World Heritage Festival Brings 5 Days of Fun to the San Antonio Missions

This collaborative five-day festival takes place across the city in celebration of the San Antonio Missions and to raise money for nonprofit organizations and projects that “preserve, maintain, promote and connect” the city to its world heritage. Although some events have already sold out (like Thursday’s Sunset Dinner at Mission San Juan), there’s still plenty to do. The festival kicks off Wednesday with an opening reception for “Entre la Sombra: Life Along the Missions,” an exhibition of contemporary works inspired by “oral histories, cultural mapping, photographs, and maps” (6-9pm, Plaza de Armas Gallery, 115 Plaza de Armas). On Friday, join fellow San Antonians at Mission Concepción for the free event Restored by Light, where attendees can enjoy tours and activities for the kids, a concert by the USAA Band and Chorus, food trucks and a projection light show (6-10pm, 807 Mission Road). Grab your bicycle for Saturday’s Tour de las Misiones Bike Ride & Walk at the Mission Park Pavilion ($25-$45, registration from 6-7:30pm, ride & walk at 8am, 6030 Padre Drive). After getting some exercise, hang back at the pavilion for Mission Pachanga (9am-5pm), a free, family-friendly festival with arts and crafts, food and live music by Piñata Protest, Chulita Vinyl Club, Grupo Frakaso, Eva Ybarra and Los De Esta Noche. There’s also a Celebratory Mass on Sunday at at Mission Concepción (10am), so try not to drink too many Lone Stars. Visit worldheritagefestival.org for details.