The best time to visit San Antonio, TX, is in April and from September to October. These spring and fall months fall within the city’s tourism shoulder season. In our experience, this is the optimal time of year for most travelers in terms of budget, weather, and traveler experience.
Located in Southern Texas, San Antonio is a destination that ranges from warm to hot throughout the year. Despite its southern location, we still find a fairly drastic change in average temperatures and precipitation patterns over the months that should inform your decision about when to travel. Depending on your chosen dates, you might also stumble upon some unique once-a-year events that’ll end up being the highlight of your itinerary.
Tired of sifting through old forecasts and climate graphs? Figure out exactly when to go with our complete San Antonio weather guide by season and month, including our recommendations on what to see & do + the city’s hottest annual events and festivals!
Weather in San Antonio, TX
By season
Spring
As with many four-season destinations, the spring months in San Antonio are characterized by a warming of the earth and revitalization. With temperatures ranging from the high-60s to the high-80s (~20°C to 30°C), the spring season offers a lot of variety with a lot of change month-over-month.
In spring, we love to visit some of the surrounding state parks as they blossom with fragrant wildflowers. In general, the city starts to feel like it’s teeming with life again when the warmer temperatures return.
Spring is one of those magical “shoulder tourism” seasons, where we can take advantage of peak travel conditions and temperatures without the chaos of peak season. This also means we often find more reasonable prices for flights and bookings at our favorite San Antonio hotels.
Summer
Summer in San Antonio is hot and humid. Like insanely hot. With temperatures in the mid-90s (mid-30s°C) and not a lot of rain to help break that heat, it can be an uncomfortable time to visit for some—and is our own least favorite time to be here. (Or pretty much anywhere in Texas, for that matter.)
San Antonio is at its busiest in the summer months, thanks to a huge influx of family tourists taking advantage of school’s summer vacation.
That said, let’s not confuse the busiest season with the ideal season.
Larger crowds are a big enough reason for us to consider alternative months. But let’s throw all our cards on the table: Summer is also not comfortable temperature-wise. (Not to mention, it’s harder on the wallet with inflated rates.)
All things considered, summer is a good time to visit, but we think you can definitely do better.
Fall
Fall in San Antonio is still nice and warm, with the cool-off in preparation for the winter season happening slowly over the course of several months.
The autumn season starts off with temperatures reaching the low 90s (low 30s°C). It ends sandwiched between the 70s (21°C to 26°C) and 80s (26°C to 31°C), which we much prefer to those nasty summer highs. Despite the warm temperatures, the cooler evenings mean that San Antonio still benefits from the changing orange hues of fall foliage.
With school back in session, tourist numbers start to dwindle, bringing both the crowd size and rates down. If you’re looking for a good time to visit that has a moderate price, good temperatures, and “touristy vibe,” we think fall is a great choice. With the comfortable weather, it’s also a great season to tackle our favorite San Antonio day trips to explore more of the Lone Star State.
Winter
Winter temperatures in San Antonio are cool in comparison to its super-hot summer but are still rather warm by most North American standards. From the mid-60s to low 70s (18°C to 22°C), the daytime highs are quite comfortable. One thing we’d consider is that the nights can get legitimately cold, so you’ll need to pack appropriate outfits for both.
Winter is the least-busy time to visit San Antonio since the temperatures are a little lower. This is a destination known for its family-centered tourism. With very few school breaks making winter travel accessible, you’ll find fewer families here at this time.
Of course, with lower demand comes lower prices! We think winter is the perfect option for budget-conscious travelers and adults seeking a quieter escape alike.
By month
January
January and December share the title of “coldest month of the year” in San Antonio, but overall, we can’t say it’s really that cold. (We grew up in the north, so, yeah, this is nothin’.)
Highs in winter hit the mid-sixties (high teens °C). Even the lows will remain above the freezing point, generally around 39°F (~4°C). We expect about four days of rain throughout the month (averaging about one each week) and just 29mm of actual precipitation.
San Antonio’s premier January event starts right as you ring in the New Year. Watch NYE stretch into the wee hours of January 1st at HemisFair Park in Downtown San Antonio and in the streets of La Villita.
Folk dancing, Latinx music, and street food will keep the party going all night long, culminating in a brilliant explosion of fireworks across the sky.
February
If having to head indoors to escape a rainy day is your worst vacation itinerary nightmare, then planning a holiday in February is a good bet.
