San Antonio’s biggest party is approaching, with the 11 days of Fiesta starting April 24 and running through May 4.
The first Battle of Flowers Parade in 1891 honored those who fought and died in the battles at the Alamo, Goliad and San Jacinto. By 1895, it had become a weeklong celebration that has since evolved into the explosion of color, music, food and festivities we know today as Fiesta.
This year’s theme is “Fiesta for All,” and San Antonio’s “party with a purpose” will raise money for local nonprofits and scholarships.
With over 100 events, planning your itinerary might be a bit daunting. We rounded up a few of the heavy hitters to help you get started.
Fiesta Fiesta
Fiesta Fiesta starts the party on Thursday, April 24, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Travis Park.
Attendees can enjoy performances by DJ Blingleader and Fort Sam’s Own 323d Army Band, as well as headliners The e7 Band.
The People’s Parade, led by Grand Marshal Michael Quintanilla, will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. The official opening ceremony starts at 8:15 p.m., featuring Mayor Ron Nirenberg; King Antonio CII, Paul Rohlfs Jr.; Rey Feo LXXVI, Fabian Castillo Sr. and Miss Fiesta, Kylie Rodriguez.
Fiesta Carnival
Fiesta Carnival takes over the Alamodome parking lot from April 24 to May 4.
From kiddie rides for the little ones to roller coasters for the big kids (and adults), the carnival has rides for all ages.
There will also be plenty of game booths to test your skills (and luck) and classic carnival fare, including corn dogs, funnel cakes and fried Oreos.
Admission to the carnival grounds is free. Wristbands for rides start at $28 online and $32 at the carnival.
Fiesta Oyster Bake
Founded in 1916, the Fiesta Oyster Bake is an annual, two-day event serving up over 100,000 oysters. The event is hosted by St. Mary’s University alumni, with 100% of proceeds going back to the students of St. Mary’s.
This year’s Oyster Bake takes place April 25 from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. and April 26 from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the St. Mary’s University campus at 1 Camino Santa Maria.
Just as big of a draw as the oysters is the lineup of live music performances happening on three different stages.
Hoobastank will headline the Rock Stage on Friday, April 25, and Sugar Ray headlines Saturday, April 26. Other acts include Back in Black, Tonic and Vertical Horizon.
Braxton Keith and Josh Abbott Band headline the Country Stage, while Eddie Gonzalez and David Lee Garza y Los Musicales headline the Tejano Stage.
Limited parking is available around the campus at $20, and event organizers encourage attendees to take advantage of VIA Park and Ride bus shuttles from Crossroads Park and Ride.
Tickets start at $30 for one-day passes and $40 for two-day passes. They can be purchased on the Oyster Bake website.
Fiesta De Los Reyes
For the duration of Fiesta, from April 24-May 4, Fiesta De Los Reyes takes over Market Square with plenty of food, music and fun.
Attendees can feast on sizzling fajita tacos, chicken on a stick and corn in a cup and enjoy a slew of musical performances on five stages.
The North San Saba stage will feature jazz performances and DJs daily; Delta Boys and Los Desperadoz will take the South San Saba Stage on April 26; Texas Lightnin’, Pop Rocks, and Jackie Not Marilyn perform on the Hidalgo Community Stage on April 29; Chris Castaneda headlines the Milam Park Stage on May 3; and Tropa Estrella closes out the party on the Gateway Stage May 4.
Active Duty service members and veterans can receive a special wristband for discounts at participating food and beverage vendors on Military Monday, April 28. Wristbands will be handed out by the Consejos in white guayaberas throughout the event.
Take Me Back Tuesday on April 29 takes Market Square back to the ’80s and ’90s with performances by The Spazmatics and others for a night of throwbacks and nostalgia.
The San Antonio Police Department is implementing new safety measures this year, including fencing around the perimeter, six entrances with metal detectors and bag checks. Bags must be 12-by-6 inches or smaller.
For more information and a full lineup, visit the Fiesta De Los Reyes website.
NIOSA
A Night In Old San Antonio, also known as NIOSA, is a four-night festival celebrating the city’s heritage sponsored by and benefiting the Conservation Society of San Antonio. It features 155-plus food and drink booths, vendors, and live entertainment across 14 cultural zones.
The event will be held April 29 to May 2 from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at La Villita downtown, with performances by The Celsius Band, Campanas de America, Groove Doctors and more.
Fan favorite foods include Mr. Chicken, Maria’s Tortillas, Bongo-K-Bobs, anticuchos, German sausage, shypoke eggs, beignets and gorditas.
Tickets are $20 online, at select H-E-B grocery stores or at area military bases, and $25 at the festival gate. Children 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult.
Attendees can purchase coupons for food, drinks and souvenirs on the NIOSA grounds with cash only.
Battle of Flowers Parade
Produced entirely by women volunteers, the Battle of Flowers Parade honors the defenders of the Alamo and Goliad and the victory at the Battle of San Jacinto, where Texas gained its independence.
The theme of this year’s Battle of Flowers Parade is “Melodies in Bloom: A Texas Serenade,” celebrating Texas music and the blossoming spring season. The Josh Abbott Band will lead the procession as grand marshals.
Joining them will be a lineup of student marching bands, pep squads, military and other participants aboard colorful floats.
The event takes place May 2 from 9:55 a.m. to 1 p.m., starting at East Locus Street and North Main Avenue and ending at West Martin Street and North Santa Rosa Street.
Tickets are on sale now, with bleacher seating options at Crockett Park, Lexington Avenue, Madison Square Park, Brooklyn Avenue and Avenue E.
Street chair ticket options are also available along the parade route.
Fiesta Flambeau Parade
Taking place the final weekend of Fiesta, the Fiesta Flambeau Parade lights up the streets of downtown San Antonio with illuminated floats and performances.
The night parade takes place May 3 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. It starts at Crockett Park and ends at 1300 N. Main Ave.
This year’s theme is “Deep in the Art of Texas,” an ode to San Antonio’s cultural arts. Grand Marshal Mateo Lopez will lead the procession, along with honorary grand marshals chef and restaurateur Johnny Hernandez, poet Carmen Tafolla and artist Joe R. Villarreal.
Tickets are on sale now, with bleacher seating options, street chair seating and VIP experience options.
Bleacher seating starts at $30 and can be purchased here. Street chair seating is sold by each organization’s section and can be purchased here. Tickets cost $25.
King William Fair and Parade
Presented by the King William Association, the King William Fair is a family-friendly event featuring music, art, dance and food in Texas’ first residential historic neighborhood.
The theme for this year is “Our Olympic Culture,” showcasing the many traditions and backgrounds that unite the San Antonio community.
The King William Parade takes place May 3. It starts at 9 a.m. at East Guenther Street and Eagleland Drive and ends at Adams Street and Eagleland Drive.
The fair will feature over 200 art vendors — selling handcrafted glass, paintings, ceramics and more — and over 60 food vendors with a variety of tasty eats like fajitas, funnel cakes, sausage on a stick and kettle corn.
Attendees can catch performances on four stages and see street performers throughout the fair. Featured artists include Buttercup, The Krayolas and Dirty River Jazz Band.
Tickets to the fair start at $15 online, with 20 food/beverage/activity tickets also available for $20. All food, drinks and attractions accept tickets only, no cash.
Kids 11 and under are admitted for free, with access to the kid-friendly attractions like games, carnival rides and arts and crafts at Kid’s Kingdom.
