10 Fiesta San Antonio Events (That Aren’t the Battle of the Flowers Parade)
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 18-28.
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.
10 Fiesta San Antonio Events
Pickles and Sombreros
Photo Credit: Fiesta San Antonio
The second annual Pickles and Sombreros, celebrating all things pickle (in particular, food and sport), is scheduled to take place on April 22 in the Pickle Pavilion at Morgan's Wonderland. Local vendors from all over San Antonio will be on site showcasing their homemade pickles, while a pickleball social with an assortment of yard games is scheduled to take place at Morgan’s Wonderland Sports.
Admission is $5 per person, and any individual with a special need or who is under the age of 2 can enter free of charge. All proceeds from Pickles and Sombreros will go to support Morgan’s Wonderland Sports and tickets can be purchased on the Morgan’s Wonderland Sports website.
El Rey Fido Coronation
Photo Credit: Fiesta San Antonio
Fiesta royal courts aren’t just for humans. Come join the 22nd 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 and the Duke or Duchess of the Chew Toy.
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 20 at Hops & Hounds and admission is free.
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 20. Tickets are $15/person online 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.
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.
Mission Reach Flotilla Fiesta® will be held on April 21 in Padre Park. The event is free to participate in.
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 18 and concluding on April 28.
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 start at $7 for 5 tickets, and go up to $50. Unlimited ride wristbands are also available for purchase.
Piñatas in the Barrio
Photo Credit: Facebook AUEDA/Pinatas in the Barrio
This free event, taking place on April 20 in Guadalupe Plaza, is held to raise funds for Action United for Entertainers and Diverse Artists (AUEDA), a nonprofit that provides assistance (medical, financial, and legal) to artists who have fallen on hard times and want to continue pursuing their passions.
Piñatas in the Barrio will include live entertainment, shopping, food, and the largest piñatas in the entire Fiesta San Antonio celebration.
Ford Mariachi Festival
Photo Credit: San Antonio Riveralk
The Ford Mariachi Festival is a free event that occurs nightly from 6pm to 8pm on April 23 - 25. 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.
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 29th 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 24 at the Westin San Antonio North and tickets are $80.
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 April 27 in Alamo Heights. Participation in the parade and costume contest is $30 and participants can purchase tickets through Eventbrite on the Therapy Animals of San Antonio website.
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 April 28 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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