Tag: Mexico Ceaty

San Antonio Día de los Muertos: Local Celebrations, Food & Festivities

Celebrate Día de los Muertos season at Pearl. Photo: Pearl, used with permission.

Celebrate Día de los Muertos Around San Antonio: Top Events, Parades & Culinary Experiences

Día de los Muertos is one of San Antonio’s most meaningful and colorful times of the year. This season, local destinations across the city, including Pearl, the River Walk, and local luxury spots, are hosting immersive celebrations that invite us to honor passed loved ones through living art, rich culinary traditions, vibrant music, and community spirit.

Here is your complete guide to the top Día de los Muertos events happening around San Antonio.

💀 Día de los Muertos at Pearl

Dates: October 27 – November 3, 2026

Highlights: 5-foot calavera art installations, live performances, and community altars.

From late October through early November, Pearl transforms into a living canvas of remembrance. Stroll the district to admire vibrant community ofrendas, live music, children’s activities, and art installations. (Pearl, 2026)

What’s New This Year: Pearl has partnered with five local artists to create five custom 4-foot calavera (large-scale skull) sculptures. Each sculpture tells an individual story through distinct artistic techniques, cultural references, and personal memory.

Key Events at Pearl:

  • Calaverita Run 5K & Family Walk
    • When: Saturday, October 24, 2026 | Walk: 7:00 PM | 5K: 7:30 PM
    • Cost: $25 – $80
    • Details: Presented by Visit San Antonio, this family-friendly evening event combines fitness and culture. Don your best calavera-inspired outfit and run or walk along Museum Reach and through Pearl’s backyard. The family walk includes a curated route featuring traditional ofrendas.
  • Sabores de México: A Día de Muertos VIP Celebration
    • When: Sunday, November 1, 2026 | 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
    • Cost: $85 – $195
    • Details: Hosted by Alejandro Gutiérrez, founder of the Mexican Society of Grillers, this exclusive event blends storytelling, live-fire cooking, and traditional gastronomy in tribute to Mexico’s ancestral flavors.
  • Annual Día de los Muertos Main Celebration
    • When: Sunday, November 1, 2026 | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
    • Cost: FREE
    • Details: Pearl Park hosts its main community celebration with artist-curated altars, a community ofrenda, a Catrín & Catrina contest, local vendors, and a luminous communal procession around 7:15 PM across the Pearl campus.
  • Campanas de America: Recuérdame Campanas – A Show to Remember
    • When: Sunday, November 1, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
    • Where: Stable Hall
  • Día de los Muertos Dinner at Hotel Emma
    • When: Friday, October 30, 2026 | Cocktails: 6:30 PM | Dinner: 7:30 PM
    • Cost: $150 per person (+ 25% service charge & 8.25% tax)
    • Details: A special 4-course dinner inspired by Chef Jesse Kirk, complete with live music and an opening cocktail hour.

🌼 River Walk Festivities at Mexico Ceaty

Dates: All October long through November 2

Where: Mexico Ceaty on the River Walk

Celebrating its first full holiday season since opening, Mexico Ceaty is bringing full-scale Día de los Muertos programming to the San Antonio River Walk. (Mexico Ceaty, 2026)

  • Daily Community Ofrenda: Open daily from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM through Nov. 2.
  • Weekend Specials: Enjoy hand-made black cempasúchil (marigold) tortillas at the Tortillería, live music, face painting, and interactive agave tastings.
  • Featured Treats: Master Baker Stephannie Beyers has crafted seasonal items incorporating traditional marigolds, including Pan de Muerto, Conchas with Mole Ganache, and a Hennessy-infused “La Ofrenda” cocktail.

Day of the Dead River Parade Viewing Packages (Friday, Oct. 23)

Watch San Antonio’s iconic river parade right from the heart of the River Walk. Reserve tickets via OpenTable:

  • Rio Vista Parade Experience ($50/person): Includes reserved table seating, parade buffet access, and a house margarita.
  • Loft Parade Experience ($75/person): Offers elevated river views, reserved loft seating, parade buffet access, and a house margarita.
  • All night long: Enjoy live music, folklórico dancers, and catrinas.

🧘 Día de los Muertos Wellness & Celebration at Mokara Hotel & Spa

When: Thursday, October 22, 2026 | 5:30 PM

Where: Mokara Hotel & Spa

Kick off the season with an immersive evening focused on self-care, wellness, and tradition:

  • Food & Drink: Themed cocktails and light bites presented by Moët Hennessy.
  • Interactive Stations: Build-your-own flower crown station, Irene Forte lip gloss charm bar, and a Zents scent memory bar.
  • Pampering: Enjoy complimentary mini manicures, chair massages, a beautifully curated Ofrenda, and beats by DJ Vitamin A.
  • Bonus: Attendees receive 15% off future spa services booked during the event.
Photo: Mokara Hotel & Spa, used with permission.

¡VIVA! at Mexico Ceaty: A 5-Day Mexican Independence Day Fiesta in San Antonio

The celebration will include live music, themed cocktails, and a grand finale. Photo: Katie James, used with permission.

Celebrate Mexican Independence Day on the San Antonio River Walk with ¡VIVA! at Mexico Ceaty, a five-day cultural and culinary fiesta running Saturday, Sept. 12, through Wednesday, Sept. 16. (Mexico Ceaty, 2026)

Created by acclaimed Chef Jason Dady, Mexico Ceaty is a 25,000-square-foot immersive dining and entertainment destination inside Rivercenter. The week builds from a high-energy weekend kickoff to a mariachi-filled finale across The Plaza, Dos Cantinas, and beyond.

