SAN ANTONIO – It’s the Monday before A Night in Old San Antonio opens, and that means it’s time to raise the “Rain Rock.”
The decades-long tradition of raising the Rain Rock is done in an effort to ward off undesirable weather for the Fiesta San Antonio event.
NIOSA officials will hang the rock at 10 a.m. Monday, outside NIOSA headquarters near La Villita.
“The NIOSA Rain Rock tradition dates back to the late 1970s when NIOSA volunteer Sue Armitage assured then NIOSA chairman Joanna Parrish, who was fretting about ominous clouds, with the Texas good luck tradition of hanging a rock with a hole in it on a fence to ward off bad weather. That year, Joanna took her advice, and NIOSA was blessed with beautiful weather,” a news release states.
On opening night Tuesday, KSAT will livestream coverage from NIOSA starting at 6:30 p.m. You can watch KSAT’s live coverage on KSAT Plus (our free streaming app) and KSAT.com.
The popular four-night festival will celebrate 75 years at La Villita in 2024. NIOSA runs from Tuesday, April 23 to Friday, April 26. Admission is $20 in advance and $25 at the gate. Tickets can be purchased on NIOSA’s website, at local H-E-B stores, and at NIOSA headquarters at 227 S. Presa St. Click here for more information on the event.
Here’s a guide to everything you need to know about Fiesta, including parade routes, day-of events and food by the numbers.
Check out the weather forecast from KSAT meteorologists before you head out to Fiesta events so you can dress accordingly. Make sure to post your images and videos on KSAT Connect!
Watch Fiesta coverage live on KSAT
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.