First Friday at 108 Blue Star

First Friday is San Antonio's longest-running monthly art walk, anchored by the Blue Star Arts Complex and extending into the surrounding Southtown neighborhood. It began in the 1990s as an artist-driven gathering and has grown into a monthly neighborhood experience bringing together galleries, studios, restaurants, bars, shops, artists and visitors. There is no single route you have to follow.

The first Friday of each month. The Blue Star Arts Complex typically lists the district Art Walk for the evening hours, while individual businesses and venues may keep their own schedules. If you are coming for a specific performance or ticketed event, use the time listed on that event page rather than assuming general First Friday hours.

Walking the district and visiting many First Friday galleries and public spaces is generally free. Programming at 108 Blue Star may be free or ticketed depending on the month. Every event listing clearly identifies whether a ticket, RSVP or payment is required. If an event is free, we say so plainly.

What happens here is not identical every month. Some First Fridays center on live music, a conversation, a cultural program, a special collaboration or another reason to step inside. Check the What's On calendar for the current lineup, doors and start time, participating artists or partners, and whether the program is free or ticketed.

First Friday is bigger than any one venue. The Blue Star Arts Complex is home to galleries, artist studios, restaurants, bars, shops, an arthouse cinema and other creative businesses, and the surrounding Southtown neighborhood adds more places to eat, drink, browse and gather. See 108 Blue Star as one stop in a larger evening, then keep walking.

Yes, and on busy First Fridays it may be easier. VIA Metropolitan Transit Route 51, Nogalitos, serves the Blue Star Arts Complex area and stops along South Alamo in front of the complex. VIA routes and schedules can change, so use the VIA Trip Planner before leaving to confirm your trip and return route.

Plan for a busier night than usual. Parking is limited throughout Blue Star and Southtown on First Friday. The Blue Star Arts Complex operates its on-site parking differently on First Friday than on ordinary days and currently uses paid parking for the monthly Art Walk. Parking operations and rates are controlled by the complex and may change, so check the Parking & Directions page before you leave.

Street parking is available throughout parts of the surrounding King William and Southtown neighborhoods, subject to posted signs, residential restrictions and availability. Read the signs carefully — these are residential streets.

Yes. The Blue Star Arts Complex connects directly to the San Antonio River and the Mission Reach trail system. Other walking approaches include the Eagleland Street side of the river and nearby neighborhood streets.

Use the main complex entrance. Some River Walk approaches include stairs, slopes or uneven surfaces, so visitors who need an accessible route should avoid those. Inside 108 Blue Star, ramped access leads to the main entrance and the main hall, lobby bar area and guest restrooms are accessible without stairs.

Yes. Check the 108 Blue Star listing before you come, because what happens here changes month to month. First Friday programming is clearly marked on the calendar, and free events are always identified as free.

No. Do not assume every gallery, restaurant or venue keeps the same hours. Individual businesses set their own schedules, even during the district Art Walk.

Build extra time into parking and arrival. Consider VIA Route 51, rideshare, biking or walking instead of driving. Wear shoes you are comfortable walking in — First Friday is a walking night across the district.

Follow the doors and start time on that specific event listing rather than general First Friday hours. Ticketed programs run to their own schedule.

Yes. First Friday is one of the easiest ways to discover Blue Star, but it is not the only time the venue has a life. 108 Blue Star hosts programming throughout the year, including live music, chef and local boutique restaurant experiences, talks, cultural programs and special collaborations. If you like what you find on First Friday, the calendar is the next place to look.