Opening Hours: Week Days Monday – Friday : 8AM-6PM
Each year, Fiesta attracts approximately 3.5 million people to the streets of San Antonio, making Fiesta one of the largest festivals in the United States.
If you're not a San Antonio native, you might be wondering, what is Fiesta in San Antonio? What does the festival represent and why is it an event that everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy at least once in their lifetime?
Fiesta Medal is a proud participant of this city-wide festival, and our goal is to help San Antonio organizations make each Fiesta one for the books. Now, we've got the 411 for all Fiesta newcomers.
Read on to learn 7 interesting facts about Fiesta to help you gear up for your trip to San Antonio, Texas.
Fiesta is an annual celebration of San Antonio's vibrant history and culture. Fiesta takes place over the course of 10 or more days, typically near the end of April.
During Fiesta, you can enjoy parades, delicious food, exhibits, pageantry, military observances, and more. Fiesta isn't just a great reason to party! It's also a way to give back to the San Antonio community and get to know the nonprofits who work hard to strengthen our city all year round.
From the history of Fiesta to the modern additions to the Fiesta lineup, the only way to truly understand Fiesta is to attend. However, that doesn't mean you can't attend your first Fiesta without knowing the most important information! Let's take a look at 7 must-know facts about Fiesta that will give you a better sense of what it's all about.
In 1891, a group of San Antonio citizens began planning a commemoration of the heroes who fought at the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto. What they came up with was the first-ever Battle of the Flowers, organized and executed entirely by women. The parade participants reenacted military victories by pelting flowers at one another.
Thus began Fiesta and today, the Battle of the Flowers remains the largest parade in all of Fiesta!
In 1941, the San Antonio Works Progress Administration completed updates and improvements on the San Antonio River, an area we now know as the River Walk. This marked the first year that the Fiesta king, King Antonio, made his entrance by boat on the river, rather than in an automobile or plane. Now, the Fiesta River Parade is one of the only parades in the US that takes place entirely on the water!
The Fiesta Flambeau Parade began in 1948 when four-man brigades carried tall, lit torches to light up the parade's nighttime floats. Now, you'll find Boy Scouts carrying safety flares in addition to the thousands of twinkle lights adorning the floats, dancers, and even the horses. Fiesta Flambeau lights up the night and is an event you can't miss!
You may have noticed that we mentioned the Fiesta king, King Antonio! In addition to King Antonio, the original Fiesta Royalty includes the Queen of the Order of the Alamo and Rey Feo (aka the "Ugly King" or "peasant's king").
Over the last century, the total number of Fiesta royalty has fluctuated. Currently, we crown seven individuals who serve as Fiesta Royalty for an entire calendar year. During that time, they attend events, promote San Antonio businesses, and give back to the community.
You will also find Miss Fiesta San Antonio, Miss San Antonio, the Reina de la Feria de las Flores, and the Charro Queen. In order to win these titles, competitors often raise money, participate in a pageant, and walk or ride in parades.
If you know anyone who has ever attended Fiesta in San Antonio, you may be familiar with Fiesta medals. Fiesta medals are custom medals designed by different businesses and organizations in and around San Antonio. Fiesta-goers seek out these medals to add to their collections!
How did this tradition begin? In 1946, the Texas Cavaliers began handing out special coins to hospitalized children. It would take several decades for Lt. Col. Childers to come along and turn those coins into military-style medals for Fiesta-goers to collect and wear!
At Fiesta, there's truly something for everyone and one of our favorite Fiesta traditions is the Pooch Parade! San Antonio dog owners dress their pooches up in fun, colorful costumes for the audience to enjoy and the Pooch Parade committee to judge. At the end, one special pooch is crowned the winner!
Cascarones are a Mexican craft designed for celebration. These colorful empty eggshells are filled with confetti for you to dump on the heads of fellow Fiesta-goers! You can find cascarones at HEB and at booths throughout the Fiesta grounds--trust us, they're everywhere!