With just 25mm of rain falling on average, February is the driest month of the year in San Antonio. The trade-off is that February offers milder daily temperatures and chilly evenings.
Highs of 68°F (20°C) aren’t bad by any means, but we’d recommend bringing a good jacket for after the sun sets, with temps dropping down to 43°F (6°C).
There’s a good chance your vacation could overlap with one of the tastiest foodie events around, Black Restaurant Week San Antonio.
During this event, spanning eight days, you’ll work your way through dozens of incredible restaurants representing the African Diaspora, from national cuisine (Jamaican, Nigerian, and soul food) to stick-to-the-ribs BBQ supporting black restauranteurs.
March
The average temperatures in March represent San Antonio’s first jump into spring at 73°F (23°C). Even the daily lows see some significant improvement, climbing to a more comfortable 50°F (10°C).
Rain isn’t a significant concern for us in March, with around 39mm projected throughout the month. But, in our experience, it’ll likely fall in shorter/lighter spurts over a span of five days. Still, we think it’s worth keeping in mind from a travel planning perspective.
Ready to embrace your inner Irishman? Celebrate the international Irish holiday at the St. Paddy’s Party Parade.
The event kicks off with a boat parade along the River Walk, where the city dyes the water green. Then it’s time to party hard with tons of beer, food, and local cheer.
April
The warming temperatures in April make it a good middle-ground for travelers who love the warmth of the Texas sun but don’t want to swelter under the covers at night. Overall, April is one of our favorite months to travel to San Antonio.
Daily highs will reach a nice-and-toasty 81°F (27°C) and maintain a moderate temp of 57°F (14°C) even at its lowest point.
What about April showers? Well, thankfully, they’re not all that common, with an average of only three rainy days and 47mm.
Whether you’re an avid cyclist or just own a bike and love a good challenge, L’Étape San Antonio By Tour De France is a must if you’re visiting in April.
This amateur race (or guided ride if you’re not feeling overly ambitious) is designed by the Tour de France staff to mimic the real thing. Talk about a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
May
Rather than having one long rainy season, San Antonio’s climate charts suggest two mini-rainy seasons, with May marking the beginning of the first. With an average of 5 rainy days and a whopping 93mm of rain, May is the wettest month of the year.
(Ahh, so in San Antonio, May showers bring May flowers? Hmm…)
We see temperatures continue to rise as the summer approaches, with highs of 86°F (30°C) and lows of 66°F (19°C).
For foodies like us, May is the top tourist season in the city, with San Antonio Flavor occurring every year. Hosted by the SA Museum of Art, one of our favorite museums in San Antonio, this festival presents an opportunity to sample good eats from over 30 local restaurants, surrounded by stunning art installations.
The main event is the Culinary Showdown, where we watch top chefs compete live on stage, followed by spirited concerts.
June
In June, things really start heating up in San Antonio. We see average daily highs reaching up into the low-to-mid 90s (30°C to 35°C). Even throughout the evening, temperatures stay elevated at around 72°F (~22°C), providing only a minor respite from the sun.
June is a relatively rainy month, though we’ll experience a significant reduction from May’s precipitation rates. In general, we’d expect to see approximately 53mm of rain fall over four days in June.
Participating in a Pride celebration is a must for a June tourist—and San Antonio’s is like nothing you’ve ever seen before.
The Bud Light Pride River Parade & Celebration, taking place in mid-June, is separated into two separate parts. The day starts at La Villita’s Arneson River Theatre, with multiple concerts and other live performances. As with St. Patrick’s Day, the festival ends with a River bound-boat parade comprised of several rainbow barge “floats.”
July
July weather is quite hot and consistent with June, with average highs of 93°F (34°C) and lows of 73°F (23°C). Especially during the morning, these temperatures are accompanied by significant humidity, but there’s a bit of a drop in the afternoon when it becomes a drier heat.
As for rain, we’d expect to see about 41mm fall over five days.
Obviously, if you’re roaming around the USA on the 4th of July, you’re going to want to join in the festivities—and San Antonio’s event is quite spectacular!
Ease into the celebration with a picnic in the park with BBQ and lawn games, then wait for the sun to set and the party to start. After dark, you can expect several concerts and a grande fireworks display to finish things off.
Alternatively, you can embrace your artsy side at F. R. I. D. A. FEST. This annual 2-day festival celebrates the artworks and courageous stories of Latina women.
