The Ultimate Guide to San Antonio’s Fiesta

       Fiesta takes place every April in San Antonio, Texas, and is a massive city-wide celebration. This year marks its 127th edition, running from April 18 to 28. Each year, over 100 events of various kinds take place across the city, including parades, patriotic observances, exhibitions, and creative culinary experiences. Glittering outfits, eclectic hats, and live music are the keywords of this unconventional festival.

       Fiesta began in 1891 to honor the heroes of two battles for Texas independence — the Battle of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto. The first “Battle of the Flowers parade” was held that same year, when women strolled around the Alamo tossing flowers to one another. Today, the “Battle of the Flowers” is the second-largest parade in the U.S., and Fiesta has grown into one of the nation’s premier festivals, attracting over 3.5 million attendees annually, 20% of whom come from out of state or abroad.

       Each year, individuals are crowned as “King,” “Queen,” “Princess,” and “Duchess” and given the title of “Fiesta Royalty.” Attire is a major criterion, with women wearing elaborate, crystal-studded gowns that can take nearly a year to create. A committee selects them based on their philanthropic work, and the Fiesta “court” serves for one year (with additional charity obligations), before a new court is chosen. A Latino “Rey Feo,” or “Ugly King,” is also awarded during Fiesta, earned through competition with another candidate, with the winner required to raise at least $250,000.

       Food plays a huge role in the more than 100 official Fiesta events. Popular traditional San Antonio dishes such as gorditas, chicken on a stick, and aguas frescas can all be found at the celebrations. Some events also feature specialties like grilled oysters.

       During Fiesta, the most sought-after items in San Antonio are decorative pins representing local celebrities and organizations. Badge-swapping parties are held all over the city, where locals collect as many as they can and proudly display their hauls during the festivities.

       Over 100 official events take place during San Antonio’s Fiesta; here are some of the most popular celebrations.

       The 2019 Fiesta event “Fiesta Fiesta at Hemisfair” kicked off at the newly expanded Hemisfair grounds, featuring entertainment and a fireworks show. At the nearby Marriott Plaza, the Taste of the Republic food event offered a variety of Texan delicacies.

       Held annually along the San Antonio River, this unique parade draws thousands of attendees. In addition to over 45 festively decorated boats, the event features live performances and celebrity appearances.

       Rooted in the Mexican tradition of Charreada (Mexico’s national sport, similar to rodeo), this family-friendly event includes food, children’s horse riding, folk ballet, live bands, and of course, rodeo performances.

       NIOSA takes place over four nights in downtown San Antonio and is an annual festival celebrating the city’s diverse cultural heritage, drawing over 85,000 attendees each year.

       On this day, the streets of downtown San Antonio are filled with colorful floats, marching bands, and performers. The aforementioned Fiesta Royalty are also expected to “show their shoes” upon request — a tradition that has evolved into an informal “best shoes” competition among parade participants.

       Held on the streets of the historic King William District, known for its grand Victorian homes and beautiful gardens, the King William Fair is a family-friendly event featuring handmade crafts, live music, food and drink booths, and a unique parade.

       The Fiesta Flambeau Parade is the largest illuminated parade in the United States. The 2.6-mile (4.1-kilometer) route through downtown San Antonio lights up the streets with floats, bands, and performers all adorned in dazzling lights. The event draws over 750,000 live spectators each year, along with 1.5 million television viewers watching the live broadcast.