Carver Community Cultural Center: Events & Map

SAN ANTONIO EASTSIDE · EVENTS 2026–27

Explore Upcoming Shows, Tickets & Visitor Information

From funk and jazz concerts to theatre, free community screenings and arts education, the Carver is one of San Antonio’s historic cultural venues. Find the event dates, prices, theatre details, free parking, ticket instructions and directions you need before visiting.

Location

226 N. Hackberry Street

San Antonio, TX 78202

General: 210-207-7211

Box office: 210-207-2234

Driving directions →
Office & Box Office Hours

Monday–Friday

Building: 8 AM–4:30 PM

Box office: 8 AM–4 PM

Performance days: Box office opens two hours before ticketed shows.

Parking: Free in designated nearby lots and street spaces.

Administrative hours are not performance hours. Evening concerts and weekend events follow their published start times.

Upcoming Carver Events: October–December 2026

These performances and screenings appeared on the Carver’s published calendar as reviewed October 17, 2026. Event prices shown are advertised listing prices, not necessarily the final ticket checkout total.

Date & timeEventVenueListed price
Oct. 22
6 PM
More Than Blue
Community documentary screening
Little CarverFree
Oct. 23
5:30 PM
We Want The Funk!
SAAACAM Film Club screening
Little CarverFree
Oct. 24
8 PM
Fred Wesley & The New JB’s
Funk and soul concert
Jo Long TheatreFrom $42
Nov. 6
11 AM
Opera à la Carte
Youth Matinee Series
Jo Long TheatreFree; reservation required
Nov. 8
7 PM
35th ATAC Globe Awards
Theatre awards ceremony
Jo Long TheatreCheck organizer
Nov. 13
8 PM
Kings Return
A cappella vocal performance
Jo Long TheatreFrom $32
Nov. 28
11 AM
The Nutcracker Ballet
San Antonio Dance
Jo Long TheatreFrom $26
Nov. 28
7:30 PM
The Nutcracker Ballet
Evening show
Jo Long TheatreFrom $46
Nov. 29
2 PM
The Nutcracker Ballet
Afternoon performance
Jo Long TheatreFrom $46
Dec. 3–6Las Nuevas Tamaleras
San Antonio holiday play
Jo Long TheatreFrom $30
Dec. 11
8 PM
In the Spirit of Ellington
BillyRay Sheppard, Heritage Big Band & Gospel Heritage Choir
Jo Long TheatreFrom $32
Dec. 19
8 PM
Isaiah Cosey & The Sound Mind
Intimate Series performance
Check listingCheck event

Concert listings and free community events can change, sell out or require advance RSVP. The December 3–6 production includes multiple dates, so choose the exact performance time before buying.

Which Event Is Right for You?

Music Fans

Funk & Soul

Fred Wesley & The New JB’s, Kings Return, and the Intimate Series are particularly relevant to music lovers.

Families

Stage Productions

The Nutcracker and Las Nuevas Tamaleras offer seasonal theatre experiences. Check each production’s age suitability.

Free Experiences

Community Screenings

October film screenings and selected youth matinees provide ways to attend without a normal ticket charge.

Event decision tip: Always check whether an event is in the large Jo Long Theatre or the smaller Little Carver. They share the Hackberry Street destination but use different performance and seating arrangements.

Carver Tickets, Box Office & Booking Steps

Tickets are available through the venue box office and authorized ticketing channels. The best purchase route depends on convenience, seating needs and the event’s actual seller.

In-Person Box Office

210-207-2234

Monday–Friday, 8 AM–4 PM.

Also opens two hours before ticketed performances.

Payments: Cash and credit cards accepted.

Online & Phone

Authorized Ticket Sales

The Carver uses Ticketmaster for ticketed productions covered by its ticketing arrangements.

Online and telephone ticket purchases can include convenience fees.

Always use the event’s official booking link.

How to Purchase Tickets

  1. Find the performance. Identify its exact title, date, showtime and venue from the events table above.
  2. Review the listing. Check whether the event is free, ticketed, general admission or reserved seating.
  3. Choose your channel. Visit the official Carver box office in person or use the event’s authorized online ticket link.
  4. Compare the final total. Look for preservation, ticketing and convenience fees before payment.
  5. Check accessibility. Call the box office if you need wheelchair seating, companion seats or other assistance.
  6. Save your confirmation. Check your assigned seats, entry instructions, date and time, then plan to arrive early.

