In her short life, Grammy award-winning Tejano artist Selena Quintanilla became an icon whose influence and star power has only exploded in the 30 years since her death. As her 54th birthday approaches on April 16 — Selena Day in Texas — Texans and fans all over the world are gearing up to honor her life with events throughout the state.
Here’s how to celebrate the Queen of Tejano music on her birthday this year.
Central Texas
Known for their pink tortillas and colorful aesthetics, Taquero Mucho in downtown Austin will serve $5 purple margaritas all day on Wednesday, April 16 in honor of la reina.
Test your Selena knowledge with some bidi-bidi trivia at Pinthouse Brewing on April 16. Costumes are welcome at this free event where teams of up to six people will compete for prizes. Registration is at 6:30 p.m. and trivia runs from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Bidi Bidi B-Day celebration at the Speakeasy
Mama Merlot's Speakeasy in Buda is hosting a Selena Day party April 16 at 7 p.m. with music and dancing. Tickets start at $5.
South-Central Texas
A free, three-part Selena celebration will take place at the Pearl, starting Monday, April 14, with a sunset screening of the 1997 film “Selena,” presented by Slab Cinema at 7:45 p.m. Then, on April 16, a Bidi Bidi Market and Bidi Bidi Party will feature local vendors, food, drinks, a DJ playing cumbia classics, dancing and more from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Discussing Selena’s cultural impact
Sonya Alemán, Ph.D., associate professor of race, ethnicity, gender and sexuality studies at the University of Texas San Antonio, will discuss the research that informed her course on how Selena’s life and career has been influential to the Mexican-American identity. The free event will take place at the San Antonio Public Library (central location) on Saturday, April 19, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and will feature tribute performances from Las Chicas en 512 and Bidi Bidi Banda.
Mission Crafts Chandlery is hosting a Selena candle-making event on April 16 and 17 with exclusive scents inspired by some of the singer’s hit songs, purple glitter champagne (21+), mini birthday cakes and more. Visit the shop’s website to book.
North Texas
Sundown at Granada will host a rooftop screening of the film “Selena” with themed cocktail specials on Tuesday, April 15, at 8 p.m.
Crafts, “Selena” watch party at Dallas Public Library
Dallas Public Library (White Rock Hills Branch) will have several goodies in store for Selena fans on Thursday, April 24, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Watch the 1997 film “Selena” starring Jennifer Lopez, craft DIY paper roses, sing your heart out at Tejano karaoke and add to a Selena ofrenda at this free event.
Get ready for a lively celebration of the Queen of Tejano music with a Selena-themed drag brunch at Arlington Improv on Sunday, April 27, at 2 p.m. Guests can sing along and dance to their favorite songs. Costumes and fan shirts are welcome. Browse tickets here.
Editor's note: An earlier version of this story categorized Selena Day as a Texas holiday. While it's not an official state holiday, then-Gov. George W. Bush declared April 16 Selena Day shortly after the singer's death.
