San Antonio is a vibrant city known for its rich cultural heritage and lively music scene. From intimate music halls to massive stadium shows, there are concerts happening almost every night in various venues throughout the city. Music lovers can find shows ranging from country to rock, indie, Latin pop, Tejano, and more. Keep reading to discover some of the best places to catch a concert in San Antonio.
Major Venues Hosting Frequent Concerts
Some of the most popular large venues for major concert tours in San Antonio include:
AT&T Center
The AT&T Center is a multi-purpose indoor arena that can seat up to 18,500 people for concerts. Many big name touring acts make a stop at the AT&T Center when they come through Texas. The venue has hosted huge stars like Paul McCartney, U2, Chance the Rapper, Ariana Grande, and many more. Upcoming concerts include Chris Stapleton, New Kids on the Block, and Marco Antonio Solis.
Alamodome
The Alamodome is a 65,000 seat stadium that also gets its fair share of major music acts. Concerts are held on the field when the football and basketball teams are not using the stadium. International superstars such as Elton John, Guns N’ Roses, George Strait, and Taylor Swift have all performed sold out shows at the Alamodome. The venue allows for massive productions with huge stages, lights, and sound systems. Upcoming big concerts include Snoop Dogg with Bone Thugs-N-Harmony.
Majestic Theatre
The historic Majestic Theatre in downtown San Antonio opened in 1929 and is renowned for its spectacular Spanish Baroque architecture. The intimate 2,300 seat theater primarily hosts Broadway shows and symphony performances, but is also a choice spot for comedy shows and concerts. Ed Sheeran, Diana Ross, Jackson Browne, Cyndi Lauper and more have graced the Majestic Theatre stage.
Tobin Center for the Performing Arts
The Tobin Center opened in 2014 as San Antonio’s premier performing arts center. In addition to hosting the San Antonio Symphony and Opera San Antonio, the Tobin Center features several theaters that welcome concerts and live music shows. The 1,750 seat H-E-B Performance Hall and 250 seat Carlos Alvarez Studio Theater have presented acts across genres like Smokey Robinson, Herbie Hancock, Sarah McLachlan, Indigo Girls, Cheryl Crow, and Los Lonely Boys.
Smaller Music Venues
Beyond the large concert halls and theaters, San Antonio has a thriving local music scene bolstered by intimate venues where up-and-coming bands Start and established artists might play a more low-key show.
Sam’s Burger Joint
Sam’s Burger Joint in downtown San Antonio has earned a reputation as the best place for live music in the city. The former warehouse turned outdoor burger stand and indoor concert venue has a max capacity around 500 people. Sam’s Burger Joint books artists in roots music, indie rock, punk, metal, blues, jazz, country, and more – mostly musicians with a dedicated local following. The venue’s outdoor section offers a relaxed place to hang out before heading inside for the show.
Paper Tiger
Paper Tiger is a huge open room music venue near downtown San Antonio with a capacity of around 1,000 people. With its warehouse style exposed ceilings, big sound system, and several bars, Paper Tiger often hosts touring acts from punk, indie rock, hardcore, metal, electronic, and underground hip hop genres. Concerts are all ages unless specified. Upcoming shows include Mercury Rev, Knocked Loose, and the Garden.
The Rustic
The Rustic is located along the River Walk in downtown San Antonio with a restaurant, large outdoor patio, and indoor concert hall holding 300-350 people. The Rustic brings in popular Texas country acts like Randy Rogers Band, Turnpike Troubadours, Cody Jinks, and American Aquarium. Concerts range from honky tonk and Americana to blues rock and singer/songwriters. Patrons can enjoy the show from table seating or standing room near the stage.
Floore’s Country Store
No list of San Antonio’s top music venues is complete without the legendary Floore’s Country Store in Helotes, just northwest of downtown. Open since 1942, Floore’s got its start as a family owned general store which began hosting live local country acts in its parking lot. Over the decades, Floore’s has presented legends like Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, Hank Williams Jr., and many more. Major country stars still make tour stops at Floore’s to play for the adoring crowds. The outdoor venue can hold up to 5,000 people.
Live Music Bars and Small Stages
In addition to dedicated music halls, many local bars and restaurants in San Antonio have small stages that host live music several nights a week. It’s often free to enjoy these shows. Here are some top spots to catch live local talent:
Limelight
Located north of downtown, the Limelight has been supporting San Antonio’s music scene since the 1980s. The dive bar vibe, eclectic booking, and intimate back patio make the Limelight a beloved institution. Come for punk, indie rock, metal, or the weekly Goth Night.
Jack’s Patio Bar
Jack’s Patio Bar on the River Walk has been the go-to late night live music joint downtown for over 60 years. The outdoor stage lights up nightly with blues, classic rock, country, Tejano, conjunto, jazz, and Latin funk bands until closing time. The party often spills onto the River Walk path right outside Jack’s front gate.
Bombay Bicycle Club
At Bombay Bicycle Club along the Museum Reach section of the River Walk, the Indian cuisine pairs nicely with nightly live music on the outdoor patio. The rotating genres include jazz, funk, blues, swing, rock and singer/songwriters. Saturdays feature DJ mashups into the late night.
The Pavilion
The Pavilion is located in Tobin Hill north of downtown San Antonio. The 1930s era venue hosts an array of rock, punk, indie, metal, and electronica bands in its outdoor covered pit and indoor club area. The Pavilion pays homage to San Antonio punk history while staying current with edgy bookings. Check their calendar for 18+ vs all ages shows.
Bexar Pub
Near Brackenridge Park, Bexar Pub offers craft beers, cocktails, and live music every evening without a cover charge. The outdoor beer garden stage and indoor area feature mostly local independent artists playing acoustic, blues, rock, indie, Americana, and alt-country. Songwriter nights with open mic are also popular weekly events.
