August
Culinaria Fall Restaurant Weeks
During this year’s Culinaria, San Antonians can grub on some of the best food from the finest restaurants in the Alamo City for two entire weeks. Restaurants will feature three-course prix-fixe menus for lunch and dinner ($10-$15 and $25-$35, respectively). Some of the participating restaurants thus far are Bliss, Biga on the Banks and Shuck Shack, to name a few. For each meal, restaurants donate to Culinaria, which provides the means for students to enter into culinary fields. Multiple locations, August 13-27, culinariasa.org.
September
Brews and Blooms
This hoppy event brings together two beautiful things: flowers and beer. When the heat of summer begins to fade (it will happen, promise), the San Antonio Botanical Gardens provides the perfect setting for a relaxing evening, complete with food truck fare and music. September 10, sabot.org.
Untapped Festival
Untapped Festival has already taken place in Dallas, Forth Worth, Austin and Houston, and now San Antonio joins that list. The festival, which combines indie music and beer, comes to San Antonio on September 17. Details are still in the works, but you will definitely want to stay tuned, because this festival is sure to be kickass. September 17, untapped-festival.com.
October
Greek Funstival
The 56th Annual FUNstival brings Greek culture to SA in mid-October at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church. With music, dance, food and wine, the festival will have you saying “opa!” Dates TBA, stsophiagoc.org.
Gruene Music And Wine Festival
The festival originally began in 1987 as a one-day event and has now become a four-day event that celebrates Texan, German and Americana music, wine, beer and food. Get some liquid courage and jump on to this storied dance floor. October 6-9, Gruene Hall, gruenemusicandwinefestival.org.
Lebanese Food Festival
Experience the Lebanese culture with entertainment, dance, music and food. But let’s focus on the food: hummus, baklavas, falafels and so much pita bread. October 28-30 St. George Maronite Church, stgeorgesa.org.
Oktoberfest At Beethoven Maennerchor
If you can’t make it to Wurstfest, don’t fret, you can eat all the brats and drink all of the Spaten Oktoberfest your belly desires at Beethoven’s two-weekend long Oktoberfest (October 7-8 and 14-15) here in SATX. Prost! Prices vary, beethovenmaennerchor.com.
San Antonio Beer Festival
Beer lovers, rejoice! With over 300 brews, from porters and stouts to ciders and pale ales, the Beer Festival takes over Lockwood and Dignowity Parks on October 15. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy live music while sipping on a cold beer. Sounds like a great way to spend a Saturday. October 15, tickets on sale now at sanantoniobeerfestival.com.
November
Dia De Los Muertos
The traditional Mexican holiday, Dia De Los Muertos, is a celebration where departed loved ones are commemorated and remembered. Altars (ofrendas) are set up around the city where beautiful art is displayed and poetry readings and calaveras (skulls) processions take place. People honor their deceased loved ones by placing sugar skulls, marigolds and the departed person’s favorite food and drinks on the altars. November 2, multiple locations.
4th Annual Tango of the Vines
Tango of the Vines showcases some of the tastiest wine from the Texas Hill Country (Yeah, we can make wine too, California!). This festival takes place at the Lambermont Castle. Relax in the outdoor gardens, sample food from local restaurants and sip on the nectar of the gods. Proceeds from the event benefit the Amniotic Fluid Embolism Foundation. November 4, afesupport.org.
Diwali
Diwali, the festival of lights, coincides with the Hindu New Year and celebrates the victory of light over dark, good over evil. This free event features Indian music, dances and cuisine, vendor booths and a lighting ceremony. November 5, La Villita, diwalisa.com.
December
Wurstfest
German history runs deep in the Texas Hill Country. Celebrate it with lots of beers, music, carnival rides and, of course, sausage (which puts the wurst in wurstfest). The 10-day festival takes place in New Braunfels. Get those lederhosens ready, y’all. November 4-13, wurstfest.com.
La Gran Tamalada
The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center hosts the annual community event, which brings together the tradition of making tamales with storytelling. Cultural experts show participants how to make the delicious golden-wrapped tamales, so you can take the tradition home with you. Date TBA, guadalupeculturalarts.org.
Tamales! at the Pearl Here in South Texas, winter (or even Christmas dinner) isn’t complete without some tamales. Tamales! at the Pearl features over 40 tamale vendors ranging in price from $1-$5. Lines do tend to get crazy, so head out there early to snag some of the best tamales in San Anto, and don’t forget to bring cash! Usually the first week in December, atpearl.com.
