Local Brief
Your guide to Fiesta San Antonio 2025
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Lindsey Bailey/Axios
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.
- Come up with travel plans. VIA Transit is offering Park-and-Ride services to Fiesta's biggest events for $1.30 each way. And, there's always rideshare.
- Don't forget your survival kit, floral accessories, colorful outfits and a good attitude.
What's next: NIOSA (Tuesday through Friday), Battle of Flowers Parade (Friday) and the Fiesta Flambeau Parade (Saturday).
- Plus, so many more events. See the full calendar here.
Worthy of your time: Several new security measures are in place at Fiesta this year, including AI-powered security cameras, enhanced police presence and steel traffic barriers.