Box office tip: The venue states that in-person purchases can avoid the Ticketmaster convenience charge, although applicable venue fees can still apply. Its rental/ticketing information discusses a preservation fee, so ask for the actual ticket total rather than assuming the posted event price is final.

Ticket availability: An event being listed does not guarantee tickets remain available. Refund, exchange, transfer and late-seating arrangements depend on the performance and seller.

Open official event listings and ticket buttons →

Jo Long Theatre vs Little Carver Civic Center

The Carver operates two main spaces for different event sizes and formats. Choosing the correct one matters for ticketing, seating and rental planning.

Main Performance Space

Jo Long Theatre

Seating capacity: 650

Stage: 38 feet wide by 30 feet deep.

  • Proscenium theatre
  • Concerts, dance, stage plays and awards
  • Three individual artist dressing rooms
  • Two large chorus dressing rooms
  • Green room, dance studio and scenic shop

Choose this space when attending larger ticketed concerts and theatrical productions.

Intimate Venue

Little Carver Civic Center

Published theatre capacity: 150.

  • Film screenings and talks
  • Intimate concerts
  • Arts discussions and workshops
  • Smaller performances and gatherings
  • Selected community events

Seating configuration and access can vary for different events.

Useful distinction: The Jo Long Theatre is a conventional seated performing-arts theatre, while the Little Carver is used for smaller programs. The event listing—not the overall campus name—identifies which space to enter.

Free Parking Near Carver Community Cultural Center

Free parking is a major advantage for visitors heading to the Carver from downtown San Antonio or the surrounding Eastside neighborhoods.

Parking optionWhat to know
Carver Administration lotListed as a venue parking option
Carver Academy lotIncluded in published parking directions
St. Paul lotAdditional parking option
Center StreetStreet parking near the Friedrich building
Gibbs StreetAdditional nearby street parking

Parking cost: The Carver officially describes its designated parking as free. This does not guarantee a space in any particular lot for every event.

Arrival Strategy for Concert Nights

  • Set your navigation destination to 226 N. Hackberry Street, San Antonio, TX 78202.
  • Allow extra time for popular concerts and multiple performances.
  • Check lot signs and avoid restricted private spaces.
  • Request accessible parking information before visiting if required.
  • Keep your tickets and event venue details available during arrival.

Downtown directions: From Market Street, travel east to Hackberry, turn left, cross Commerce, and continue approximately two blocks. From Houston Street, travel east to Hackberry, turn right, and continue approximately two blocks.

Art Labs, Youth Matinees & Cultural Programs

Carver is not only a concert venue. Its School of Visual and Performing Arts offers education, workshops, community engagement and artist development.

Art Labs

Six-week sessions introducing visual, performing, literary and cultural arts. Classes are led by practicing artists.

Fall 2026: Oct. 17–Nov. 21 is an advertised Art Lab session period.

Youth Matinees

Free performances aimed at students, educators and families. Reservations are required even when admission is free.

Matinees generally start at 11 AM and last approximately one hour.

Artist Workshops

Residencies and master classes include workshops, demonstrations, talks and interactive experiences with professional artists.

Spring & Summer Camps

Youth performing arts camps can cover theatre, dance and music production. Tuition assistance may be available to qualifying families.

Mobile Arts Lab

The Creative Cruiser travels to local communities, offering free hands-on creative activities and arts engagement.

Community Culture

Programs highlight African and African-American artistic expression alongside San Antonio’s wider cultural communities.

How to Register for Arts Classes

  1. Choose the artistic activity and check whether it is suitable for your age and experience.
  2. Review current sessions, dates, class length and tuition on the Carver’s registration system.
  3. Check available places and any supplies, equipment or attendance requirements.
  4. Ask about financial assistance before paying if cost is a concern.
  5. Complete registration and retain the class confirmation.

Education coordinator: 210-207-2719 · education@thecarver.org

Official class registration system →

Rent the Carver for Events, Shows or Celebrations

The Jo Long Theatre and Little Carver Civic Center can host concerts, theatrical productions, recitals, private gatherings and approved special events.

