Every Tuesday from 10 to 11am, Hemisfair hosts Story Time on the Reading Rug (behind the Hemisfair offices at 630 E. Nueva St., by Yanaguana Garden) with a Book of the Week and a STEAM activity. Guest partners rotate: the San Antonio Public Library, the San Antonio African American Community Archive and Museum, WeFlamenco Fest and Magik Theatre all appear on the fall calendar. Covered parking is nearby in the Hemisfair Garage, 623 Hemisfair Blvd.
Bexar County residents get free general admission to the San Antonio Museum of Art every Tuesday from 4 to 7pm. The museum sits on the Museum Reach of the River Walk, a short walk from the Pearl. Adult admission is otherwise $24; a special exhibition charge may still apply during free hours.
Verified Oct 27 · samuseum.org
Catch: Bexar County residents only: bring proof of residency · Special exhibitions may cost extra
The Witte Museum in Brackenridge Park (nature, science and Texas history) is free for Bexar County residents every Tuesday from 3 to 6pm. Capacity is limited, so reserve free tickets online. Parking is free. Adult admission is otherwise $17.
Verified Oct 27 · wittemuseum.org
Catch: Bexar County residents only: you may be asked for proof · Reserve a free ticket online (limited capacity)
ServicesFree (worth about $50)For people who qualify
Mon–Fri 8am–5pm in person; phone Mon–Fri 8am–6pm, Sat 9am–3pm
San Antonio Food Bank
The San Antonio Food Bank's benefits team helps you screen for, apply for or renew SNAP, Medicaid, CHIP, WIC, TANF and other programs, at no cost. Call 210-431-8326 (Mon–Fri 8am–6pm, Sat 9am–3pm), submit an online referral, or walk in Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm.
Ruby City, the bright red contemporary art center designed by David Adjaye, is always free and open to the public. Next door, Chris Park is a free public garden open Tuesday to Sunday.
Preschoolers enjoy stories and songs in Spanish that build early literacy skills, Fridays 10:30 to 11:15am at the Encino Branch Library. Recommended for ages 2 to 5. Cuentos y canciones en español. A few weeks are skipped (there is none on Nov 27), so check the library calendar before going.
Main Plaza (lot in front of the former NBU building) · New Braunfels
A free monthly evening of art, music and community on Main Plaza: original work by emerging and established local artists plus live entertainment, every first Friday from 6 to 9pm. Weather permitting.
Phil Hardberger Park, Voelcker Homestead Trailhead · San Antonio
Once a year Phil Hardberger Park celebrates its history as the Voelcker dairy farm: petting zoo, wildlife and nature learning, history and farming demos, live music, storytelling, crafts and a plant giveaway while supplies last. Saturday, November 7, 9am to noon. Free, no registration.
New Braunfels honors local veterans with a ceremony at Main Plaza at 9am followed by a parade at 10am, with veterans' groups, community floats and nonprofits. Saturday, November 7. Free.
WeFlamenco Fest presents an afternoon of flamenco dance and music at Yanaguana Garden on Sunday, November 8, from 2 to 6pm: student showcases at 2pm, a Filipino-Spanish performance at 3:30pm and Arte y Pasión's touring show The Silk Road at 5pm. General admission is free; a $10 donation is optional.
The Alamo, Will Naylor Smith Outdoor Classroom · San Antonio
Every Sunday at 10:30am, one of the Alamo's living historians leads a free half-hour storytime under a live oak at the outdoor classroom outside the Texas Cavaliers Education Center, with hand claps, games and period artifacts. Books are picked with preschoolers in mind.
On the second Sunday of each month, Bexar County residents can see the San Antonio Museum of Art free from 10am to noon. Adult admission is otherwise $24; a special exhibition charge may apply.
Verified Oct 27 · samuseum.org
Catch: Bexar County residents only: bring proof of residency · Special exhibitions may cost extra
Adopt a free shade or ornamental tree at San Antonio's Texas Arbor Day celebration, with more than 1,000 trees available, crafts, nature activities and tree-care tips. Saturday, November 14, 10am to 1pm at Mission Marquee Plaza.
The sixth annual SA Veterans Day at Hemisfair's Civic Park honors veterans with live music, food and drinks, family activities and veteran resource groups, all at no cost. Saturday, November 14, noon to 6pm. Open to everyone.
Main Plaza kicks off the holidays as thousands of lights switch on and Santa arrives. Take your own photos with Santa for free in front of a special backdrop. Friday, November 20, 6 to 9pm, with a free shuttle from 5:30pm.
The city's indoor natatorium is free to swim all day on Saturday, November 21, with free water safety lessons at 1:30pm. Extra free swim sessions run November 23 to 25 from 2 to 5pm.