Latin Music
As a city with such deep Mexican, Tejano, and Latin heritage, venues across San Antonio celebrate these infectious musical styles in abundance.
Tejano Conjunto Festival
An annual highlights is the Tejano Conjunto Festival held each May in Rosedale Park. This free 2-day outdoor festival hosts nonstop performances by Tejano, conjunto, and mariachi groups on multiple stages. Fans come out by the thousands to watch renowned acts, up-and-comers, and local favorites while celebrating San Antonio’s shared culture.
Mariachi Bars
San Antonio has many cantinas and restaurants that feature live mariachi bands several nights a week. Enjoy an authentic dining experience while listening to classic and contemporary mariachi music. Popular spots include Mi Tierra Cafe, Mariachi Bar at Market Square, Rosario’s, and El Jarro de Arturo. Performances often spill into the streets at these festive locales.
Tejano Nightclubs
For nights out dancing to Tejano bands, head to Midnight Rodeo, Tejano Saloon, or Bonham Exchange downtown. Or try large concert venues like Cowboys Dancehall and Cowboys Concert Hall further outside the city which frequently host major names in Tejano and Norteño music with thousands of adoring fans packing the dance floors.
Outdoor Concerts
San Antonio’s mild winters and abundant outdoor event spaces mean plenty of concerts happen under the stars. These are some prime spots to catch outdoor live music:
Woodlawn Theatre
The Woodlawn Theatre is a musical theater company that puts on fantastic outdoor concerts on their sweeping lawn all summer long. From Movie Musical Mondays to Broadway in the Woodlawn concerts, enjoy fan favorites performed by talented local singers and Broadway stars.
Travis Park
Travis Park in downtown San Antonio hosts Jazz’SAlive, a free annual outdoor jazz festival each fall. Regional and national jazz artists play day and night across multiple stages circled around the historic park. Other Travis Park concerts include R&B, soul, funk and world music festivals.
Mission Marquee Plaza
The Mission Marquee Plaza is an outdoor amphitheater located south of downtown along the Mission Reach section of the River Walk. This scenic, family-friendly setting sees open air concerts, movie nights, dance parties, and other cultural celebrations almost weekly during warmer months. Programming highlights Latin rhythms.
La Villita Historic Arts Village
Quaint La Villita village contains art galleries, shops, and restaurants housed in former 1800s adobe huts. Live music fills the streets and plazas of La Villita at annual events like Fiesta San Antonio, Day of the Dead San Antonio, and holiday celebrations.
Main Plaza
Historic San Fernando Cathedral and San Antonio City Hall border Main Plaza downtown. This central gathering place frequently hosts outdoor concerts for various citywide festivals and holiday events like Dia de Los Muertos, Fiesta Noche del Rio, and Rock ‘N’ Roll Marathon.
Where to Find Out About Local Shows
Between dedicated music venues, bars, festivals, and outdoor concerts, there is live music happening somewhere in San Antonio almost every night. Here are some resources to find upcoming shows and concerts:
Websites
- Do210.com – San Antonio music event calendar
- ConcertsInSanAntonio.com – Local concert listings
- LiveMusicSA.com – Details on bands and venues
- SACurrent.com – San Antonio Current music news
Weekly Newspapers
- San Antonio Current
- La Prensa
- San Antonio Observer
Music Venues’ Event Calendars
- AT&T Center
- Majestic Theatre
- Tobin Center
- Paper Tiger
- Sam’s Burger Joint
Radio
- KXTN Tejano and Regional Mexican
- KROV Roots, Rock, Alt-Country
- KSYM Indie, Local Bands
Social Media
- Follow favorite venues on Facebook and Instagram
- Follow local bands and musicians
- Check venue tags on Instagram
- Join San Antonio music scene Facebook groups
Festivals
Throughout the year, San Antonio hosts a number of massive music festivals attracting big name artists across genres:
Tejano Music Awards Fan Fair
Every March, the Tejano Music Awards Fan Fair takes over Market Square in downtown San Antonio. Tejano superstars perform free outdoor concerts for thousands of cheering fans during the 2-day event leading up to the awards show.
Fiesta San Antonio
April brings the citywide Fiesta San Antonio, with over 100 events citywide. Musical highlights include street performances, Mariachi Vargas at the Majestic Theatre, Latin pop and Tejano at Fiesta Navidad, and more celebrating San Antonio’s culture.
Float Fest
Float Fest happens each July at a water park east of San Antonio. Festival goers float the river between stages blasting genres like hip hop, pop, indie, folk rock, and EDM. Past headliners include Major Lazer, Gucci Mane, Zedd, and Portugal the Man.
San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo
Every February, the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo brings bucking broncos plus huge country music stars playing the AT&T Center. Recent performers include Garth Brooks, Blake Shelton, Brad Paisley, and Carrie Underwood.
Maleficent Masquerade
This Halloween electronica festival takes over La Villita Historic Arts Village downtown. DJs spin EDM, house, dubstep, trance, trap, and more. The costumed crowds dance the night away at this spirited event.
Conclusion
From honky tonks to Tejano dance halls, punk clubs to symphony halls, outdoor festivals to intimate listening rooms, live music thrums through the heart of San Antonio. Iconic venues have supported legends and rising stars over generations. San Antonio’s diversity fosters innovative musical fusions. You’re sure to discover fresh new favorite artists as well as timeless classics any night of the week in one of America’s great musical cities. Whether you prefer pop, country, Latin, rock, jazz or more, the vibrant concert scene has something for all tastes. Use this guide to find the perfect live show to match your mood or explore a new sound. Let the music move you in San Antonio.
