lost by leaving a photo surrounded by traditional cempasúchil (marigold) flowers. Grab a drink, eat some tacos and dance under the disco ball while you’re there. 1016 Cincinnati Ave., facebook.com/thelighthouselounge.

Muertos Fest
Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 26-27

San Antonio’s annual Muertos Fest is taking over Hemisfair Park with elaborate ofrendas as well as music, food, vendors and more. A procession of tall mojigangas (puppets) will occur at 7 p.m. Saturday, which is truly a sight to behold. Girl in a Coma, one of the musical headliners at the festival, goes on at 9:30 p.m. Saturday. The other headliner, La Santa Cecilia, plays on Sunday at 7:55 p.m. See the full schedule for the free event on the Muertos Fest website. Free, Hemisfair, 630 Nueva St., muertosfest.com.

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This article appears in Oct 16-29, 2024.

Stephanie Koithan is the Digital Content Editor of the San Antonio Current. In her role, she writes about politics, music, art, culture and food. Send her a tip at skoithan@sacurrent.com.