Believe it or not, all of these cascarones are handmade and hand-painted. It takes almost an entire year to make enough for everyone!
What is Fiesta in San Antonio? Fiesta is one big cultural party that everyone should take part in at least once in their lives!
Ready to dive in and participate in Fiesta? The best way for a business or organization to take part in the Fiesta festivities is by creating a medal of their own to hand out.
At Fiesta Medal, we can help with everything from design to creation. Our artists are always hard at work making Fiesta medals that are sure to catch the eye of every passerby. To get started, tell us a little bit about your ideas and request a free quote!
A party attended by over 3 million people, with over 100 events taking place in a culturally rich Texas city, what's not to like?
Fiesta San Antonio started in 1891 as a one parade event to honor the memory of the heroes of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto. This was called the battle of flowers parade. In its first year, the parade was a huge success, with floats, horse drawn carriages, and flowers everywhere. As the years progressed, many other events were added.
Another long-standing tradition is the coronation of the court, where a king and queen are crowned. This honor is often bestowed on those who give back to the community.
There are so many reasons to go to fiesta san antonio. What is fiesta you say? It's a party with a purpose that gives back to the community.
Watch our video to learn more about what is Fiesta San Antonio.
Interested in making your own fiesta medals for Fiesta San Antonio then complete our form to learn more. We have a talented team of designers that have experience making some of the best fiesta medal designs.
San Antonio in 1890 was a thriving urban and trade center, 38,000 residents strong. By 1891, a core group of citizens of this booming metropolis decided to create an event that would honor the heroes of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto.
Thus, the San Antonio Fiesta was born.
What did the first parade look like? Horse-drawn carriages, floats carrying kids in flower costumes, and bicycles covered in fresh blooms filled the streets. Participants threw flowers at each other, and the Belknap Rifles symbolized the military.
This first Battle of Flowers soon sparked the much larger San Antonio Fiesta, an 11-day celebration featuring multiple parades as well as food, music, traditions, and lots of family-friendly entertainment.
When is Fiesta in San Antonio and how can you stand out? Read on for a full breakdown of the event and how to get noticed.
For the kick-off to Fiesta week, look no further than Hemisfair Park. The Fiesta Fiesta at Hemisfair (yes, that's two "Fiestas" for good measure) represents the first official event.
When is Fiesta 2020? It's set to kick off on April 16, 2020.
Fiesta Fiesta events abound at this fun inaugural evening including live music on the main stage. You can also barter for Fiesta medals from your favorite events, shop locally made arts and crafts, and taste the best in San Antonio cuisine.
It's a family-friendly event with plenty of kid-centric activities, so everyone's guaranteed plenty of fun. What's more, Fiesta Fiesta benefits local nonprofit organizations. So, you can feel good about reveling in Fiesta's opening party.
Another iconic event you don't want to miss out on is the Fiesta Flambeau Parade, a celebration-themed spectacle where nighttime illumination reigns supreme.
As "America's Largest Illuminated Night Parade," the event draws 700,000 people each year. Another 1.5 million viewers tune into the locally broadcast event.
And you won't want to miss out on the Texas Cavaliers River Parade. Here, you'll see boats in place of floats that give you the inside scoop on area culture, history, local celebrities, and the organizations driving the event today.
More than 50 extravagantly decorated boats float by the San Antonio River Walk, and some 250,000 spectators line up each year to catch the pomp and circumstance.
And who can forget about the Battle of Flowers? Produced exclusively by female organizers, this event benefits nonprofit organizations. With 45,000 parade seats, it's an event rivaled in size only by Pasadena's Rose Bowl Parade.
When it comes to Fiesta events, don't forget about the Fiesta Oyster Bake. Besides delicious eats, it boasts stellar entertainment. Five stages feature diverse musical genres including:
For families, there's also children's music that your little ones will adore. This year's event is scheduled for April 17-18, 2020, and it will showcase 35 bands.
And you won't go hungry with more than 100,000 oysters served during the two-day event. But remember this event sells out quickly, so make sure you get tickets in advance. Find out more about this year's lineup.