Magik Theatre celebrates opening night of How the Grinch Stole Christmas with a free hour of crafts and family fun in Hemisfair's Theatre Plaza, Saturday, November 21, 4 to 5pm. You don't need a ticket to the play; show tickets are sold separately.
Look through telescopes and learn the constellations and planets with the San Antonio Astronomical Association. Saturday, November 21, 6 to 8pm. Free, all ages.
About 200,000 lights hang in the bald cypress trees along the downtown River Walk. They switch on at the Ford Holiday River Parade on Friday, November 27, 2026, and shine every night through early January. The River Walk is a public park open 24 hours a day, and seeing the lights is free.
San Antonio's lighted river parade and River Walk lighting ceremony starts at 6pm on Friday, November 27, the day after Thanksgiving. Most seats along the route are ticketed, but a free first-come viewing area sits on the east side of the River Walk between Pecan Street and Richmond Avenue. Bring your own chair; strollers and coolers aren't allowed.
Verified Oct 27 · thesanantonioriverwalk.com
Catch: Free only in the free viewing area (east side, Pecan St to Richmond Ave); other seats are ticketed
See Alamo Plaza decorated for the holidays after hours, with the traditional Christmas tree and lights across Plaza de Valero. Saturday, November 28, 6 to 8pm. Free. The church and grounds are closed during the event.
New Braunfels' annual holiday kickoff: sample free wassail (a warm spiced German holiday drink) from downtown businesses and nonprofits, with holiday lights and school choirs. Thursday, December 3, 6 to 9pm. Park free at City Hall and take the shuttle. Some wassail may contain alcohol ("leaded"); others are alcohol-free.
Downtown Seguin (Austin St to Central Park) · San Antonio
More than 100 light-covered entries roll down Austin Street to Central Park, then the mayor switches on the downtown lights and Santa poses for photos. Thursday, December 3, at 6:30pm, starting at Austin and College streets.
Schertz kicks off the season at the Hal Baldwin Municipal Complex with jolly entertainment, holiday treats, a Mt. Schertz winter wonderland and snow angel play area, the Kris Kringle Market and the community's lighted night parade. Saturday, December 5. The city hasn't posted times or full details yet, so check its page before you go.
Living historians show how Texans celebrated Christmas in the mid-1800s, with encampment demonstrations, a musket firing demonstration and a band on the pavilion stage. Saturday, December 5, 10am to 2pm. Free.
Bring a lawn chair or blanket for a free holiday movie on the pavilion stage screen at Plaza de Valero, the park beside the Alamo. Saturday, December 19, 6 to 8pm.
On the first Sunday of every month the McNay Art Museum is free from noon to 5pm. General admission is otherwise $23; special exhibitions are $10 during free hours.
Verified Oct 27 · mcnayart.org
Catch: Special exhibitions cost $10 during free hours
The DoSeum, San Antonio's museum for kids, opens free on the first Monday of every month from 5:30 to 7:30pm. Free tickets are released online at 8am that morning, first come, first served. Regular admission is $18.
Verified Oct 27 · thedoseum.org
Catch: Free RSVP required: tickets released online at 8am the same day
First Sunday of each month, 10am–5pm (family activities 1–3pm)
Briscoe Western Art Museum · San Antonio
San Antonio and Bexar County residents get free admission to the Briscoe Western Art Museum on the River Walk on the first Sunday of each month, 10am to 5pm, with a free scavenger hunt and hands-on STEAM activities for families from 1 to 3pm. Adult admission is otherwise $16.
Verified Oct 27 · briscoemuseum.org
Catch: San Antonio and Bexar County residents only · Register online
San Antonio Food Bank (distributions across the region)
The San Antonio Food Bank feeds more than 105,000 people a week through market distributions, on-site curbside pickup and partner pantries. Find the nearest distribution by ZIP code on its FreshTrak finder, or call Client Services at 210-431-8326. You don't need a car: walk-up options exist.
Verified Oct 27 · safoodbank.org
Catch: For people who need food help · Some distributions require pre-registration
Explore Mission San José, Concepción, San Juan and Espada, the 18th-century missions that make up San Antonio's UNESCO World Heritage park. No entrance pass is needed. Start at the Mission San José Visitor Center, where kids can pick up a Junior Ranger booklet.
Admission to the Alamo Church is always free; book a free timed reservation online. The grounds include the bronze sculpture trail and an 18-pounder cannon replica. Paid tours and the collections exhibit are optional extras.
Verified Oct 27 · thealamo.org
Catch: Free reservation required
Get my FreeBee list
A free account saves favorites and picks free things in San Antonio for you, plus the best ones every Thursday if you want them. No payment, ever.
