30 Fiesta Events Every San Antonian Should Go to At Least Once

WEBB Party
$75-$90, Fri. April 19, 7:30pm-midnight, Aztec Theatre, 104 N. St. Mary’s St., sanantonioaids.org
Perhaps one of Fiesta’s most iconic events, the WEBB Party attracts more than a thousand guests and raises money for the San Antonio AIDS foundation. The theme changes every year, so don’t ever miss it. This year’s theme is “Stayin’ Alive,” which celebrates both medical breakthroughs and, of course, the disco era. The headliner will be the remarkable Ada Fox.
Photo via Instagram / fiestasa

A Day in Old Mexico & Charreada
$20, Sun. April 21 & 28, 3pm-6pm, 6126 Padre Dr, sacharros.org
For those who don’t know, charreada is like the grandfather of the modern rodeo (charros being Mexican horsemen). This Fiesta event happens twice this April, on the last two Sundays of the month. There will be vendors before the rodeo, with the website saying to expect about two hours of rodeo time, during which there will be several different events.
Photo via Instagram / fiestasa

Fiesta Pooch Parade
$25-$35, Sat. April 27, 7:45am, Alamo Heights Swimming Pool, 250 Viesca, therapyanimalssa.org
Dog lovers gather here! Especially people with a passion for service animals and their community. The Fiesta Pooch Parade is the major fundraising event for Therapy Animals of San Antonio. This event will kick off with a costume contest, after which, the parade will begin.
Photo courtesy of Fiesta San Antonio

Texas Cavaliers River Parade
$14-$26, Mon. April 22 7pm, various locations, texascavaliers.org
The Texas Cavaliers River Parade features more than 45 unique floats. That’s one reason (or 45?) alone to experience this at least once. Another reason is that the organizers of this event, the Texas Cavaliers, have distributed more than $8 million to charities around Texas, which is a whopper of a number.
Photo courtesy of Fiesta San Antonio

Fiesta San Fernando
Free, Thurs. April 25- Sat. April 27, 11am-midnight, San Fernando Cathedral, 231 W Commerce St, sfcathedral.org
Filled with fun, Fiesta San Fernando will include everything you want in a Fiesta event, taking place at one of the most puro spots in San Antonio. The celebration will have, perhaps most importantly, beer. Additionally, you’ll be able to find tons of food, a market, and unlimited musical performances from all of your favorite genres.
Photo via Instagram / venuesatsanfernandocathedral

A Night in Old San Antonio
$12-$15, Tue. April 23- Fri. April 26, 5:30pm-10:30pm, 227 South Presa Street, niosa.org
NIOSA? ’Nuff said. Just don’t go on college night.
Photo courtesy of Fiesta San Antonio

Viva Botanica
$9-$12, Sat. April 20, 10am-2pm, Botanical Gardens, 555 Funston Pl, sabot.org
Can’t wait to do something great for the environment and plant a native tree which has been dotingly cared for by Botanical Gardens volunteers? Can’t wait to see the magic of the Guadalupe Dance Company again? Can’t wait to welcome the throes of spring in the beautiful San Antonio Botanical Gardens? Then this event is for you.
Photo via Instagram / sabotgarden

Mission Reach Flotilla Festival
Free, Sat. April 20, 11am-5pm, 6030 Padre Dr, sariverfoundation.org
Designed to bring awareness to the newly-developed Mission Reach Ecosystem Restoration and Recreation Project of the San Antonio River, the Mission Reach Flotilla Festival will have a ton of features and things to do. There will be an ‘80s-themed costume contest (hello, hairspray and shoulder pads) for not only humans but pets as well, live music, dances, local and commercial vendors as well as local eats. You’ll make such good memories that you’ll want to keep returning to Mission Country Park again and again, long after Fiesta is over.
Photo via Instagram / sariverfoundation

Battle of Flowers Band Festival
$15-$30, Thurs. April 25, 5:30pm, Alamo Stadium, 110 Tuleta Dr, battleofflowers.org
Literally how much cooler can the Battle of Flowers family of events get? The Battle of Flowers Band Festival is the oldest and longest-running marching band festival in the country. The purpose is to give the opportunity to more than 30 local high school bands to show their stuff, while fostering the love of music and the chance to earn grants.
Photo via Instagram, ooodangitsmary

Cornyation
$15-$45, Tue. April 23 - Fri. April 26, 7pm and 10pm, Majestic Theater, 226 E Houston St fiestacornyation.com
If you’re not sure what Cornyation in, let this be an introduction: their fans are called Corn Holes. Self-described as “cheap, raunchy, and ready to party,” Cornyation is kind of like a satirical review of current and local affairs. We mean events, not who’s getting with who, of course. With Cornyation, who knows.
Photo via Instagram / fiestacornyation

King William Fair & Parade
$13-$16, Sat. April 27, 8am, multiple locations, kwfair.org
Made famous by its historic significance and uncommon (at least for San Antonio) Victorian architecture, the King William Fair and Parade takes place in this historic part of town. The Fair and Parade will feature music, food, an artists’ alley and a children’s kingdom. What Fiesta event doesn’t? What sets the King William variety apart from the rest is, of course, the beautiful atmosphere and surroundings.
Photo via Instagram / kingwilliamfair

