Latest news with #FiestaSanAntonio
Miami Herald
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Didn't make it to Fiesta San Antonio? Happily, the vibe stays alive year-round
On my last night in San Antonio, I sat on the banks of the river and watched a flotilla of colorfully decorated boats glide past. Those on the boats waved, blew kisses to the crowd and swayed to the sound of mariachi music. I was at the Texas Cavalier River Parade, an integral part of Fiesta San Antonio since 1941, and inspired by the Floating Gardens of Xochimilco in Mexico City. On this night, Mexico's capital city and the one-time capital of Mexican Texas were connected by a cultural thread. Every April, the city pays tribute to its Mexican heritage with a 10-day calendar of events that serves up the essence of fiesta. With more than 100 enticing options to choose from, one might not know where to start. Will it be the oldest event (1891) honoring heroes of the Alamo and Texas independence? At the Battle of Flowers Parade, the route passes the Alamo where riders often halt the floats to hop off and place a yellow rose on the Alamo Cenotaph. Will it be a charreada (Mexican-style rodeo) at Rancho del Charro or a Chili Queen Cook-off in downtown San Antonio? Or maybe "A Night in Old San Antonio," a four-night festival within a festival held in La Villita's historic squares to honor not just the city's Mexican heritage, but that of all the ethnic groups that have left their mark on San Antonio? And surely it must be the Flambeau Parade, the signature event that has become America's largest illuminated night parade. Some 200 illuminated entries – from floats to equestrian units – light up a 2.6-mile route through the downtown area. If all of this has you excited, it's not too early to start making your plans for next year's Fiesta San Antonio (April 16-26, 2026). But if you just can't wait that long, here's some good news – in San Antonio, it's always fiesta. The world-renowned Riverwalk probably needs no introduction. Here, along two levels of landscaped walkways on the San Antonio River, visitors can take narrated boat cruises that glide under canopies of cypress, cottonwood and oak trees and beneath elaborate stone bridges. A fiesta attitude prevails year round at Riverwalk restaurants such as the Iron Cactus (their menu of more than 100 premium tequilas aids in the frivolity) and Little Rhein Prost Haus, a German contribution to the Riverwalk dining scene. Its literal translation "cheers in the house" ensures a perpetual fiesta. As does the Arneson River Theater, the outdoor performance venue at the entrance to La Villita where the audience sits across the river from the stage while entertained by musical performances from opera to flamenco throughout the year. A food fiesta This year marked the arrival of the Michelin Guide to Texas, with 12 San Antonio restaurants receiving recognition, and one Mixtli, a trailblazing Southtown establishment serving modern Mexican cuisine, earning a coveted star. But even before that, a food fiesta had been in full swing. Another Southtown favorite is Casa Hernan, where owner/chef Johnny Hernandez has turned his former hacienda into an upscale cantina decorated with finds from the art and culture rich states of Mexico. Just cross over the impressive koi pond into an atmosphere of continuous fiesta, largely due to the genuine hospitality of Hernandez, but also to the impressive selection of hand-crafted cocktails, agave spirits and local beers and small plates such as flautas de pollo (stone ground corn tortillas, chicken, cream, guacamole and salsas.) If Southtown is up-and-coming in the food fiesta scene, the Pearl District is ground zero. Where the Pearl Brewery once stood, a dining and entertainment zone has flourished, anchored by the third branch of the Culinary Institute of America (pop in for a tour or sign up for a cooking class). Hotel Emma and its restaurant, Supper, have become well-known in the culinary world, so even if you can't snag a dinner res, stop in for an elevated take on a western saloon at Sternewirth, the hotel's popular bar. But be forewarned – some nights you might have to queue for a table there as well. But it's worth the wait. My favorite Pearl District eatery has become Brasserie Mon Chou Chou, a stylish spot serving French comfort food. Grab an outdoor table, and you'll swear you're in Montmartre (although with a higher heat index), whereas inside has a distinctly New Orleans feel. Inside or outside, the atmosphere is always vibrant, and the food is a fiesta for the tastebuds. A recent launch, L'apero Canapes and Petits Four menu, features dishes such as blue crab fritters with lobster aioli; lobster vol au vent (lobster, cognac and cream in a flaky pastry); steak on pave (prime steak on crispy potato with Bearnaise); Pissaladiere (a Nice-style tart with onion, anchovy and mixed olives) and Choux Chantilly (puff pastry with Tahitian vanilla cream) – all accompanied, if you are in a festive mood (and of course you are) with copious amounts of champagne. New hotel with a fiesta flavor San Antonio has no dearth of great hotels, both historic and trendy. But on this visit, I stayed at one of the city's newest properties, the Kimpton Santo on the Riverwalk. Full disclosure: I am not usually enamored with new properties that seem to try too hard to come off as hip and cool. But from the moment I checked into the Kimpton Santo and was handed coins to redeem for drinks in the bar, I felt that no one was trying to be anything but friendly and welcoming in true Texas style. The architecture is stunning (the swimming pool outside of the rooftop cocktail bar has incomparable views of the city); the staff is one of the friendliest I have ever encountered, and Dean's Steak & Seafood offers the best in prime Texas beef and seafood dishes from chilled Alaskan king crab to whole Dover sole with lemon, brown butter and capers. If the weather isn't too torrid, opt for a table in the courtyard and have your dinner in the shade of a 100-year-old live oak just across from hotel rooms that were once a part of a German-American schoolhouse predating the Civil War. With design elements that feature natural woods, terracotta, woven textiles and Tejano pottery, the Kimpton Santo strives to create an authentic experience that celebrates the city. And after all, isn't that what fiesta is all about? _______ Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
Axios
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
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).