Besides spectacular parades and the Fiesta Oyster Bake, don't miss out on the Night in Old San Antonio (NIOSA). This is one of the prime spots for checking out attendees' custom Fiesta pin collections, hats, and stacks of NIOSA cups.
There's plenty of live music, great brews, and delectable street food to help get the party started. You'll find trucks and booths with food from all over the world making this a truly global event.
The Battle of the Bands also proves a dramatic event where the best marching bands in the country come together to compete. Each school gets the chance to show off for the crowds, and it culminates in a fireworks-infused final performance.
These events are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what to do during Fiesta. So, start researching now, purchase your tickets, and then get ready for a rich, vibrant cultural and historic experience.
For a chance to see true San Antonio Fiesta royalty, check out the jaw-dropping spectacle of Fiesta's Order of the Alamo Coronation. The event features a glittery parade of nobility in glitzy dresses with famously long trains.
These dresses reference a variety of themes from cultural traditions to the country's natural resources. And you'll have the chance to watch a new Fiesta Queen get crowned with all of the attendant extravagance and drama.
Now that you know where to go during Fiesta, let's talk about everybody's favorite part of the festivities, crowd participation. How do you make sure you stand out at this year's event?
It all starts with a one-of-a-kind Fiesta hat. From sombreros to baseball caps, cowboy hats and more, people go crazy decorating hats during Fiesta. The bigger, bolder, and brasher, the better.
The most popular hat themes remain spurs and flowers, but you'll see just about everything at the event. People pile on hat decorations. So, go large or go home.
If you want to make an even bigger splash? Then, it's time to get your pin collection going.
Fiesta pins come in just about every shape and size. They line parade sashes and adorn vests and hats, creating a spectacle of vibrant colors and commemoration.
And if you don't have any pins yet? Don't give up.
There are whole Facebook pages and websites solely for trading. Or better yet, check out our collection of vibrant, eclectic pins now.
You'll also have plenty of opportunities during Fiesta week San Antonio to add to your collection. So, get those sashes and vests ready!
San Antonio Fiesta is an event like none other. Not only does it boast the best in Texas eats and brews, but it also offers live music, myriad parades, and a chance to scope out local royalty.
An event built on fanfare and spectacle, it also relies on spectator participation. If you want to get noticed, take our advice and start working on your parade hats and pin collections now. Then, get ready for the ultimate party Texas-style.
We offer the widest, most eclectic collection of San Antonio Fiesta pins out there. If you want to stand out and maybe even become royalty, then load up on our pins now.
Not sure where to start? Find out more about the artists we work with so that you can select the perfect pins for your sash, vest, or hat.
Whether you attend Fiesta in San Antonio every year, you if you will be enjoying it for the first time in 2020, there's a lot to know to ensure you have the best possible time. This event is an important tradition in this historic, south Texas city that has been happening for over a century.
You likely have many questions about this colossal event. You may be wondering about the origins of it, and you may be curious about all the things you can do there. You might want to know what things there are for families to do at Fiesta, or you may wonder about related nightlife. Perhaps you want to know where Fiesta's biggest events will take place, or maybe you simply want to know when is Fiesta in San Antonio.
Many of your questions about San Antonio Fiesta are answered below. Read on!
Fiesta in San Antonio is a long-standing tradition for anyone who loves the Mission City. It began in 1891. That year, local women got together and decorated baby carriages, wagons, and bicycles with flowers and met in front of the Alamo. They tossed the flowers at one another which began the Battle of Flowers tradition which is a primary focus of the Fiesta overall.
A few years later, in 1895, the Battle of Flowers Parade Association began crowning a queen, and princess, and twenty-four dutchesses. Twelve of the dutchesses are local to San Antonio; twelve are from out of town. This tradition has also continued since it began.
Today, this event is huge, and it gets bigger every year. Over three million people take part in it each year and it brings over $340 million dollars into the local economy. That's more than the Kentucky Derby or the Indianapolis 500 each bring to their respective locales.
