Can’t fight that Fiesta feeling — it’s time to party, San Antonio! Viva Fiesta!
This year Fiesta will take place from April 20-30 and the 11-day party with a purpose is pulling out all the stops.
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KSAT already has a list of the major Fiesta parades and when they will take place, including the events that will be televised on KSAT 12 and livestreamed online and on the free KSAT app.
🌺 Want to see the parades in person? KSAT is offering exclusive Fiesta tickets for the Battle of Flowers and Fiesta Flambeau parades.
Make sure you check the weather forecast from the KSAT meteorologists before you head out to Fiesta events so you can dress accordingly. (Say hi if you see one of them out at Fiesta too!)
Here are links to the complete list of day-of events for Fiesta 2023:
Find more news on KSAT’s Fiesta page. Sign up for our free Things To Do newsletter or Fiesta newsletter.
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KSAT will offer live coverage of a number of the 2023 Fiesta events including all of the major parades. Here’s when you can watch them on KSAT 12, KSAT Plus (our free streaming app), YouTube and on KSAT.com:
- Thursday, April 20: Fiesta Fiesta from Travis Park 8-10 p.m. — On KSAT 12 and all digital platforms
- Monday, April 24: Texas Cavaliers River Parade, 7-10 p.m. — On KSAT 12 and all digital platforms. Watch parade coverage from 7-9 p.m., followed by the “SA Live” River Parade Afterparty from 9-10 p.m.
- Thursday, April 27: Battle of Flowers Band Festival at Alamo Stadium, starting at 6:30 p.m. — Livestream event on KSAT.com and KSAT Plus
- Friday, April 28: Battle of Flowers Parade, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. — On KSAT 12 and all digital platforms. Parade coverage kicks off at 9 a.m. The parade broadcast begins at 10 a.m. followed by the “SA Live” Battle of Flowers Afterparty from 1-2 p.m.
- Saturday, April 29: King William Fair Parade, Starting at 9 a.m. — Livestream event on KSAT.com and KSAT Plus
- Saturday, April 29: Fiesta Pooch Parade, Starting at 9:15 a.m. — Livestream event on KSAT.com and KSAT Plus
- Saturday, April 29: Battle of Flowers Band Festival (rebroadcast), 2-5 p.m. — On KSAT 12 and all digital platforms
- Saturday, April 29: Texas Eats Fiesta Edition, 6-7 p.m. — On KSAT 12 and all digital platforms
- Saturday, April 29: Fiesta Flambeau Night Parade, 7-11 p.m. — On KSAT 12 and all digital platforms. Watch the Fiesta Flambeau Night Parade pre-party from 7-8 p.m. with live parade coverage from 8-11 p.m.
Plan for parking
Fiesta-goers should consider taking public transportation, ride-share, biking, walking, or consulting a navigation and traffic app before heading downtown.
VIA Park & Ride offers hassle-free transit to major Fiesta events at a cost of $1.30 for a one-way ticket. Discounts are available for children, seniors, students and active-duty members of the military.
VIA Metropolitan Transit’s Park & Ride will be available from multiple locations for many Fiesta events, including the Fiesta parades, NIOSA, and the King William Fair. A full schedule and locations can be found on VIA’s website.
Residents are advised that streets will close early for the Fiesta Battle of Flowers Parade on Friday, Apr. 28 (streets close at 7 a.m. and reopen by 2 p.m.), and for the Fiesta Flambeau Parade on Saturday, Apr. 29 (streets close at 4 p.m. and reopen by 1 a.m.).
Downtown construction will also pose obstacles. A full list of lane closures can be found on the City’s Public Works Department website.
HEADS UP: The Downtown Tuesday free parking program will be temporarily suspended on Tuesday, Apr. 25.
History of Fiesta
Fiesta started in 1891 when a group of San Antonio citizens honored the heroes of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto with the first Battle of Flowers Parade.
Children dressed up as flowers and horse-drawn carriages were adorned with flowers. Parade participants threw blossoms at each other, a tradition that hasn’t been passed down.
The success of the Battle of Flowers Parade led to more events every year, thus Fiesta was born.
Fiesta has been celebrated every year since, except 1918 during World War I, 1942-1945 during World War II and 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Fiesta Foodies
Want to know how much Fiesta-goers are chowing down during the 11-day festival? Here’s the breakdown of food consumed, according to the Fiesta Commission:
- 32,000 Chicken-on-a-Sticks
- 25,000 Tortillas
- 15,000 Oysters at Oyster Bake
- 5,000 Tamales
- 3,000 Turkey Legs
Here’s what the Conservation Society says the “Night in Old San Antonio” crowd consumes during an average year:
- 17,000 pounds of beef
- 11,000 pounds of chicken
- 3,000 turkey legs
- 1,000 pounds of guacamole
Pro Tip: Cash is king at Fiesta events and many events are cash-only. ATMs are sometimes available but lines get long and eating chicken on a stick is more fun than standing in line to get cash.
Fiesta is the largest annual event in San Antonio and generates more than $340 million in economic impact for the community. Roughly 2.5 million people attend the annual celebration, which generates thousands of jobs for locals.
Viva Fiesta! 🎉