It was fabulous and FREE. This living, breathing history is presented in such beautiful sound and light. So wish my town had this! read more

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We absolutely loved this. How fun that you can see a free light show and get a history lesson at the same time. The church itself is beautiful and provides the perfect backdrop to the images. The music that goes along with it seemed to match up and provide the right mood. I was pleasantly surprised at how good the sound system was. At 25 minutes long it was just right for hanging out in the square to check it out. There are small tables - try to get an upfront one for the best view. 100% Recommended! read more

Okay, so I showed up with my out-of-town family thinking this was a Christmas light show. Umm, spoiler, it's not. I was pretty disappointed. But now that I know what it actually is, I've got to say it's great for a free downtown show. There's also a parking garage super close, and they've got chairs set up in front of the church, which is helpful. The light show itself is an artistic take on US and San Antonio history from a French artist using laser lights and sounds, but no words. There's also a great deal of religious Catholic symbolism. To be honest, I was lost for a good chunk of it. I wish they'd at least flashed the years they were showing--I couldn't really keep up with the timeframe showing was until they hit Frederick Douglass (I think?), and that was way deep in...but still everything was visually pleasing even if I didn't understand. Tips: 1) If you're sensitive to lights, bring sunglasses like I did to let your eyes adjust. The laser lights are super bright. 2) Check the website before you go. 3) It's not Christmas-y at all, but if you're up for a free 24-minute artsy history vibe, you might enjoy it more knowing ahead of time. read more

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I came on a Sunday night 8/1Parked in the city tower parking as it was free. I and about 50 other people waited from 9-9:40 PM for the show and it never happened. The projectors were on but the show was not playing. Seems like something that should be completely automated and able to communicate to the crowd if there are technical difficulties that preclude it from playing. I'm leaving Tuesday morning and it doesn't play Mondays so I guess I'll never see it. read more

Disjointed compilation of music and images. Felt some narration to explain what you were seeing may have helped. read more

Free light show projected onto the San Fernando Cathedral, certain nights of the week 9pm and 9:30pm. The show lasts 23-24 minutes. Cool to watch but if you have young kids and are debating whether to keep them up past their bedtime to watch this... i find it debatable whether it's worth it. I think if you're already in the area and it's not too inconvenient then sure, stop by and watch since it's free The music is kind of loud, especially for kids. If you miss it, it's also not the end of the world. It helps to get there 10-15 min early to snag a spot to sit. There are chairs available, or you can sit on the ground. read more

Of the two time slots, I'd recommend the 9:30pm showing over the 9pm showing because it has maybe half the amount of people. If you have little kids, I don't recommend bringing them because they won't understand the show, and will possibly run around the plaza, obstructing the view and disturbing some visitors' viewing experience. Otherwise, it's free and conveniently located at the riverwalk so I for sure recommend every visitor to stop by and watch! Btw, the show is about 25 minutes long so if you really wanted to watch The Saga twice, you certainly can watch both the 9pm and 9:30pm showing read more

What: very cool, free light show on the face of the San Fernando Cathedral that lasts 25 minutes. Seems to tell the history of San Antonio through art and music (there are no words). When: see up to eat days/times here: https://www.mainplaza.org/san-antonio-the-saga/ Tip: arrive early to get a seat. There's are several tables with chairs and a few benches. You can also stand. A must see! read more

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Per their website, the San Antonio light show is closed for several weeks now due to scaffolding in front of the facade. Glad it was open during our visit last fall as it was one of the highlights of our San Antonio stay. Colorful presentation and very informative. Learned much about San Antonio and Texas history. A word to the wise: Come early! We were with a large group and came by carriages from near the Menger Hotel. That slowed us down, and we had trouble finding good seating without a somewhat obstructed view. read more

San Antonio - The Saga - This photo is a good example of why you should go early to the light show. Obstructed view! - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

We went to watch tonight and sat there for 1:5 hours. It never happened! There were hundreds of people there! What a disappointment. At least post it won't be running read more

