10 Fiesta San Antonio Events (That Aren’t the Battle of the Flowers Parade)

By Sara Branstetter | March 19, 2025

Fiesta San Antonio is happening in just a few short weeks and now is the time to begin sorting through all the events so you can purchase tickets for the ones you really want to attend. And this is where things can get complicated. Because with so many event options available from the most popular choices like the Battle of the Flowers parade to some of the lesser-known events, you could literally eat, sleep, and breathe Fiesta from April 24 to May 4, 2025.

But for those who aren’t exactly Fiesta road warriors (which is probably most of us) and who are only interested in attending just a few events, we have put together a list of 10 Fiesta San Antonio events that will scratch that Fiesta itch but won’t leave you with a full-on Fiesta hangover.

Photo Credit: Texas Cavaliers

Fiesta offers a great mix of both very popular events (read: crowded) and smaller celebrations with fewer attendees. To see a list of the biggest and most popular events at Fiesta San Antonio (Fiesta Flambeau, Oyster Bake, NIOSA, and more), be sure to check out our complete guide to Fiesta San Antonio.

If you are in the market for a smaller celebration that will still immerse you in the traditions and excitement of Fiesta, read on. Our list of 10 Fiesta San Antonio events has a little something for everyone wanting to experience Fiesta and all of its fun, but with fewer crowds and therefore fewer logistical headaches.

Be sure to visit Fiesta San Antonio's calendar of events for 2025 for a list of all the Fiesta happenings around town.

ABOUT US

We’re Kelsey and Sara, two local foodies with a combined 29 years of eating in San Antonio, two travel books, and millions of blog readers. We adore local spots, rarely visit chain restaurants, and we aren't afraid to tell you the truth. After spending thousands of our own $$$ at hundreds of local hot spots, we're sharing the best with you.

10 Fiesta San Antonio Events

Fiesta Makes a Splash: The Annual Witte Museum Fiesta Exhibition

One thing Fiesta is known for are the GORGEOUS, intricate dresses worn by the courts of the various Fiesta organizations. These dresses, with trains that go on for miles, take months and months to make by hand, and are all one-of-a-kind.

Each year, the Witte Museum (one of the best things to do with kids in San Antonio) hosts an exhibition where they display dresses from years of Fiesta events. This exhibition is a great way to see how Fiesta court dresses have evolved over the years, while enjoying the hours of manpower it takes to create one of these masterpieces.

Dresses will go on display beginning on April 24, and the exhibition will run to November 2, 2025. Tickets are $16 for the special exhibition and must be purchased with a general admission ticket to the Witte Museum itself.

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El Rey Fido Coronation

Photo Credit: Fiesta San Antonio

Fiesta royal courts aren’t just for humans. Come join the 23rd annual El Rey Fido competition during which the top fundraising pup will be crowned this year’s El Rey Fido. Four runner-ups will be added to El Rey Fido’s canine court and will include either the Prince or Princess of the Food Bowl, Duke or Duchess of the Chew Toy, Duke or Duchess of the Fire Hydrant, and Knight or Maiden of the Royal Court.

The El Rey Fido competition is a super family-friendly event with lots of royally dressed pets and their people working to raise money for the San Antonio Humane Society. This competition will take place on April 26 at Hops & Hounds (one of the most pet-friendly restaurants and bars in San Antonio) and admission is free.

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Chanclas y Cervezas

Photo Credit: Fiesta San Antonio

Chanclas y Cervezas is an event celebrating two things: the legendary power a chancla-wielding Latina mom has over her kids and…beer.

This family-friendly festival will feature food, photo opportunities, crafting stations, live entertainment, and lots of cerveza. Guests can test their chancla (flip flop) throwing skills and compete for a chance to be crowned Rey or Reina of Chanclas y Cervezas.

This is event is scheduled to take place at Greenline Park in south San Antonio on April 26, from 5pm-11pm. Tickets are $15/person online in advance and children under the age of 12 are free.

