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LUMINARIA: For one day and night in March, the downtown area is aglow with the spirit of art making. It's cast on downtown buildings, displayed in shop windows, performed in the streets, even lingering around the Alamo. Next year, Bihl Haus Arts is organizing an installation and performance piece at the Alamo with 300 women. “We are re-inserting the history of women in the Alamo and in Texas," said Kellen McIntyre, executive director of Bihl Haus Arts. "Our premise is we are all yellow roses." For more information, visit Luminarasa.org

CONTEMPORARY ART MONTH: Think of it as the best time to look at contemporary art in the area. Next year, CAM will move to March to coincide with Luminaria, escape the heat and draw more tourists from outside the area. And artists are hoping the interest stays strong. "The publicity and excitement about CAM is always good," said local artist Julia Barbosa Landois. "There's definitely a sense of camaraderie about CAM." For more information, visit contemporaryartmonth.com.

SOUTHWEST SCHOOL OF ART AND CRAFT: The Southwest School has been a long-time supporter of the local arts movements. San Antonio artists teach classes there, the galleries include top-notch exhibitions by local and nationally known artists and the school even has a gift shop that sells useful and decorative hand-crafted artworks. For more information, visit www.swschool.org.

FOTOSEPTIEMPRE: Shutterbug fans should keep a watchful eye on Fotoseptiembre. The month-long event, which showcases photographers worldwide, is held at various galleries and places around the city, including places like the Instituto Cultural de Mexico in Hemisphere Park and. For more information, visit www.safotofestival.com.

FIRST FRIDAY: Sure, you had to kiss the kettle corn and gorditas goodbye. But wasn't the original intent of First Friday peering at paintings and contemplating thought-provoking art? It's abundant at these monthly events, with a conglomeration of galleries in the same South Alamo complex opening at the same time on the first Friday of each month. Don't forget to traverse down the back alley and up the stairwells. Galleries like the UTSA Satellite Space and Justice Works are easy to miss but some real gems. For more information, visit www.southtown.net.

SECOND SATURDAY: South Flores Street has come to house a combination of younger, more hip galleries such as Fl!ght Gallery and Lone Star Studios with the more traditional Gallista Gallery. Behind Gallista, you wouldn't want to miss L.A. and his cosmic burro scene. He usually holds a silent auction, and live music at Second Saturday can be expected.

SECOND FRIDAY: Didn't get enough of your art fix at First Friday? At the Tobin Hill area is First Saturday, which was conceived by longtime local artist and muralist Luis Lopez. The event includes smaller galleries like High Wire and unique spots like the Josephine Theatre. Organizers said the monthly event will focus on sculptures and pay heed to the eclectic architecture and environment of Tobin Hill.

ON AND OFF FRED: Want to sneak a peek inside the homes and galleries of artists? The On and Off Frederickburg Road Studio Tour is the perfect opportunity to do just that and support local artists. The tour, which will be held Feb. 19 and 20, usually starts with a kickoff party. The event is free, but a $10 catalogue provides a glimpse of artists and their works and information about the six involved neighborhoods. For more information, visit www.onandofffred.org.

LA VILLITA: The Historic Arts Village directly south from downtown has a cluster of folk art shops and galleries. It also has a slew of art events, including a river art show in October, Day of the Dead events in November and now a spring Starving Artists Show held by the Little Church of La Villita. For more information, visit www.lavillita.com.