Awoo Crew Roundup · November 2026
November is when San Antonio finally cools off, and the pet calendar fills up: adoption events every weekend, three free vaccine and microchip clinics, Santa photos, and the first holiday lights of the season. Here are our picks for November 2026. Events marked * have some details from a single source, so confirm before going. The full month, including every recurring adoption event, lives on our community calendar.
Wednesday, November 4
Doggy Days at Chicken N Pickle *
Wednesday, November 4 · 6:00 PM–8:00 PM · Chicken N Pickle San Antonio, 5215 UTSA Blvd · FREE
A night built for dog lovers: live music, local vendors, and a dog friendly patio scene at the pickleball spot on UTSA Blvd. Re-checked November 3, 2026: the venue's own event page confirms this date at 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, and Do210 lists the same hours. Other Wednesdays in the series are not confirmed, so confirm before going: call Chicken N Pickle San Antonio at (210) 874-2120.
Weekend 1: November 6–8
Jazz in the Garden
Friday, November 6 · 6:30 PM–9:00 PM · Japanese Tea Garden, 3853 N St Marys St · FREE
The fall jazz series at the Japanese Tea Garden, featuring Nina & The Gypsies. Leashed dogs are welcome, and an evening in the garden is hard to beat once the weather turns. To confirm: call the San Antonio Parks Foundation at (210) 212-8423.
Animal Defense League at the San Antonio Auto & Truck Show *
Friday, November 6 · 2:00 PM–6:00 PM · Saturday, November 7 · 10:00 AM–3:00 PM · Sunday, November 8 · 11:00 AM–4:00 PM · Freeman Coliseum Expo Hall, 3201 E Houston St · Show admission ticket; adoption fees sponsored
Meet adoptable Animal Defense League dogs and cats all three days of the Auto & Truck Show, with adoption fees fully sponsored by North Park Subaru. Adoption hours above are from the League's event page; the show itself runs November 6–8. To confirm: call the Animal Defense League of Texas at (210) 655-1481.
Diwali San Antonio Festival of Lights
Saturday, November 7 · 4:30 PM–12:00 AM · Hemisfair, 434 S Alamo St · FREE
The only official Diwali celebration in Texas, at Hemisfair, with fireworks to close the night. Hemisfair is dog friendly, but be honest about the fireworks and the crowd size: this is a great pick for a confident dog and a hard pass for a sound-sensitive one. To confirm: call DiwaliSA at (210) 273-2200.
SNIPSA Adoption Event at Whole Earth Provision Co. *
Saturday, November 7 · 12:00 PM–4:00 PM · Whole Earth Provision Co., 255 E Basse Rd · FREE entry; adoption fees apply
SNIPSA brings its rescue dogs and cats to Alamo Quarry Market. Details from SNIPSA's events calendar only; to confirm, call SNIPSA at (210) 237-9400.
San Antonio Pets Alive! Adoption Event, PetSmart Stone Oak *
Sunday, November 8 · 12:00 PM–4:00 PM · PetSmart Stone Oak, 20109 US Hwy 281 N · FREE entry; adoption fees waived
Adoptable dogs and cats with on-site adoption counselors, and adoption fees waived for this date. Details from San Antonio Pets Alive!'s events page only; to confirm, call (210) 370-7612.
SNIPSA Farmers Market Adoption Event *
Sunday, November 8 · 10:00 AM–2:00 PM · Alamo Quarry Market, 255 E Basse Rd · FREE entry; adoption fees apply
Rescue animals at the farmers market, with live music, homemade goods, and fresh local produce. Details from SNIPSA's events calendar only; to confirm, call SNIPSA at (210) 237-9400.
Week 2: November 12–15
Animal Defense League at the UrgentVet San Antonio Ribbon Cutting *
Thursday, November 12 · 1:30 PM–2:45 PM · UrgentVet San Antonio, 12030 Culebra Rd, Suite 104/105
A short adoption event built into the ribbon cutting for the new UrgentVet on Culebra, with adoptable ADL pets on site. It is a 75-minute window, so go early. Details from the League's event page only; to confirm, call (210) 655-1481.
Free Vaccine & Microchip Clinic *
Saturday, November 14 · 9:00 AM–11:00 AM · Paul Jolly Adoption Center, 210 Tuleta Dr · FREE
Free vaccines and microchips for City of San Antonio residents (proof of residency required), hosted by Protect Your Pet. Limit 100 pets, 3 per household, first-come first-served, so line up early. Details from the City of San Antonio Animal Care Services listing only; to confirm, call 311 or (210) 207-6000.