Rental questionWhat prospective organizers need
Venue sizeJo Long: 650 seats; Little Carver: 150 in theatre configuration
Event typeConcert, play, recital, meeting, private gathering or other approved use
Rental timingInclude loading, setup, rehearsal, performance and load-out
Rental ratesDepends on venue, nonprofit/commercial status, admission and duration
Security depositPublished facility policies describe a standard $200 deposit; verify current terms
InsuranceEvent policies can require liability insurance and specific city coverage
TicketingCoordinate authorized Ticketmaster and box-office services
Extra expensesTechnical crew, security, cleaning and equipment may add charges

Older published rental-rate schedules remain accessible online, but their date ranges differ. For a 2026–27 booking, ask for the current approved rate sheet rather than calculating a final event quote from expired annual documents.

Steps to Request a Venue

  1. Choose Jo Long Theatre or Little Carver based on your expected audience and event format.
  2. Prepare a preferred date, alternative date, show duration, audience count and technical requirements.
  3. Include setup, rehearsals and load-out in your requested time block.
  4. Open the official Carver rentals page and review the venue’s use policies and rates.
  5. Contact the booking coordinator for availability, a current price estimate and application instructions.
  6. Confirm insurance, deposit, security, event staffing, ticketing arrangements and permitted use before signing.
  7. Complete the approved agreement and payments before publicly announcing a confirmed booking.
Event organizer caution: A rental enquiry is not a reservation. The venue may require written approval, a signed agreement, deposits and production arrangements before an event is confirmed.

Official venue rentals and policies →

Before You Visit: A Practical Checklist

Reason for visitingCheck this before leaving
Attend a concertTicket date, venue, seating, start time and current status
See a free filmWhether the screening requires RSVP and when doors open
Bring school studentsYouth matinee reservation, group count, transportation and chaperones
Visit an exhibitionGallery viewing hours and whether the exhibition is open that day
Register for art classesSession dates, age requirements, tuition and supplies
Buy tickets in personWeekday box office hours or the two-hour pre-show window
Rent a venueDates, capacity, rental terms, technical needs and written approval
Need accessible seatingCall the box office before purchasing or travelling

Carver Community Cultural Center Map

The Carver is located east of downtown San Antonio at 226 N. Hackberry Street, San Antonio, TX 78202.

Open turn-by-turn directions →

Navigation tip: Use the precise Hackberry Street address instead of searching only for “Carver Center.” Confirm where your specific event checks in once you arrive.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where is Carver Community Cultural Center located?

It is at 226 N. Hackberry Street, San Antonio, TX 78202, on the city’s historic Eastside near downtown.

2. What are the Carver’s building hours?

Administrative building hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM–4:30 PM. Concerts and special events follow their individual performance schedules.

3. What are Carver box office hours?

The box office is listed as Monday through Friday, 8 AM–4 PM, and opens two hours before ticketed performances. Call 210-207-2234 for ticketing questions.

4. Is parking free at Carver Community Cultural Center?

Yes. The venue lists free parking at Carver Administration, Carver Academy and St. Paul lots, plus spaces near Center Street and Gibbs Street.

5. How many seats does the Jo Long Theatre have?

The Jo Long Theatre has 650 seats and a proscenium stage measuring approximately 38 feet wide by 30 feet deep.

6. What is the Little Carver Civic Center?

It is the smaller Carver event venue, with a published theatre-configuration capacity of 150. It is used for screenings, smaller concerts and community events.

7. How do I buy Carver concert tickets?

Select the performance through the official Carver event calendar and follow its authorized ticket link, or purchase in person at the Carver box office during ticket-sales hours.

8. Does the Carver offer free events?

Yes. The calendar includes selected free documentary screenings, community programs and youth matinee performances. Some free events still require a reservation.

9. Can children and adults take arts classes at Carver?

Yes. The Carver School of Visual and Performing Arts offers arts classes, workshops, camps and educational programs. Registration and age eligibility vary by session.

10. Can I rent the Carver for a private event?

Yes. The Jo Long Theatre and Little Carver Civic Center accept approved rentals. Contact the venue to check availability, prices, insurance, deposits and use policies.

Official Information & Final Verification

Information reviewed October 17, 2026. Event dates, listed ticket prices, visitor hours, parking arrangements, educational programs and venue specifications were checked against official Carver resources. Performance schedules and booking arrangements can change.

Current events calendar Hours, parking & directions Arts education Venue rental information Arts class registration Season subscriptions

Community-center.org is an independent visitor guide and is not the official Carver Community Cultural Center website. Ticket sales, program registrations, schedules and venue approvals are managed by the venue and authorized providers.