A Guide to Living in San Antonio (Mar. 13th - Mar. 19th)
Hey y’all,
Cory here.
San Antonio is busy this week—whether you’re into St. Patrick’s Day festivities, springtime events, or catching a Spurs game. The weather’s warming up, the wildflowers should be popping soon (though it’s a tough year for bluebonnets), and there’s plenty to check out around town.
From starry nights at McAllister Park to a Sonoran-inspired meal at one of Texas Monthly’s Best New Restaurants, here’s your guide to what’s happening in the city this week.
☘️ Feature of the Week: St. Patrick’s Day in San Antonio ☘️
St. Patrick’s Day is this Monday, and if you’re looking to celebrate in San Antonio, the city has plenty to offer—especially along the River Walk. While our family doesn’t go all out for St. Paddy’s, we know plenty of folks love the excuse to don green and soak in the festive atmosphere. Whether you’re in it for the live music, the parades, or just a pint of Guinness, here are a few things happening around town.
🌊 The San Antonio River Goes Green
San Antonio’s unique St. Patrick’s Day tradition kicks off with the dyeing of the River Walk—an eco-friendly 25-gallon transformation turning the water a dazzling emerald green. If you’ve never seen it, it’s a sight worth checking out!
🗓 Saturday, March 15
- Museum Reach River Dyeing – 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Downtown River Dyeing – 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
🗓 Sunday, March 16
- Downtown River Dyeing – 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
🎶 Festival at La Villita
La Villita Historic Village will be buzzing with Irish spirit, featuring live entertainment, artisan vendors, and the Harp & Shamrock Society’s “Passport to Ireland” experience.
🗓 Saturday & Sunday, March 15-16
⏰ 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM
🎟 Free!
⛵ St. Patrick’s River Parades
Of course, we do parades a little differently—on the water. Irish-themed floats with live entertainment will glide down the river. Best viewing spots? Grab a spot along the River Walk or at Arneson River Theatre.
🗓 Saturday, March 15
- Museum Reach Parade – 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
- Downtown Parade – 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
📆 This Week's Picks:
✨ Star Party | Friday, March 14, 7 PM 📍 McAllister Park, free for all ages—stargaze with telescopes and expert guides, just bring a blanket and flashlight!
🏀 Spurs Home Games | Friday, March 14, 7 PM & Saturday, March 15, 7:30 PM 📍 Frost Bank Center—catch the Spurs as they take on the Hornets and Pelicans back-to-back this weekend!
🎶 Harry Potter in Concert | Friday, March 14, 7:30 PM & Saturday, March 15, 2 PM 📍 Majestic Theatre—watch Chamber of Secrets on the big screen as the SA Philharmonic plays John Williams’ score live!
🪁 Fest of Tails: Dog & Kite Festival | Saturday, March 15, 9 AM–2 PM 📍 McAllister Park, free—watch massive kite displays, join the pooch parade, browse pet vendors, and enjoy live music at this family-friendly event!
🛍 Night Market at Pearl | Wednesday, March 19, 5–9 PM 📍 Pearl, free—shop local vendors, enjoy live music, and grab great eats at the first Night Market of the year!
📖 One Read: San Antonio Report’s Voter Guide
San Antonio’s first open mayoral election in 16 years is coming up, along with all 10 City Council seats and local school board and bond elections. With 86 candidates on the ballot, there’s a lot to sort through.
The San Antonio Report’s 2025 Voter Guide breaks it all down—candidate profiles, key issues, and how to vote. If you want a say in the future of our city, this is the place to start.
📌 Read the guide here: 2025 San Antonio Report Voter Guide
And if you want to go beyond the guide, we’ll be covering the election—including interviews and analysis—over on bigcitysmalltown. Stay tuned!
🍽️ Discover San Antonio's Best New Restaurants*
*According to Texas Monthly
Texas Monthly just named two San Antonio spots among the Best New Restaurants in Texas, both inside Pullman Market at Pearl. If you’re looking for something fresh to try, here’s what to know:
🔥 Isidore | This isn’t your typical steakhouse. Isidore takes familiar flavors and flips them into something unexpected—think chicken nuggets with a silky popcorn velouté or Wagyu ribeye with marigold béarnaise. It’s playful, bold, and a little experimental, but in the best way.
🌵 Mezquite | Inspired by Sonoran cuisine, Mezquite leans into fresh, vibrant ingredients—crispy tuna tostadas, aguachile, and handmade salsas. If you go, don’t skip the chile relleno, stuffed with Oaxacan cheese and carne asada, or the hot, salty tostadas that actually taste like real corn.
📍 Both at Pullman Market (221 Newell Ave).
🌱 Texas Nature Journal: A Tough Year for Bluebonnets?
Last year, McAllister Park was bursting with blue—one of the city’s best wildflower patches. But this year? Not so much.
The difference? Rain. Bluebonnets rely on steady moisture from late summer (when they germinate) through winter and early spring. Last year, San Antonio got the rainfall it needed at just the right time. This year, we didn’t. That means fewer blooms—or delayed ones if the weather shifts.
This isn’t just about missing out on Instagram-worthy fields. Drought is creeping in, and it’s not going away on its own. We need to take water conservation and drought reversal seriously—through better land management, native landscaping, and supporting policies that protect our aquifers.
Let’s not take these Texas treasures for granted! For a bluebonnet-rich spring, we need to first 'plant the rain!'
If you make it to any of these events or try one of this week’s recommendations, let me know what stood out! I always love hearing what’s worth featuring again. Just hit reply and tell me what’s good.
And if you’re enjoying A Guide to Living in San Antonio, share it with a friend who loves exploring the city. The more, the merrier.
Reply to this email or reach out at sponsor@ensembletexas.com to start the conversation.
Until next time,
Cory
