Fiesta 2026: What to know and the place to go as San Antonio comes collectively

We hope all these bicep curls this yr have strengthened your hen–on-a-stick arm, and people squats ought to have helped your medal carrying capability.

It’s Fiesta time!

But if you happen to’re new right here, what precisely is Fiesta?

It’s the 11-day social gathering that begins Thursday, April 16 and takes over all of San Antonio in a single continuous social gathering that’s placed on by nonprofits throughout town. There are greater than 100 occasions that every one profit the collaborating organizations.

Fiesta’s origin story dates again to the Eighteen Nineties when it was first a commemoration to the Battle of the Alamo, Battle of San Jacinto in 1836 and Texas independence from Mexico.

It began as a single parade round Alamo Plaza (the Battle of Flowers) and has grown into the muti-day occasion that it’s now.

This yr’s theme is “Fiesta Together!”

What is there to do?

Alot! Everyday there’s something occurring, from parades to meals festivals, queens, kings (together with an unpleasant one), and sufficient cascarones to trigger one other egg scarcity.

Here’s a listing of occasions which are among the greater occasions and some of our favorites.

Muti-Day Events

Fiesta Carnival

• When: Thursday, April 16 to Sunday April 26
• Times: Times fluctuate however closing is at 11:00 PM
• Where: Alamodome Parking Lot C
• Admission: There is not any entry price; nevertheless, limitless rides wristbands vary from $22 to $40 relying on the day of the week. 
• Organizer: Fiesta Commission
• About: The Fiesta Carnival could have greater than 40 rides and sights and is a staple of Fiesta.

Fiesta De Los Reyes

• When: Friday, April 17 to Sunday, April 26
• Times: 10:00 a/m/ to 11:00 p.m.
• Where: Market Square 
• Admission: Free more often than not count on for a brand new $5 entry price beginning Sunday April 19 at 1:00 p.m. Entry is once more free till 6:00 p.m. on Monday by Thursday and is $5 beginning at 1:00 p.m.
• Organizer: Rey Feo Consejo Educational Foundation
• About: Fiesta de Los Reyes takes over Market Square with conventional Fiesta meals and music in a number of elements of the sq.
• Website: 

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The Conservation Society of San Antonio

NIOSA (Night in Old San Antonio)

• When: Tuesday, April 21 to Friday, April 24
• Times: 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
• Where: La Villita 
• Admission: $20 on-line or $25 on the gate
• Organizer: Conservation Society of San Antonio
• About: NIOSA is considered one of Fiesta’s main occasions. Filled with meals, beer, and the unmistakable sound of Fiesta medals in each nook. It’s sort of the place you go to run into everybody you realize. (One yr I noticed 5 individuals from highschool). 
• Website:

Cornyation

• When: Tuesday, April 21 to Thursday, April 23
• Where: The Empire Theater
• Time: Two showings every day at 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.
• Admission: Between $18 and $55 relying on seats
• Organizer: Fiesta Cornyation which in flip donates the funds to AIDS and HIV charities
• About: How can I describe Cornyation? Take one half salacious scandals, two elements audacity, three elements ‘I do what I want,’ a metric ton of drag queens, dozens of outlandish costumes, King Anchovy, and greater than 100 thespians devoted to lampooning all the pieces and something newsworthy. This a kind of occasions that must be skilled in particular person. 
• Website: https://fiestacornyation.com/

Military Services Day on the Alamo
During this collection of occasions, one department of the navy is highlighted. There are performances, moments of recognition and demonstrations.

• Air Force Day on the Alamo – Monday, April 20 – 11:00 a.m.
• Army Day on the Alamo – Tuesday, April 21 – 11:00 a.m.
• Marine Day on the Alamo – Wednesday, April 22 – 11:00 a.m.
• Navy Day on the Alamo – Thursday, April 23 – 11:00 a.m.

Thursday, April 16

Fiesta Fiesta – The official kickoff

• When: Thursday, April 16
• Time: 4:00 p.m.
• Where: Travis Park
• Admission: Free
• Organizer: Fiesta San Antonio Commission
• About: So enjoyable they named it twice. This is the place you get your Viva Fiesta kicked off into excessive gear. Travis Park would be the supply of Fiesta with the opening ceremonies together with the cracking of the cascarones, slicing of the ugly tie, a parade, bands, DJs, and the beginning of medal amassing at Pin Pandemonium.
• Website:

Friday, April 17

Oyster Bake (Day 1)