Art in the Parks: Artisan Fair at the Japanese Tea Garden *
Saturday, November 14 · 10:00 AM–5:00 PM · Japanese Tea Garden, 3853 N St Marys St · FREE
An outdoor artisan fair in one of the prettiest settings in the city. The garden is dog friendly and leashed pets are welcome, per the San Antonio Parks Foundation. To confirm: call (210) 212-8423.
San Antonio Pets Alive! Adoption Event, Petco Bandera *
Saturday, November 14 · 12:00 PM–4:00 PM · Petco Bandera, 11398 Bandera Rd
Adoptable dogs and cats with on-site adoption counselors. Details from San Antonio Pets Alive!'s events page only, which does not state fees for this date; to confirm, call (210) 370-7612.
SNIPSA Adoption Events *
Saturday, November 14 · 12:00 PM–4:00 PM · Whole Earth Provision Co., 255 E Basse Rd · Sunday, November 15 · 10:00 AM–2:00 PM · Alamo Quarry Market, 255 E Basse Rd · FREE entry; adoption fees apply
SNIPSA is at Alamo Quarry Market both days this weekend, Saturday at Whole Earth Provision Co. and Sunday at the farmers market. Details from SNIPSA's events calendar only; to confirm, call SNIPSA at (210) 237-9400.
Week 3: November 19–22
SNIPSA Puppy Noses & Yoga Poses *
Thursday, November 19 · 6:30 PM–7:30 PM · Confluence Park, 310 W Mitchell St · $20 donation
The last Puppy Noses & Yoga Poses of the season: a sunset puppy yoga class with SNIPSA and Mobile Om at Confluence Park, right in our Southtown neighborhood. One note: SNIPSA lists the class at one hour, while Mobile Om's booking page lists 75 minutes, so it may run a little past 7:30 PM. Details from SNIPSA's events calendar only; to confirm, call SNIPSA at (210) 237-9400.
Mitchell Lake Audubon Center Doggy Day
Saturday, November 21 · 7:00 AM–2:00 PM · Mitchell Lake Audubon Center, 10750 Pleasanton Road · FREE entry on Doggy Day
Dogs are not normally allowed at this South Side wetland refuge, which makes Doggy Day the one chance to walk the trails with yours, during the Fall Open House weekend. Dogs are welcome on Saturday only, not on the Sunday open house day. Hours are from the Audubon events listing, and the entrance gate and Welcome Center close an hour before closing. To confirm: call (210) 628-1639.
Free Vaccine & Microchip Clinic
Saturday, November 21 · 9:00 AM–11:00 AM · Garza Park, 1450 Mira Vista · FREE
The second free clinic of the month, hosted by the Animal Defense League with San Antonio Animal Care Services, for residents within one of the ten COSA city districts (valid ID with a current San Antonio address required). Limit 125 pets, 3 per household, first-come first-served. Rabies, DHPP, and FVRCP vaccines; every pet is microchipped or receives one at the visit. To confirm: call the Animal Defense League at (210) 655-1481.
Holidays at The Rock Opening Day *
Saturday, November 21 · Frost Plaza, The Rock at La Cantera, 1 Spurs Way · FREE daily programming; select activations ticketed
The Rock's six-week holiday season opens November 21 and runs through January 3, 2027, with a tree lighting and daily programming at Frost Plaza. Check the venue page for the current schedule before going. To confirm: call The Rock at La Cantera at (210) 444-5940.
Saturday Adoption Stops, November 21 *
Saturday, November 21 · SNIPSA at The Honey Bean Coffee, 4230 McCullough Ave, Olmos Park · 8:00 AM–12:00 PM · Animal Defense League at the Pet Supplies Plus Alamo Ranch grand opening, 11943 Alamo Ranch Pkwy · 9:00 AM–1:00 PM · San Antonio Pets Alive! at Petco Stone Oak, 23014 US Hwy 281 N · 12:00 PM–4:00 PM
Three adoption stops in one Saturday, from a morning coffee shop meet-and-greet in Olmos Park to a store grand opening in Alamo Ranch. Details from each organizer's events page only; confirm before going.