Very clean city, a few homeless that are quite forward in asking for things but won't harass you. Impressive that the city has people on every corner willing to help with directions or recommendations. The inaugural 4th of July drone show at the Alamo rocked. Lots to do in this great city, just needed more than a couple of days read more

Super fun and no-cost event! It was cooler then we thought it would be. Beautiful images and great music. Thank you, San Antonio for offering this in the heart of downtown! read more

San Antonio - The Saga - Saga Church show! Showtime starts at 9 & 9:30pm, Tue-Sunday... I think, check the website to be sure. You don't want to miss it! - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

Wow! The show uses the lasers to travel up, down, sideways, and around. It traces the history of Texas with lots of recognizable faces. There is very limited seating for the 24-minute show. Be sure to sit up close. read more

This is a must do! We sat right on the ground and didn't have any issues. A blanket would be nice but we are visited from out of state and didn't have one. Chairs are a maybe because you really want to be lower on the ground, in my opinion. We arrived about 10 minutes early and found seating space easily. The music is a little loud if you have little ones but it was a great volume for us. We visited on a Sunday night at the 9pm time during spring break and had a wonderful view. read more

San Antonio - The Saga - Absolutely breathtaking light display from start to finish! - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

A fun thing to check out if you're in San Antonio and looking for something to do, I recommend checking out this show. A lot of flashing lights and images, along with music, onto a beautiful chapel. It could be better with narration as it's a little bit confusing but I imagine for people who know about San Antonio's history it may be a little less disorienting. read more

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Excellent show. I am writing this review to tell everyone we saw this show tonight October 4, 2024. It is a Wednesday! Yes it is showing on a Wednesday. The official website says Tuesday through Sunday. All the tours and guides I went on said it was Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I asked if they were sure since the website said something different. Also everyone that I asked seem to not know and thought the only days. Random guide websites also said that so I was very worried since we could only see it on wed or thur. Took our chances and yup it was showing tonight at 9 pm and 9:30 pm. It is about 25 minutes each. read more

We decided to catch the Saga (which is a free light show projected on the church) and it was so much fun. The show last about 25 minutes and tells a cool story about the history of San Antonio. The church itself is beautiful and large, so no matter where you stand you will get a good view. Note: make sure to wear a jacket or bring a blanket for a cooler nights, since you will be outside standing the whole time. read more

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We have always taken our visitors to The Saga at San Fernando Cathedral since 2016, but not again after last night. The show has deteriorated to where it is no longer any good. The worst part was that the exterior facade lights were left on during the projection of the show. It was difficult if not impossible to see or understand the story. Sorry to see it go, but not longer enjoyable read more

Very cool little tourist event. We had found it online and wanted to make sure we made sure to attend. After a busy day, we walked from our hotel down to the church to watch the show. The area isn't a great walk from our hotel (near the Alamo) so that part wasn't great but once we arrived at the location, it was nice. I wish there was more area with seating (or we were locals and could bring chairs) as standing on the concrete/cement for 25 minutes was a bit tough on my back. Also, there was an area divided by a water feature and everyone in front of the water feature sat down when the show started. That made it great and easy to see.. until late arrivals decided to wander around and block our view. Also, no fault to the venue. I am not quite sure what the show was about - I'm sure it was some sort of historical perspective of San Antonio, but it was lost on me. Some of the imagery and music were very cool. read more

Amazing but get there early for a seat unless you're okay to stand. Not too long. Texas history!

