Spring in San Antonio brings a solar eclipse and Fiesta

Cenote at twilight at Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk. Photo: Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk, used with permission.

As April approaches, there will be plenty of events happening in San Antonio. Since it falls in the path of the 2024 solar eclipse on April 8, all eyes will be on Texas. San Antonio will be one of the few cities to witness the totality of the solar eclipse and Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk is hosting a celestial themed Solar Brunch on the rooftop with signature cocktails to watch the moon as it passes between the sun and the Earth. Then at the end of the month, the annual San Antonio Fiesta returns, showcasing the city’s rich Latin heritage and culture with Thompson playing host to a neighborhood Block Party. (Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk, 2024)

Solar Eclipse

Experience the highly anticipated solar eclipse set to cross the U.S in 2024, as San Antonio will be one of the few cities to witness a total eclipse. On April 8, total darkness will be cast as the sun’s rays will be blocked by the passing moon, which won’t occur again until 2045. San Antonio, being the largest city in the path of totality, is a prime place for visitors to witness the natural phenomenon as tours and campgrounds are already being reserved. 

From Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk, a modern retreat soaring 20 stories above San Antonio’s celebrated River Walk, guests can witness the Solar Eclipse. Signature restaurant The Moon’s Daughters, inspired by the Greek goddess of the moon, will be hosting a Solar Brunch from 11a.m. – 1:30p.m. on April 8. Guests and locals alike are invited to the enchanting indoor-outdoor rooftop lounge and bar that dazzles from its 20th-story perch over the city for a special celestial experience. To celebrate the extraordinary event, the brunch will include themed cocktails, entertainment, as well as custom Solar Eclipse glasses for all guests to enjoy. 

Fiesta

San Antonio’s Fiesta celebration is one of the largest festivals in the U.S., providing countless special events that showcase the city’s rich Latin heritage and culture. The tradition of celebrating Fiesta started in 1891 as a parade event to share memories with loved ones and honor the memory of the heroes of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto. The city’s signature event, which is sponsored by various nonprofit organizations, returns to San Antonio for another year with a festival from April 18-28, 2024.

Guests of Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk will have a perfect view of the Flambeau parade on the San Antonio River Walk, America’s largest illuminated parade featuring decorated floats, musical performances, food, and more. In addition, the Thompson hotel will host a Block Party to kickoff Fiesta season, complete with a coffee bar, mimosas, breakfast tacos, family-friendly activities, and more.

Celebrate Pride in San Antonio with Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk

Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk’s open-air Cenote Pool Deck. Photo: Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk, used with permission.

Happy Pride Month! Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk will celebrate with a special pride package available throughout the month of June, including pride-themed cocktails, delicious bites, and striking city views from the hotel’s vibrant rooftop lounge, The Moon’s Daughters, and open-air Cenote Pool Deck, complete with luxury cabanas and a poolside bar for all-day entertainment. (Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk, 2023)

This June, San Antonio is full of pride parties and rainbow-hued festivities, including the biggest pride parade in South Texas on June 24, featuring live music, family-friendly drag performances, and LGBTQ-run artisan and food vendors along the San Antonio Riverwalk.

New Year’s Eve events in San Antonio and surrounding area

A New Year’s Eve concert at JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa in Sonora is just one option for ringing in the new year. Photo: JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, used with permission.

It is time to start making plans for the biggest party of the year: New Year’s Eve. If you are in the San Antonio area, or plan to be, here are three ideas to get you ready to ring in the new year. JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa in Sonora, Texas is hosting a concert, Carriqui at the Pearl will debut its New Year’s Eve House Party, and Thompson – San Antonio Riverwalk is celebrating the New Year in style with an epic firework show at the iconic rooftop restaurant & bar, The Moon’s Daughters. So whether you want to celebrate with a concert, at a party, or with fireworks atop a rooftop restaurant, get ready to party in style. (JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, Carriqui, The Moon’s Daughters; 2022)

On Saturday, December 31, guests of JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa will dust off their cowboy boots, raise a glass, and celebrate the coming of 2023 with a night to remember. The concert will begin with an opening set by local Texas band, Jukebox Preachers. Nashville powerhouse and country music star Aaron Tippin will then take the stage to wrap up 2022: 

  • Doors/Bar Open: 6:30p.m.
  • Performance Times:  
    • Jukebox Preachers, 7:30p.m.
    • Aaron Tippin, m.
  • Ticket Options:
    • General Admission Ticket: $75 per person
    • VIP Private Table (8 tickets included + 2 drink tickets per person): $1,500 

For those enjoying a concert together with an overnight stay, guests can embrace the true Texas lifestyle with horseback riding, cowboy cookouts, ATV adventures, trail and bike riding, archery, and more. Guests can book their weekend stay online.