Rey Feo Crowning
Free, Fri. April 19, 5:30pm-7pm, Arneson River Theater, 418 Villita St, reyfeoconsejo.org
This will be the 71st public crowning of Rey Feo Sal Barbaro III. This isn’t just a public crowning, though. Since becoming an official Fiesta San Antonio celebration in the early ‘80s, League of United Latin American Citizens has raised more than a quarter of a million dollars for scholarships to youth in San Antonio. Rey Feo, of course, is the “People’s King.” The chic, expensive afterparty will cost you $125 though.
Photo via Instagram / reyfeolxxisalbarbaro

Fiesta Arts Fair
$12-$15, Sat. April 20 10am-6pm, Sun. April 21 11am-5pm, Southwest School of Arts, 300 Augusta St, swschool.org
Originating in the 1970s and benefitting the Southwest School of Arts in San Antonio, Fiesta Arts Fair has an annual participation of around 12,000 people, making it a highlight of Fiesta. This event is not only great for art-seeking and art-loving adults, but it has a great feature for the younger members of the family as well, which is the Young Artists’ Garden. You won’t find just art, though – you’ll also find food too. Mmmm.
Photo via Instagram / southwestschoolofart

Fiesta Flambeau Parade
$18-$35, Sat. April 27, 6:45pm, multiple locations, fiestaflambeauparade.org
For those of you who don’t know, Fiesta Flambeau Parade is pretty much the crown jewel of Fiesta San Antonio. That, and it has been called the world’s largest night parade, which is a...shining claim to hold. This year, it will be led by the University of Texas band and will feature marching units of various bands, dancers, themed floats and equestrians.
Photo via Instagram / fiestasa

Celebrations of Traditions Pow Wow
Free, Sat. April 13, 11am-4pm, Woodlawn Park Gym, 1103 Cincinnati Ave, unitedsanantoniopowwow.org
What could be more beautiful than attending a free event hosted by United San Antonio Pow Wow? More beautiful, even, is the chance to experience the culture of America’s first inhabitants in an environment meant to dispel stereotypes to anyone who has genuine interest. Not to get all SJW on you, but it’s pretty awesome.
Photo via Instagram / grownup_geek

Taste of New Orleans
$12-$15, Fri. April 12 5pm-11pm, April 13 & 14 noon-11pm, Sunken Garden Theater, 3875 N. St. Mary St., saza.org
When you think of New Orleans, what do you think of? Food is probably near the top of the list. That’s just one of the things – albeit a major thing – that the Taste of New Orleans Fiesta event promises. There will also be New Orleans-style music and entertainment. How could you even consider missing this? Think of the beignets!
Photo via Instagram / sazaorg

Fiesta Carnival
$22-$25, Thurs. April 18 - Sun. April 28, hours vary, Alamodome parking lot, 401-449 S Cherry St, wadeshows.com
While admission to the carnival itself is free, you’ll be finding yourself paying for rides all night if you don’t get an unlimited rides wristband, which, at $22-$25 (or $18 if you buy before April 17), they’re pretty reasonably priced if you plan to ride until you puke. Which we highly recommend. Plus, this event is hosted by the same company that organizes the Poteet Strawberry Festival, so you know it’s gonna be well done.
Photo via Instagram / sam_pena22

Ford Mariachi Festival & Kickoff
Free, Tue. April 23 - Thurs. April 25, 7:30pm-9:30pm, San Antonio RiverWalk, thesanantonioriverwalk.com
At the Ford Mariachi Festival, San Antonio River boats will float by, carrying different performers of Mariachi music and Folklorico dancers alike. As the boats make random stops, sit along the River Walk and sip a margarita, enjoying the traditional songs, dances, and costumes worn by the performers, who are from various schools around the San Antonio area.
Photo via Instagram / fiestasa

Fiesta De Los Niños
Free, Sat. April 20, 10am-6pm, 200 Goodrich Dr, fiestadelosninos.com
A self-proclaimed party for “the pint-sized folks” (AKA the children), Fiesta De Los Niños is perhaps Fiesta’s most family-friendly event (which isn’t to say that many of the events aren’t family friendly, but still). While it will feature a parade that will go through Port San Antonio, there’s more to it than that: games, STEM-related activities and rides. There’s even room for the non-pint-sized folks (AKA the parents) to dance. The only downside? No alcohol.
Photo via Instagram / fiestasa

The Chili Queens Cook-Off
Free, Sun. April 28, 3pm-8pm, Bonham Exchange, 411 Bonham St, fiestasanantonio.org
There is just so much to love about the Chili Queens Cook-Off. May the best chili win! May the best chili also be represented by the tackiest queen imaginable. If you’ve missed this event in recent years, you should definitely make it a point to stop by this year in honor of BX owner Kenneth Garrett’s passing.
Photo via Instagram / txchiliqueens