The Battle of Flowers Parade alone attracts 350,000 spectators. It is also the only large-scale parade in the United States that is put on entirely by women, and all of them are volunteers. The day is considered a local holiday in San Antonio, and local school districts cancel classes so students can attend.
In fact, over 75,000 volunteers work together to make Fiesta happen each year. More than one hundred local non-profits help organize and promote over one hundred events during this festival.
In addition to the Battle of Flowers Parade and the crowning of the royal court, there are so many other things to do during Fiesta. The Battle of Flowers Parade is one of three parades that happen during the event. The largest, the Fiesta Flambeau Parade, which began in 1948, attracts 600,000 spectators; it occurs at night and the horses, dancers, band instruments and floats are illuminated by thousands of lights.
The third parade is rather unique; the Texas Cavaliers River Parade is a boat parade along the famous San Antonio River Walk features floats that actually float! It began in 1941 and includes boats decorated by schools, local businesses, and civic organizations. Nearly 250,000 people come out to watch.
A Night in San Antonio is another popular event. This is a four-evening block party in La Villita Historic Arts Village downtown. It includes a wide variety of entertainment including music and dancers and a vast assortment of food and drink vendors for revelers.
The Fiesta in Blue is two nights of free concerts by the United States Air Force Band of the West. It features patriotic songs and is free to the public.
These are just a few of the biggest events during San Antonio Fiesta, but there are so many other smaller gatherings, pageants, exhibits, parties, ceremonies, sporting events, banquets, and performances to attend as well. There are events for all ages and for every interest. To see a complete calendar of events, visit the Official Fiesta Event Calendar on the Fiesta website.
Now that we've told you so much about this wonderful and exciting event, you may be wondering, "When is Fiesta in San Antonio?" Well, if you'd like to attend in 2020, there is still plenty of time to plan your visit and prepare for the events you would like to see. This year's Fiesta begins on April 16th and continues for ten glorious days before it wraps up on April 26th, 2020.
The Fiesta San Antonio Commission has also set dates for this event all the way until 2028. If you wish to attend in the future, you can check out those dates here.
Of course, if you attend Fiesta in San Antonio, you will want to remember it forever! There are a wide variety of souvenirs available that attendees love to collect from year to year. Apparel, art, accessories, and decorations for your home are available on the festival website for you to view and purchase, and you can buy many cool items to bring home at the festival itself as well.
One of the most exciting and collectible items offered at Fiesta in San Antonio are festival medals. These medals have been a tradition at the festival for decades. Some of the older ones have even sold to collectors for thousands of dollars.
Today, a number of different companies offer custom Fiesta medals. Many attendees design their own and then gift or trade them with their friends. This is just another fun part of Fiesta tradition and helps participants to create tangible memories they will keep with them forever.
If you have never been to Fiesta in San Antonio before, you are going to have a great time. It's likely that your first Fiesta will not be your last; most attendees go back time and time again.
Now that you know all about it, and especially now that you know the answer to the question, "When is Fiesta in San Antonio?" - you should start planning right away! Fiesta awaits.
If you want to create your own Fiesta medals to commemorate your first trip to Fiesta, or, if you go every year and love souvenirs, give us a call. Our helpful and friendly staff are waiting to give you a hand.
If you’re traveling to the Fiesta, you’ll want to consider these unique stays. Check out some of the most unique downtown San Antonio hotels.
Mark your calendars, the Fiesta San Antonio will be taking place in April 2020. Fiesta San Antonio began in 1891 as a parade to honor the memory of the heroes of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto. Since then, it’s grown into a celebration of the city’s diverse culture that people can honor with fiesta medals.
If you’re traveling in, you’ll need a place to stay. You can find a stay that fits your needs and provides you with extras. Keep reading for 7 unique Downtown San Antonio hotels to stay at during Fiesta.
