Fiesta San Antonio

Known for: San Antonio’s largest event

Events: Fiesta is THE event of the year in San Antonio. While all of San Antonio's annual events and festivals draw a crowd, Fiesta San Antonio is in a league of its own when it comes to popularity. One of Texas's most attended events, this April blowout draws 3.5 million partygoers every year for over 150 events, lots of food, and barrels of margaritas. Add to that mix a good dose of Texas pride and the partying spirit of Old Mexico and you've got the recipe for Fiesta San Antonio, a party that draws revelers from across the US and Mexico.

TIP: If you'll be attending Fiesta and will need a place to stay, make your hotel reservations in advance...we mean really in advance. The city fills up during this mega-event.

History of Fiesta: This 10-day event dates back to 1891, first as a celebration of Texas independence and later to recognize the many diverse cultures that made San Antonio the city it is today. The exact dates of the festival change year to year but the focal point of the event is always April 21st, the anniversary of the Battle of San Jacinto. This fateful battle won Texas its independence from Mexico.

Fiesta's origins may have been serious and solemn but today this event is pure party. Most of the action starts about 10 am although the serious fun takes place later in the day with music festivals, colorful parades, and serious grazing through food booths that offer everything from Cajun to Tex-Mex to German specialties. The official partying winds down about midnight each night but unofficially it continues down the River Walk bars until about 2 am.

In fact, the River Walk is one of the busiest Fiesta locations, especially between La Mansion del Rio hotel at Navarro Street all the way around the horseshoe-shaped stretch of the river to La Villita historic area at Presna.

River Parades: River parades are one of the most unique events of Fiesta. If you're lucky, you can snag a riverside table at one of the crowded restaurants (but don't just rely on luck; you'll need to arrive plenty early for these prime seats as thousands of revelers pack the parade route.)

Three parades bring Texas-sized crowds downtown:

• The Texas Cavalier's River Parade is the first, cruising the river to crowds of 175,000. The event features over 40 floats, each bursting with musicians, singers, and celebrities.
• Later in the week, the Battle of Flowers Parade, with brightly colored floats and the Queen of the Order of the Alamo, draws as many as 375,000 onlookers.
• Finally, the Fiesta Flambeau parade fills the streets with lighted floats, marching bands, and 400,000 onlookers. For tickets to the parades call anytime after December 1 through the River Parade Ticket Line (210) 22-RIVER or obtain them online at www.texascavaliers.org.
  

The parades feature the "royalty" of Fiesta. At the Battle of the Flowers, keep an eye out for the queen and princesses of the Order of the Alamo. Bedecked in jeweled gowns, the queen and court are crowned at Municipal Auditorium earlier during Fiesta; after the parade, the gowns are on display at North Star Mall.

NIOSA: The biggest Fiesta event is A Night in Old San Antonio, better known by its nickname, NIOSA (n-eye-o-sa). The party, featuring music and food in 15 cultural areas, takes place in La Villita, a restored 18th century village on the River Walk. Dance to western, conjunto, oompah, or mariachi performances and when you've worked up an appetite stroll over to the food booths selling everything from escargot to German sausage to antichuchos, a spicy marinated meat. Tickets for Night in Old San Antonio are available at the gate or through NIOSA, (210) 226-5188.

After NIOSA, walk to the Mariachi Festival, one of the oldest in the country. Amateurs and pros battle for the spotlight and the event is always filled with all the color and spirit of San Antonio. Admission for some Fiesta events is free.

Children's Festival
Adults don't get to have all the fun at Fiesta; this officially sanctioned Fiesta event is especially designed for the youngest visitors. Held along the River Walk and sponsored by the Paseo del Rio Association, this one-day event has plenty of pint-sized fun and games. Admission is free. Location: River Walk

King William Fair
This one-day festival, an official part of Fiesta San Antonio, showcases the historic neighborhood of King William. arts and crafts, food

Walk Across Texas
Not too many travelers can say they've walked across Texas, but participants in this officially sanctioned Fiesta event can say they've certainly seen a sampling of all the regions of the Lone Star State. This self-guided walk takes place in the 11-acre native area of the garden with a walk through the piney woods of East Texas, the mesquite stands of South Texas, and the wildflower fields of the Hill Country. Living history groups and docents are positioned along the path to help visitors learn more about how early settlers used natural resources to build their homes.

Admission: free

Location: San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston Place

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