The end of summer marks the beginning of fundraising season for organizations in San Antonio’s LGBT community. While events are held year-round, the fall and winter are when many local nonprofits schedule fundraisers and signature events.
The first weekend of autumn will feature the BEAT AIDS Annual Banquet marking its 30th anniversary on September 22 with the theme “Growing Beyond Our Growing Edge.”
Halloween will be celebrated at Fiesta Youth’s fourth annual Halloween Hocus Pocus on October 24, Pride SA’s Scary Fairy RainBOO 5K Fun Run/Walk on October 14 and Pride Families Halloween Trunk or Treat on October 28.
The Esperanza Peace and Justice Center’s Mercado de Paz will play host to scores of artisans for three days during the Thanksgiving Day weekend from November 24 to 26.
The Human Rights Campaign’s annual black tie soirée, the San Antonio Gala and Silent Auction, is known as grande dame of local LGBT events because it’s the biggest, fanciest and priciest bash of the year. It’s slated for December 2 at the Grand Hyatt.
Missing from this year’s calendar is the Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio’s annual awards banquet. Stonewall co-chair Chris Forbrich told Out In SA that the group is opting to have smaller events throughout the year, the first of which will be announced soon.
Save the dates! — A random list of upcoming LGBT events in SA.
September 22
BEAT AIDS Annual Banquet
Airport Hilton, 611 NW Loop 410. Tickets: $60. Sponsorships available. RSVP: Freda Jackson, fjackson@beataids.org, or call 210-212-2266 ext. 125.
October 13 – 15
San Antonio QFest Film Festival
Sponsored by Pride San Antonio City Base Cinema 10, 2623 SE Military Drive. Tickets and more information at this link.
October 13 – 15
Alamo City Bear Fest 2
Sponsored by Renegade Bears of SA at Residence Inn Seaworld, 2838 Cinema Ridge. Registration and information at this link.
October 14
Scary Fairy RainBOO 5K Fun Run/Walk
Sponsored by Pride San Antonio at Woodlawn Lake Park, 1103 Cincinnati Ave. Early registration: $30 Adults, $20 Children 14 & Under. Late registration (October 24): $35 Adults, $25 Children 14 & under. Online registration at this link.
October 21
Progressive Religious Organizations of SA Family Picnic
Orsinger Park, 12230 Huebner Rd. At the pavillion, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sponsored by University Presbyterian Church, First Unitarian Universalist, Dignity San Antonio.
October 24
Fiesta Youth Halloween Hocus Pocus
Arbor House Suites, 109 Arciniega St. From 7 p.m. to midnight. Tickets are $25 pre-sale and $35 at the door. Purchase online at HocusPocusSA.com.
October 28
LGBTQ+ Fall Festival and Trunk-or-Treat
Sponsored by Pride Center SA’s Pride Families at Westfall Branch Library, 6111 Rosedale Ct. 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
November 11
Dignity SA Fall Dinner Dance
El Tropicano Hotel, 110 Lexington Ave. Cocktails at 6 p.m. Dinner at 7 p.m. Music by Jett Entertainment. Tickets $45. To purchase tickets contact Elena Guajardo at 210-778-5300.
November 24 – 26
Peace Market/Mercado de Paz
Sponsored by the Esperanza Peace & Justice Center at 922 San Pedro. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. More information at this link.
December 2
HRC Gala and Silent Auction
Grand Hyatt Hotel, 600 E. Market St. VIP reception at 5 p.m. General reception and silent auction at 6 p.m. Dinner at 7 p.m. Tickets: Early bird tickets, before September 1, $175 + 7.25 processing fee. General admission tickets $195 + 7.25 processing fee. Military and student discounted pricing will be offered at select pre-gala events. Purchase tickets at this link.
December 31
Pride Center New Year’s Eve Kiki.
No location announced as yet. Use this link to request info.
