Annual Events & Festivals in San Marcos, Texas

With art markets, quirky parades, music and film festivals, and more - it’s never a dull time in San Marcos! For a more extensive list, check out our events calendar to find an upcoming event that speaks to you for your next SMTXperience. 

Farmer's Market - Saturdays
Farm-fresh produce and other homegrown or homemade products are available at the Farmer’s Market. Pick up something fresh to nibble on while you peruse what San Marcos has to offer, or grab some groceries to cook at home.
Downtown Square on San Antonio St. | 9 am – 1 pm

Summer in the Park - Thursdays all Summer
Enjoy free live music in the park each Thursday evening. Bring lawn chairs, blankets and refreshments to enjoy while you are serenaded under the stars. The opening act and headliner list can be found on the website each year.
San Marcos Plaza Park, 206 N. CM Allen Pkwy | 7:30-9:30 pm | 512.393.8400
http://summerintheparksm.org/ 

Art Squared Art Market - 2nd Saturdays March - December
Art Squared Arts Market is a juried arts and fine crafts market that brings the best local artists together in one place. You’ll find great art of all kinds, live music, free kids’ arts and crafts booth, live art demonstrations and more.
San Marcos Downtown Square | 9 am – 4 pm | 512.825.2819

1st Saturday Birding Hikes - 1st Saturdays 
From waterfowl to woodpeckers, hawks to songbirds – you never know what will be spotted. Hikes are guided by Stephen Ramirez, a local photographer. For location, contact Stephen@birdsiview.org or the Facebook group, “San Marcos Bird Walk.”
Stephen@birdsview.org

JANUARY

Purgatory Trail Run – 10 Mile & 5K
The Purgatory Trail Run 10 Mile and 5K race is a USA Track & Field sanctioned trail race through the beautiful Purgatory Creek Natural Area and Edwards Aquifer recharge zone.
Purgatory Creek Greenspace | 9 am Start Time

MLK Celebration and March
The MLK Celebration and March will start with a public wreath-laying at 9:30 a.m. at the Crossroads Memorial, on the corner of South LBJ and MLK Drives. After, there will be a silent march to the Dunbar Recreation Center for a memorial celebration. 
LBJ MLK Crossroads Memorial | 9:30 am

FEBRUARY

San Marcos Half Marathon, 10K and 5K
Do you think you have what it takes to finish one of San Marcos’ most challenging Half Marathons? Test your limits at the San Marcos Half Marathon, 10K and 5K. Courses are designed to test your endurance with a variety of challenging hills and flat stretches. And of course, finishers earn bragging rights for completing the oldest half marathon course in Texas.

Eddie Durham Jazz Celebration and Hill Country Jazz Festival
From big bands and combos to individual instrumentalists, the Hill Country Jazz Festival will feature some of the best performers west of the Mississippi River. A very special portion of the festival will be a celebration of Eddie Durham. Durham, a Texas jazz legend and San Marcos native, was a renowned guitarist who pioneered the use of electric guitar in jazz music.
Evans Auditorium – Texas State University

Mardi Gras Parade
Laissez les bon temps rouler! The Mistick Krewe of Okeanos Mardi Gras Parade is an annual celebration of Mardi Gras with floats, music and lots of fun. The parade winds through the Historic Homes District of San Marcos and Downtown.
Downtown San Marcos
Belvin Street | 12 pm

MARCH

Middleton Brewing Company 5K Beer Run
Do you love craft beer and exercise? Then we have a great run for you! The Middleton Brewing Company Third Coast 5k Beer run starts and finishes at Middleton Brewing Co and runs the rural streets of Oakwood Loop near the brewery. Finish with a tasting, finisher glass and shirt.
Middleton Brewery | 8 am | 512.847.3435
www.runintexas.com/middleton

APRIL

Martian Arts Festival
Celebrate San Marcos’ diversity and vibrant culture with Martian Arts Festival! The festival showcases local talent by blending arts and music to provide a distinguishably unforgettable experience. This weekend is loaded with musical acts ranging from reggae rock to fusion jazz, plus silent disco, local artisans, yoga and meditation sessions, workshops and much more!
1100 High Road

