The 10-day festival continues more than a century of traditions with live music, food, and culture.
Every April , San Antonio set off with coloration , confetti , and culture in its biggest annual party , and it ’s absolutely one of the best sentence ever to see the Alamo City . Fiesta San Antonio(April 18–28 ) got its modest startle right smart back in 1891 as a memorial celebration to respect those who fought to fight down the Alamo and in the Battle of San Jacinto more than half a 100 sooner . The first parade featured cycle and gymnastic horse - drawn carriages adorned with thousands of fresh flowers , as well as children dressed as flowers . Participants and watcher bombarded each other with blooms and blossoms , which is why it ’s known as the Battle of Flowers .
Though newspaper publisher version hand - craft by generations of the same family since 1928 put back the fresh one , the women - led Battle of Flowers suffer as one of the grownup drawing card to the 10 - daytime jubilation . Fiesta also feature bouncy carnivals , striking parades , and the coronation of royalty . alternatively of throw beads a la Mardi Gras , revelers here clamor for Fiesta Medals , sometimes intricately work creations , other times paw - crafted trinkets . As with Mardi Gras beads , the more laurel wreath you sport , the more telling . ( you could find several for leverage with proceeds benefiting various non-profit-making organizations at San Antonio ’s go - to resource for Fiesta accouterments , Amols ’ Fiesta Party Supplies . )
Several interactive options fill the 10 - day calendar of events . Of course , there ’s theBattle of Flowers Parade , where over half a million spectators will line the itinerary andpurchase bleacher seatsfor maximal enjoyment . Another highlight of the only - in - San - Antonio spectacular : Texas Cavaliers River Parade , which brings the spirit of Fiesta to the city ’s iconic Riverwalk attraction .
Fiesta San Antonio|Photo by Benjamin Tijerina
A Night in Old San Antonio ( NIOSA)actually spans four nights — and several hearty engine block — with denominate cultural sections , let in South of the Border , Sauerkraut Bend , China Town , Gallic Quarter , and Irish Flat . Food and drinks correspond each section ’s topic , urinate it easy to discover egg bun , Micheladas , blimp - on - a - stick , or churros . NIOSA also play up the alive music part of Fiesta with 11 different bands execute on stages throughout the area .
calculate on the days of your vacation in San Antonio , you may also wonder atFiesta Flambeau , the large illuminated parade in America ; chow down at the two - dayFiesta Oyster Bake ; laugh the dark away during theFiesta Cornyation , a caustic remark - filled , adult - only production that lampoons the more serious - minded royalty events ; burn off some calories in theOur Lady of the Lake University Confetti 5 K Run & Walk ; and smile from spike to ear during the adorableFiesta Pooch Parade .
More than 100 events pack the Fiesta San Antonio docket , so boredom will never be on the agenda whether you ’re pop down for two night or staying for the entire workweek .
Drive Time
4 hr from Dallas
More things to Do in San Antonio During Fiesta
San Antonio offer visitors many unequalled experience class - pear-shaped , but several make for squeamish Fiesta recreation . The outpouring conditions meanskayaking the Museum Reach section of the Riverwalkcouldn’t be more idealistic . For a touristy - but - nerveless dining excursion , Bible a river dinner cruisewhereBoudro’s(or one of several other top eating place ) can cater a easy meal while coast through the scenic passages , learning a piffling SA history along the path . later on , steer to a 9 or 9:30 pm intro ofThe Saga . During a mesmerizing , high - tech 24 minutes , acquire even more about San Antonio ’s past tense through a remarkable video - and - music artwork protrusion on the side of the San Fernando Cathedral by international artist Xavier de Richemont . We can almost guarantee goosebumps .
If you need a relaxing interruption from all the walking and stand through parades , volume an hour soaking in the raw hot springs atCamp Hot Wells , located on the land site of a former bagnio and recur circa 1894 , where Hollywood ’s biggest names often vacationed . Be aware , though , the bath are filled from deep sulfuric raging spring so expect that distinguishable eggy scent . The grim - tint water supply feel so fantastic , though , you ’ll soon be able to cut the fragrant wafts — especially when you enjoy vino or beer from the on - land site café window to take into your private tub retreat .
Where to Eat and Drink in San Antonio During Fiesta
Working our manner from one street vendor to the next makes us exceptionally happy because there ’s always so much variety to enjoy . Yet after a while , it ’s typical to experience what Big Tex fiend in Dallas know as “ bonny intellectual nourishment fatigue . ” Sometimes , we simply need to be await on while invest in an air - condition restaurant , using real silverware rather of Spork . For those instances , treat your appreciation buds to some traditional San Antonio - style Tex - Mex atRosario ’s , which recently move to gorgeous new digs . Breakfast tacos at the no - frillsLa Mexicanamay be some of the best in the urban center and at shockingly gravid prices to boot . For a full brunch situation , Box St. All Dayranks among the honorable . Duck intoZocca d’Italiaalong a tranquil part of the Riverwalk for top - tier Italian ( especially the coalition - forward Taste of Texas pizza that boast brisket and country sausage ) . Mediterranean excellence look atLadinoin the culinary mecca of thehistoric Pearl District . Other splendid dinner party - and - drink options includeBar Loretta , Pharm Table , andLiberty Bar .
Where to Stay in San Antonio During Fiesta
Delight in Fiesta San Antonio event all over the city , but the highest tightness of activity will be in or near the business district area and Riverwalk . So you ’ll want to hold a hotel near the action mechanism so you may walk nearly anywhere on your path or catch a speedy , affordable rideshare . The Westin Riverwalk , San Antonioputs you smack in the heart of the Riverwalk dominion with well - appointed rooms ( and super - comfortable bed ) , a effervescent pool , and a state - of - the - art WestinWORKOUT seaworthiness studio . Hotel Valencia , also overlooking the Riverwalk , deliver plenty of magic spell and comfort . And along the quieter Museum Reach plane section of the river , Thompson San Antonio - Riverwalkoffers chic decor throughout , plus a racy 20th - base rooftop lounge , The Moon ’s girl .
Photo by Benjamin Tijerina
Photo by Benjamin Tijerina
