San Fernando De Bexar Cathedral
San Fernando De Bexar Cathedral
4.5
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
About
This cathedral was built in 1873 to replace the original founded more than one hundred years earlier.
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Address
Neighborhood: Downtown
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902 within 3 miles
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297 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- ron SAlamosa, Colorado934 contributionsBeautiful in the heart of San AntonioWent to laser light show that is basically a history of San Antonio. Beautiful building and great show. We later found out that the ashes of the Alamo heros are interned here. Still an open and active churchVisited September 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten September 25, 2023
- Patt4411Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania206 contributionsWonderfulAn easy stroll from the Riverwalk after dinner on a nice Tuesday evening. Didnt arrive early enough to grab a table seat but the show wasnt long, maybe 20 minutes. It was. amazing- really cool to see, accompanied by a music track. Made me wished wed had time to see the inside of the church.Visited October 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten October 10, 2023
- Travelswell4fun8 contributionsLaser light show is a must seeIt is a beautiful church. However, my review is specifically regarding the laser light show at night. Do not miss this. I believe it is Tuesday through Friday at 9 o’clock. They may even do a 930 as well but I cannot confirm this. It was amazing technology to say the least. The show lasted about 25 minutes and was outstanding. It was, something you don’t see anywhere else and, in my opinion, and absolute must during your time in San Antonio. Across the street is the Watson at the AC hotel. It is a beautiful rooftop bar without standing views and food. I would also make sure to do that either before or after the show.Visited November 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten November 25, 2023
- Stephanie R3 contributionsBeautifulIt is beautiful in picture, but as I got to see it in person, it was simply stunning. In the evening, there is a light / laser(?) show with music. Very cool show, and it was nice and relaxing watching it in the huge plaza, not crazy crowded like the Alamo.Visited December 2023Traveled soloWritten December 30, 2023
- Jessica BSaint Amant, Louisiana104 contributionsBeautifulBeautiful. Take time to go inside beautiful. We stopped and shopped in the gift shop. Met a wonderful and very kind lady. We went back at 9:00 p.m. to watch the light show.Visited February 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten February 12, 2024
- Alicia KFrankfort, Illinois37 contributionsNighttime entertainmentWe never actually entered the Cathedral, but enjoyed a free light show on its exterior at night. It showed at 9pm and 9:30pm and detailed San Antonio history coupled with appropriate music. It was a highlight of our trip.Visited March 2024Traveled with familyWritten March 30, 2024
- ArielleMobile, Alabama135 contributionsBeautiful!The San Fernando Cathedral is beautiful. The architecture of that building is just great. I arrived an hour before the light show started to get a good seat. The light show was at 9PM. It was very nice, and I enjoyed the music. There was a pretty big crowd that had gathered by the time the show started. A nice way to end my night after a long day of exploring!Visited April 2024Traveled soloWritten April 16, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
2,107 reviews
Excellent
1,558
Very good
471
Average
70
Poor
4
Terrible
4
T S
Tennessee79 contributions
Mar 2020 • Family
We attempted to find this one night only to get lost and when we did make it the show had been cancelled. So on our last night there we attempted again with better directions. This light show was amazing. It was like a history lesson in pictures and lights. And although I'm not a Texan I could enjoy the beauty of what was displayed...
Written November 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
reiterr2019
Bellevue, NE7 contributions
May 2021
This 25-minute lazer light show is a must, detailing the Texas saga on the historical San Fernando Cathedral. It is free and worth the time. You need to check times and days before gathering in front of the cathedral as it is shown on Tuesday evenings and weekends at 9, 9:30 & 10 PM in Spring and Summer. Times change in winter.
Written June 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JCOhio31
Ohio154 contributions
Feb 2020
My wife and I watched the light show from our hotel balcony one evening, and later from the plaza. The light show is projected onto the facade of the cathedral, lasts 25 minutes, and depicts the history of San Antonio. The cathedral itself is beautiful, and we appreciate that the church allows the general public inside. Interestingly, the bones of the four major participants of the Battle of the Alamo are in a sarcophagus at the entry to the church. The cathedral, in particular the light show, are definitely not to be missed if you are in San Antonio.
Written February 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travelisfun195
Phoenix, AZ38 contributions
Feb 2020
Free to whoever wants to walk to the cathedral, this light show depicting the history of the area, and Texas, was such a treat. It shows 3 times a night on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays & Tuesdays. The full show is about 23 minutes long. You simply stand (or find a chair in the park) and enjoy. And, did I mention it's free! An ice cream truck and small coffee/drink shack were close by if you'd like to enjoy a treat before, during or after the show. Highly recommended even after a long day of walking.
Written February 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Josue C
New Haven, CT509 contributions
Mar 2022
San Fernando de Bexar Catheral is a beautiful building, the oldest cathedral in Texas, one the oldest churches in the US still in use. The cathedral is great example of Spanish colonial architecture, that dots the map of the southwest US. The interior is beautiful, with many hand crafted shrines and pieces of art that invoke serenity and peace. On certain nights, there is a light show that plays on the cathedral's facade, showing the history, culture, and diversity of the state of Texas, it's really a good show. I recommend visiting San Fernando de Bexar, for those that a thirst for history, culture, and the spiritual.