To help grant more music lovers the opportunity to attend, JL Bar has also partnered with surrounding hotels offering availability and will be providing shuttles to/from Sonora: 

  • Quality Inn, Sonora Location – $100-110/night**
    • Shuttle Services to and from Sonora: $20 per person
    • Shuttles depart Quality Inn at 4:15pm and 6:00pm
  • Holiday Inn Express, Junction Location – $100/night**
    • Shuttle Services to and from Junction: $30 per person
    • Shuttles depart Holiday Inn Express at 4:00pm
  • **Mention the JL Bar Resort for quoted rate, limited rooms per location, first come basis.

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Potluck Hospitality is excited to announce that Carriqui (239 E. Grayson St) will debut its New Year’s Eve House Party on December 31, 2022. In addition to standard dinner service (last seating at 9p.m.), the house party will  kick off at 10p.m. and run until 2a.m. In anticipation of 2023, Carriqui is taking inspiration from the building’s past as Boehler’s Garden. Fifty years ago, the historic building that is now Carriqui was owned and operated by Aubrey Kline and his brothers. Kline was affectionately known as “Mr. Pearl,” entertaining and hobnobbing with movie stars, politicians, and dignitaries. Upon his retirement from Pearl in 1972, he turned his attention to making Boehler’s Garden the place for a good time. 

Carriqui’s NYE House Party turns up the volume on good times and pays homage to the 1970s (period attire encouraged, but not required). Tickets are $25 each and can be purchased through Tock. The experience includes live music from beloved local favorites Buttercup and DJ Steven Lee Moya, appetizer stations, a champagne toast at midnight and breakfast tacos as a parting gift.

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For the second year in a row, Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk is celebrating the New Year in style with an epic firework show at the iconic rooftop restaurant & bar, The Moon’s Daughters. This year’s theme is “Celestial Ball,” paying tribute to the Goddess of the Moon, Celine. Perched on the 20th floor of the hotel floating high above the River Walk, The Moon’s Daughters dazzles with views of the twinkling city lights of the San Antonio skyline. Guests will dance the night away with celebrity performer DJ JAX, who has spun for the Latin Grammy’s WMC, UMF, and many other festivals and has recently opened for the Chainsmokers.

Several Table Packages, named after the hotel’s monthly cosmic night series, will range from $400 to $100,000; the ultimate experience includes flights and a three-night stay at any other Hyatt property in the world. From Cosmic to The Universe, select from the VIP packages to enjoy an open bar, champagne, spirits, and magnum bottles to toast the New Year.

From 10p.m. to 2a.m., the night promises to bring unforgettable firework views, a stellar atmosphere, and a celebrity DJ to match. Tickets are available for purchase on Eventbrite.

 

Next Cosmic Night at The Moon’s Daughters

The next Cosmic Night at The Moon’s Daughters will be held on Sunday October 9, 2022. Photo: Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk, used with permission.

Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk’s signature rooftop lounge, The Moon’s Daughters, will host another Cosmic Night on October 9. This ongoing monthly series takes place whenever a full moon lands each month and will return for October’s hunter’s moon, which will be the first full moon of fall. October’s unique full moon has been nicknamed the hunter’s moon because, traditionally, it is the time of year when hunters start collecting food for the winter. (Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk, 2022)

Hotel guests and the public can enjoy live music, insight from a tarot card reader, and a specialty cocktail paired with a cosmic coaster. The cosmic coaster adds a flair of entertainment where guests will have the chance to scan a QR code, receive a prompt to think of questions, followed by unique insights, and conclude with a positive affirmation. The Moon’s Daughters is the best way to experience the full moon overlooking San Antonio’s skyline. 

The Moon’s Daughters kicks off full moon series

The Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk’s signature rooftop lounge, The Moon’s Daughters is unveiling a new ‘Cosmic Night’ series this Wednesday, July 13, 2022. Photo: Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk, used with permission.

The Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk’s signature rooftop lounge The Moon’s Daughters is unveiling a new “Cosmic Night” series that will take place whenever a full moon lands each month. On July 13, hotel guests and the public alike can watch July’s full Buck Moon in all its glory, which will be the biggest and brightest supermoon of the year. (Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk, 2022)

Inspired by the Greek goddess of the moon, The Moon’s Daughters lives up to its name offering a full celestial experience with the Cosmic series, equipped with a telescope to see the moon glitter along with tarot insight curated by Astrologer & Card Reader Kate Wind. On July 13, guests will find a Cosmic Coaster under their cocktail inspired by the Buck Moon. The Cosmic Coaster adds a flair of entertainment where guests will have the chance to scan a QR code, receive a prompt to think of questions, followed by unique insights, and will conclude with a positive affirmation. The Cosmic Coaster is a perfect ice breaker for a group or first date while The Moon’s Daughters is the best way to experience the full moon overlooking San Antonio’s sparkling skyline.

The July 13 celebration of the full Buck Supermoon, named after the season that bucks grow their antlers, will be the biggest and brightest supermoon of 2022. Fitting for The Moon’s Daughters, the popular rooftop restaurant and bar will be illuminated by the moon, shining its brightest at 9:05p.m. from the top of Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk.