See ofrendas like this one at the Pearl and around the Alamo City during Día de los Muertos. | Photo by SATXtoday team
Día de los Muertos is right around the corner, and San Antonians are beginning to assemble their ofrendas. Originating in Mexico, this event is celebrated on Friday, Nov. 1 and Saturday, Nov. 2 this year.
In this celebration of life, participants are reunited with the souls of dead relatives + loved ones. The honored dead are often given offerings at gravesites or ofrendas (altars) at home, and are celebrated with festivals.
What is an ofrenda?
An ofrenda is a tribute to deceased loved ones and is a central part of Día de los Muertos. The word ofrenda is Spanish for “offering.” These altars are created with several levels with various meanings:
Two levels: This represents earth and heaven.
Three levels: The most common altar, with the floor representing the underworld, the middle representing the living world, and the top representing the spirit world.
Seven levels: The most traditional arrangement, representing the steps to rest in peace.
The Centro Cultural Aztlan is hosting its annual Altares y Ofrendas exhibition on Saturday, Nov. 2 from 12-6 p.m. The event will feature various ofrendas created by local artists. The exhibit runs through Thursday, Nov. 7.
The Emma Koehler ofrenda is erected in the Hotel Emma lobby annually to pay tribute to the hotel’s namesake.
Photo by SATXtoday team
Altar elements
Here are a few items typically found on ofrendas:
Marigolds: The official flower of Día de los Muertos, these vibrant flowers attract and guide the dead to the altar.
Candles: Each deceased loved one is represented by a lit candle.
Food: Dishes like tamales, mole, and pan de muerto are placed on the lower portion of the altar.
That’s not all.Check out other elements found on ofrendas.
How to create your own
Want to create your own alter at home? Here are a few local spots to pick up supplies:
Lunchtime Farmers Market | Wednesday, Oct. 23 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Main Plaza | Cost of purchase | Starting today, the Main Plaza Conservancy and Nourish’d Seeds are hosting a weekly lunch market featuring fresh foods, live music, and artisan goods for purchase.
“Harry Potter” Trivia | Wednesday, Oct. 23 | 7 p.m. | Hops and Hounds | Cost of purchase | We solemnly swear that Potterheads will have the best time testing their knowledge on this J.K. Rowling series.
Thursday, Oct. 24
Frost Spurs Season Kickoff Family Fun Day | Thursday, Oct. 24 | 4-6 p.m. | Frost Bank WW White Financial Center | Free | Celebrate the beginning of the NBA season with special appearances, ticket raffles, face painting, balloon twisters, complimentary food, and sweet treats.
Fiesta San Antonio Taste of Fiesta 2024 | Thursday, Oct. 24 | 6 p.m. | La Quinta Inn & Suites (San Antonio Medical Center NW) | $40+ | Celebrate the six-month countdown to the annual “party with a purpose” with food + drink samples, and a San Antonio mascot dance off.
Haunted House Event | Thursday, Oct. 24 | 6-8 p.m. | South Texas Vocational Technical Institute | Free | Join South Texas Vocational Technical Institute for some Halloween fun featuring a costume contest, food trucks, giveaways, music, and of course, candy.
Friday, Oct. 25
Lebanese Food Festival | Friday, Oct. 25 | 6-11 p.m. | St. George Maronite Catholic Church | Cost of purchase | Dive into the heritage and culture of San Antonio’s Lebanese community with dance performances, live music, and traditional food.
Haunted Swim | Friday, Oct. 25 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | San Antonio Natatorium | Free | Bring the family out for an evening of swimming, treats, crafts, games, haunted house, and a showing of Disney’s “Halloweentown.”
Bexar County reported 46,820 residents showed up to vote on the first day of early voting. Voters reported long lines with waits of 90 minutes or longer in some locations. Still need to vote? Check out our ballot guide.
Real Estate
A recent study by SpareRoom shows rental rates in the 210 jumped 26% during the first nine months of 2024. The company analyzed ~80,000 roommate postings across 29 large US metro areas — roommate rent rates increased from $725 in the first quarter to $946 in the third.
Development
Ridgemont Properties acquired the Frost Bros. and Schaum buildings from GrayStreet Partners, with plans to open a Chama Gaúcha restaurant in 2025. Located at 217 E. Houston, the Brazilian steakhouse will be housed near Bohanan’s Prime Steaks and Seafood + The Palm. (SA Report)
Open
Fore! Swing Lounge is now open in Stone Oak. The indoor golf simulator features 130+ virtual top-rated courses from around the world, league + membership options, a full bar, and locally-curated menu. Swing by its location at 18720 Stone Oak Pkwy., Unit 123.
Arts
The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center announced three plays for its Teatro Salon Table Reading Series next month. The three scripts feature writers like Amalia Ortiz, Irene Chavez, and Patricia Zamora. Plan ahead for Q&A session on select dates at the Guadalupe Latino Bookstore.
Giveaway
The Spurs are giving away free shirts during the early voting period. To enter, send a photo of your “I Voted” sticker to Spurs Way on Instagram before 11:59 p.m. each night. Each morning at 9 a.m., a random winner will be selected.
Eat
Best Quality Daughter introduced a new vegan + gluten free menu item: The Bang Bang Japchae Salad. It has locally sourced oyster mushrooms, seasonal veggies, sunflower seeds, Napa cabbage, fresh herbs, and a spicy bang bang sesame dressing.
Sports
Welcome back. The Brahmas added a new, yet familiar, quarterback to the team. Kellen Mond played football at Reagan High School in the North East ISD before heading to Texas A&M. He’s also played in the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings (2022-2023) and the Cleveland Browns (2023-2024).
Tyler Seguin, Sam Steel and Matt Dumba will all travel on the team’s road trip to both Buffalo and Boston this week. Get the latest news, analysis, and insider information for the Dallas Stars with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
It’s time to take a break from your high-interest debt. For one of the longest no-interest periods on a balance transfer card experts have seen in a while, check this out.*
Number
Five minutes. That’s how quick it is to start advertising with SATXtoday using our self-service ad portal. Explore your options.
Community
Community
🫶 Lend a helping hand
Anyone who helps make San Antonio more beautiful gets a spot on our thankful list. | Photo by @jimenezdinner
Maybe you have some extra time on your hands, or maybe you’re just in the giving spirit. All we know is there are more than enough great causes in San Antonio to support with your time.
Whether you’re an animal lover, an artsy type, a natural mentor, or a healthcare enthusiast — there’s a nearby volunteer opportunity for you. Here are 23 ways to get involved in the Alamo City.
San Antonio Pets Alive! | Foster pets, giving monetary + vehicle donations, and naming animals are ways to make an impact on our animal community.
Period Palooza | This local group advocates for women’s menstrual health by conducting community outreach + events as well as offering donation boxes around the city for feminine products.
Trash for Change | Educating the public through environmental stewardship, this group focuses on keeping public spaces trash-free.
River Aid SA | This organization strives to keep the San Antonio River Basin clean and has collected over 400,000 pounds of trash.
The only thing we love more than a trendy find is a timeless one. Check out these five fall and winter fashion must-haves you’ll be wearing for years to come:
Anyone else having issues waking up in the morning recently? The sun is rising later, so when my alarm goes off it’s still dark outside and my body keeps telling me not yet.
Need some help kick starting your day? I recommend checking out one of our local coffee shops. Don’t worry, daylight savings is around the corner.