The work of legends like Frida Kahlo (the namesake of the event), Selena Quintanilla, and Gloria Anzaldúa are featured in pop-up showcases. There’ll also be a fashion show, live music, and an artisan market where you can find beautiful artwork to bring home.
August
August is the hottest month of the year in San Antonio. With the peak daylight hours reaching temperatures of 95°F (35°C) and still-hot evenings maintaining 73°F (23°C) averages, many tourists agree that the August heat can be just a bit too much.
(And after visiting Texas in August, we’d wholeheartedly agree.)
If you’re planning to travel during the month of August, we’d recommend bringing high-SPF sunscreen, plenty of water, and an itinerary full of “cooling-off” activities.
Unfortunately, we won’t find much relief from post-rain cool-offs either, with only three rainy days in the entire month.
Love anything weird and wonderful? Here’s a quirky San Antonio trip itinerary addition for you: The Wonderland UFO Festival is an annual event taking place in late August that delves deep into the history of UFOs on Earth.
From conspiracy theories to forgotten pasts, you’re sure to reignite your passion for the unexplored. Outer space may be a little more off-the-beaten-track than you were bargaining for, but it’s certainly worth the trek!
September
September may mark the start of fall in San Antonio, but we won’t see much of a change in terms of temperature. It’s just a few degrees cooler, with highs of 90°F (32°C).
(Our translation? This month is still really hot!)
In the month of September, we see a resurgence of the rain, with the start of San Antonio’s second rainy season. Around six days during the month will end up with some rain, totaling approximately 86mm.
Looking for a more laid-back event to complement your fast-paced activity? Check out one of the city’s longest-standing annual events: the Greater San Antonio Quilt Show.
We know, we know: This totally sounds like a granny event. But hear us out…
In addition to multiple textile art galleries and vendors, there’s also a treasure hunt event for children and a handful of yummy local food trucks to sample from. (Yes, that likely means lots of Texas BBQ in yo’ belly.)
Better yet, the whole event is free, so you don’t need to feel guilty about popping in for a quick peek around if you’re running short on time.
October
October cools off rather drastically in San Antonio when compared to September. It’s still relatively warm, though, with average highs of October highs or 81°F (27°C) and lows of 59°F (15°C).
Rainfall remains elevated with five rainy days and about 68mm falling throughout the month; don’t forget your umbrella!
(Although when we visited in October, it was nothing but blue, sunny skies and plenty of heat.)
Are you a certified cinephile? If so, October is the ideal time to travel to San Antonio. The San Antonio Black International Film Festival runs from October 5th to 8th each year. It’s dedicated to highlighting the remarkable works of P.O.C. actors, directors, screenwriters, and film crews.
From riveting and heartwrenching black stories to powerful black voices, we think this event is a must for movie lovers and social justice warriors alike!
November
The most notable thing about the weather in San Antonio in November is a bigger swing between highs and lows. Though we still find the daytime reasonably warm at 72°F (22°C), the drop after dark starts to become a dramatic transition.
Lows of 48°F (9°C) will have you reaching for a jacket. In November, rainfall tapers off again. Though the number of rainy days remains at four, just one day less than October, we see the actual precipitation reduce greatly, with just 27mm forecasted.
One of our favorite things to do in San Antonio during the month of November is to celebrate Día de Los Muertos. While the actual holiday is at the end of October, the festival extends until November 2nd.
This annual, multi-day party, also known as the Day of the Dead, features plenty of fun events like a lantern parade, a coffin race (yes, you read that right), and a salsa-making competition. From dancing and music to art and food, you’re certain to leave with a new appreciation for Latin-American culture.
Want to try a traditional treat? Hunt down some sweet sugar skulls or Pan de Muertos.
December
December rings in San Antonio’s true winter season, with temperatures continuing to drop. With highs of 64°F (18°C) and lows approaching zero, hovering around 39°F (4°C), we certainly don’t find it that cold most of the time; cool would be a better descriptor by comparison.
Snow in San Antonio is extremely rare, but we still see some winter precipitation, with 28mm projected to fall over four days.
December is a time for holiday festivities, and we think the Ford Fiesta De Las Luminarias is the perfect way to kick off the season. While this tradition-inspired celebration centers around Christmas, even those who don’t celebrate will want to take part in the magic.
Watch as over 2,000 luminarias (or Mexican Christmas lanterns) are released aglow into the night sky over the San Antonio River. Similar to the lantern-speckled skies in Disney’s Tangled, this is a sight you’ll never forget!