The Saga light show is amazing! Highly recommend all locals and bringing out of towners to visit! I believe the show is at 9 and 930pm on Tuesday, Fri-Sun. Street parking is available nearby. May have to walk a couple blocks. Lasts about 20-25 minutes. read more

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Seriously just go! We went a Thursday evening for the 9pm show and wow. Our Uber driver Nick (Strangers in my backseat) told us about this place and it did not let us down. Grab a fresh squeezed limonada from the lady's snack stand that's onsite and grab a seat. read more

Just got back from the light show. It was pretty cool. So I stumbled on this coming home from dinner it happened to be a Tuesday and I was able to catch the end of the 930 show and then stay for the 10 o'clock show. I will say the weather to day was very cold (low 30s) so there weren't very many people out there watching so I kind of had a private show. The only annoying part I will say is that halfway through the show a group of 3 women came and stood in the very front of the church and so they were dancing in with their reflection and the light show and it was a bit distracting and annoying. I assumed they were drunk but they didn't respect that other people were trying to watch the show so they took pictures laughed giggled raising their camera Flash during the show. I will say if you're in the area and you happen to be in town on a to say check it out I think according to other reviewers they also do this Fridays Saturdays and Sundays 3 shows starting at 9 going into 10 o'clock. If you sit/stand in the front the music is very, very loud. So bring earplugs or just stand further back away from the speaker. I was able to capture some very cool hyper lapse video as well as boomerangs for Instagram and just some regular beautiful pictures which I will post an attached to this review. read more

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What a unique experience! This was a beautiful experience. It lasted about 25 minutes or so. It told the history of the area. I was sad when it ended. Definitely put this on your list of things to do when in San Antonio. Make sure you check the website for the days and showtimes. Get there early to get a good viewing spot. read more

San Antonio - The Saga - The Saga - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

'San Antonio - The Saga' is so spectacular, we watched it twice! The story of south central Texas and San Antonio is projected upon the facade of the San Fernando Cathedral in downtown. A perfect soundtrack is synced to the moving images of architecture, people and nature flowing, dripping and drawn on the canvas that is the historic cathedral. Stunning. Viewing is FREE and outside. Family friendly. Less than 30 minutes in duration. Showings are on selected nights, so check the website. We were there in early March. The night was clear and a little nippy, but comfortable with jackets and hats. We stood for our first viewing (pic one); grabbed a table for the second. I wholeheartedly recommend seeing this show! read more

San Antonio - The Saga - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

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Whenever you visit an historical city, there are the "must-see" things that everybody knows about. Then there are the things you never knew about that blow your mind. For San Antonio, we all know The Alamo and the River Walk ... but The Saga at San Antonio is the "must-see" everybody need to know about. On Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 9 and 9:30 p.m., San Fernando Cathedral lights up with a kaleidoscope of moving images and accompanied by generations of music. The Saga is artist Xavier de Richemont's 24-minute video/art projection piece, run in conjunction with the 300th Anniversary of San Antonio. It's all there: the early days of the Payaya people; the Spanish settlements and the building of the missions (including The Alamo); the arrival of the Canary Islanders (isleños), the battle of The Alamo, the Civil War; multicultural immigration (including the Germans, the largest incoming group); the Reconstruction Era; the 1900s and the growth to modern day. The visuals are STUNNING. The music is also awesome. Everything from early Native American songs to polkas to the Maple Leaf Rag to Donovan's rendition of "Remember the Alamo" to 18th Century Spanish Baroque ("Jacaras por la e") to Mariachi to Civil War era songs ("Battle Cry of Freedom") to folk (Ashokan Farewell) to The Allman Brothers Band ("Jessica"). If you don't like at least some of the tunes, you simply don't like music. There's plenty of seating and tables as The Plaza is right in front of it. There were a few food trucks if you get hungry. And we're in Texas, so the weather usually cooperates. The city of San Antonio looks beautiful at night, The Saga makes it even better. read more

San Antonio - The Saga - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

Definitely a highlight of my trip to San Antonio. Worth the half a mile I walked in heels to experience this delight. I found out about "The Saga" through a UYE on the weekend I was in San Antonio for YSB. I spaced and forgot about the UYE. However, no need to fret, because shows are Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 9pm, 9:30pm, and 10pm. I seized the opportunity to watch on Saturday night. I was not disappointed by this show. I watched in wonder and delight as the history of San Antonio was portrayed right on the face of the cathedral. How the different scenes perfectly aligned with the architecture of the building, it was beautiful to watch the transition from scene to scene. The show lasts about 30 minutes, and I did not have any trouble finding a spot to enjoy the show in front of the cathedral. A definite must see if you're in the San Antonio area and are looking for something beautiful (and free) to see/do. read more

