2017 San Jacinto Day Festival and Battle Reenactment

The largest battle reenactment in the state is the centerpiece of the admission-free San Jacinto Day Festival, to be held on Saturday, April 22, 2017, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the grounds surrounding the San Jacinto Monument. The reenactment recreates the events leading up to Texas winning its independence from Mexico 181 years ago at the decisive Battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836.   

Sponsored by the San Jacinto Museum of History Association, the festival is a full day of entertainment, vendors, food, family activities, cultural exhibitors, games and fun set amidst living history: music and dancing on three stages featuring country-western bands, flamenco dancers, Native American presentations, square dancers and much more; 15+ food vendors; make-and-take activities and crafts for children; children’s train; petting zoo; medicine wagon show; birds of prey; weavers, spinners, blacksmiths and other demonstrators; and dozens of unique hand-crafted items for sale.

On Saturday, reenactors from across the state become figures in Texas history, for the day.   Visitors can wander freely among the Mexican and Texian camps to learn what the soldiers and their families were doing prior to the battle in 1836.  At 3 p.m., the official (and historically accurate!) reenactment of the Battle of San Jacinto begins.  With hundreds of history reenactors, this reenactment—complete with cannons, horses and pyrotechnics—is the largest in southwest United States.

Parking will be significantly closer than in 2016.  There will be several lots along Independence Parkway open for the general public.  Disabled parking is available at the Battleship Texas parking lot (disabled placard or license plate required) at 3523 Independence Parkway, La Porte, Texas 77571.  Only VIPs and Media with passes will be allowed to park at the Monument. Free shuttles will be running between the lots and the festival from 9:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

The Stay in Deer Park program encourages visitors to the San Jacinto Festival to choose Deer Park as their hotel destination. For discounted lodging during the event at locations such as the Hampton Inn, visit www.deerparktx.org/tourism for links to each of the hotel properties and associated discount offers. 

A huge thank you to all of the sponsors for allowing this to remain as an admission-free event for the festival’s 12,000+ visitors.

Presenting Sponsor

H-E-B

Major Sponsors

City of Deer Park

City of La Porte

Dow Chemical Company

Pasadena Strawberry Festival

San Jacinto Museum of History Association

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Commercial Sponsors

Green Mountain Energy

Texas Tribune

Volunteers and Vendors/Exhibitors are wanted!  Consider helping to stage this fun festival; your hands will be welcome.

                               Entertainment Schedule

Main Stage

Performance Stage

Children's Stage

Festival Grounds

Monument Theatre

A PDF entertainment schedule is also available.

                               Parking

Download the Parking Map.