It's parade weekend in downtown San Antonio as Battle of Flowers kicks off today, followed by Fiesta Flambeau tomorrow.

Why it matters: These are two of the city's most celebrated events — so big that city offices, schools and many businesses close today.

Here's what to know before you go.

Start times

⏰ The Battle of Flowers vanguard begins at 9:55am, with the parade stepping off at 10:30am. The Fiesta Flambeau vanguard begins at 7:15pm, followed by the parade at 7:45pm.

How to watch

🎟️ Buying a ticket guarantees you a seat and supports each parade's nonprofits, but you can watch for free from anywhere along the route.

• Battle of Flowers tickets start at $33. For Fiesta Flambeau, tickets range from $31.50 to $41.50. Both can be purchased online.
• KSAT will stream both parades, starting at 10am and 7pm, respectively.

How to get there

🚌 VIA Metropolitan Transit is offering Park & Ride service for $1.30 each way from Crossroads and the Walmart at Brooks to Convention Way Drive for both parades and other Fiesta events.

• Street parking and paid lots are also available around the route if you prefer to drive, and ride-hailing is another easy option for getting downtown.

What we're watching

☀️ This week's rain has mostly cleared out, but humidity will stick around and push up the heat index.

• Expect heat indices in the mid- to high-90s today and tomorrow.
• The National Weather Service recommends staying hydrated and taking breaks as needed.

What's next

🥳 The party doesn't stop when the parades end. For many, the post–Battle of Flowers pilgrimage to the Bonham Exchange is a Fiesta tradition (doors open at 11am).

• Viva Pearl has emerged as a family-friendly post-parade event in recent years, with vendors and live music, 4–9pm.
• And with Fiesta in full swing, expect plenty more events and celebrations across the city tomorrow night.

One San Antonio restaurant is already going fully phone-free — while others are just starting to experiment with unplugged dining.

Why it matters: In a city built around socializing, phones can quietly take over the table — and some venues are pushing back.

The big picture: Across the U.S., bars and restaurants are testing phone bans or incentives as part of a broader shift toward disconnecting and creating a more immersive dining experience.

• Americans check their phones about 144 times and spend roughly 4.5 hours on them — per day.
• Younger diners are leading the pullback: 63% of Gen Z say they intentionally unplug, followed by millennials (57%).

Zoom in: San Antonio's version of the trend is small — but real.

• Nicosi, the dessert bar at Pullman Market that has a Michelin star and is led by a James Beard finalist, requires guests to cover their phone cameras with a sticker, banning photos to maintain the surprise of its 8-course experience.
• And while NoFi Slow Bar in Beacon Hill isn't phone-free, it is intentionally unplugged from WiFi (as the name suggests) to encourage offline connection.

The bottom line: San Antonio isn't broadly phone-free — but the idea is no longer hypothetical here.

🛍️ Red White & Blue Thrift Store opened its first San Antonio-area location near Windcrest, adding about 10,000 new items daily and operating on a cash-only model. (MySA)

🍕 Popular restaurant Lovers Pizzeria will switch from counter service to full service with reservations, limited walk-ins and online ordering starting May 14. (Instagram)

🏀 Spurs forward Harrison Barnes and guard Dylan Harper will play in Game 3 tonight against the Portland Trail Blazers after receiving clearance following injuries. (Express-News 🔑)

• Victor Wembanyama's status remains undetermined after he was diagnosed with a concussion during Game 2.

👋 Hi, it's Madalyn! I recently checked out the Spurs pop-up shop.

Catch up quick: The Spurs opened the shop for the playoffs at 333 W. Commerce St.

The vibe: I stopped by on a day when the store seemed to be between restocks — most T-shirt sizes were sold out — but it was still a fun experience.

• My friends and I snapped photos in front of the art installations and signed a Spurs wall.

What's next: This weekend's Fiesta events will likely draw crowds downtown, including folks who don't usually visit, making it a good chance to swing by and stock up on merch for the rest of the series.

Pro tip: Heading there Sunday? Parking is free at the City Tower garage, just a short walk away.

The bottom line: Go Spurs Go!