Downtown San Antonio Braces for Busy Weekend with Día de los Muertos Events and Billy Joel-Sting Concert
San Antonio’s downtown is expected to be bustling this weekend, as several major events converge on Friday, October 25, including the highly anticipated Billy Joel and Sting concert at the Alamodome and multiple Día de los Muertos celebrations. Traffic, parking, and construction projects in the area may cause significant disruptions, so officials are urging visitors to plan ahead and arrive early to avoid congestion.
The Day of the Dead River Parade and the Billy Joel-Sting concert are both scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m. on Friday, making this a high-traffic evening. Areas around the Alamodome, as well as major highways such as I-37 and 281, are expected to experience heavy congestion, especially during peak times. Concert-goers and event attendees should prepare for delays and explore alternative routes to navigate the city.
Travel Tips for the Weekend:
• Leave Early and Plan Ahead: With increased traffic likely, consider leaving earlier than usual. Utilize navigation apps like Google Maps or Waze to find the best available routes to your destination.
• Use Ride Shares: Avoid the headache of finding parking and navigating through congested streets by opting for a ride-share service, which can also improve safety for everyone on the road.
• Parking: If you plan to drive, take extra time to find parking. A map of City-owned garages and parking lots can be accessed on the City’s SAPark website. It is highly recommended to enter your parking destination into your navigation app for a smoother journey.
VIA Metropolitan Transit will also be offering its Park & Ride service for those attending the concert at the Alamodome. This service can help alleviate stress by providing direct transportation to the venue.
Downtown Parking Options:
For those attending events near the River Walk, the St. Mary’s Garage (205 E. Travis St.) and the City Tower Garage (60 N. Flores St.) are centrally located and offer easy access to downtown attractions. Additionally, parking rates at select locations will be capped at $15 for event-goers from Friday afternoon through Sunday, October 27. Visitors can enjoy free parking on Sunday at the City Tower Garage from 7 a.m. to midnight.
Be sure to visit the Know Before You Go Downtown website for more tips and real-time updates.
Whether you’re heading to the concert or taking part in the vibrant Día de los Muertos festivities, a little extra planning can help you make the most of this exciting weekend while avoiding some of the anticipated traffic headaches.