The Hotel Gibbs Downtown San Antonio Riverwalk is a beautiful stay in a prime location. It was built in 1909 as the city’s first high rise office building. Since then, it’s been transformed into a luxurious and modern boutique hotel without losing the original characteristics of the treasured historical building.
Guests enjoy a complimentary hot breakfast buffet each morning. In the evening, they offer $4 happy hour, every hour with a Texas craft beer or wine in their 1909 taproom. When you’re celebrating San Antonio, what beats staying at a historic hotel?
Hotel Emma sits on the river at Pearl. This historic hotel was once a 19th-century Brewhouse. Today, it's an astonishing 146-room riverfront hotel. It leads Pearl's culinary and cultural community in the northern area of downtown San Antonio.
The amenities here include a trendy eatery with views of the river. This San Antonio hotel also offers guests a posh cocktail bar and food market. Other extras that make this stay unique are the onsite library, a rooftop pool, a gym, and available bike rentals.
The Drury Plaza Hotel San Antonio Riverwalk is located on the San Antonio River. This beautiful stay is within walking distance of shops, entertainment, and restaurants. Formerly known as the Alamo National Bank, this 24-story skyscraper has been recently renovated to provide better amenities to traveling guests like you.
Inside you’ll find jaw-dropping 50-foot ceilings, incredible travertine flooring, and remarkable stained glass windows. You’ll be able to relax on the deck of the rooftop pool, which has two whirlpools - when you’re not out celebrating Fiesta. Each room includes free Wi-Fi, microwave, refrigerator, a coffee maker, TV, iron/ironing board, and a hairdryer.
Located along the River Walk in downtown San Antonio, the Omni La Mansión del Rio offers you the opportunity to easily explore numerous attractions. This luxury hotel blends Spanish colonial architecture and European style for a romantic feeling overall. Not only will you be able to celebrate Fiesta San Antonio, but you’ll be able to enjoy all that downtown has to offer.
There are 338 guestrooms and suites to choose from when reserving this stay. The hotel also provides an onsite restaurant and 24-hour dining. When you’re ready to relax. you can take a dip in the heated swimming pool or visit the spa.
If you’re looking for a historic building, the Crockett Hotel will meet your needs. This historic landmark has been open for over a century and has a lot of character. Only 18 steps from the Alamo, you’ll get plenty of history to get you even more excited for Fiesta.
This unique hotel features 138 guest rooms and suites, a pool, Ernie’s Bar, and Landmark. As a guest, you can enjoy benefits like free wifi and a complimentary hot breakfast buffet. Or journey next door at the sister hotel for a spa treatment after your adventures.
The Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa isn’t as historic as others, but it has plenty of charm to offer. This high-end resort sits on 300 acres of land 2 miles from SeaWorld San Antonio. Due to being a large property, it boasts of amenities you won’t find very often.
Parking is free, there’s a 27-hole golf course, and a 5-acre water park at this resort. For adults, you’ll find a spa inside of a converted barn, 3 casual dining options, and 4 bars. Be aware that there is a resort fee to cover WiFi and other costs.
One of the more affordable hotels, Comfort Suites Alamo/Riverwalk is only a mile from the bars and restaurants on the San Antonia River Walk. Or, you can take a 10-minute stroll from your hotel to visit the Alamo Mission in San Antonio museum. The traditional suites include mini-fridges, microwaves, separate sitting areas, free Wi-Fi, TVs with HD channels, and more.
Guests get to enjoy a complimentary hot breakfast daily. Other amenities include a putting green, cheese and wine social on weekdays, outdoor heated pool, a fitness center, and a business center. This is a good choice for budget travelers and families.
Choosing the right hotel will require you to review your budget, how many guests you’ll bring, and other amenities. You should also research how far from the celebration you’ll be from the hotel of your choosing. Depending on how you’re handling transportation, this can help you narrow down the options.
Funds raised by the official Fiesta events provide services to those in need. You can buy your tickets online to prepare for the occasion.
Now that you know 7 unique Downtown San Antonio hotels to stay at during Fiesta, it’s time to prepare. Purchasing tickets and booking your hotel is only a couple of things you’ll want to do before the event. You should also consider what medals you’ll want to bring.
