SAN ANTONIO – DreamWeek, an annual city-wide summit, returns to San Antonio this Friday.
The event encourages idea-sharing on global issues to promote tolerance, equality, and diversity.
DreamWeek is 16 day long summit supporting the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Junior through collaboration and open forums.
It’s January, which means it’s DreamWeek! The city engages in a summit that promotes exchanging of ideas on global issues that multi-cultural communities face.
This event aims to advance and modernize the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
When: Friday, January 10, 2025 | Various times | Until January 26, 2025
Where: Various locations
DreamWeek San Antonio kicks off this week
City and community leaders on Tuesday announced the 13th annual city-wide program that leads up to and through Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
DreamWeek founder and CEO Shokare Nakpodia explained this year’s theme: WeAreNeighbor.
“Relationships and engagements with other individuals is a neighboring act,” he said
DreamWeek runs Jan.10 through Jan.26. Find a full list of events here.
City and community leaders held a press conference on Tuesday evening to announce the multi-week and city-wide program DreamWeek San Antonio, which leads up to and through Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
The 13th annual DreamWeek San Antonio begins on Jan. 10 and ends on Jan. 26. It contains dozens of scheduled events.
DreamWeek founder and CEO Shokare Nakpodia said this year’s theme is #WeAreNeighbor.
“And so all this relationships and engagements with other individuals is a neighboring act,” Nakpodia said. “So #WeAreNeighbor is really about the fact that anything we project out there — we wake up the next morning, or the next day, we actually meet it. And we have to be very careful what we put out.”
Mayor Ron Nirenberg said he believed DreamWeek could be part of the solution to how to handle the increasing political conflict and polarization around the country.
“So we all have to ask ourselves, what’s the antidote to that?” he said. “How do we live into our dreams of being an inclusive, compassionate place, where we can get along and we can learn how to resolve conflict together? That, to me, is the gift of DreamWeek.”
Events during DreamWeek will touch on subjects including the culture of the American Southwest, Mexican American art, race in the United States, the role of journalism in fostering community trust, and San Antonio community gardens.
DreamWeek is designed to circle around San Antonio’s MLK March, the largest of its kind in the country. The San Antonio MLK March will take place on Monday, Jan. 20, at 10 a.m. Lining up for the march begins at 9 a.m.
Luther College invites community members to attend Dream Week events in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. from Jan. 20–24. Guest speakers, engaging discussions and community outreach events will honor King’s legacy and examine the issues of racism, bias, inequity and injustice in our society.
The events are free and open to the public.
Robert Clay, chief equity and inclusion officer and assistant to the president for community engagement at Luther, described the vision for Dream Week 2025 and its positive impact for community members, both on and off campus.
“King reminds us that ‘the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice,’” Clay said. “May we carry the hope that justice is not only a dream, but a collective responsibility. Together, we must honor King’s vision by recommitting ourselves to working collaboratively as a campus community for a world where equity, dignity and love guide our actions toward lasting change.”
DreamWeek is 16 day long summit supporting the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Junior through collaboration and open forums.
It’s no revelation to anyone who has stumbled into a local comment section, but San Antonians could use more tolerance for each other’s experiences and perspectives. Diverse cultural summit DreamWeek, which organizes 17 days of inspiring events, might help heal the fractious divide. The inspirational festivities run January 10-26.
Nigerian immigrant Shokare “Sho” Nakpodia first envisioned DreamWeek in the ’90s while working as a New York City taxi driver. Still, it wasn’t until 2013 that the summit became a reality. The idea was to modernize Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s enduring vision through a meaningful exchange of ideas.
The initiative became an almost immediate success. Since its inception, DreamWeek has hosted more than 1,000 events and partnered with hundreds of local organizations. The 2025 edition continues the growth trajectory with panels, symposiums, film screenings, and art shows bookending San Antonio’s annual MLK Day parade.
It’s impossible to soak it all in, but we’ve curated some daily highlights. For a complete list of activities, head here.
Hadestown — January 10
The Tony-winning musical Hadestown opens for a limited run. Majestic Theatre, 7:30 pm.
Voices of Equality: Celebrating Our Neighbor — January 11
The Human Rights Campaign presents an afternoon celebrating diversity and LGBTQ inclusivity through art happenings, presentations, and more. Geekdom, 2-4 pm.
The Quilt: Live in Concert — January 12
Inspired by the award-winning documentary of the same name, this musical showpiece highlights music genres created by Black Americans. San Fernando Cathedral, 7-8 pm.
DreamHour Speaker Series — January 13
Gain insight and inspiration from mental health expert Keely Petty and security consultant Willie Vazquez Ng. Mark’s Outing, 7-8:30 pm.
Dream Big Mixer — January 14
Network with philanthropically minded entrepreneurs and business professionals. Smoke Sky Bar, 5:30-8 pm.
Food System Forum — January 15
Explore the future of the local food system with Gardopia Gardens and the Food Policy Council. Gardopia Gardens, 6-8 pm.
Black Cowboys: An American Story — January 16
The exhibit, running through February 9, tells the story of Black pioneers in the American West. Robert J. & Helen C. Kleberg South Texas Heritage Center, 10 am to 5 pm.
Mental Health Symposium — January 17
This daylong event is designed to build tomorrow’s emotionally intelligent, inclusive, and socially responsible leaders. Launch SA, 9:30 am to 2:30 pm.
L’Afrique Fashion Show — January 18
This fashion show highlights the rich culture of Nigeria. Brick at Blue Star, 2-4 pm.
Dreamweek Comedy Show — January 19
Have a laugh and support the United Healthcare Children’s Foundation. Upstage Comedy Lounge, 7:30 pm.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. March — January 20
This almost three-mile march is one of the largest in the nation. Martin Luther King Jr. Academy, 10 am.
Samurai Spirit: Swords, Accessories, and Paintings — January 21
Learn the history of Japanese samurai through exquisite objects through July 27. San Antonio Museum of Art. 10 am to 8 pm.
We Dream in Drag — January 22
Drag queens of color discuss their lives and perform riveting sets. Heat Night Club, 7-9 pm.
Generations Over Dinner — January 23
This delicious dinner mixes guests from two to five generations for stimulating conversation. San Antonio Area Foundation, 6-8 pm.
SAN ANTONIO – A fresh start brings the thrill of embracing new opportunities and experiences.
Now that 2024 is behind us, there are plenty of things to be excited about in 2025.
Here are some of the biggest events in San Antonio that you’ll want to mark on your new calendars.
January
DreamWeek: The annual city-wide DreamWeek summit takes place from Jan. 10-26 with symposiums, panel discussions, debates, film screenings, concerts and art exhibits at more than 100 locationsthroughout the city.
Calling all filmmakers! The 2025 San Antonio Neighborhood Film Project competition is closer than ever! Take a look to learn more!