San Antonio - The Saga - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

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Spectacular, stunning, poignant, historic, and inspiring. A brilliantly designed light show projected upon the beautiful facade of the landmark San Fernando Cathedral. The pictorial story of Texas executed in a highly artistic manner--and set to sublime music scores across the genres. Family friendly and entertaining without the Disney-esque "schmaltz" that sometimes accompanies tourist-targeted performances. This is an event all can enjoy in quiet reflection--from the tourist to the proud Texan citizen. And while I am not a Texan, I do have an enormous respect for the contributions the Republic of Texas has made to our country. This show gives a sense or portrait of that, through the medium of lights and sound. I truly enjoyed the ending theme that to me at least seemed to pay respects to all the different ethnicities that have contributed to this great state. "E pluribus unum" is more than our country's motto ... it's a philosophy of truth that extends to the very soul of all Americans. The Mayflower descendant and the California immigrant farm hand have more in common than they have different. They are both Americans! Way to go San Antonio for that reminder that we are free due solely to those who sacrificed before us, and we are human, so we better start respecting each other, as a society. Thank you for reading my review. read more

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It was great. We personally found parking easily. The show last about 25 minutes but it was a lot of fun. Not to crowded on spring break 2022. read more

Must Go! The show happens a few nights a week, several times a night, and it is worth your time to come down here and watch The Saga displayed on the side of the San Fernando Church. I also suggest going in to the church during the day, but I'll save that for another review. The Saga is a visual history of the growth of San Antonio from the early days to the current metropolis that we see now. Beautiful visuals and background music keep you entranced throughout the entire 25 minute show. Food trucks are also available on sight. Seating is limited, so get there early if you need seating. Be careful not to step in a water fountain once the lights go out. Just saying. read more

If you're from out of town visiting San Antonio, I believe that this is a must-do. This is an absolutely amazing display of history and technology. It's FREE!! Several times per night (check the website), they show a giant movie on the side of San Fernando Cathedral in Main Plaza. Show up early to get good seats (on the floor) near the front. This isn't just some laser light show that shows psychedelic images on the side of a church! It's a choreographed, carefully designed display that coordinates the surfaces of the church with the images that are projected onto the side of the building. The result is a mish-mash of the building's architecture, and art painted onto it with light, using a series of high-powered projectors placed at the back of the plaza. It makes the exterior of the church seem alive, as it changes colors, turns into oil wells, becomes a Fiesta party, and morphs into all kinds of things that make San Antonio so great. The display takes about 20 minutes or so, and takes you through the history of Texas and San Antonio, and explains how San Antonio's culture is so vibrant. It's a truly impressive experience that I hope will continue in San Antonio! Please be mindful of the fountains when watching! Since it's in Main Plaza, be sure to check out the new public restroom on the west side of the plaza! read more

If, like me, the times of the show conflict a bit with your other plans and you are not sure if it's worth going to, the answer is YES! "The Saga" tells the history of the city with a mixture of color, light, music and historical images, projected onto the facade of the beautiful San Fernando Cathedral. Sitting in the warm, peaceful square and watching the beautiful show made for a perfect end to a great day in San Antonio! read more

You have to go see this! Simply amazing and a very moving tribute to those who fought for Texas freedom. Get there early and bring chairs if you have them. Event is free every Friday and Saturday night at 9, 930 and 10pm. read more

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(This is probably closer to 4.5 stars to me.)  San Antonio - The Saga was very impressive, and a unique way to tell the story of the city through beautiful designs flowing over a beautiful building.  For the best views, show up a little early; alternatively, stay for the following performance and re-settle yourself as people leave from the previous performance. (Yes, those are basically the same thing.  So showing up early is key!)  I'd watch it again. read more