Paseo Xolo

Main Plaza Conservancy invites you to bring the family –and your Xolo dogs–to Main Plaza on November 11, 2023 from 6-8 pm for Paseo Xolo, a special challenge course designed to introduce youngsters to Aztec culture.

Xolo, short for Xolocinquintle, is most known as the type of dog featured in Coco.  But, Mexican hairless dogs can be traced back to when the Aztecs ruled Mexico.  These dogs were believed to help souls find their way through the underworld.  Today, they continue to be revered for their unconventional beauty and unique personalities.

So, to build off of the City’s efforts on Días de los Muertos and teach young ones about some Aztec practices associated with these traditions, Main Plaza is hosting a fun and educational challenge course!  This course will start with children packing backpacks (provided by Main Plaza Conservancy) with things they will need for their adventure.  Then, they will move through nine challenges based on the Aztec Underworld, such as “Run through the Moving Mountains”, “Face the Harsh Winds”, or “Make a Valentine for a Jaguar”. But, organizers say not to expect anything too serious.  Most activities involve running through pool noodles and construction paper. To ensure an underworld experience, Main Plaza has commissioned artists Angélica Sanchez and Mauro De La Tierra to create a larger than life papier mache Xolo dog.

This event is part of the Second Saturday vendor market, where artisans and food trucks take over Main Plaza through SA Local.  To keep the mood lively, the popular band Los Nahuatlatos will be performing from 6:00-8:45.  Afterwards, families are invited to stay for the world-famous video, “San Antonio:  The Saga,” where scenes from San Antonio’s history are “painted” onto the walls of San Fernando Cathedral using projected lights.