2018 Annual Events
Just one look at our events calendar and you'll know San Marcos is always “the place to be.” Music festivals, marathons, art markets and mermaids - you’re sure to have a wonderful #SMTXperience year-round.
Farmer's Market - Saturdays & Tuesdays
The San Marcos Farmer’s Market provides a wonderful space for Central Texas farmers to market their crops and wares. Products found at the Farmer’s Market are fresh, homegrown and homemade goods.
Saturday: Downtown Square on San Antonio St. | 9 am – 1 pm
Tuesday: CM Allen Pkwy at Hopkins St. behind The Hitch: A Mobile Eatery | 3-6pm
Summer in the Park - Thursdays all Summer
Enjoy free live music in the park each Thursday evening. Bring lawn chairs, blankets and refreshments to enjoy while you are serenaded under the stars. The opening act and headliner list can be found on the website each year.
San Marcos Plaza Park, 206 N. CM Allen Pkwy | 7:30-9:30 pm | 512.393.8400
Art Squared Art Market - 2nd Saturdays March - December
Enjoy an outdoor market featuring art of all types. Painting, sculpture, pottery, jewelry and live music are featured by more than 30 artists from the San Marcos area.
San Marcos Downtown Square | 9 am – 4 pm | 512.825.2819
www.artsquaredsmtx.com | artsquaredsmtx@gmail.com
3rd Wednesday Storytelling Open Mic Night - 3rd Wednesdays
Writers, tellers, readers, listeners and lovers of stories, come tell a tale or sit back and listen to others share theirs. This Storytelling Open Mic Night is sure to be a fun addition to your Wednesday nights!
Wake the Dead Coffee House, 1432 Ranch Road 12 | 7:30 – 8:30 pm
Unicycle Football – Every Sunday August – March
American football played on unicycles, with a joust start and human field goals – Unicycle Football is a must-see event in San Marcos.
San Marcos Activity Center | Game #1 1pm – Game #2 3pm
http://www.unicyclefootball.com/
3rd Thursday Downtown Walk About - 3rd Thursdays
The 3rd Thursday Downtown Walk About is a family-friendly event with food, drinks, art, shopping and music. Experience creative, and historic, downtown San Marcos while you visit different businesses, art galleries and eateries.
San Marcos Downtown Square | 6-9 pm
1st Saturday Birding Hikes - 1st Saturdays
From water fowl to woodpeckers – you never know which feathered friends will be spotted in San Marcos natural areas. Join guide Stephen Ramirez, local photographer and unicycle enthusiast, as he leads groups the first Saturday of every month at sunrise.
JANUARY
January 28
Celtic Fest
The San Marcos Celtic Festival is a free celebration of St. Brigid’s day – considered the first day of spring in Ireland. The festival will feature traditional Irish and Celtic music, art and crafts. A family-friendly event, the Celtic Festival is a cultural celebration appropriate for all ages.
San Marcos Activity Center | 12 pm – 6 pm
https://www.facebook.com/events/1608882516087086/
FEBRUARY
February 9-10
Eddie Durham Jazz Celebration and Hill Country Jazz Festival
From big bands and combos to individual instrumentalists, the Hill Country Jazz Festival will feature some of the best performers west of the Mississippi River. A very special portion of the festival will be a celebration of Eddie Durham. Durham, a Texas jazz legend and San Marcos native, was a renowned guitarist who pioneered the use of electric guitar in jazz music.
Evans Auditorium – Texas State University
http://www.txstate.edu/jazzstudies/hillcountryfestival
February 5
Greater Randolph Area Trail Riders
The Greater Randolph Area Trail Riders will make their annual appearance in San Marcos as they travel to the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. Riders will enjoy lunch at restaurants around the square and Dutch Oven Peach Cobbler will be available for all attendees to enjoy free of charge. Watching the Greater Randolph Area Trail Riders ride through downtown San Marcos is always a fun, family-friendly event.
Hays County Courthouse | 11:30 am
MARCH
March 4
Middleton Brewing Company Third Coast 5K Beer Run
Do you love craft beer and exercise? Then we have a great run for you! The Middleton Brewing Company Third Coast 5k Beer run starts and finishes at Middleton Brewing Co and runs the rural streets of Oakwood Loop near the brewery. Finish with a tasting, finisher glass and shirt.
Middleton Brewery 101 Oakwood Loop |8 am | 512.847.3435
APRIL
April 12-15
Downtown Swing
The Downtown Swing festival is a weekend full of live music and family fun. Downtown Swing takes place in various venues in historic downtown San Marcos and kicks off with a Live On The Lawn performance in San Marcos Plaza Park. There will also be a Hall of Fame Show, farmers’ and arts market and Cowboy Gospel show.
Hays County Courthouse
Date TBA
Mutt Strutt
Bring your four-legged friend for a fun one-mile walk along the San Marcos River. After the brisk walk, there will be pet contests and a silent auction to partake in. There will also be live music, door prizes and complimentary donuts and coffee. All registered participants receive T-shirts, bottled water and goodie bags.
