If Fiesta seems to be starting earlier each April, that’s because it is. Although the official start of Fiesta is April 18, several events this weekend offer the opportunity to get an early jump on all the food, music, and fun of San Antonio’s annual festival.
Fiesta-minded runners can take advantage of spring-like temperatures this weekend by lacing up for Our Lady of the Lake University’s 5K Confetti Run/Walk and the San Antonio Roadrunners’ Fiesta Mission 10K, 5K, and kids run, both on Saturday.
Fiesta Oyster Bake
In its 103rd year, the Oyster Bake at St. Mary’s University has grown to attract more than 70,000 visitors. This year, more than 35 bands are featured on five stages at the event, which raises funds for students scholarships at the university. As for the food, hungry patrons go through 100,000 oysters and 32,000 pieces of chicken on a stick.
Friday, 5-11 p.m.; Saturday, noon-10:30 p.m.
St. Mary’s University, One Camino Santa Maria
$30 (children are admitted free of charge)
Taste of New Orleans
Experience music, food, and more from New Orleans at this Fiesta-favorite three-day event. There will be gumbo, crawfish, and more to snack on, while guests can join the second line parade. Guests are welcome to bring their strollers, blankets, and folding chairs. Children 10 years old and younger may enter for free. Tickets cost $15 at the gate.
Friday, 5 p.m.-11 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, noon-11 p.m.
Sunken Gardens Theater, 3875 N. St. Mary’s St.
$0-$15
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Outdoor Movie Screening
Still haven’t seen this Academy Award-winning superhero movie? San Antonio College is hosting a free screening for San Antonio College students on Friday, and nonstudents pay $1 to watch. Bring cash: drinks, popcorn, raspas, and candy cost $1 each, while nachos and sausage wraps cost $2.50.
Friday, 7:45-10 p.m.
San Antonio College, 1819 N. Main Ave.
$0-$1
Simulcast of Yo-Yo Ma: The Bach Project
Yo-Yo Ma’s performance at Trinity University may be sold out, but you can still watch the legendary cellist’s performance at a free outdoor screening while he plays inside the Laurie Auditorium. RSVP here.
Friday, 8-11 p.m.
Mission Marquee Plaza, 3100 Roosevelt Ave.
Free
Earth Day San Antonio
On Saturday, the Westside Development Corporation and Earth Day Committee bring you Earth Day 2019, an official Fiesta event. Learn the value of protecting the environment and how to preserve and improve our communities. Activities include yoga, kayaking, music, dance performances and more.
Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
501 S. Josephine Tobin Drive
Free
Second Annual Chicken Walk
The Food Policy Council of San Antonio wants you to learn more about San Antonio’s urban farmers. Take a self-guided tour and visit some of the city’s chicken keepers, and learn more about raising chickens and how they work as family pets. The tour ends with a party at the Pittman-Sullivan Community Garden.
Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Olmos Basin Farmers Market, 100 Jackson Keller Road
Free
2019 Barkitecture SA
The fourth annual Barckitecture San Antonio competition takes place Saturday at Lockwood Park in East San Antonio. Middle-school, high-school, and college students from around San Antonio have built imaginative dog houses to be judged and then sold in a silent auction. Proceeds from the silent auction will be donated to local rescue and adoption nonprofits. There will be arts and crafts vendors, a dog costume contest, and “wiener dog” races. Snacks and drinks available for purchase. There will also be dogs up for adoption to meet and pet!
Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Lockwood Park, 801 N. Olive St.
Free
Spring Fashion Show and Swap Party
If you have vintage, eclectic, and bold fashion pieces hanging out in your closet waiting to be loved, consider bringing them to a swap party in the King William District on Saturday. All unclaimed clothes can be left in donation bags and will be donated to local family violence shelters.
Saturday, 2-7 p.m.
212 City St.
Free
Family Easter Egg Hunt
Head over to Cherrity Bar to get a free balloon creation from Silly McNilly and, of course, to hunt some Easter eggs! The San Antonio Food Bank is hosting the Saturday Easter egg hunt to encourage visitors to “vote” with their Cherrity Bar tokens; every $10 gets customers a token to “vote” for a nonprofit organization to receive a monetary donation. Attendees will be entered into a raffle for prizes from Ripley’s Believe It or Not, University Bowl, Witte Museum, The Rollercade, San Antonio Mission Baseball Club, and Kendra Scott.
Saturday, 3-6 p.m.
Cherrity Bar, 302 Montana St.
Free
Free Outdoor Movie Screening: Incredibles 2
It’s time for another free movie screening at the Tower of the Americas! Watch Incredibles 2 with the family this Saturday. Bring a blanket, chairs, and snacks to maximize the moviegoing experience. Movie starts at sunset.
Saturday, 6-9 p.m.
739 E. César E. Chávez Blvd.
Free
International Food Festival
Enjoy cuisines from around the world, live music, and kids activities at the Circle School’s International Food Festival on Saturday. There will also be a silent auction, as well as raffle prizes for attendees. Adults pay $20 for admission, while kids ages 3 to 15 pay $5.
Saturday, 6-10 p.m.
The Circle School, 217 Pershing Ave.
$5-$20
Black Swan Yoga on the River
More yoga outside! Black Swan Yoga is hosting a Sunday morning yoga session on the San Antonio River Walk at La Villita’s historic Arneson River Theatre. Bring your own mat or towel and get ready to stretch.
Sunday, 10-11 a.m.
La Villita Historic Arts Village, 418 Villita St.
Free
Sunday Jazz at the Witte
Back for its 15th season, Sunday Jazz at the Witte welcomes José Amador & NATIAO Latín Jazz to the Will Smith Amphitheater Sunday afternoon for an afternoon of music. The concert series is curated by Trinity University’s KRTU 91.7 FM radio station. The event is family-friendly, and attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs. There will be food and drink available to buy at the performance, but please do not bring your own. Witte Museum and KRTU members can attend for free, while others pay museum admission.
Sunday, 3-5 p.m.
Witte Museum, 3801 Broadway
$0-$14