Axios
21-04-2025
- Axios
What's new with security at Fiesta San Antonio 2025
Fiesta San Antonio partygoers will see several new security measures this year amid high-profile incidents at large gatherings recently. Why it matters: 2024 was the second year in a row that a free Fiesta event was marred by a shooting. Officials also pointed to the terrorist attack in New Orleans amid New Year's Eve celebrations this year. What they're saying:"Because of the events that have been happening around the world (where) people are losing their lives — people driving into crowds, people shooting up in crowds — there was a lot of concern coming into this season," San Antonio police chief William McManus told reporters Monday. "There's nowhere you'll be able to look at any Fiesta event and not see a police officer" this year, he added. The big picture: Police "absolutely" have to be more aware of security at large events than in the past, McManus tells Axios. Context: The shooting at the annual Fiesta de los Reyes event at Market Square last year left two people dead and four bystanders injured. In 2023, a man was shot and critically injured at the same event. The New Year's Bourbon Street pickup truck attack this year killed 15 people and injured dozens more. Zoom in: For the first time, organizers of every Fiesta event this year had to submit a crisis communications plan that outlined safety policies and protocol in the event that something goes awry, Trish DeBerry, CEO of Centro San Antonio, tells Axios. Organizers of Fiesta de los Reyes at Market Square say they will: Enforce a security perimeter with bag screening; in the past, partygoers could simply walk into Market Square. Ensure bags are no larger than 12-by-6-by-12, and encourage clear bags. Backpacks and weapons are explicitly prohibited. End the event earlier — hours now run until 10 or 11pm, rather than midnight. Reality check: McManus says people will be turned away if they don't follow the bag policy. Plus: The 130 ambassadors with Centro San Antonio, who are downtown 24-7, received "enhanced" security training ahead of Fiesta, DeBerry told reporters. Centro also added safety administrators, who are retired or former police officers trained in de-escalation techniques. And new downtown security cameras powered by artificial intelligence will be in effect during Fiesta, DeBerry added. Between the lines: There will also be safety barriers in place meant to prevent vehicle attacks, McManus tells Axios, adding that the barriers were in place for this year's MLK March and NCAA Final Four events.
