San Antonio’s Newlywed Block Party returns to Main Plaza ahead of courthouse midnight wedding ceremonies
A downtown pre-wedding celebration tied to a long-running Valentine’s marriage tradition
San Antonio’s annual Newlywed Block Party is set to bring a late-night Valentine’s gathering to Main Plaza on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, timed to coincide with the city’s well-known tradition of mass wedding ceremonies held on the steps of the Bexar County Courthouse at midnight.
Event listings for 2026 place the Newlywed Block Party at Historic Main Plaza (Plaza de las Islas Canarias), directly across from the courthouse area. The program is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. on Feb. 13 and run into the early hours of Feb. 14, with an end time shortly after midnight.
What the event includes
Organizers describe the block party as a reception-style public celebration built around courthouse couples and the broader Valentine’s weekend foot traffic downtown. The 2026 lineup is expected to include a pop-up market, DJ music and dance-focused entertainment.
Lovebird-themed market with Valentine’s treats and gift-oriented vendors
DJ music and live dance performances
Public gathering in Main Plaza leading into the courthouse midnight ceremonies
As in prior years, the event is designed for both participating couples and spectators. Admission is presented as free, with activities concentrated in the plaza as midnight approaches.
Connection to the courthouse midnight weddings
The block party is linked to a larger Valentine’s tradition that dates to 1989: free, large-scale wedding ceremonies held on the courthouse steps. The schedule for 2026 indicates that couples assemble shortly before midnight, with the ceremony beginning at 12 a.m. on Feb. 14.
Participation in the ceremony requires advance preparation. Couples must secure a valid Texas marriage license and complete any required pre-registration steps through Bexar County in advance of the event. County guidance for this annual ceremony typically emphasizes completing paperwork ahead of time to avoid last-minute complications.
The Newlywed Block Party functions as a public, downtown “pre-reception,” providing music, vendors and gathering space immediately before the courthouse ceremonies begin.
Timing and location
Date: Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 (continuing past midnight into Saturday, Feb. 14)
Time: 8 p.m. to shortly after midnight
Location: Main Plaza (115 N. Main Ave.), downtown San Antonio
Organizers note that the plaza setting places the event within easy walking distance of the courthouse steps, allowing attendees to move between the plaza celebration and the midnight ceremony.