Flaco Jimenez | Credit: Thomas Vasquez / Tommy Gunz Event Photographer / Tejano Nation
The 2025 Luminaria Contemporary Arts Festival is set to light up downtown San Antonio on Saturday, October 18, transforming St. Paul Square into a hub of creativity from 6 p.m. to midnight. This year’s one-night event features 40 artists and groups spanning live music, fine art, sculpture, film, poetry, dance, digital installations, and more.
Among the highlights will be a tribute to the late Grammy-winning accordionist Flaco Jimenez, who passed away earlier this year. The tribute will feature actor Jesse Borrego and Arturo Jimenez, Flaco’s son, honoring the legendary conjunto pioneer whose music carried San Antonio’s sound to the world.
“We just want to do a heartfelt thank you to Flaco for everything he’s done, how he’s put San Antonio on the map and taken it internationally,” said Yadhira Lozano, Executive Director of Luminaria San Antonio. “We’re hoping to recreate the magic and honor Flaco in a good way.”
Another centerpiece of this year’s music lineup is the Shelly Lares Showcase, curated by Tejano icon Shelly Lares herself. Known as “Little Miss Dynamite,” Lares has represented San Antonio for more than four decades. She shared her excitement at the press conference announcing the festival:
“I can’t express how grateful I am to be part of Luminaria. I was honored to do a showcase last year, but being a curator this year was really difficult. It was just so nice to be part of this, to mentor artists and guide them through the music industry. I’m very honored to be part of this year, and I know it’s going to be amazing—better than last year.”
Shelly Lares hosts her Shellshock Records 3 showcase at Luminaria 2024. | Credit: Mariaelena Villarreal / Tejano Nation
The festival’s diverse music lineup also includes performances from Monique Martinez of Corpus Christi, and San Antonio acts The34K, Brooklyn Michelle, Zeus, and Powdered Wig Machine.
Beyond music, the evening will feature work from acclaimed San Antonio visual artists like Kai Aguirre, Cassandra Gnehm, Laura Delmis, and Dominique Jordan, along with Houston muralist Ace Phoenix. Sculptures, installations, films, poetry, and performance art round out the festival, which will also include the Urban-15 drum-and-dance troupe, celebrating its 50th anniversary, and appearances by the San Antonio Street Art Initiative and the Carver Cruiser.
With its blend of art, music, and community, Luminaria 2025 promises an unforgettable night that honors San Antonio’s cultural legacy while spotlighting new voices.
For more details and information on VIP passes, visit LuminariaSA.org.
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