Annual Events for 2009

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.

 

 

March 7
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.

April 2
Make It Your Mission Gala
Missions, moonlight, and mariachis...a perfect way to spend a glorious spring evening at Mission Espada. 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.

May 8
Concert Under the Stars, 7:00 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.

Saturday, September 19
SPECIAL PREVIEW SCREENING of The National Parks: America's Best Idea
Mission San José, 6701 San José Drive
6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Pack a picnic and bring lawn chairs or blankets for an evening under the stars in one of San Antonio’s most beautiful historic settings! Join us for fun family activities, mariachis, and a preview of the upcoming Ken Burns documentary, The National Parks: America’s Best Idea.
The first 250 kids will get a free tree!
Also, see the new photo exhibit, Faces of the Missions, on display in the San José Visitor Center.

September 26
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 offerring 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 3
Archaeology Dig Day FULL
Rancho de las Cabras
A number of volunteers are needed to work on excavating at the ranch. Experience not necessary. Contact the park's archaeologist for more information.

October 10
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 24-26
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 evening preview reception. For more information about this event call Los Compadres at (210) 922-3218.

October 31 - November 1 & 2
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.

December 26
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.