San Jacinto Fall Fandango

Three children play a card game with a reenactor.

Texian Frontier Revelry: Relive the 1830s

Step back in time and immerse yourself in the vibrant spirit of the 1830s at the San Jacinto Fall Fandango on Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. In an era when neighbors lived miles apart, social gatherings like a fandango were essential for bringing communities together. Families and friends are invited to join us as we explore civilian life on the Texas frontier and experience the joy of these historic festivities

Event Highlights

Experience Frontier Life: Dive into a variety of living history activities suitable for all ages, offering a glimpse into the 1830s.
Family-Friendly Saloon Games: Try your hand at authentic historical games that are fun for the whole family.
Historical Cooking Flavors: Taste delicious recipes from the past, prepared with traditional methods.
Meet Artisans and Heritage Groups: Discover the skills and stories of talented artisans and historical reenactors.
Market Vendors and Food Trucks: Explore unique goods and savor tasty treats from a range of vendors.

Event Details

Location: Outside the San Jacinto Monument.

Age Range: All ages; activities for kids and adults.

Cost: Free to attend. Food and merchandise will be available to purchase.

Note: The event is outdoors, so please dress accordingly for the weather.

For more information, email san-jacinto-battleground@thc.texas.gov or call 281-479-2431.

Frontier Experiences

Frontier Life

Step into daily life on the Texian frontier. Wash a bandana the old fashioned way, learn how traditional medicines were made, and try on frontier clothing at the self serve dress up station. These hands-on activities show the simple skills that helped communities thrive.

Bay Area Weavers and Spinners

Artisans will spin, weave, knit, and crochet right before your eyes, transforming yarn and thread into clothing and household goods. These demonstrations bring to life the skills that kept frontier families warm and supplied with everyday essentials.

Frontier Food

Roll up your sleeves for a taste of frontier life. Try your hand at bread making, churn fresh butter, and discover how vegetables were dried for the long months ahead. These hands-on demos show how early settlers prepared and preserved their meals.

Chili Queens’ Chili Experience: A Culinary Journey in Time

Spice up your day at the Fandango! Under the red-and-white marquee tent, Casa Navarro educators from San Antonio bring the legendary Chili Queens to life with stories and flavor. Every 30 minutes, the bell rings for a new session — grab a seat at the picnic tables, hear the history, and taste chili made the old Texian way.

Frontier Games

Experience hands-on fun with games and crafts that have entertained families for generations. Shape a clay pinch pot, spin a buzzsaw toy, make a corn husk doll, or explore the toy touch table. Then try “Graces,” the classic hoop-and-stick game. Timeless activities for all to enjoy together!

Will Howard Gaming Hall

The frontier was not all work, it was play too. Step inside and try your luck or skill with games that once kept communities buzzing. Deal into a round of Faro, roll the dice with Chuck a Luck, match wits over Mill and Morris, or line up a shot in ninepins, an early form of bowling. From lively games of chance to clever strategy, this hall is filled with pastimes that brought neighbors together. Whether you come to win or simply for fun, the spirit of early Texas social life is waiting at the table.

19th Century American Cricket

Before baseball there was cricket, and Texans were playing it as early as the 1840s. Now it is your turn to grab a bat, join a team, and jump into a quick match just like they did nearly 200 years ago. Fast paced, easy to learn, and full of surprises, this hands on game brings a forgotten piece of Texas sports history back to life.

Fandango Music and Dance

The Fandango is all about music and dance, filling the plaza with energy and tradition. Zach and Rachel Dance team up with the Tejas Pioneers to lead the Virginia Reel, a lively folk dance where partners weave in and out of lines to spirited fiddle tunes. Guests can cheer, clap along, or step right into the dance.
Danzas Folkloricas de Solei captivate with vibrant costumes and graceful footwork, bringing the color and rhythm of folklorico to life.
Mariachi Luna Llena from Rice University lifts the spirit of the crowd with the joyful sounds of mariachi, honoring the rich Mexican heritage woven into Texas history.