Here are some events local organizers are highlighting during the first half of Fiesta. This is not a comprehensive list.
First Tee Invitational
The Canyon Springs Senior Men’s Golf Association will host this golf tournament fundraiser for the First Tee of Greater San Antonio, a nonprofit that uses golf to empower local kids and teenagers. The event will include a lunch and awards reception, a silent auction, door prizes and a goodie bag.
- April 18, 6:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Participation fees vary
- Canyon Springs Golf Club, 24405 Wilderness Oak, San Antonio
- www.firstteesanantonio.org/fiesta
This fundraiser for the Brighton Center features tastings from 30-plus local restaurants as well as samples of area wine, beer and spirits. There will be also be music and other activities. Proceeds will benefit the Brighton Center, which supports children with developmental disabilities and delays.
- April 18, 6-11 p.m.
- $255 (all-inclusive tickets)
- SSFCU Event Center, 15000 W. I-10, San Antonio
- www.brightonsa.org/taste/taste-2024
A block party-style event, Alamo Heights Night will offer dozens of food and drink booths, live music, games, and rides. Proceeds will benefit the Alamo Heights Rotary Club. Parking is available across from the campus on the south side of Hildebrand Avenue, and at four free park-and-ride locations with free rotating shuttles.
- April 19, 5:30-11:30 p.m.
- $20 (adults), $5 (ages 12-17, college students), free (age 12 and under)
- University of the Incarnate Word, 4301 Broadway St., San Antonio
- www.alamoheightsnight.org
A St. Mary’s University Alumni fundraiser for scholarships and programs, the west side campus plays host to one of Fiesta’s major events where visitors may enjoy oysters, traditional Fiesta foods, various types of musical acts on multiple stages, a carnival and a kids area.
- April 19, 5-11 p.m.; April 20, noon-11 p.m.
- $25 (one-day entry), $35 (both days), free (age 12 and under); VIP admission available
- 1 Camino Santa Maria, San Antonio
- www.oysterbake.com
The San Antonio Zulu Association fundraiser offers numerous food vendors with a focus on Creole and Cajun cuisine as well as live jazz, zydeco, blues, and R&B music. There will also be a kids area. BlastPass credits will be the only form of payment for food, drinks and kids activities, and can be ordered online or purchased on site.
- April 19, 5-11 p.m.; April 20, noon-11 p.m.; April 21, noon-10 p.m.
- Gate admission: $20 for one day, $35 for two days; BlastPass credits: $25-$100
- Sunken Garden Theater, 3875 N. St. Mary’s St., San Antonio
- www.saza.org/saza-events/a-taste-of-new-orleans
The San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department will present the city of San Antonio’s official Earth Day event, complete with environmental organizations, hands-on family activities, tree giveaways, healthy food, music and dance performances, a chance to talk with area conservationists, and a fitness in the park class.
- April 20, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Free admission
- Woodlawn Lake Park, 1103 Cincinnati Ave., San Antonio
- www.sanantonio.gov/parksandrec/news-events/earth-day
San Antonio Humane Society will crown El Rey Fido and the Royal Court in a Fiesta event designed to raise funds for the SAHS and raise awareness of the humane society’s mission. There will also be vendors.
- April 20, 10 a.m.-noon
- Free admission
- Hops N Hounds, 1123 Ave. B, San Antonio
- www.sahumane.org
The Castle Hills Community Organization puts on this family-friendly event, which starts with a small parade and proceeds with a daylong fair featuring arts and crafts vendors, food and beverage vendors, music, and kids activities.
- April 20, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Free admission
- 209 Lemonwood Drive, Castle Hills
- www.castlehillscommunityorganization.org/fiesta-castle-hill
San Antonio Polo Club, the oldest polo club in Texas, will host polo matches from which proceeds will help the club continue providing free and low-cost polo lessons to students, veterans and children from disadvantaged areas. The event includes a luncheon.
- April 20, noon-4 p.m.
- $150 (admission)
- 490 W. Specht Road, San Antonio
- www.sanantoniopoloclub.com
West Side Girl Scout Leadership Center, the programming hub for Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas, will benefit from this event that features six Girl Scout-themed Loteria games, lunch, vendors with Fiesta merchandise and information about Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas.
- April 20, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Admission: $50
- Westin San Antonio North, 9821 Colonnade Blvd., San Antonio
- https://tinyurl.com/5a9suhe2
The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo will present two pickleball tournaments open to those age 13 and older. One tournament is for recreation; the other is competitive. There will be live music, and visitors may enjoy food and drink offerings from the host venue. There will also be a cornhole tournament. Proceeds benefit the San Antonio Livestock Exposition Scholarship Fund.
- April 21, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
- $100 (registration fee for teams), free for spectators
- Chicken N Pickle, 5215 UTSA Blvd., San Antonio
- www.sarodeo.com/p/fairgrounds/fundraising-events/fiesta-del-vaquero
The Pan American League’s Fiesta fundraiser features a Mexican market-style bazaar with vendors offering jewelry, artwork, clothing and more. There will also be a luncheon and a fashion show from Elizabeth’s Boutique. Pan American League supports initiatives designed to offer health care, educational and cultural enrichment opportunities to local underserved populations.
- April 21, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Admission: $70
- Estancia del Norte San Antonio, 37 N. Loop 410 E., San Antonio
- www.panamericanleague.com/fiesta-ole-april.html
The famed Fiesta river parade involves dozens of decorated floats traveling down the San Antonio River in the heart of downtown. It is organized by the Texas Cavaliers, a group of community leaders who volunteer at schools, nonprofits, houses of worship and civic organizations.
- April 22, 7-10 p.m.
- Free (admission for spectators for much of the route); ticketed reserved seating available at Arneson River Theater and other areas
- San Antonio River between Richmond Avenue and Nueva Street, San Antonio
- www.texascavaliers.org/river-parade
Formerly Tech Trek, the event hosted by the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and Geekdom gives attendees and local merchants the opportunity to learn more about area small, micro and startup businesses.
- April 23, 1-5 p.m.
- Free (admission); registration encouraged
- Geekdom, 110 E. Houston St., Seventh Floor, San Antonio
- https://tinyurl.com/m2d3nhff
The Conservation Society of San Antonio presents the multiday event that features the diversity of cultures that have been part of the evolution of San Antonio, with all types of food, music and dance across 14 distinct heritage areas. The CSSA will return to selling paper coupons for food, drinks and souvenirs.
- April 23-26, 5:30-10:30 p.m.
- $20 (admission)
- La Villita, 418 Villita St., San Antonio
- www.niosa.org