San Antonio Fiestas

Regardless of the time of year you visit, you'll find San Antonio in a fiesta spirit.

For the holidays, the River Walk glows with thousands of luminarias, tiny candles in sand-weighted paper bags, during the Fiesta de Las Luminarias. The candles symbolize the lighting of the way for the Holy Family.

The Christmas journey comes to life during Posadas Paseo del Rio, dramatizing Joseph and Mary's search for an inn with costumed children leading a procession down the River Walk. Priests and mariachi players follow the children, singing songs in both English and Spanish. This event is one of San Antonio's most beautiful celebrations and draws visitors from around the country.

In February, the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo attracts over one million attendees every year. Activities include a rodeo, a Western parade, educational displays, a concert series, a carnival midway, and plenty of Western fun.

The biggest event of the year is Fiesta San Antonio, held every April, filling the city with parades, sporting events, live music, and a general party atmosphere. 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.

River parades are one of the most unique events of Fiesta. The Texas Cavalier's River Parade 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.

And don't miss 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 at La Villita. 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 German sausage to antichuchos, a spicy marinated meat.

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