Just for Fun Parade
The Just for Fun Parade is exactly what it sounds like, a parade for no other purpose than to have fun. Bust out your wildest outfit and get ready to join the parade!
Meet everyone by Children's Park at 9am to walk, ride, pedal or roll your way towards Downtown on CM Allen Parkway. Rather just watch? The parade starts at 10am. Line the streets on the Square and bring all your friends to watch a little Saturday morning craziness.
Children’s Park | 10am

MAY

Dirt Dauber Festival
Partake in a wonderful celebration of all things clay with this free event. Watch clay art demonstrations, enjoy refreshments, a kids’ clay play table and live music.
Eye of the Dog Art Center | 512.754.8171
www.eyeofthedog.com

JUNE

Heritage Home Tour
Step inside some of San Marcos’ most gorgeous homes at the Heritage Home Tour. The event features self-guided tours of some of San Marcos’ historic homes and culturally significant sites. Docents are stationed around the homes ready to let you in on the history, secrets and architectural delights found in each home. This is the only time these homes are open for tours, so take advantage of this unique opportunity!
Various Locations
http://www.heritagesanmarcos.org/

Texas Water Safari
Considered the “World’s Toughest Canoe Race,” the Texas Water Safari is a 260-mile long canoe and kayak race from Spring Lake in San Marcos to the city of Seadrift on the Texas coastline. Come cheer the teams on at our riverside parks.
Meadows Center start | 512.738.6607
www.texaswatersafari.com

Juneteenth Celebrations
Commemorate the ending of slavery with the San Marcos Juneteenth Celebrations. The oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States, festivities include a parade and charity BBQ cook-off.
San Marcos Plaza Park | Event – 512.396.4903

SEPTEMBER

SMTX Pride
Pride is a great way to unite in a positive stance against violence and discrimination towards lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual and ally people. The goal of SMTX Pride is to bring awareness of unity and equality while building a community of support. 
www.smtxpride.org

Junior Texas Water Safari
Running from San Marcos City Park to Staples Hwy 1977 bridge, this 16-mile water adventure provides a great opportunity for canoeists and kayakers to test their skills, gain experience in the water and prepare for the big Texas Water Safari the following summer.
San Marcos City Park | 512.738.6607
www.texaswatersafari.org

Mermaid Capital of Texas Fest
Mermaids take over San Marcos during the annual Mermaid Capital of Texas Fest!  With mermaid-themed activities taking place throughout the city, the primary events include the Mermaid Parade and the Downtown Faire.
Downtown San Marcos 
https://www.mermaidsocietysmtx.com/ 

OCTOBER 

Sacred Springs Powwow
The Sacred Springs Powwow is an annual celebration of the Native American culture that has been part of the San Marcos area for thousands of years. Native dancers from across Texas gather at the Sacred Springs in San Marcos dressed in beautiful, hand-crafted regalia. Come watch the dancers, participate in the intertribal dances and enjoy the booths that offer authentic Native American arts and food.
Meadows Center | 512.393.3310
https://www.sspowwow.com/

Lost River Film Fest
The Lost River Film Fest is a multi-day of indie-cinema that combines cutting-edge films with memorable events like live music, burlesque, and uniquely San Marcos parties.
https://www.lostriverfilmfest.org/ 

NOVEMBER

Veterans Day Parade
Honor and remember all those who have served our country at the annual Veterans Day Parade in downtown San Marcos.
Hays County Courthouse | 512.393.8400

CAF Veterans Dinner & 40’s Swing Band Hangar Dance
Come honor and celebrate the brave men and women who gave us our freedom at the Commemorative Air Force Central Texas Wing in San Marcos. Swing dance along to authentic ‘40s music amongst restored and function WWII aircraft. It’s a night you surely won’t forget.
Commemorative Air Force CenTex Hangar, San Marcos Airport | 512.396.1943
https://www.centraltexaswing.org/

DECEMBER

Sights & Sounds of Christmas
Enjoy six full evenings of holiday cheer in San Marcos. Highlights include carnival rides, arts & crafts, pictures with Santa, local school performances, live nativity scene, a food court and tons of beautiful lights!
San Marcos Plaza Park | 512.393.8400
www.sights-n-sounds.org