Totally Free Things To Do Over Spring Break In San Antonio!

By Sara Branstetter | February 20, 2025

Spring break in San Antonio is just around the corner and you may be asking the perennial question, “What are we going to do for a whole week without school?!” If this is you (and let’s be honest here, all moms have asked this question during some school break), I’ve got good news. Below are 10 totally free things to do over spring break in San Antonio that will keep your kids entertained and your bank account intact.

ABOUT US

We’re Kelsey and Sara, two local foodies with a combined 29 years of eating in San Antonio, two travel books, and millions of blog readers. We adore local spots, rarely visit chain restaurants, and we aren't afraid to tell you the truth. After spending thousands of our own $$$ at hundreds of local hot spots, we're sharing the best with you.

Free Things To Do Over Spring Break In San Antonio

1. Go Park Hopping

And no, not the theme park kind – the city park kind! San Antonio has a TON of fantastic city parks with a variety of activities that are free and super fun. How about a hike up to a native American lookout post? Try Comanche Lookout Park. Or what about a visit to an authentic Korean pavilion? Denman Estate Park is just for you. Want your kids to splash around and burn off some energy? Try the civic park pools at Hemisfair Park.

Playscapes, splash pads, walking/biking trails, rivers, lakes, and plenty of shade trees can all be found around the city at the various parks.

Some ways to make park hopping fun - make a goal to visit a new park each day of the week. Go on a park scavenger hunt looking for wildlife, plants, or natural resources. Head to a park on the complete opposite side of the city that you never go to just due to its location. Take a look at the SA Parks and Rec events page for free activities to join in on.

2. Wander Museums With Free Admission

Museums can be hit or miss with kids depending on their ages or interest levels, but when you aren’t paying, it doesn’t matter if they poop out in half an hour. You’ve passed the time and haven’t lost any money – during spring break, that’s a win/win.

San Antonio has a number of great museums that are both fun to visit and provide educational and cultural experiences without leaving the city. And thanks to free admission periods for locals, you can have these experiences without the price tag.

During spring break, Bexar County Residents can make a visit to the super kid-friendly Witte Museum on Tuesday afternoons from 3pm-6pm. And everyone is welcome to the breathtaking McNay Art Museum on Thursday afternoons from 4pm-9pm. Two afternoons during spring break in San Antonio – covered!

If you prefer a more in-depth museum experience, head to the San Antonio Museum of Art on Tuesday, March 12. The museum will be offering free entry from 10am-7pm and will provide a host of family friendly activities including blacksmithing demonstrations, artmaking, falconry, and more. You can pre-register online for this event by visiting the SAMA website.

For a more comprehensive list of local museums that offer free visit days or are always free, head over to our post on San Antonio Museums with free admission.

3. Stroll the Historic Missions

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

It’s one of the best things to do in San Antonio for a reason! If you haven’t been in a while or haven’t taken the kids yet, it’s time to pay a visit to the San Antonio Missions National Historic Park where all 5 missions – Espada, San Juan, San Jose, Concepcion, and the Alamo – are always free.

The great thing about the missions is that you can do as much, or as little, as your kids can handle. There’s plenty of room to run and explore, and lots of opportunities to learn about the history of the people who settled here more than 300 years ago. Check out my complete guide to the San Antonio Historical Missions for all the details.

You can also check out our recommendation on which mission is best for kids if you have littles with short attention spans.

Finally, while all the missions are free to visit, you will need advance, time-entry reservations to visit the Alamo. You can obtain your Alamo reservations by clicking here.

4. Watch the St. Patrick's Day River Parade

This year’s spring break in San Antonio coincides with one of our city’s beloved traditions – the St. Patrick’s Day River Parade. Each year, the San Antonio river will be dyed a bright shade of green in celebration of the history of St. Patrick’s Day.

And then on Saturday, March 15, an Irish themed river parade will float down the river with floats honoring the patron saint of Ireland and his influence over the culture today. The parade is completely free, as are the accompanying special events. For info on this year’s parade, you can check out the city’s website for all the details.

5. Curl Up With a Good Book at the Library

San Antonio has an exhaustive local library program with 29 locations throughout the metropolitan area. While locations vary in size and amenities, each one will host events throughout the week of spring break aimed at encouraging kids to develop a love of reading.

You can find info on all of the branch locations and their events by visiting the San Antonio Public Library’s website, or you can check out my post on the Central Library and all the great things you can do, see, and read while there. If you haven’t been since they completed their renovation, it’s worth another visit – and a great way to pass spring break.

6. Roam the San Fernando Cathedral

While it won’t take super-long, a quick visit to the San Fernando Cathedral, the oldest church in Texas, is well worth the time. Even if the kids are not exactly awed by the age or beautiful architecture of the building, you can entertain them with stories of Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie at the legendary fall of the Alamo as you visit their final resting places.

7. Fest of Tails

If your kiddos enjoy an afternoon with furry friends, head to the Fest of Tails at McAllister Park for a Saturday afternoon dog fair and kite festival. There will be a ton of family (and pet!) friendly activities including a pooch parade, bike safety course, DJ and dancing, and food and beverages.

The Fest of Tails will be held on Saturday, March 15, 2025, from 9am-2pm and is free and open to the public.

8. Rest and Relax at the Japanese Tea Garden

The Japanese Tea Garden is a fantastic place to visit during spring break. Your kids will love all the little walkways, bridges, paths, and ponds. And you will enjoy the distinctly tranquil atmosphere found at the Garden.

Entry to the Japanese Tea Garden is always free, but I recommend getting there early in the morning during spring break to avoid the crowds. For more tips, check out our post on how to enjoy your visit the Japanese Tea Garden.

9. Catch an Outdoor Movie with Slab Cinema

Slab Cinema hosts free, family-friendly outdoor movie showings throughout the year, all around the city of San Antonio. And this year you can catch two movies during spring break.

On Saturday, March 8, you can enjoy a showing of Wonka at the Tower of the Americas. Or on Monday, March 10, Slab will set up their giant inflatable screen on the outdoor space at the historic Pearl Brewery for a showing of Moana.

So, grab your lawn chairs, pack some snacks, and enjoy a free family movie.

10. Market Square Spring Break Fest

San Antonio’s historic Market Square will host a daily Spring Break Fest beginning at 10am, every day of spring break. Events will include live music and entertainment, food booths, shopping, and more. Come check out the live artists and support local business and creators.

For a lineup of musicians, visit the Market Square instagram page.