SAN ANTONIO – These are the top 15 events with free admission at Fiesta. For a more information on what to do and where to go during Fiesta, click here.
1. Fiesta de los Reyes – For 10 days you can party in San Antonio’s historic Market Square at Fiesta de los Reyes. Live entertainment will be available daily featuring a variety of different music styles. Fiesta de los Reyes starts at 10 a.m. every day and ends at midnight, except April 16 and 23 when it closes down at 1 a.m. Food booths will be present to satisfy any craving.
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2. Fiesta Fiesta – Fiesta Fiesta is the official kick-off party for 2016 festivities. From 5-9 p.m. on April 14 at Alamo Plaza, you can enjoy live entertainment and meet Fiesta royalty. Come prepared with cascarones and get ready to yell “Viva Fiesta!”
3. Fiesta UTSA – The 36th annual Fiesta UTSA will begin at 11 a.m. April 15 at the University of Texas at San Antonio’s main campus Sombrilla. Music, food, games and entertainment will be available at different booths. You help support student organizations when you purchase food and participate in games. This event ends at 3 p.m.
4. Crown the King – The public crowning of Rey Feo, the “people’s king,” will be April 15 at Main Plaza from 5:30-6:30 p.m. This family affair includes folk dancers and mariachis. You will get a chance to meet the new royal court and past Rey Feos.
5. Fiesta de Los Ninos – Bring the kids April 15 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at Port San Antonio for a little music and entertainment. This alcohol-free event is catered to the young with a kids’ parade and plenty of booths for food and fun.
6. Celebrations and Traditions of Pow Wow – This official Fiesta event gives attendees a chance to see American Indian culture at its finest with traditional dance and music. Celebrate old tradition and culture at the pow wow on April 16 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Woodlawn Gymnasium.
7. El Rey Fido Coronation – The coronation of El Rey Fido will be April 16 from 10-11 a.m. at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio. El Rey Fido is a fundraiser that helps support the San Antonio Humane Society. Human/dog teams compete for the crown by raising money. The dog of the team that raises the most money is crowned El Rey Fido and serves as a SAHS ambassador for the reigning year.
8. Fiesta de los Veteranos – The South Texas Veterans Health Care System hosts the sixth annual Motorcycle Ride & Rally as a party for the veterans. As always there will be food, music and a variety of motorcycle rally activities. This event is family friendly, there will be bounce houses, face painting and games. Join the fun on April 16 at the Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
9. Pinatas in the Barrio – Don’t miss King Rey Feo crown the senior citizen king and queen of the barrio at Plaza Guadalupe on April 16 from noon-10 p.m. The Barrio’s king and queen will participate in the Battle of Flowers and Fiesta Flambeau parades. Food and live entertainment make this family-friendly event one you won’t want to miss.
10. Chili Queens Chili Cook-Off – This eccentric cook-off features the tackiest of tacky queens, both men and women, competing to cook the best chili. The tackiest queen will be crowned and loud music will be pumping at the Bonham Exchange on April 17 from 3-8 p.m.
11. Fiesta San Fernando – The 19th annual Fiesta San Fernando blesses the Fiesta royalty with a mariachi mass at the San Fernando Cathedral at noon on April 20-23. This nationally televised event is the beginning of the commitment filled year for fiesta royalty.
12. UTSA football fiesta spring game - Support Roadrunners football and head to the Alamodome on April 23 at 1 p.m. for the fiesta spring game.
13. Family Funday Sunday – This fiesta event is catered to family and friends of all ages. Food and music will be available at Tom C. Clark High School on April 24 from 1-5 p.m. There will also be a silent auction and the “shortest parade” led by the Clark Cougar band.
14. Festival de Cascarones – Admission and parking are both free for the Festival de Cascarones. This event benefits TAMU-SA alumni relations and is open to the public. Tracy Lawrence will be performing, and so will Sister C, as seen on The X Factor. Bring the family to Fiesta de Cascarones on April 24 from 1-8 p.m. at Texas A&M San Antonio.
15. Ford Mariachi Festival – The Ford Mariachi Festival will start at 6 p.m. on April 19, and 7 p.m. on April 20-22. Campanas de America will perform under the direction of two-time Grammy Award winner Juan Ortiz. Other big name performers will be at the San Antonio Riverwalk for the festival as well, with middle and high school students performing on floating barges.
