Feb 12, 2026 - Culture

Newlywed Block Party to honor couples on Valentine's Day

Madalyn Mendoza

Illustration of a paper silhouette of cupid reading a book, surrounded by hearts. — Illustration: Maura Losch/Axios

San Antonio's tradition of midnight courthouse weddings on the most romantic day of the year continues this weekend.

Why it matters: As smaller weddings continue to gain traction, these one-day elopement venues offer an affordable, lower-stress way to get married, keeping weddings light and fun.

How it works: Couples will gather on the courthouse steps at 11:59pm on Friday to get hitched by Bexar County Clerk Lucy Adame-Clark for free. Couples must obtain a marriage license at least 72 hours in advance.

Additional ceremonies are scheduled for 10am and noon Saturday.

The vibe: The Bexar County Clerk's Office will host the Newlywed Block Party across Dolorosa Street at Main Plaza, 8pm Friday through 12:30am Saturday.

The block party will feature a sweetheart-inspired market, a DJ and dance performances.

Flashback: The city's annual courthouse weddings date back to 1989, per Express-News archives.

💭 Our thought bubble: Sneak away afterward to add a lock to the nearby Love Lock Bridge to mark the moment.

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Newlywed Block Party to honor couples on Valentine's Day

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