SNIPSA official details → · Animal Defense League official details → · San Antonio Pets Alive! official details →
Sunday Adoption Stops, November 22 *
Sunday, November 22 · SNIPSA Farmers Market Adoption Event (SNIPSA lists it as the Alamo Heights Farmers Market), Alamo Quarry Market, 255 E Basse Rd · 10:00 AM–2:00 PM · San Antonio Pets Alive! at Petco Ingram, 6001 NW Loop 410 · 12:00 PM–4:00 PM
Details from each organizer's events page only; confirm before going.
SNIPSA official details → · San Antonio Pets Alive! official details →
Thanksgiving Week: November 23–30
Santa Pet Nights at North Star Mall *
Monday, November 23 · Tuesday, November 24 · Monday, November 30 · 4:00 PM–7:00 PM each day · Macy's Court, North Star Mall, 7400 San Pedro Ave · Photo packages vary
Santa photos with your pet at Macy's Court. Pets are welcome on designated Pet Nights only; the mall otherwise allows service animals only. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are recommended, and the line builds fast. Details from My Neighborhood News, sourced from North Star Mall; to confirm, call North Star Mall at (210) 342-2325.
Holiday Lights on the River Walk
Starts Friday, November 27 · Nightly through early January 2027 · Downtown River Walk · FREE
The River Walk's holiday lights switch on the day after Thanksgiving and stay up through early January. An evening walk under the lights is one of the best free outings of the season; go on a weeknight for smaller crowds. The event page does not state a dog policy, so check before making it a dog outing. To confirm: call the San Antonio River Walk Association at (210) 227-4262.
Ford Holiday River Parade *
Friday, November 27 · Starts 6:00 PM · San Antonio Visitor Alliance, 700 N St Marys St · FREE viewing areas; ticketed seating available
The annual parade of illuminated floats on the river, the city's official start to the holiday season. Per Visit San Antonio, the free viewing area sits on the correct side of the river by the San Antonio Visitor Alliance building (700 N St Marys St), which has an adjacent parking garage. Club Giraud (707 N St Marys St) and Southwest School of Arts (300 Augusta St) are additional landmarks; the free viewing areas are on the opposite side of the river from those buildings, reached by crossing the street or a bridge. Dog access is confirmed only for the free spectator sections, based on the 2025 listing, and this is a loud, packed event: a fine night out for a crowd-proof dog, and a fine night to leave a nervous one home. To confirm: call the San Antonio River Walk Association at (210) 227-4262.
Free Vaccine & Microchip Clinic *
Saturday, November 28 · 9:00 AM–11:00 AM · Monterrey Park, 5919 W Commerce St · FREE
The month's third free clinic, hosted by Protect Your Pet, for City of San Antonio residents (proof of residency required). Limit 100 pets, 3 per household, first-come first-served. Details from the City of San Antonio Animal Care Services listing only; to confirm, call 311 or (210) 207-6000.
San Antonio Pets Alive! Fee-Waived Adoption Weekend *
Saturday, November 28 · Sunday, November 29 · 12:00 PM–4:00 PM both days · PetSmart Alamo Ranch, 5435 Loop 1604 N · FREE entry; adoption fees waived
Close out the month with fee-waived adoptions at PetSmart Alamo Ranch, both days of Thanksgiving weekend. Details from San Antonio Pets Alive!'s events page only; to confirm, call (210) 370-7612.
Headed out of town for Thanksgiving? If your dog is staying home, here is what overnight sitting actually involves, and what it costs for your dates.
Tips for November outings with your dog
- Cooler weather is finally here, mostly. November mornings are great walking weather, but San Antonio can still throw a warm afternoon. Keep the pavement check habit on sunny days, and bring water on longer trail outings.
- Free clinics fill up. The November vaccine and microchip clinics cap at 100 to 125 pets and run first-come first-served. Arrive before the 9:00 AM start, and bring proof of City of San Antonio residency.
- Adoption events are meet-and-greets, not dog parks. The adoptable pets are the guests of honor. If you bring your own dog, check the organizer's listing first, keep the leash short, and give the rescue dogs space.
- Fireworks and parades are a know-your-dog call. Diwali ends with fireworks and the River Parade draws a dense, loud crowd. Confident dogs can love both. Sound-sensitive dogs will be happier at home, and there is no shame in that pick.
- Santa photos reward planning. Pet Nights are the only nights pets are welcome at North Star Mall. Reserve if you can, bring high-value treats, and expect a line.
Keep exploring
- The community calendar: every pet event we track, updated as new ones are verified.
- More Awoo Crew guides
- What overnight pet sitting involves
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