23-04-2025
Your guide to Fiesta San Antonio 2025
Fiesta San Antonio starts Thursday, bringing 11 days of parties, music and culture to the city.
Why it matters: Fiesta raises millions of dollars for local nonprofits and brings thousands of attendees to the core of the city.
Between the lines: While Fiesta has evolved to celebrate cultures, food and all-around puro party vibes, it has a complicated history.
But, Fiesta's expansive list of events gives people the freedom to celebrate and plan their itinerary in a way that reflects their values.
How it works: Fiesta is a giant umbrella with more than 100 official events — free and ticketed.
And there are plenty of themed, offshoot events happening at bars and restaurants.
Basically, you'd be hard-pressed not to find someone with a flower crown and/or confetti in their hair for the foreseeable future.
State of play: Fiesta Fiesta will kick off the fun 4-10pm Thursday at Travis Park. It's a free party with music, food and lots of medal trading. The weekend continues with a list of headline events.
Oyster Bake is Friday and Saturday at St. Mary's University. Hours vary; tickets start at $30.
A Taste of New Orleans starts Friday and lasts through Sunday at Sunken Garden Theater. Hours vary; tickets start at $22.
Alamo Heights Night is 5:30-11:30pm Friday at the University of the Incarnate Word. Tickets start at $20.
What to try: Fiesta is full of flavor. While A Night in Old San Antonio (NIOSA), heralded as a hub for eats, doesn't start until Tuesday, vendors at each of this weekend's events will have Fiesta's iconic snacks for sale.
Take it from Edmund Tijerina, longtime local food writer, who tells Axios oyster shots at Oyster Bake are a must.
If you go: Keep an eye on the weather as storms could bring some rain Thursday to Fiesta Fiesta.
What's next: NIOSA (Tuesday through Friday), Battle of Flowers Parade (Friday) and the Fiesta Flambeau Parade (Saturday).
