San Antonio World Heritage Festival to Honor Indigenous Citizens and Military

San Antonio will usher in September with the 9th annual World Heritage Festival, which will take place September 4-8. The festival interweaves the Spanish and Coahuiltecan cultures while heralding the city’s five Spanish missions—Missions San Jose, San Juan, Concepcion, Espada and the Alamo—as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The five-day event welcomes the community and visitors to celebrate San Antonio’s storied 300-year-history and culture through a series of events, including several free events on Friday, September 6, that include:

10:00 AM: We’re Still Here Tour – Mission San Jose (Free)

Join a National Park Ranger, as well as a living Mission Descendant and representative of the San Antonio Mission Indian Descendants to learn about the history of Mission San Jose and the lived experience of its enduring community members. The tour is 45-60 minutes and includes light walking.

11:00 AM: We’re Still Here Tour – Mission Espada (Free)

Join a National Park Ranger, as well as a living Mission Descendant and representative of the Tehuan Band of Mission Indians, to learn about the history of San Jose Native Americans and the lived experience of its enduring community members. The 45-minute tour includes light walking.

3:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Gold Star Family and Veterans Appreciation – Mission San Jose (Free)

In partnership with Joint Base San Antonio, Veterans and Gold Star Families are invited to Mission San Jose from 3- 5 p.m. for a special THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE from San Antonio Missions National Park. Veterans and Gold Star Families will receive a free lifetime federal public lands access pass for entry to all US National Parks. Active duty servicemembers are welcome and are eligible to receive an annual pass for free entry to all US National Parks.

6:30 PM – 10:30 PM: Music and Movie Under the Stars – Mission Marqee Plaza (Free)

The World Heritage Office and the Military Veterans Affairs Department present the 5th annual Music and Movie Under the Stars, a tribute to San Antonio’s legacy as Military City, USA. Celebrate our local heritage with food, music, and fun, and connect with our military historians and veterans to learn about our city’s rich military history. The event will highlight the United States Army and will feature live music, hands-on activities, and a screening of Captain America: The First Avenger, on the original Mission Drive-In screen.

With its ties to Spain and Mexico, San Antonio will also mark National Hispanic Heritage Month, which takes place annually September 15-October 15. Hispanic culture runs deep with more than half of the city’s population having Latino ties. Celebrations, such as Dieciséis de Septiembre, or “September 16th,” mark Mexican Independence Day.