This Valentine’s Day, the Historic Market Square buzzed with live music, vendors and love. Permanent restaurants and stores bordered the path of the square that was filled with booths selling original artwork, handmade jewelry and other artisanal creations.
A stage hosting a live band stood near the back of the event, accompanied by a large paper mache bride and groom. Guests stopped to take pictures with the festive couple surrounded by flowers and balloons.
Couples who showed up hungry were in luck, as food and sweet treats were plentiful. Historic Market Square’s usual restaurants offered a traditional sit-down option, and food vendors sold tacos, corn in a cup, homemade baked goods, packaged chamoy candies and much more.
When walking around in San Antonio, even in mid-February, it is not hard to break a sweat. Fortunately, guests could grab a quick beverage from a number of places. Among the stands that filled the street were vendors selling horchata, agua fresca and alcoholic drinks.
Any procrastinator who waited until Valentine’s Day to buy a gift for a special someone in their life would have a wide array of options to choose from at Historic Market Square. The shops sold purses, belt buckles and clothes. Artists sold original paintings, handmade jewelry and homemade candles.
This event is meaningful to attendees and vendors alike. The Valentine’s Day market allows artists to share their creations with the community, and attendees are able to find artisan pieces that support local businesses.
“Putting a handcrafted organic candle into the perfect couple’s houses [is special],” local candle maker Samantha Lujan described as the best part of the event, emphasizing the holiday’s companionship.
The excitement continued inside the market plaza, which had shops in a circular path selling dresses and flower crowns. Jewelry options overflowed, with special sales commemorating the day of love.
The plaza had similar items to the shops outside, but it also included stores that sold home items. A garden shop, Plaza Flowery, sold pots and other garden necessities. A nearby shop sold windchimes and wall decor, including crosses, mirrors and alebrijes that could be hung.
More live music was featured in the plaza, with a guitarist in the center space of the shops. Guests enjoyed food and company at the surrounding seats and tables. Additional desserts could be found in this area, with an ice cream shop and churros nearby.
The love-centric festival had more than just shopping and eating — couples could enjoy a free Valentine’s Cookie Workshop by signing up for either the 12-1 p.m. or the 2-3 p.m. time slots. Caricature drawings from an artisan booth presented itself as an alternative activity nearby.
Historic Market Square’s Valentine’s Day celebration catered to more than just couples. Families accompanied by pets enjoyed the holiday and celebrated familial love by dancing to music and taking pictures with a cupid and heart mascot. The event also had activities for kids, including a face painting booth.
The colorful buildings of Historic Market Square added to the joyful vibes as friends, couples and families spent the day together.
Guests exited the event with handpicked items to be cherished and free roses, excited to return the following year to celebrate another day of love.