USA Today
15-04-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
San Antonio's biggest party is back, and it's more than just confetti and parades
San Antonio's biggest party is back, and it's more than just confetti and parades Certain places are synonymous with their events: New Year's Eve in New York, Mardi Gras in New Orleans (among other cities), The Masters in Augusta, Coachella in the Coachella Valley, and so on. For San Antonio, Texas, that event is Fiesta, and it's just around the corner. The citywide festival draws more than 2.5 million participants each year, according to 2017 data from the University of Texas at San Antonio Center for Community and Business Research. Sometimes called a party with a purpose, it also raises millions of dollars for the community through related events and activities. Here's what revelers should know about Fiesta San Antonio. San Antonio is a foodie paradise. Here's why. What does Fiesta celebrate in San Antonio? Fiesta began in 1891, with a single parade, the Battle of the Flowers, honoring the heroes who fought for Texas' independence at the Alamo and in the Battle of San Jacinto. That tradition continues to this day, but Fiesta has since ballooned into a more than weeklong celebration of San Antonio's diverse heritage and culture. The entire city gets into the spirit with more than 100 related events and festive decorations like papel picado banners and paper flower wreaths. The event has also become an annual fundraiser for local nonprofits and charities and, this year, scholarships for students across the state. What are the dates for Fiesta San Antonio 2025? This year's Fiesta runs from April 24 through May 5. Next year's Fiesta dates are April 16 through April 26. How long does Fiesta San Antonio last? Fiesta runs 11 days. Major events include the Fiesta Fiesta kickoff on April 24, the Texas Cavaliers River Parade along the River Walk on April 28, the iconic Battle of the Flowers Parade on May 2 and the nighttime Fiesta Flambeau Parade on May 3. Is Fiesta San Antonio free? Some Fiesta events are free, like the Ford Mariachi Festival also along San Antonio River Walk and Fiesta De Los Reyes in Historic Market Square. Others have fees, like admission to the Witte Museum to see its annual Fiesta exhibition, or tickets to the multi-day Night in Old San Antonio (NIOSA), which benefits historic preservation in the city. Spectators can also pay for VIP seating at parades. What is the purpose of Fiesta medals? Many local nonprofits and businesses operating in San Antonio create custom medals for each year's Fiesta. Some give the medals away, while others sell them to raise money for charity work or a nonprofit of their choosing. Proceeds from San Antonio River Foundation medal sales, for instance, support their work on the river and Raising Cane's is donating its medal proceeds to Morgan's, the San Antonio nonprofit behind the ultra-accessible theme park Morgan's Wonderland and other inclusive ventures for people of all abilities. Morgan's also has its own Fiesta medals. Many people collect the medals to show their support for their causes. Others simply like them to wear as flare. There's lots of that during Fiesta. A theme park 'for everybody': See inside ultra-accessible Morgan's Wonderland
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
San Antonio's biggest party is back, and it's more than just confetti and parades
Certain places are synonymous with their events: New Year's Eve in New York, Mardi Gras in New Orleans (among other cities), The Masters in Augusta, Coachella in the Coachella Valley, and so on. For San Antonio, Texas, that event is Fiesta, and it's just around the corner. The citywide festival draws more than 2.5 million participants each year, according to 2017 data from the University of Texas at San Antonio Center for Community and Business Research. Sometimes called a party with a purpose, it also raises millions of dollars for the community through related events and activities. Here's what revelers should know about Fiesta San Antonio. San Antonio is a foodie paradise. Here's why. Fiesta began in 1891, with a single parade, the Battle of the Flowers, honoring the heroes who fought for Texas' independence at the Alamo and in the Battle of San Jacinto. That tradition continues to this day, but Fiesta has since ballooned into a more than weeklong celebration of San Antonio's diverse heritage and culture. The entire city gets into the spirit with more than 100 related events and festive decorations like papel picado banners and paper flower wreaths. The event has also become an annual fundraiser for local nonprofits and charities and, this year, scholarships for students across the state. This year's Fiesta runs from April 24 through May 5. Next year's Fiesta dates are April 16 through April 26. Fiesta runs 11 days. Major events include the Fiesta Fiesta kickoff on April 24, the Texas Cavaliers River Parade along the River Walk on April 28, the iconic Battle of the Flowers Parade on May 2 and the nighttime Fiesta Flambeau Parade on May 3. Some Fiesta events are free, like the Ford Mariachi Festival also along San Antonio River Walk and Fiesta De Los Reyes in Historic Market Square. Others have fees, like admission to the Witte Museum to see its annual Fiesta exhibition, or tickets to the multi-day Night in Old San Antonio (NIOSA), which benefits historic preservation in the city. Spectators can also pay for VIP seating at parades. Many local nonprofits and businesses operating in San Antonio create custom medals for each year's Fiesta. Some give the medals away, while others sell them to raise money for charity work or a nonprofit of their choosing. Proceeds from San Antonio River Foundation medal sales, for instance, support their work on the river and Raising Cane's is donating its medal proceeds to Morgan's, the San Antonio nonprofit behind the ultra-accessible theme park Morgan's Wonderland and other inclusive ventures for people of all abilities. Morgan's also has its own Fiesta medals. Many people collect the medals to show their support for their causes. Others simply like them to wear as flare. There's lots of that during Fiesta. A theme park 'for everybody': See inside ultra-accessible Morgan's Wonderland This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: From medals to mariachi: What makes Fiesta San Antonio a must-do event
