Fiesta® San Antonio started in 1891 as a one-parade event to honor the memory of the heroes of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto. That historic commemoration still takes place, but for more than a century, Fiesta® has grown into a celebration of San Antonio’s rich and diverse cultures and today is one of this nation’s premier festivals with an economic impact of more than $340 million. Funds raised by official Fiesta® events provide services to San Antonio citizens throughout the year.

The Fiesta® San Antonio Commission Inc. is a nonprofit, volunteer, self-supporting organization that plans, promotes, coordinates, and preserves Fiesta San Antonio through support of its Participating Member Organizations in presenting a safe, educational, annual celebration of the diverse heritage, culture and spirit of San Antonio for its residents and visitors.

Fiesta San Antonio is traditionally held in the month of April because the Battle of San Jacinto was fought on April 21, 1836. Congressman James Luther Slayden’s wife, Mrs. James L. Slayden, was inspired by the flower parades of Spain and suggested that San Antonio stage its own flower parade on April 21^st in memory of the fallen heroes of the Alamo and Battle of San Jacinto. The idea gained support and the Battle of Flowers Association was born. The ladies first paraded their flower-covered carriages around the Shrine of Texas Liberty in April 1891. Thus, began one of Fiesta’s most notable parades, the Battle of Flowers Parade, which is now the largest parade in the country to be managed entirely by women. The Battle of Flowers Parade is what started Fiesta San Antonio in 1891 and is the oldest event of Fiesta San Antonio, celebrating more than 130 years. To learn more about the Battle of Flowers, click here.

2024: April 18 – 28
2025: April 24 – May 4
2026: April 16 – 26
2027: April 15 – 25
2028: April 20 – 30

Fiesta San Antonio is 11 days long.

According to an economic impact study done in 2017 by the UTSA Center for Community and Business Research, more than 2.5 million people attend Fiesta San Antonio every year.

Fiesta San Antonio has occurred every year since 1891 except during World Wars I (1918-1919) and II (1942-1945), and in 2020 due to COVID-19.

A Participating Member Organization (PMO for short) is a local (San Antonio/Bexar County) nonprofit organization that hosts an official Fiesta event.

2024 Organization and Events List

The number of Fiesta events vary from year to year depending on how many Participating Member Organizations there are, but typically there are always 100+ events.

The Fiesta San Antonio Commission is managed by a small, but mighty staff and governed by an elected seven-person executive committee, 9-member board of directors, up to twenty-one elected commissioners and one representative from each PMO.

Fiesta Fiesta presented by Toyota, held on the first Thursday of Fiesta, is the official kick-off event of Fiesta San Antonio’s 11-day celebration. Fiesta Fiesta 2024 location is the HEB Plaza at the Alamodome!

What started as women in heels wanting to be more comfortable on the Battle of Flowers® parade floats began a tradition of today where the queen, princess, and duchesses wear sneakers, boots, and other forms of comfortable shoes.

But it’s much more than that. The “Show me your shoes” has become both a crowd pleaser and a sight to see. The ladies have stepped up their game each year to put on more elaborate customized footwear in more and more creative ways – you just have to see it!

When the ladies show their shoes at the request of parade attendees, they reveal bedazzled sandals, customized sneakers, boots and even bunny slippers.

Yes, Fiesta has several free events. To see a full schedule of events, click here. Once you find the event you are interested in, click the event and scroll to the description of the event. At the bottom, there will be a note if the event is free.

Yes, Fiesta offers many children-based and family-friendly events. To see a full schedule of events, click here.

Yes, Fiesta has several pet-friendly events. To see a full schedule of events, click here. Once you find the event you are interested in, click the event and scroll to the description of the event. At the bottom, there will be a note if the event is pet-friendly.

VIA Park and Ride offers various pick-up and drop-off locations. Events that offer VIA Park and Ride vary from year to year. Check the VIA Park and Ride website for updates as we get closer to Fiesta.

The Westin Riverwalk,  San Antonio, on West Market St., is our Official Fiesta Hotel. The Westin Riverwalk, San Antonio is the perfect place to stay during Fiesta since it is downtown and close several events including Fiesta Fiesta, the Battle of Flowers parade, the Fiesta Flambeau Parade, the Texas Cavalier’s River Parade, various events at the Alamo, and more! San Antonio has many additional downtown and surrounding area hotels.

Yes, Corporate Sponsorships are welcome and we customize each corporate sponsorship to meet their obejectives and goals. If you are interested in corporate sponsorship, please contact Suzi Otis, Director of Marketing and Sponsorships, at suzi@fiestasanantonio.org. 

If you are interested in performing at any given Fiesta event, please contact the event organization directly. To find contact information for the event organization, visit our schedule of events here. Select the event you would like to be a part of, then scroll down to find the public phone number and email address provided as a contact.

If you are interested in being a vendor for any given Fiesta event, please contact the event organization directly. To find contact information for the event organization, visit our schedule of events here. Select the event you would like to be a part of, then scroll down to find the public phone number and email address provided as a contact.

If you are interested in being a vendor for the Battle of Flowers Parade and/or Fiesta Flambeau Parade, please contact violetv4booths@gmail.com. If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities, please contact suzi@fiestasanantonio.org.

Attire varies depending on the event you plan on attending, but Fiesta is all about color! Feel free to wear your most colorful outfit. Traditional Latin Guayabera shirts are popular for men and embroidered tops and dresses are favored by the ladies. And don’t forget those over-the-top hats and decorated (but comfortable) shoes to show off when people yell Fiesta’s notable line, “Show Me Your Shoes!”

Yes!

• For general merchandise, click here.
• For Fiesta Medals, click here.
• You can also shop online by clicking the “SHOP” button on our website.

Current retail locations:

• Monarch Trophy Studio– 16227 San Pedro Ave. 78232
• Fiesta at North Star– 102 W. Rector Dr. 78216
• Witte Museum Store– 3801 Broadway 78209

Regarding security, hours of planning are expended each year, and numerous law enforcement personnel are hired to make Fiesta a safe and enjoyable event. 

An express goal is to make each attendee, either patron or volunteer, comfortable and relaxed in the enjoyment of all Fiesta has to offer.  Many events utilize First Aid Stations and work with members of the San Antonio Fire Department, San Antonio Health Department, and trained paramedics with fully equipped ambulances. 

For specific security information on a particular Fiesta event, please contact that event, or visit its respective web site.  Our PMOs spend many hours developing and implementing their safety and security plans, and several have been recognized nationally and internationally as some of the best for festivals and events.