DOWNTOWN SMTX
San Marcos is marking 40 years as an accredited Main Street City with Celebrate San Marcos, a joyous event taking place throughout the downtown on April 24-26. For three days, the heart of the city will come alive with music, culture, local flavors, and the creativity of the people who make San Marcos special.
Explore limited‑edition keepsakes, $5 food specials and unique activities hosted by the businesses you love. Discover something new, make memories and be part of this milestone moment for our community.
CELEBRATE CULTURA features history sessions and walking tours Discover the stories, heritage, and hidden gems that shape San Marcos.
• April 24 at 6:30 p.m. at the LBJ Museum – “San Marcos: How to see the history that isn’t always there?” will feature speaker Shannon Fitzpatrick, former Hays County Assistant District Attorney and former Attorney for Students at Texas State University.
• April 25, 10 a.m. 2 p.m at the Hays County Historic Courthouse – Guided Tours of “The Past Within Us” Exhibit.
Stop in for a guided tour of this powerful exhibit revealing Indigenous and Tejano histories long absent from this space.
Visitors will uncover ancestral languages, identities, and stories from those who lived here long before Hays County or Texas existed.
• April 25, 11 a.m. in downtown area – 49th Annual Just for Fun Parade. The parade will begin at 110 E. Martin Luther King Drive at 11 a.m. Lineup starts at the San Marcos mural at 10 a.m. The after-party will be at Showdown, 207 E.
Hutchison Street.
• April 25, 11 a.m. at the Downtown SMTX tent within the San Marcos Farmers Market – Native Plant Walking Tour. Explore downtown biodiversity with the City of San Marcos Horticulture Team.
• April 25, noon at Kissing Alley – Downtown Mural Walking Tour. Discover the artists and stories behind downtown’s most iconic murals with SMTX Arts.
• April 25, 2 p.m. at the Calaboose African American History Museum – “Children’s Books and the History They Tell” plus a look at San Marcos’ Black history. Diana Garcia, author and educator, will lead a talk exploring how children’s books can illuminate U.S. history, with a special focus on San Marcos’ Black history and the contributions of Mrs. Johnny Armstead and Dr. Elvin Holt to the Calaboose AAHM. Participants will also get to browse the Cephas House collection and engage in optional interactive activities.
CELEBRATE COMIDA: Taste your way through downtown with $5 bites and drinks.
• The $5 Food Tour features:
• Chicken Sando Jr. at Hangry Joe’s Hot Chicken
• Award‑Winning Salsa & Housemade Chips at Industry
• Fruity Pebbles Shake at JAX Burgers
• SMTX Inspired Teas at The Native Blends
• Lucky Pickles Basket at Sean Patrick’s
• Curry Bun at SHINKO88
• Matcha Latte at SHINKO88 CELEBRATE CORAZÓN: Show your love for downtown limited‑edition Celebrate San Marcos gear, collectible, and keepsakes.
• SMTX artist collections – available at Daughter of the Wild. Take a piece of San Marcos art home with you from a selection of prints from local artists.
• Mermaid Soap – available at Douglas Smith Soap Company
• Custom T‑shirt printing – available at KnD’s w Boutique
• Charm Bundles – available at Old Soul Exchange. Choose from the River Lover, Old Soul or Wild Fauna collections, and have your 3 charms added to a bracelet, necklace, or keychain
• Exclusive T‑shirt, mug & stickers – available at The San Market CELEBRATE MUSICA features the music of San Marcos with live performances from homegrown musicians.
• April 24, 8 p.m. at Tantra – Lukas Tippens Band & Kevin Schultz Experience
• April 25, 10:30 a.m at the San Marcos Farmers Market – Buteo.This event is family and dog friendly!
• April 25 at 11:30 a.m.at the San Marcos Farmers Market – Cheer Up! Cheer Up! This event is family and dog friendly!
• April 25 at 9 p.m. at The Porch – Los Gatos 512
• April 25 at 11 p.m at the Porch – DJ Kiki’s Latin set
• April 26, 6 p.m. at THE MARC – Salsa del Rio Pick Up Your Official Event Guide at participating locations. The guide includes the full schedule, official venue list and a map.
A Downtown Adventure booklet will be available at the Downtown SMTX booth at the San Marcos Farmers Market. The hands‑on activity booklet for both young and young-at heart features illustrations by Natalie Radmall, owner of Current Goods, with coloring pages of iconic San Marcos spots, local characters, trivia and riddles.
The San Marcos Main Street Program focuses on maintaining the unique and historic nature of Downtown San Marcos, recognizing its history and planning for its future. Stop by the Main Street offices, located in the San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce, for more information on what there is to do, see and experience in Downtown San Marcos.