All proceeds will go to benefit Brooks Gives Back, a non-profit that invests in the neighborhoods of Brooks community on SA’s southside.

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Fiesta Masquerade Party

Photo Credit: Fiesta San Antonio

The annual Fiesta Masquerade Party is your go-to for great music, dancing, door prizes, food, and of course, masquerade masks. Awards will be given to the best costumes of the evening and contestants are encouraged to dress to impress.

The Fiesta Masquerade Party is scheduled for April 26 at the Westin San Antonio North. Tickets are $60 and all proceeds will benefit the Psi Alpha Foundation’s scholarship fund.

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Mission Reach Flotilla Fiesta®

Photo Credit: Fiesta San Antonio

The San Antonio River Foundation and San Antonio River Authority are sponsoring the only official Fiesta kayaking event, Mission Reach Flotilla Fiesta®.

Mission Kayak, a local kayaking company, will be on hand to supply equipment and would-be kayakers can have their shot at completing an obstacle course while enjoying the wildlife and plant life that lie along the picturesque San Antonio river, all for free! Other activities include arts and crafts, Folklorico dancers, live music, and more.

Mission Reach Flotilla Fiesta® will be held on April 27 in Acequia Park. The event is free to participate in.

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Fiesta Carnival

Photo Credit: Fiesta San Antonio

Fiesta also offers a daily chance to experience some carnival thrills and chills. The Fiesta Carnival runs daily through Fiesta beginning on April 24 and concluding on May 4.

The carnival is located in the Alamodome's parking lot C. Admission is free, you only pay for tickets to ride the rides. Ticket prices range from $32-$37 for an unlimited ride wristband.

But here's how you can save some money! Purchase your ride wristband online in advance for just $28. And if you can swing it, make your purchase on April 2 between 2am and midnight when there's a flash sale and the wristband price drops to $22. Once the carnival officially opens on April 24, discounted wristbands will no longer be available.

And if you REALLY want to save some money, plan to visit the carnival on Tuesday, April 29 for two dollar Tuesday. All rides are $2/each for the day.

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Ford Mariachi Festival

Photo Credit: San Antonio Riveralk

The Ford Mariachi Festival is a free event that occurs nightly from 6pm to 9:30pm on April 30 and May 1. Mariachi bands and Folklorico dancers from local schools will perform on river barges that float up and down the river while guests to the famed San Antonio Riverwalk can sit along the banks, sip on margaritas, and enjoy the entertainment.

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Fiesta Hat Contest and Luncheon

Photo Credit: Facebook Woman's Club of San Antonio

Extravagant is the name of the game at the Fiesta Hat Contest and Luncheon. Now in its 30th year, the Fiesta Hat Contest, hosted by the Woman’s Club of San Antonio, celebrates those who proudly don the biggest, wildest, and craziest hats. Awards are given to the individual and group with the best hats.

The Fiesta Hat Contest and Luncheon take place on April 30 at the Westin San Antonio North and tickets are $80.

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Fiesta Pooch Parade

Photo Credit: Therapy Animals of San Antonio

The Fiesta Pooch Parade is all things Fiesta, plus pooches! This family-friendly event includes a dog parade, doggy costume contest, photo ops with King Anbarkio, and lots of opportunities to find and adopt that furry friend your family needs.

This event will be held on May 3 in Alamo Heights. Participation in the parade and costume contest is $30 and participants can purchase tickets on the Therapy Animals of San Antonio website.

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Festival de Cascarones

Photo Credit: Texas A&M University San Antonio

The official Fiesta San Antonio finale is the Festival de Cascarones, held at Texas A&M University San Antonio. This kid-friendly and pet-friendly event is free and open to the public (parking is $10) and will include food, live entertainment, a kids' zone, and a humongous cascarone smash with more than 6,000 confetti-filled eggs.

The Festival de Cascarones takes place on May 4 and proceeds from the event will go to support various student organizations on campus at Texas A&M University San Antonio.

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