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.”
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.
Follow Tejano Nation on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram, and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with everything Tejano. Listen to new Tejano music first with our Spotify playlists and iHeartRadio podcast.
Copyright 2026 Tejano Nation. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without the expressed written permission from Tejano Nation.
Dolores Huerta, Pioneering Labor Organizer and Civil Rights Icon, Dies at 96
The pioneering labor leader coined “Sí, se puede” and spent more than seven decades empowering farmworkers, women, immigrants and marginalized communities
Hailey Grace Ochoa Debuts with ‘Mini Barbie’ featuring Papi Chulos
The 11-year-old Floresville singer and actress embraces her Tejano-pop sound while carrying forward four generations of family musical tradition
Jennifer Lynn and Jocelyn Ochoa Bring the Heat With New Cumbia ‘Echa a Mano’
The much-anticipated collaboration pairs an infectious dance-floor groove with a message of originality and self-confidence
Share this:
Discover more from Tejano Nation
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
0 comments on “Luminaria Contemporary Arts Festival 2025 to Spotlight Flaco Jimenez Tribute and Shelly Lares Showcase”