San Marcos Plaza Park, 206 N. CM Allen Pkwy.
http://www.muttstrutt.org/
MAY
Date TBA
Heritage Home Tours/Tours of Distinction
Enjoy this two-day event featuring self-guided tours of some of San Marcos’ historic homes and culturally significant sites. This is the only weekend these homes are open for tours.
Various Residential Historic Districts
May 19-20
Dirt Dauber Festival
Partake in a wonderful celebration of all things clay with this free event. Watch clay art demonstrations, enjoy refreshments, a kids’ clay play table and live music.
Eye of the Dog Art Center, 405 Valley view West Road | 512.754.8171
JUNE
June 8
Wine & Art Walk
Enjoy some of the best art in the Texas Hill Country alongside delicious local food and wine. Wine walkers can enjoy wine Friday night in preparation for the Art Squared showcases on Saturday. There will be kid’s crafts, live art demos and entertainment to round out the weekend.
June 9
Texas Water Safari
Considered the “World’s Toughest Boat Race,” the Texas Water Safari is a 260-mile long canoe and kayak race from Spring Lake in San Marcos to the city of Seadrift on the Texas coastline. Come cheer the teams on at our riverside parks.
Meadows Center start, 201 San Marcos Springs Dr. | 512.738.6607
Date TBA
Juneteenth Celebrations
Commemorate the ending of slavery with the San Marcos Juneteenth Celebrations. The oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States, festivities include a parade and charity BBQ cook-off.
San Marcos Plaza Park, 206 N. CM Allen Pkwy. | Event – 512.396.4903
Dates TBA
BIGfest
BIGfest is a three-day music festival at Cheatham Street Warehouse celebrating the birthday of Texas legend and guitar virtuoso, Big John Mills. Proceeds benefit the Cheatham Street Music Foundation.
Cheatham Street Warehouse, 119 Cheatham St. | 512.353.3777
www.bigfest.cheathamstreetfoundation.org/
JULY
July 4
SummerFest
Come out to San Marcos Plaza Park for the city’s annual 4th of July celebration. Enjoy live music, a children’s parade, a patriotic costume contest, food vendors and a grand finale fireworks display.
San Marcos Plaza Park, 206 N. CM Allen Pkwy | 512.393.5930
SEPTEMBER
September 15
Junior Texas Water Safari
Running from San Marcos City Park to Staples Hwy 1977 bridge, this 16-mile water adventure provides a great opportunity for canoeists and kayakers to test their skills, gain experience in the water and prepare for the big Texas Water Safari the following summer.
San Marcos City Park, 170 Charles Austin Dr. 512.738.6607
Date TBA
SMTX Pride
Pride is a great way to unite in a positive stance against violence and discrimination towards lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual and ally people. The goal of SMTX Pride is to bring awareness of unity and equality while building a community of support.
www.smtxpride.org
September 15-22
SMTX Mermaid Splash
Mermaids take over San Marcos during the 3rd Annual SMTX Mermaid Splash! With mermaid themed activities taking place throughout the city, the primary events include The Mermaid Ball, The Downtown Mermaid Parade and the Mermaid Splash.
Downtown San Marcos and San Marcos City Park, 170 Charles Austin Dr.
OCTOBER
Date TBA
Sacred Springs Powwow
The Sacred Springs Powwow is an annual celebration of the Native American culture that has been part of the San Marcos area for thousands of years. Native dance from across Texas gather at the Sacred Springs in San Marcos dressed in beautiful, hand-crafted regalia. Come watch the dancers, participate in the intertribal dances and enjoy the booths that offer authentic Native American arts and food.
Spring Lake, Meadows Center, 201 San Marcos Springs Dr. | 512.393.3310
Date TBA
PetFest
PetFest is a celebration of pets both large and small. Enjoy the PetFest parade, kid’s games, arts and crafts, pet demos, pet and owner look-a-like contest, pet costumes, exhibits, concert, vendors, food and more!
San Marcos Plaza Park, 206 N. CM Allen Pkwy. | 512.754.7257
www.preventalitter.com/pet-fest
NOVEMBER
November 10
Veterans Day Parade
Honor and remember all those who have served our country at the annual Veterans Day Parade in downtown San Marcos.
Hays County Courthouse | 512.393.8400
November 10
CAF Veterans Dinner & 40’s Swing Band Hangar Dance
Come honor and celebrate the brave men and women who gave us our freedom at the Commemorative Air Force Central Texas Wing in San Marcos. Swing dance along to authentic ‘40s music amongst restored and function WWII aircraft. It’s a night you surely won’t forget.
Commemorative Air Force CenTex Hangar, San Marcos Airport | 512.396.1943
DECEMBER
November 28 – December 1
December 5 - 8
Sights & Sounds of Christmas
Enjoy eight full evenings of holiday cheer in San Marcos. Highlights include carnival rides, arts & crafts, pictures with Santa, local school performances, live nativity scene, a food court and tons of beautiful lights!
San Marcos Plaza Park, 206 N. CM Allen Pkwy | 512.393.8400
December 14
Wine & Wassail Walk
Kick off the holiday season in downtown San Marcos with the Wine & Wassail Walk. There will also be a Farm to Table dinner where downtown eateries transform local produce, wine and goods into a gourmet meal.
Downtown San Marcos | 512.393.8430