Mission San José at night.

Annual Events for 2008

Listed below are annual events that occur in the park. All are free of charge except where noted. Please e-mail and confirm time and dates of events before publishing in case changes have been made between the time of this printing and the day of the event.

September 27
National Public Lands, 9:00 - 12:00
Volunteers are still needed for help at the Rancho de las Cabras archeological excavation site. No experience required. Contact the Volunteer Coordinator.
Thanks to a wonderful response, volunteers are no longer needed to help the park with tree and vegetation planting. For information on other projects go to http://www.publiclandsday.org/involved/sites.htm?state=Texas
San Antonio Youth Service Summit, 9:00-12:00
For information on this event as a whole, please visit www.cityyear.org/sanantonio, and click on "Day of Action".

October 4
Archaeology Day, 10:00-3:00
Mission San José hosts hands-on activities, exhibits, and lectures for the whole family. Activities will emphasize techniques, information learned from digs/artifacts found at the missions, importance of preservation, and future archeology planned for the park. Assisting is the Southern Texas Archeological Association and UTSA Legacy Program as part of Texas Archeology month.

October 31 - November 2 & 3
Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos)
This three-day park-sponsored event provides activities and programs to explain the history behind its symbolism and relevance. Ofrendas, or altars, will be constructed in the Visitor Center and the churches.

November 1 & 2 (October 31st  Preview Reception)
Artesanos del Pueblo – A Celebration of Folk Art
Artists specializing in American, Texan, Mexican, Honduran, and Guatemalan folk art demonstrate and sell their works of art. This free event is sponsored by the park’s friends group, Los Compadres. Proceeds are used to benefit the park. A registration fee of $50 is charged for the Nov. 2 evening preview reception. For more information about this event call Los Compadres at (210) 922-3218.

December 27
Los Pastores
This Hispanic folk play depicts the shepherds' journey to worship the Christ Child and the obstacles the devil puts before them. This traditional play has been presented each year at Mission San José since 1947.