At Fiesta Medal, we have plenty of options for you to choose from. Depending on how many you order, you may be able to receive a discount. You can visit our website to view our fiesta medal options.
Hardworking, talented, and community-oriented: these are just a few ways to describe the young woman who gets to wear the Miss Fiesta crown. The Miss Fiesta pageant isn't just about good looks. It's about being beautiful inside and out.
Even the most brilliant and accomplished young women can feel a little overwhelmed getting on stage for their first pageant. But don't let anxiety stand in the way of this opportunity to shine.
Think you've got what it takes to wow the judges? Here are a few pageant tips to help contestants be successful in their first Miss Fiesta pageant.
The Miss Fiesta San Antonio pageant is unique among beauty pageants because it's a charitable event focused on community service. The goal of the Miss Fiesta pageant is to award a deserving young woman with the chance to serve her community and network with professionals in her field of interest.
Miss Fiesta wins much more than a crown and bragging rights. The award for winning this pageant is a professional paid internship to be able to create a personally meaningful project that will benefit the community.
The Miss Fiesta pageant is a lot of fun, but it's also a lot of responsibility. It requires dedication, drive, and compassion to be Fiesta royalty.
Miss Fiesta is first and foremost an ambassador of Fiesta San Antonio and the Fiesta San Antonio Foundation. Fiesta is a time of great food, fun, fiesta medals and fashion, and celebration, but there's also a lot more to it.
The biggest goal of Fiesta San Antonio to preserve and celebrate the rich history of the city and to serve its residents. Before you decide to try out for Miss Fiesta, it's a good idea to read up on Fiesta San Antonio's mission and goals.
As Miss Fiesta, it would be your job to represent Fiesta to the best of your ability. Make sure you share the same goals and values.
Applying for the Miss Fiesta pageant is simple enough, but it's important to make sure you pay attention to all the required guidelines. Here are some things to keep in mind when filling out your application.
Make sure you send all the required paperwork along with your completed Miss Fiesta pageant application. The documents required include:
You have to submit all the necessary paperwork before the deadline in order to be in the running. If the judges decide you're a good candidate, it's time to prepare for the panel interview to move on to the next round.
A well-thought-out project proposal is one of the most important responsibilities of Miss Fiesta. It should clearly present your vision for a community service project that will benefit San Antonio and its residents.
Do you have a passion for local history? Maybe you love helping children in underserved neighborhoods? Here are the areas you can choose to address for your project:
In your proposal, be sure to include the goals of the project, the timeline, and why the project is important. Show the judges why they should be as enthusiastic about it as you are.
Miss Fiesta has to do quite a bit of public speaking. Make sure you're comfortable with addressing a crowd. You want to be able to represent yourself with confidence.
Even if you're pretty comfortable with presenting to an audience, it never hurts to practice. This will help ensure stage fright doesn't strike unexpectedly.
Even if this is your very first pageant ever, it's important to make sure you're prepared in the event that you do take home the crown. Winning Miss Fiesta is an exciting honor, but it also comes with a lot of hard work.
Make sure you're prepared to be dedicated to all the responsibilities that come with being crowned Miss Fiesta. These include carrying out your project plan, attending all required Fiesta San Antonio events, and representing the organization and the community in the most positive light.
The Miss Fiesta San Antonio pageant is an important Fiesta event and a huge honor to win. The winner of the Miss Fiesta pageant has the opportunity to give back to the community through her awarded internship and community service plan.
As a representative of Fiesta San Antonio, she has the opportunity to be a big part of the mission to celebrate and preserve the culture and community in San Antonio. These pageant tips will help you be prepared for all these exciting opportunities and responsibilities.
Think you've got what it takes to be the next Miss Fiesta San Antonio? You can read over the pageant application requirements in more detail right here.
Want to learn more about Fiesta and all the great things to see and do in the San Antonio area? Check out our blog for all things Fiesta.
