Get Outdoors, It's Yours is a public event to encourage children to spend more time outside
Events for 2012
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.
February 25
Basura Bash
Help keep our historic river clean. Volunteers are needed to collect trash and recyclables from the banks of the San Antonio River and area creeks.Email to sign-up
March 3
Get Outdoors
Free family fun at Mission San José, learning about the many outdoor recreational activities available around San Antonio. The prime goals of the day are reaching first-time visitors to public lands and reconnecting our youth to the great outdoors. Email us to help in the planning or to volunteer that day.
March 24
Volunteer Day at Rancho de las Cabras
Session limited to San Antonio university and college students. Get your hands dirty and help conduct research on the historical ranch of Mission Espada. For registration forms, email.
March 31
Volunteer Day at Rancho de las Cabras
Session limited to San Antonio Boy and Girl Scouts. Get your hands dirty and help conduct research on the historical ranch of Mission Espada. For registration forms, email.
April 12
Make It Your Mission Gala
Missions, moonlight, and mariachis...a perfect way to spend a glorious spring evening at Mission San José. A beautiful historical setting, a sumptuous Spanish colonial feast, fabulous auction items and toe-tapping entertainment. The reception features guided tours of the mission grounds, educational projects and other preservation works in progress.
April 22-28
National Park Week
Visit your local national park, San Antonio Missions. Then explore the NPS web site and start planning your summer vacation to one of over 390 sites around the nation.
April 28
Junior Ranger Day
Kids! Explore, Learn, and Protect YOUR national park by visiting San Antonio Missions and becoming a Junior Ranger. Tell Mom and Dad that it is free and you can begin at any of the missions (although Mission San José is the best starting point). We are open 9a-5p.
May 5
Volunteer Day at Rancho de las Cabras
Session open to everyone 10 and older. (Children under age 16 must be accompanied by an adult.) Get your hands dirty and help conduct research on the historical ranch of Mission Espada. For registration forms, email.
May 11
Concert Under the Stars, 7:30 p.m.
Music Under the Stars offers a diverse musical palette. The USAA Concert Band and Jazz Band perform stirring marches, jazz, Latino, Big Band, patriotic and musical highlights from every decade. Exciting vocals add to the program, including the voices of the USAA Chorus. Pack a picnic and bring lawn chairs or blankets, and enjoy this wonderful FREE concert in one of San Antonio's most beautiful historic settings, Mission San José.
May (to be announced)
Girl Scout Junior Ranger Day
Become a National Park Service Junior Ranger! At this free program for the whole family, girls will earn both a Junior Ranger award and a Girl Scout San Antonio Missions Tour Patch. Come learn a piece of the history of your community and make your own corn husk doll, prepare mission food (mano y metate), and watch demonstrations of period tools and musical instruments. The boys in your family will also be able to earn their award at this event; but sorry guys, the Mission Patches are just for Girl Scouts! This program is for all Girl Scout families and friends. Register as a troop or family at www.girlscouts-swtx.org. Walk-ins welcome.
June 2
Alamo Area Nature Challenge Kick-Off
Nature Challenge is to get families and kids outdoors this summer by visiting as many participating parks and nature areas in the San Antonio area as possible. Participants complete activities designed for family fun and nature exploration. Kick-Off, to be held at Mission San José, will help everyone get started. The Zoo, the Botanical Gardens, and Brackenridge Park are some of the challenge sites.
September 22
National Public Lands Day & Take Pride in America
The day for Americans to spend helping out on public spaces. The San Antonio Missions will be offering landscaping and trash pick-up opportunities. Help will also be needed to prepare crafts for Archaeology Day and Day of the Dead. Contact the volunteer coordinator for more information.
October 13
Archaeology Day, 10:00-3:00
Mission San José hosts free hands-on activities, exhibits, and demonstrations 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.
Co-sponsors are the UTSA's Institue of Texan Cultures and Legacy Program, Southern Texas Archeological Association, San Antonio Museum of Art, San Antonio Office of Historical Preservation, Texas Historical Commision's Casa Navarro, San Antonio River Authority, and Southwest Texas Archeology Society, as part of Texas Archeology month .
October 27 - November 17
Dia de los Muertos Offrenda (Day of the Dead Altar)
Visit the traditional offrenda at the park's Visitor Center that honors those employees and volunteers who have died.
December 1
"Mission to Mission" Bike Ride
Enjoy a leisurely bike ride to the four missions within San Antonio Missions National Historical park. Sponsored by Mission Trail Rotary Club.
December 15
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.
