Rumi, the 13th century Persian poet, famously wrote, “Where there is ruin, there is hope for a treasure.” It’s a sentiment that feels especially resonant in a city like San Antonio, where the past isn’t simply preserved — it’s reimagined. While the spaces we’re about to explore are far from ruins, they share that same spirit of transformation. Through adaptive reuse, former functional and commercial spaces have been given new life.
San Antonio’s performing arts scene is stepping into the 2026–27 season with more energy, ambition and creativity than ever. From bold new productions to beloved classics, the city’s leading arts organizations are rolling out lineups that showcase just how vibrant and diverse our cultural community has become. Whether you’re into symphony, theatre, dance, opera or something a little unexpected, this season promises fresh stories, unforgettable performances and plenty of reasons to spend more nights out soaking up the arts across the Alamo City.
I started writing this letter in Pennsylvania while visiting my son and daughter-in-law. It was a lovely first time to visit, and as we were driving through the picturesque countryside — and checking Fallingwater off my Bucket List — I realized how magical first visits are. The ones that make you start planning your next visit right away. And another thing kept coming to mind: If I were visiting San Antonio for the very first time, I’d fall for it — fast. The colors, the sounds, the food, the warmth of the people, the way history and creativity sit side-by-side. It’s one of those cities that doesn’t try too hard; it just is charming. Whether you are a first-time visitor discovering our vibrant city or a local that knows all the best places to go, I hope you find that sense of wonder woven through this issue.
San Antonio’s Independence Day traditions are bigger, bolder and more spectacular — and Stars & Stripes on Houston Street is leading the charge, returning in 2026 as part of the city’s celebration of America’s 250th birthday.
In San Antonio, the city’s culinary magic doesn’t always happen on a restaurant menu. Sometimes it unfolds in a dimly lit loft, a boutique hotel or a space tucked into St. Paul Square, where top local chefs take the reins and anything can happen. These underground dinners are intimate, unpredictable and utterly delicious — offering adventurous eaters a front-row seat to the creativity, personality and heart that makes our city’s food scene truly unforgettable.
Downtown San Antonio is packed with museums and galleries that celebrate the city’s history, culture and creative spirit. From spaces that dig into the region’s roots to those highlighting the voices shaping San Antonio today, each spot offers its own way of telling the stories that make this community unique. Whether you’re into local history, art or just exploring the city, these hidden, and not-so-hidden gems, give you an easy, welcoming way to connect with what makes San Antonio special.
“Art creates culture. Culture creates community.
And community creates humanity.”
– Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross,
from the book Your Brain on Art
The arts in San Antonio are at a crossroads. Rising costs, shifting philanthropic priorities and evolving community expectations are reshaping how visual and performing arts organizations survive, grow and serve the public.
Downtown San Antonio turns into a giant summer playground for kids, packed with color, creativity and nonstop things to explore. From glowing underwater worlds to hands-on museums, mini golf adventures and larger-than-life LEGO creations, every corner has something new to spark imagination and keep the fun rolling (and stay cool indoors!). It’s the kind of place where families can wander, play, discover, and make those easy, joy-filled memories that feel like summer should. So, throw the kids in the car and get started!
Texas Hill Country wine traces its roots back more than 350 years, shaped by missionaries, immigrant farmers, visionary horticulturists and modern pioneers who turned the region into an important American Viticultural Area and one of the most dynamic wine regions in the country.