Construction is trucking along the new 186-room Monarch Hotel. | Photo by SATXtoday
If you’ve been to Civic Park at Hemisfair in the past six months, you may have seen fences blocking off the far north and east parts of the park — and the giant Monarch Hotel that’s coming soon.
You’re looking at Phase II, and the construction fences officially came down today.
Here’s what you can expect:
Source Plaza: This is where pedestrians will enter at the corner of Market Street and South Alamo Street near the Torch of Friendship. This is an amphitheater-like space which offers seating, shade, and room for outdoor performances in the future.
The Promenade: This walkway features freshly planted trees that offer shade and connects all the way from downtown to Southtown.
The Zócalo: Check out the charming fountain, grab a bistro table to chat with friends, and continue on to the heart of Civic Park.
The Stage: This section is still under construction but will offer a designated home for concerts and large events on the north side of the Great Lawn.
Sunset Music Festival | Friday, March 7-Saturday, March 8 | 4 p.m. | The Espee | $45+ | It’s the inaugural year for this two-day music festival featuring headlining acts like Santigold, Aly & AJ, and Spoon.
“Los Cuentos De Las Cartas” | Friday, March 7-Saturday, March 8 | 8-10 p.m. | The Overtime Theater | $15+ | In this production set in a Latin city, the audience follows two friends navigating a society controlled by powerful factions.
Saturday, March 8
Spring Bloom | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | San Antonio Water System | Free | Learn how to be mindful about water usage and be one of the first 1,000 guests to receive a free WaterSaver plant.
Women’s Day Market | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Southbound Coffee | Cost of purchase | Shop local businesses owned by women at this vendor market.
PRESS Coffee Farmers Market | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Press Coffee Castle Hills | Cost of purchase | Make a trip to Castle Hills for an energetic morning of supporting local small businesses.
Feliz’s Women’s Day Market | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Feliz Modern | Cost of purchase | It’s International Women’s Day, so celebrate by shopping women-owned businesses at this pop-up shopping experience.
Pop Madness 2025 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Central Library | Free | Meet artists, authors, dress up in cosplay, and have fun with all things anime.
“The Nature of Us” Opening Reception | 3-9 p.m. | La Zona | Free | This exhibition celebrates International Women’s Day with over 100 local artists featured across various mediums.
Sunday, March 9
Pottery Market | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Curator Coffee | Cost of purchase | Start your Sunday outing by shopping from local ceramic artists and grabbing your favorite latte.
Agarita + Pablo Sáinz-Villegas | 3 p.m. | Tobin Center for the Performing Arts | Free | This renowned guitarist joins San Antonio’s local quartet for an afternoon of classical music.
“The Urge Not To Do Anything, Is Everything” | 6-9 p.m. | FL!GHT Gallery | Free | This group exhibition show features over 70 San Antonio artists who submitted work during an open call.
Nola Brunch & Beignets is turning eight tomorrow at 5 p.m. with a crawfish boil. Your $20 ticket gets you one pound of crawfish with sides, a beer in a souvenir cup, and admission.
City
The City of San Antonio celebrated the official designation of the Silk Road Cultural Heritage District earlier this week near the Ali Baba International Food Market. The “History Here” marker honors communities with roots from North + Central Africa to Eastern Asia.
Weather
Don’t forget to spring forward this Sunday, March 9 — daylight saving time begins at 2 a.m., so turn your clocks forward one hour. This means the sun will start setting ~7:30 p.m. in San Antonio next week, giving you more time to play around our city.
Wellness
Posture check — this is your weekly reminder to straighten your back. If that felt good, imagine how nice a stretch at Black Swan Yoga would feel. Find your flow at these San Antonio yoga studios.
Eat
Broccoli is one of the healthiest vegetables you can eat, according to a recent scientific review. Consider this your sign to stock up on the veggie as farmers market season rolls around. (Vogue)
Try This
Have you seen the new Monopoly game? The updated version is a sign of the times — it replaces paper money with a mobile app. Of course, we’ve always preferred the San Antonio edition of the game. (The Verge)
Sports
Nico Collins has restructured his contract, giving the team more financial flexibility heading into free agency. Get the latest news, analysis, and insider information for the Houston Texans with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Wellness
Did you know San Antonians can receive medical cannabis for 150+ qualifying conditions? Texas Original, the state’s leading medical cannabis dispensary, makes the process easy. Here’s how.*†
Pets
Veterinary clinics are being pushed to focus on profit, resulting in higher bills. Pet insurance could help you offset some of these rising costs — with up to 90% reimbursement. Find plans starting at only $10/month.*
Biz
Calling all business owners. For a limited time, we’re offering 15% off your first advertising purchase on our self-service ad portal. No long-term contract required — simply use the code NEW15 at checkout to redeem the discount.
Outdoors
Psst, gardeners — start this year’s garden off right with this seed starter tray, with built-in handles to transplant seedlings straight into the ground come planting time.*
†Texas CUP License No. 0005. Please note: Legalities in your state may vary. Texas Original advises consumers to read the company’s terms and conditions. Patients must consult a physician and receive a prescription to purchase medical cannabis products. The information about providers and services contained in this newsletter does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SATXtoday.
City Guide
City Guide
Where to hike in San Antonio
Bring the family up for a hike in Government Canyon and reach its tallest point. | Photo by Texas Parks and Wildlife
From quick and easy loops around town to drives that take you to fantastic lakes and hills, our city has so many options to hit the trail.
So lace up your hiking boots, because we’ve compiled a hiking guide for the Alamo City with 16 routes and trails to help you plan your next adventure and experiencebreathtaking views.
The right pet insurance to offset rising veterinary costs. Clinics are increasingly focused on revenue — and some vets are encouraged to squeeze in more appointments, recommend extra tests, and upsell services. The result? Higher vet bills for you. View Money’s top pet insurance picks to see plans starting at only $10 per month.
If you’re like me and love free, my friends at ATXtoday made a guide featuring 25 free events at SXSW. Find yourself visiting Austin over the weekend? Give the article a read.
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