Written August 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jenifer N
Omaha, NE102 contributions
Aug 2021
What a beautiful piece of history that is still functioning as a Catholic Cathedral! Went during the day so that we could experience the sun through the stained glass windows and see the beauty inside. This is also where the sarcophagus is located for the Heros of the Alamo. We returned for the light show at night, which was about 20 minutes of captivating history through light and music.
Written August 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kevin B
Mount Juliet, TN3,752 contributions
May 2020
This is a very pretty and very old Catholic Church that we got to visit on our last trip to San Antonio. The cathedral is very easy to walk to from downtown San Antonio and it's beautiful from a an architectural perspective. The design is fairly simple inside, but it's still beautiful and it was a nice to pray and to spend some time inside this cathedral. It's the oldest cathedral in Texas and one of the oldest in the country and it's definitely worth a visit if you're in the area.
Written April 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FLGIRL
The Villages, FL595 contributions
Apr 2021
Just a short walk from the Alamo and worth the walk. You can see the ‘vault’ where the ashes are from those killed at the Alamo. The inside of the church is beautiful and worth going in too. At night the light show is quite spectacular. Do keep in mind that since you are in a fairly large city, you will see homeless individuals and they will ask for money.
Written April 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
stacy7911
Zephyrhills, FL49 contributions
Apr 2021
I was unsure about going to see the light show because it was starting late and I had to get up early. I am so glad I went! The light show was the most impressive thing I saw in San Antonio. It depicted the history of the city through images and music on the side of the San Fernando cathedral. I would suggest that if there is only one thing you do in San Antonio, this is it.
Written April 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lynn S
League City, TX588 contributions
Oct 2022
We visited this cathedral to see the nightly light show about the history of Texas. The cathedral itself is beautiful (but unfortunately we didn't have an opportunity to see the inside). The light show on the exterior is just awesome to watch. it's one of the better free attractions anywhere. The show lasts about 20 minutes and there are quite a few places to sit but get there early to scope out the best spot to view.
Written October 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I didn’t see any. The area is flat but the entrance to the cathedral is probably too narrow for a wheelchair. I would call the ticket booth/ gift shop to ask. I’m sorry I can’t be more specific.
Written June 5, 2019
There wasn’t parking right at this plaza, but the nearest lot (at 205 W. Nueva Street, San Antonio) is pretty close (within 5 mins) and a pretty level easy walk.. You might get lucky and find some good nearby street parking, but there isn’t much on this block.
Written April 22, 2018
Is this walkable from the Riverwalk? Do they have the show every night?
Written January 6, 2018
You can walk there from the Riverwalk. It’s approximately 2.5 blocks.
The light show is free and open to the public. It is displayed on Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 9:00 pm, 9:30 pm and 10:00 pm and lasts 24 minutes.
Written January 8, 2018
linna1
2 contributions
No it’s free and so breathtaking beautiful to see.
Written January 19, 2018
What are the visitation hours of the church & the Saga days & times? I cant seem to find any visitation/tour schedule or about the light show viewings. Thanks
Written October 5, 2017
The light show is at 9, 9:30 and 10pm on Tuesday, Thurs, Friday, Sat and Sun. There is no "tour" of the cathederal that I know of, it is pretty much self guided. Times are during the day..believe open like 9 to 5. Sundays would not be a good day to go as services would be in session. The light show is amazing, worth seeing 2x.
Written October 22, 2017
Is it safe to walk here at night from the Shops at River center?
Written September 17, 2017
Yes. It is not too far from the Riverwalk, in what is called the Main Square. I felt very safe. It is worth seeing. Enjoy!!
Written September 18, 2017
The following should answer your question re days and times of light show.
French artist Xavier de Richemont stands before San Fernando Cathedral as his visual art, called 'San Antonio|The Saga,' is projected on Wednesday, June 11, 2014. The film visually narrates the historical ... more
San Antonio | The Saga • debuts 9 p.m. Friday • San Fernando Cathedral
World renowned French artist Xavier de Richemont has spent the last two weeks in San Antonio putting the final touches on “San Antonio | The Saga” a 24-minute video collage of images set to music to be projected onto the facade of San Fernando Cathedral, 115 Main Plaza, as a tribute to the local culture and history.
The video collage debuts 7-11 p.m. Friday (first showing at 9 p.m.).
For the next 10 years, weather permitting, it’s scheduled to run 9 p.m., 9:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays on San Fernando Cathedral at Main Plaza.
Written May 1, 2017
The light shows at the cathedral are Tuesdays , Fridays and Saturdays at 9:30 and 10:00 pm. A posada is something different. It is a parade that takes place during the Christmas holiday period.
Written December 19, 2016
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