Event Schedule & Highlights

  • ¡VIVA! Weekend Kickoff | Saturday, Sept. 12 (6:00 PM – 9:00 PM)
    • Kick off the festivities in The Plaza with live mariachi, featured drinks, food specials, and a dedicated photo moment.
    • Explore artisan goods, imported foods, and cookbooks during a special activation in The Mercado marketplace.
  • Mexican Breakfast: Independence Edition | Sunday, Sept. 13 (8:00 AM – 2:00 PM)
    • Enjoy live mariachi music while dining on signature specials at Dos Cantinas, including Pozole Verde a la Alcorta, house-made Barbacoa & Big Red, and fresh Conchas with Mexican Hot Chocolate from Dulce & Aroma.
    • Sip on brunch cocktails like the CDMX Mimosa, Bloody Maria, and Carajillo.
  • The ¡VIVA! Build Up | Monday, Sept. 14 & Tuesday, Sept. 15 (All Day)
    • Keep the celebration going with Independence-themed food and drink specials available throughout Mexico Ceaty as the countdown to Sept. 16 continues.
  • Mexican Independence Day Celebration | Wednesday, Sept. 16 (6:00 PM – 9:00 PM)
    • The main event features a festive ¡VIVA! Hour followed by live mariachi performances and entertainment.

Location & Access

  • Venue: Mexico Ceaty at Rivercenter
  • Address: 849 E. Commerce St., San Antonio, TX 78205 (River Walk Level; enter near Fat Tuesdays or Holey Moley)

About Chef Jason Dady & The Restaurant Group

Since 2001, James Beard Award semifinalist and Food Network veteran Chef Jason Dady, alongside his brother Jake and wife Crystal, has helped redefine San Antonio’s culinary landscape. Named a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy Chef Ambassador in 2025, Dady operates nine acclaimed concepts:

  • Mexico Ceaty: Immersive dining and cultural destination on the River Walk
  • Tre Trattoria: Tuscan-Italian dining
  • Two Bros. BBQ Market: Classic Texas pit barbecue
  • Range: Premium Tuscan steakhouse
  • Roca & Martillo: Tuscan-meets-Texan cuisine
  • Tre Pizzeria: Authentic pizza and pasta in Boerne
  • Ice Ice Dady: Hawaiian shaved ice at The Rock at La Cantera
  • Lil’ Bros BBQ Shack: Backyard pitmaster pop-up at The Rock at La Cantera
Mexico Ceaty at Rivercenter. Photo: Katie James, used with permission.

San Antonio Restaurant Weeks + Mexico Ceaty’s Summer Fiesta: What to Know

Jason Dady Restaurants bring value driven menus to Restaurant Weeks. Photo: Katie James Collection, used with permission.

San Antonio foodies, mark your calendars! August is packed with incredible dining deals, new culinary hotspots, and a festive weekend celebration you won’t want to miss. Here is everything you need to know to make the most of the season.

Culinaria’s August San Antonio Restaurant Weeks (Aug. 8–29)

San Antonio Restaurant Weeks is back for its summer edition. Running from August 8 through August 29, this bi-annual, 15-year tradition showcases the best of the city’s culinary scene. With over 100 participating spots, it’s the perfect time to explore top-tier dining at approachable prices. (Culinaria, 2026)

Chef Jason Dady Concepts

Chef Jason Dady’s acclaimed lineup is offering special three-course prix fixe menus for $30 per person at lunch and $55 per person at dinner. (Jason Dady Restaurant Group, 2026)

  • Tre Trattoria – Featuring signature dishes like the Smoked Gouda White Truffle Radiatore.
  • Roca & Martillo – Try the classic Tuscan Bolognese.
  • Range – Don’t miss the Herb-Crusted Ora King Salmon.
  • Tres Arcos at Mexico Ceaty – Offering San Antonio-Style Cheese Enchiladas. Bonus: This marks Tres Arcos’ very first Restaurant Weeks since opening in April!

Reservations for all Jason Dady concepts can be booked online.

More Must-Try Spots

  • Ladino – Serving an exclusive prix-fixe dinner menu.
  • Mezquite – Offering both lunch and dinner prix-fixe menus.

Reservations for both Ladino and Mezquite are available via OpenTable.

Want to see the full lineup? For a complete list of participating restaurants and menus across San Antonio, visit San Antonio Restaurant Weeks online.

Shop & Celebrate: Mexico Ceaty’s Summer Send-Off Fiesta (Aug. 7–9)

Combine Tax-Free Weekend back-to-school shopping at Rivercenter Mall with a weekend-long celebration at Mexico Ceaty. Shop all day, then enjoy live entertainment, food, and tax-free artisan goods:

  • Live DJ: Catch the vibes at Dos Cantinas on Saturday from 6 PM to 9 PM.
  • Mariachi Performance: Enjoy live mariachi music on Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM to Noon.
  • Weekend Mexican Breakfast: Served Saturday & Sunday (8 AM to 2 PM) at Dos Cantinas, featuring Huevos Rancheros, Chilaquiles Tradicionales, Avocado Tostadas, and more.
  • Mercado Deals: Merchandise in The Mercado is included in Tax-Free Weekend, making it the ideal time to stock up on artisan goods and local items.