• When: Friday, April 17
• Time: 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
• Where: St. Mary’s University
• Admission: $25 to $45, relying on the time of admission
• Organizer: St. Mary’s University Alumni Association
• About: Awww Shuck Yeah! Oyster Bake is one other Fiesta staple that you just’re virtually assured to run into pals and that coworker from Accounting that you just vibe with. Speaking of accounting, Oyster Bake could have greater than 36,000 chicken-on-a-stick, 9,000 steak-on-a-stick, extra oysters than the Gulf of Mexico (okay, it’s actually about 100,000 oysters which are served baked, fried or uncooked,). Headliner for Friday is Switchfoot and Saturday is Candlebox.
• Website: https://oysterbake.com/

SAAF Webb Party

• When: Friday, April 17
• Time: 6:30 p.m.
• Where: 110 Broadway, San Antonio TX 78205
• Admission: $200
• Organizer: San Antonio AIDS Foundation
• About: Get transported again to Hollywood’s Golden Era on the Sunset Strip. The workplaces of 110 Broadway can be taken again to the Nineteen Thirties because the San Antonio AIDS Foundation pays tribute to the locations that gave the LGBTQ neighborhood an area for celebration and freedom. 
• Website: https://www.sanantonioaids.org/event-details/webb-party-sunset-strip-the-golden-ages

A Taste of New Orleans (Day 1)

• When: Friday, April 17
• Time: 5:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
• Where: Sunken Garden Theater
• Admission: $22
• Organizer: San Antonio Zulu Association
• About:  This occasion options genuine New Orleans-style meals, together with gumbo, étouffée, jambalaya, and extra! Music is one other crowd-pleaser at this common occasion. There is one thing for everybody with a number of genres, together with jazz, Zydeco, Dixieland, blues, and brass bands performing all weekend! If you like Mardi Gras, this “Big Easy” type occasion is for you.
• Website:

Saturday, April 18

Chaparral Music & Heritage Festival

• When: Saturday, April 18 
• Time: 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Where: 301 E Travis St, San Antonio TX 78205 
• Admission: Free
• Organizer: San Antonio Parks Foundation 
• About: The Chaparral Music & Heritage Festival could have reside music, native artisan, meals and neighborhood distributors, together with family-friendly actions all through the park. The occasion is dog-friendly so long as they’re on a leash and suggest bringing a blanket or a chair. 
• Website: https://saparks.org/events/chaparral-music-heritage-festival-2/ 

Oyster Bake Day 2

• When: Saturday, April 18
• Time: Noon – 11:00 p.m.
• Where: St. Mary’s University
• Admission: $25 to $45 relying on if you purchase
• Organizer: St. Mary’s University Alumni Association
• About: Awww Shuck Yeah! Oyster Bake is one other Fiesta staple the place you’re virtually assured to run into pals and that coworker from Accounting that you just vibe with. Speaking of accounting, Oyster Bake could have greater than 36,000 Chicken-on-a-stick, 9,000 steak-on-a-stick, extra oysters than the Gulf of Mexico (okay, it’s actually about 100,000 oysters which are served baked, fried or uncooked,). Headliner for Friday is Switchfoot, and Saturday is Candlebox.
• Website: https://oysterbake.com/

Midnight within the Garden of Good and Evil

• When: Saturday, April 18
• Time: 6:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
• Where: The Doseum
• Admission: $125
• Organizer: Fiesta Youth
• About: This is the twelfth Annual Midnight within the Garden of Good and Evil. It’s an official Fiesta occasion to profit Fiesta Youth, San Antonio’s most complete LGBTQ+ youth non-profit group. This social gathering can be an grownup Fiesta playground with admission for attendees 21+
• Website:

Joey Palacios

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Texas Public Radio

El Rey Fido Coronation

• When: Sat. April 18
• Time: 9:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
• Where: Hops & Hounds
• Admission: Free
• Organizer: San Antonio Humane Society 
• About: Fiesta has gone to the canine! Each yr a pack of pooches needs to declare themselves El Rey Fido and raises cash for the San Antonio Humane Society. The pup that raises probably the most is topped king and the runner ups develop into princes, princesses, dukes, duchesses, and knights and maidens. 
• Website: El Rey Fido – San Antonio Humane Society

Fiesta Kings Cup

• When: Sat. April 18
• Time: Noon – 4:00 p.m.
• Where: 490 Specht Rd., San Antonio, TX 78260
• Admission: $275
• Organizer: San Antonio Foundation for Equine Education and the San Antonio Polo Club
• About: Enjoy the spectacle of fast-paced polo, generally referred to as “hockey on horseback,” as groups from throughout Texas compete for the Fiesta Kings Cup Trophy.
• Website: https://fiestasanantonio.org/our-events/fiesta-kings-cup-polo-party/

Piñatas within the Barrio

• When: Sat. April 18
• Time: Noon – 9:00 p.m.
• Where: Plaza Guadalupe
• Admission: Free
• Organizer: AUEDA – Action United for Entertainers and Diverse Artists
• About: This is the place you could be current for the disclosing of the Barrios Largest Piñata in San Antonio! You may also witness the crowning of the 2026 King and Queen of the Barrio.
• Website:

Sunday, April 19

The Chili Queens Cookoff

• When: Sunday, April 19
• Time: 3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• Where: The Bonham Exchange
• Admission: Free
• Organizer: The Bonham Exchange
• About: What’s higher than drag queens and chili? Come style what the queens have cooking
• Website: https://fiestasanantonio.org/our-events/the-chili-queens-chili-cook-off/

A Day in Old Mexico

• When: Sunday, April 19
• Time: 11:00 a.m. to five:30 p.m. 
• Where: 6126 Padre Dr, San Antonio TX 78245
• Admission: Adults $25, youngsters 12 and below are free
• Organizer: San Antonio Charro Association
• About: A Day in Old Mexico celebrates Mexican heritage by the custom of charreía. There can be charros, elegant Escaramuzas, a grit contest, Fiesta Royalty appearances, native distributors, and meals. 
• Website: https://fiestasanantonio.org/our-events/a-day-in-old-mexico/ 

Monday, April 20

Texas Cavaliers River Parade

Tuesday, April 21

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disABILITYSA

Fiesta Especial

• When: Tuesday, April 21
• Time: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
• Where: The Alamodome Parking Lot C
• Admission: Free however advance registration is required
• Organizer: disABILITYsa
• About: Fiesta Especial gives an inclusive Fiesta expertise. This occasion is designed for kids and adults with bodily, cognitive, and developmental disabilities. It’s a celebration and a chance to expertise the true range of Fiesta in a approach that’s enjoyable for everybody. It’s additionally accessible and entertaining.
• Website:

Wednesday, April 22

Mariachi Festival

• When: Wednesday, April 22
• Time: 5:30 p.m.
• Where: San Antonio Riverwalk
• Admission: Free
• Organizer: Visit San Antonio
• About: The San Antonio River Walk transforms right into a floating efficiency venue, the place music and dance gentle up downtown! Enjoy performances of all types, together with mariachi, folklórico, and particular collaborations. The music is superior.
• Website: https://fiestasanantonio.org/our-events/ford-mariachi-festival/

Fiesta Hat Contest and Luncheon

• When: Wednesday, April 22
• Time: 10:30 a.m.
• Where: Westin San Antonio North
• Admission: $80
• Organizer: The Woman’s Club of San Antonio
• About: For this occasion, members compete in a number of particular person and group classes, showcasing creativity, aptitude, and Fiesta spirit. There can be native movie star judges selecting the winners, with rosette ribbons and small trophies awarded to 1st-Third place.
• Website:

Thursday, April 23

St. Philips College Culture Fest & Rib Cookoff

• When: Thursday, April 23
• Time: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Where: St. Phillip’s College 
• Admission: Free
• Organizer: St. Phillip’s College
• About: Visitors to this occasion will get pleasure from among the BEST ribs in San Antonio whereas celebrating the 131st Anniversary of St. Philip’s College. Proceeds from CultureFest and the Rib Cook-Off assist present scholarships for college kids.
• Website: https://www.alamo.edu/spc/culturefest

PAC Fest

• When: Thursday, April 23
• Time: Noon – 11:30 p.m.
• Where: Palo Alto College
• Admission: Free
• Beneficiary: Palo Alto College
• About: This is a family-friendly celebration that incorporates a full day of leisure with creative and musical performers on the principle stage, scrumptious meals cubicles, youngsters’s actions. There can also be a Social Media Alley, and rather more. Food and novelty distributors serving Fiesta favorites like hen on a stick, turkey legs, and corn in a cup are Palo Alto College pupil organizations elevating funds to help their golf equipment, occasions, and neighborhood initiatives all through the tutorial yr.
• Website: https://www.alamo.edu/pac/experience-pac/campus-life/arts-and-culture/pacfest

Fredstock

• When: Thursday, April 23
• Time: 2:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
• Where: San Antonio College – 309 W. Dewey Place
• Admission: Free
• Beneficiary: San Antonio College Music Business Program
• About: The uniquely named Fredstock is in honor of Fred Weiss, a longtime Radio-TV-Film professor who taught at San Antonio College for greater than 20 years. He additionally based the faculty’s Music Business Program. The pageant occasions permits his story to be shared. Participants can study extra about his and have a good time his legacy. The occasion additionally options as we speak’s college students and their alternative to showcase their work and acquire hands-on expertise within the music business.
• Website: https://fredstockmusicfest.org/

