SAN ANTONIO – ¡Viva! It’s time for Fiesta!
This year San Antonio’s big, 11-day party will go from April 18-28. It’ll be a time to crack cascarones, party with friends and family, show off your medals, and yell, “Show me your shoes!”
Of course, there are plenty of festivities to choose from. 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.
>> Tickets for the 2024 KSAT Fiesta parties are on sale now 🌺
Check out the weather forecast from the KSAT meteorologists before you head out to Fiesta events so you can dress accordingly. Also, make sure to post your images and videos on KSAT Connect.
Here are links to the complete list of day-of events for Fiesta 2024
Find more news on KSAT’s Fiesta page. You can also sign up for our free Things To Do and Fiesta newsletters.
Live coverage
KSAT will offer live coverage for Fiesta 2024′s biggest events.
Here’s when you can watch them on KSAT 12, KSAT Plus (our free streaming app), YouTube and KSAT.com:
- Thursday, April 18: Fiesta Fiesta at Alamodome, 8-10 p.m. — On KSAT 12, KSAT.com and KSAT Plus.
- Friday, April 19: Fiesta Oyster Bake at St. Mary’s University, coverage starts at 6:30 p.m. — On KSAT.com and KSAT Plus.
- Monday, April 22: Texas Cavaliers River Parade, coverage starts at 6:30 p.m. with the Texas Cavaliers Military Pre-Party. Watch parade coverage from 7-9 p.m., followed by the SA Live River Parade Afterparty from 9-10 p.m. — On KSAT 12, KSAT.com and KSAT Plus.
- Thursday, April 25: Battle of Flowers Band Festival at Alamo Stadium, 7-10 p.m. — On KSAT.com and KSAT Plus.
- Friday, April 26: Battle of Flowers Parade, coverage starts at 10 a.m. with a pre-parade special. Watch parade coverage from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. — On KSAT 12, KSAT.com and KSAT Plus.
- Saturday, April 27: King William Fair and Parade, 9-10:30 a.m. — On KSAT.com and KSAT Plus.
- Saturday, April 27: Fiesta Pooch Parade at Heights Pool in Alamo Heights, 9-10 a.m. — On KSAT.com and KSAT Plus.
- Saturday, April 27: Battle of Flowers Band Festival (rebroadcast), 2-5 p.m. — On KSAT 12, KSAT.com and KSAT Plus.
- Saturday, April 27: Texas Eats Fiesta Special, 6-7 p.m. — On KSAT 12, KSAT.com and KSAT Plus.
- Saturday, April 27: Fiesta Flambeau Night Parade, coverage starts with a pre-party from 7-8 p.m. Watch parade coverage from 8-11 p.m. — On KSAT 12, KSAT.com and KSAT Plus.
Get more information about how to stream KSAT 12 for free here.
This is just a partial list. As Fiesta gets closer, we will update our plans which may include covering even more events live.
Stay tuned!
Parade routes, start times
If you’re planning your Fiesta parade strategies this year, we can help.
These are the start times and routes for the 2024 Battle of Flowers and Flambeau Parades.
Battle of Flowers Parade
The Battle of Flowers parade will take place on Friday, April 26. The vanguard kicks off at 9:55 a.m. with the parade following at 10:30 a.m. This year’s theme is “Viva Amor 2024.”
The Battle of Flowers parade is the second oldest parade and the only parade in the United States produced entirely by women, and all of them are volunteers.
San Antonio Food Bank CEO Eric Cooper was selected as the grand marshal for the 133rd Battle of Flowers Parade.
This year’s 2.6-mile route will follow the same path as last year. The parade steps off on North Main Street near San Antonio College. It will travel on Lexington Avenue, North St Mary’s Street, Brooklyn Avenue, Avenue E, Houston Street, Alamo Plaza, Commerce Street and Santa Rosa where it will end near West Martin Street.
Parade Map 2024 by Julie Moreno on Scribd
Fiesta Flambeau Parade
The Fiesta Flambeau Parade is known as America’s largest illuminated night parade with more than 200 parade entries and a typical attendance of about 750,000 spectators. It’s also broadcasted and livestreamed (on KSAT!) to about 1.5 million more people.
This year’s parade will be held on Saturday, April 27. The vanguard kicks off at 7:15 p.m. and the main parade will follow at 7:45 p.m. The theme is “Lotsa Loteria.”
The University of Texas Longhorn Band will be the parade’s premier band and will be joined by floats, marching units, local bands, bands from other cities and states, dance groups, equestrian units and others.
It travels the same route as the Battle of Flowers Parade. Michael Quintanilla, a former writer for the San Antonio Express-News, is the grand marshal. Angie Salinas, the CEO of Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas, is the honorary grand marshal.
Road closures, traffic, VIA Park & Ride
With ongoing construction already creating a vehicular maze downtown, the 11-day party may cause some traffic hot spots as drivers navigate road closures, pedestrians and detours.
The City of San Antonio asks people to plan ahead, celebrate responsibly, and take a ride share or VIA Park & Ride when available.
>> Fiesta-goers can receive $10 off their Uber ride
If you are one of many planning to party downtown for the Battle of Flowers or Fiesta Flambeau parades, or at NIOSA or Fiesta De Los Reyes, click here for detailed information on road closures, parking and construction.
VIA Metropolitan Transit will have its Park & Ride service available for Fiesta’s biggest events, and riders can receive a free medal.
The service will be available from Friday, April 19 to Saturday, April 27 for $1.30 each way, though discounts are available for students, seniors, military members and other populations.
Fiesta medals will be given out at the transit center location at the time of purchase, while supplies last. If the service is purchased online, customers will need to show their receipt at the transit center to receive a medal.
Click here for detailed information on the Park & Ride schedule.
Party with KSAT 🎉
We want our KSAT Insiders to join us for all the fun!
KSAT will have Fiesta parties at the Battle of Flowers and Fiesta Flambeau parades. Tickets are on sale now!
Here’s what’s included with your purchase:
- Admission to the exclusive KSAT party.
- Access to on-site portable restrooms.
- Assigned grandstand seating to view the parade.
- 2 tacos and 1 non-alcoholic beverage.
- Access to the cash bar.
- A chance to mingle with neighbors and your favorite KSAT weather and news peeps.
You could also have the chance to be on TV during our live broadcast of the parades.
Have pictures? Share them with us!
Click here to read more about buying a ticket, and watch the video below to see 2023′s big KSAT Insiders parties.
What’s new at Fiesta 2024
If you’re ready for Fiesta’s biggest events, you may want to know about some new venue and time changes for 2024.
Here are new things to know about Fiesta:
- Fiesta Fiesta, the kickoff event to the season, is moving east to the Alamodome.
- La Semana Alegre, a music festival that was popular in San Antonio during the 1980s and ‘90s, will relaunch at Hemisfair.
- NIOSA at La Villita will have new food and drink options.
- The King William Fair will do away with the BlastPass system and return to paper tickets for the event.
- Battle of Flowers, one of the most famous flower parades in the country, will shift an hour later compared to the last couple of years.
Click here for more details on each of these changes.
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.
>> Historical photos show Fiesta parade floats and crowds from 100+ years ago in downtown San Antonio
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
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.