Celebrate San Marcos
April 24 - 26, 2026 | Across Downtown SMTX
Join us in celebrating 40 years as an Accredited Main Street City. Celebrate San Marcos is your chance to experience downtown in full color. For three days, the heart of our city comes alive with music, culture, local flavors, and the creativity of the people who make San Marcos special. Explore limited‑edition keepsakes, $5 food specials, and unique activities hosted by the businesses you love. Discover something new, make memories, and be part of this milestone moment for our community.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
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Pick Up Your Official Event Guide at participating locations
Includes the full schedule, official venue list, and a map to help you get around.
Available at participating locations throughout the weekend. -
Get Your Downtown Adventure Booklet at the Downtown SMTX booth
A hands‑on activity booklet for both young and young-at heart with illustrations by Natalie Radmall with Current Goods featuring coloring pages of iconic San Marcos spots, local characters, trivia, and riddles.
Pick it up at the Downtown SMTX booth at the San Marcos Farmers Market
Saturday, April 25, 9 AM – 1 PM -
Explore the Official Venues all weekend
Visit any participating business, cultural site, or restaurant for special activities, $5 bites, live shows, and limited‑edition Celebrate San Marcos collectibles. -
Enjoy Events at Your Own Pace
Walk, taste, listen, learn, shop — the event is designed to let you choose your own adventure.
OFFICIAL VENUES & EXPERIENCES
🟣CELEBRATE MÚSICA: Live Local Shows
Downtown comes alive with performances from homegrown musicians
April 24, 8 PM – Lukas Tippens Band & Kevin Schultz Experience
Location: Tantra
April 25, 10:30 AM – Buteo
Location: San Marcos Farmers Market
Family and dog friendly!
April 25, 11:30 AM – Cheer Up! Cheer Up!
Location: San Marcos Farmers Market
Family and dog friendly!
April 25, 9 PM – Los Gatos 512
Location: The Porch
April 25, 11 PM – DJ Kiki's latin set
Location: The Porch
April 26, 6 PM – Salsa del Rio
Location: The MARC
🟢CELEBRATE CULTURA: History Sessions & Walking Tours
Discover the stories, heritage, and hidden gems that shape San Marcos.
April 24, 6:30 PM – San Marcos: How to see the history that isn't always there?
Speaker: Shannon Fitzpatrick, Lawyer
Location: LBJ Museum of San Marcos
April 25, 10 AM - 2 PM – Guided Tours of the The Past Within Us Exhibit
Location: Hays County Historic Courthouse
Stop in for a guided tour of this powerful exhibit revealing Indigenous and Tejano histories long absent from this space. Visitors will uncover ancestral languages, identities, and stories from those who lived here long before Hays County or Texas existed.
April 25, 11 AM – 49th Annual Just for Fun Parade
Route: Downtown San Marcos
April 25, 11 AM – Native Plant Walking Tour
Explore downtown biodiversity with the City of San Marcos Horticulture Team.
Meet at: the Downtown SMTX tent within the San Marcos Farmers Market
April 25, 12 PM – Downtown Mural Walking Tour
Discover the artists and stories behind downtown’s most iconic murals with SMTX Arts.
Meet at: Kissing Alley
April 25, 2 PM – Children’s Books and the History They Tell + a look at San Marcos' Black History
Speaker: Diana Garcia, Author & Educator
Location: Calaboose African American History Museum
This talk explores how children’s books can illuminate U.S. history, with a special focus on San Marcos’ Black history and the contributions of Mrs. Johnny Armstead and Dr. Elvin Holt to the Calaboose AAHM. Participants will also get to browse the Cephas House collection and engage in optional interactive activities.
🟠CELEBRATE COMIDA: The $5 Food Tour
Taste your way through downtown with $5 bites and drinks.
• Chicken Sando Jr. @ Hangry Joe’s Hot Chicken
• Award‑Winning Salsa & Housemade Chips @ Industry
• Fruity Pebbles Shake @ JAX Burgers
• SMTX Inspired Teas @ The Native Blends
• Lucky Pickles Basket @ Sean Patrick’s
• Curry Bun @ SHINKO88
• Matcha Latte @ SHINKO88
🔴CELEBRATE CORAZÓN: San Marcos Gear & Collectibles
Show your love for downtown with limited‑edition Celebrate San Marcos keepsakes.
• SMTX artist collections — available at Daughter of the Wild
Take a piece of San Marcos art home with you with a selection of prints from local artists.
• Mermaid Soap — available at Douglas Smith Soap Company
• Custom T‑shirt printing — available at KnD’s Boutique
• Charm Bundles — available at Old Soul Exchange
Choose from the River Lover, Old Soul, or Wild Fauna collections, and have your 3 charms added to a bracelet, necklace, or keychain
• Exclusive T‑shirt, mug & stickers — available at The San Market
