Fiestita! Fiesta fun, without the crowds (and easier parking!)
by Berit Mason
You’re guzzling your crisp, cold beer and balancing a fully-loaded chalupa while navigating packed Fiesta crowds, when an anonymous elbow in the back sends both tumbling down to the chancla-trodden streets below: an all-too-common sight that has deterred many from attending at all.
Ferne Burney, the 2026 Board President of the San Antonio Fiesta Commission, shares that there are many smaller events to enjoy this Fiesta season, from Thursday, April 16th, to Sunday, April 26th.
Fiesta Flower Show: April 17
Friday, April 17, 2 PM – 5 PM
The Woman's Cub of San Antonio: The Woodward Mansion,
1717 San Pedro, 78201
For anthophiles—those who love and appreciate flowers—The Woman's Club of San Antonio hosts the Fiesta Flower Show. This experience comes at no charge and holds no sales, just a sweet-smelling experience where people can mosey around the posies.
A little-known fact is that non-profits sponsor the parade chairs parked on Broadway. The fees for chair rentals amount to about $1 million, which goes to charity.
Texas Corvette Association Open Car Show
Saturday, April 18, 9 AM – 4 PM
Main Plaza, 100 N Main, 78006
One of Burney’s favorite Fiesta events is the Texas Corvette Association Open Car Show in Boerne. It is the only Fiesta event outside of Bexar County.
“The whole town is shut down and filled with Corvettes of every kind.”
Celebrations of Traditions Pow Wow
Saturday, April 18, 10 AM – 4 PM
Morgan's Wonderland Event Center, 5223 David Edwards, 78233
The United San Antonio Pow Wow Inc. holds the Celebrations of Traditions Pow Wow, for the visibility of Native Americans culture at Fiesta. Smaller organizations most certainly rely on Fiesta to raise money. The more people who attend their program, the more support they receive.
San Jacinto Victory Celebration
Saturday, April 18, 10 AM – 12 PM
Alamo Plaza, 78204
This event commemorates the Battle of San Jacinto, the decisive battle in which Texas gained its independence from Mexico. Admission is free for all. “It’s a lovely ceremony. Texas patriotic!”
Thursday, April 24, 9 AM – 5 PM
San Antonio Garden Center, 3310 N New Braunfels, 78209
The San Antonio Cactus and Xerophyte Society will showcase exotic cacti and drought-resistant plants at the San Antonio Garden Center. It will be free for all with expansive parking, located next to the San Antonio Botanical Garden. Admission is free for all. “It’s a beautiful exhibit,” said Burney. “They’ll show you ways to plant them, and they sell those plants.”
Saturday, April 26, 1PM – 2 PM
Tobin Center (in front of Vietnam Memorial Statute), 451 Jefferson,
78205
The All Veterans Memorial Service will honor our war dead. The ceremonial event will be hosted at the front of the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts at the Vietnam memorial statue. Admission is free for all.
As San Antonio is officially Military City USA®, Burney wishes more people would come to show their support. “That one is not as well-attended as I’d love to see it. It’s the same as every one of our military services events in front of the Alamo. But the programs are always just super.”
Visit fiestasanantonio.org for a calendar of all events.
