SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio officials are asking downtown visitors to plan ahead this weekend as the city center will host “one of the busiest weekends of the year.”
More than 100,000 people are expected to be in the downtown area on Saturday with multiple events taking place, City Manager Erik Walsh said in a news conference.
Watch the full press conference below:
Muertos Fest will take place Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Hemisfair, and Paul McCartney is slated to perform Saturday night at the Alamodome.
More than 45,000 people are expected to attend the Paul McCartney concert at the Alamodome, according to Steve Zito, Convention & Sports Facilities assistant director.
Also, on Friday night, the River Walk will host the Day of the Dead River Parade.
The heaviest traffic is expected on Saturday evening, near the Alamodome and along Interstate 37.
Here’s what to know before you go:
Major events in downtown San Antonio this weekend
Muertos Fest
One of the largest Day of the Dead festivals in the U.S., Muertos Fest returns to San Antonio Friday through Sunday.
The free festival will open with “¡PRESENTE! Opening Night Tribute" on Friday, honoring Flaco Jimenez, a Conjunto legend who died this summer at 86 years old.
The celebration transforms Hemisfair to honor the traditions of Día de los Muertos with art, music and more than 80 altars created by community members.
Muertos Fest will feature five stages and two processions, scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26. Workshops, including two kids’ crafts sessions, will also be offered to attendees.
Festival hours are:
- Friday, Oct. 24: 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- Saturday, Oct. 25: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Sunday, Oct. 26: Noon to 9 p.m.
Organizers said the festival drew an estimated 130,000 attendees last year. Click here for a guide.
Paul McCartney
“Sir Paul” will visit the Alamo City on Saturday for his “Got Back″ tour.
This won’t be McCartney’s first time performing at the Alamodome.
He was the first artist to perform at the venue on May 29, 1993, the same month it opened.
The H-E-B Plaza opens at 2 p.m., and there will be merchandise, food and beverages available for purchase. Doors to the Alamodome open at 6 p.m.
Alamodome’s parking lots will also open at 2 p.m., but parking is limited, Zito said.
Click here for tickets. Concertgoers can find more parking information on the Alamodome website.
Day of the Dead River Parade
The River Walk will be filled with decorated floats with altars, catrinas, and costumed riders for the 7th annual Day of the Dead River Parade.
The parade begins at 7 p.m. Friday from Lexington Avenue, and the first float is expected to travel through Arneson River Theatre at 7:45 p.m.
Click here for tickets.
Parking
Some nearby parking lots and garages in the downtown area, from the City of San Antonio website, include:
- City Tower Garage: Located at 60 North Flores Street. Parking is free from 7 a.m.- 11:59 p.m. every Sunday, according to the city’s website.
- Convention Center Garage: Located at 41 South Bowie Street and 850 East Commerce Street
- Houston/Nolan Lot: Located at Houston at Elm under the Interstate 37 underpass
- Houston Street Garage: Located at 111 College Street
- Martinez Parking Lot: Located at South Alamo and Martinez streets
Event rates (maximum $15) will be in effect from Friday afternoon to Sunday at most parking facilities.
VIA Park & Ride
Passengers can choose between the locations below to be picked up.
VIA said they will be dropped off at the Robert Thompson Transit Station at 138 Montana St.
Saturday, Oct. 25:
On Saturday, fares will be free across all VIA systems to celebrate Make a Difference Day, which encourages acts of kindness and attendance at local events.
The following locations are available for Park & Ride, according to VIA:
- Brooks Transit Center at 3026 Sidney Brooks Drive
- Crossroads Park & Ride at 151 Crossroads Boulevard
- Frost Bank Center Lots 6 & 7 at 1 Frost Bank Center Drive
Service to the events will run from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., with return services running until midnight.
VIA said its Prímo service, through Route 100 Fredericksburg Road, is also available for connections between the events and downtown garages. It will be running to and from the Alamodome until midnight.
You can learn more about the map for this route on VIA’s website.
Sunday, Oct. 26:
Fares for VIA services will resume on Sunday, the transportation company said.
Passes can be purchased online, in person at the Park & Ride locations (cash or credit cards are accepted) or through the goMobile+ app.
Park & Ride fare is $2.60 for a round trip, with reduced fare available for students, military and other eligible patrons.
VIA said parking at all service transits is free.
VIA will offer Park & Ride at the following locations:
- Crossroads Park & Ride at 151 Crossroads Boulevard
- Brooks Transit Center at 3026 Sidney Brooks Drive
Service to the event will run from noon to 7 p.m. Return service will run continuously until 11 p.m., VIA said.
You can learn more about the Park & Ride service for these and other events here.
Rideshare
Rideshare services are available for travel to and from the Alamodome and other downtown events.
According to the City of San Antonio, the designated drop-off and pick-up location is Alamodome Lot D, located on the west side of Interstate 37, between the Tower of the Americas and the Institute of Texan Cultures.
Travelers can also take a rideshare to Frost Bank Center Lots 6 and 7, where they can connect to VIA’s Park & Ride service.
More city resources:
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