La Semana Alegre

• When: Thursday, April 23 to Friday April 24
• Time: 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM 
• Where: 210 S Alamo St, San Antonio, TX 78205 
• Admission: Single day normal admission is $20,  2-day cross is $35, VIP tickets are $40
• Organizer: Hemisfair Conservancy 
• About: La Semana Alegre is a two-day music pageant that includes nationwide and regional artists in quite a lot of genres reminiscent of indie, digital, Latin, and throwbacks. 
• Website: https://fiestasanantonio.org/our-events/la-semana-alegre-2/ 

Friday, April 24

Battle of Flowers parade

• When: Friday, April 24
• Time: 9:55 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Where: Downtown Streets of San Antonio, 1819 N. Main, San Antonio, TX, 78212
• Admission: Street chair tickets vary from $16.95 to $28.25, bleacher seat tickets are $33   
• Organizer: Battle of Flowers Association 
• About: The Battle of Flowers Parade has roughly 10,000 members, over 4,500 band members, over 200 horses, carriages and vintage vehicles, and festive balloons.  
• Website: https://fiestasanantonio.org/our-events/135th-battle-of-flowers-parade/ 

Fiesta Jazz Festival

• When: Friday, April 24 
• Time: Middle School Jazz Band: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., University Invitational: 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. 
• Where: St. Mary’s University Alumni Athletic & Convocation Center, One Camino Santa Maria, San Antonio TX 78228 
• Admission: Free
• Organizer: St. Mary’s University 
• About: The Fiesta Jazz Festival gives instructional and efficiency expertise for over 500 center faculty, highschool, and faculty jazz musicians from throughout the state. 
• Website: https://www.stmarytx.edu/academics/humanities/events/fiesta-jazz-festival/ 

Saturday, April 25

Fiesta Jazz Festival

• When: Saturday, April 25
• Time: High School Jazz Band: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 
• Where: St. Mary’s University Alumni Athletic & Convocation Center, One Camino Santa Maria, San Antonio TX 78228 
• Admission: Free
• Organizer: St. Mary’s University 
• About: The Fiesta Jazz Festival gives instructional and efficiency expertise for over 500 center faculty, highschool, and faculty jazz musicians from throughout the state. 
• Website: https://www.stmarytx.edu/academics/humanities/events/fiesta-jazz-festival/ 

Fiesta Flambeau Parade

• When: Saturday, April 25 
• Time: 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. 
• Where: Downtown Streets of San Antonio, 1819 N. Main San Antonio, TX, 78212
• Admission: Street Chair Tickets are $28.25, bleacher seat tickets TBD
• Organizer: Fiesta Flambeau Parade Association, Inc. 
• About: The Fiesta Flambeau Parade is America’s largest illuminated evening parade that includes over 150 parade entries travelling 3.1 miles. 
• Website: https://fiestasanantonio.org/our-events/fiesta-flambeau-parade/ 

Fiesta Pooch Parade

• When: Saturday, April 25
• Time: 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
• Where: 250 Viesca St., San Antonio TX 78209
• Admission: Free and open to the general public, $43.57 to stroll the parade
• Organizer: Therapy Animals of San Antonio
• About: The Fiesta Pooch Parade incorporates a costume contest and quite a lot of meals vehicles.  
• Website: https://fiestasanantonio.org/our-events/fiesta-pooch-parade/ 

King William Fair

• When: Saturday, April 25
• Time: 8:00 a.m. to six:00 p.m.
• Where: 122 Madison, San Antonio TX 78204 
• Admission: $20.00, children below 11 are free
• Organizer: King William Association
• About: The King William Fair begins with a 1.5-mile parade that includes 200 Arts and Craft distributors, 60 native meals distributors, 5 phases of reside leisure, road performers, and a children play space. 
• Website: https://fiestasanantonio.org/our-events/king-william-fair/ 

Sunday, April 26

A Day in Old Mexico

• When: Sunday, April 26
• Time: 11:00 a.m. to five:30 p.m. 
• Where: 6126 Padre Dr, San Antonio TX 78245
• Admission: Adults $25, youngsters 12 and below are free
• Organizer: San Antonio Charro Association
• About: A Day in Old Mexico celebrates Mexican heritage by the custom of charreía. There can be charros, elegant Escaramuzas, a grit contest, Fiesta Royalty appearances, native distributors, and meals. 
• Website: https://fiestasanantonio.org/our-events/a-day-in-old-mexico-2/ 

Festival de Cascarones

• When: Sunday, April 26 
• Time: 1:00 p.m. to eight:00 p.m.
• Where: One University Way, San Antonio TX 78224
• Admission: Free (Parking $10, card solely) 
• Organizer: Texas A&M University – San Antonio 
• About: At the Festival de Cascarones options cascarones, reside music, meals, video games, and a children’ zone. The occasion is pet-friendly; nevertheless, canine should be leashed. Outside ice chests, coolers, meals or drinks aren’t allowed.
• Website: https://www.tamusa.edu/festival-de-cascarones/