Fiesta de los Reyes to Charge $5 Entry Fee in 2026

City leaders still need to approve the change to help cover increased security costs.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 3:08am

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Organizers of the popular Fiesta de los Reyes event in San Antonio's Historic Market Square are proposing a $5 entry fee for attendees 13 and older during certain peak hours. The fee is intended to help offset the costs of enhanced security measures implemented after past incidents of violence at the event.

Why it matters

Fiesta de los Reyes has long been a free, family-friendly event that draws large crowds to Market Square. The proposed entry fee aims to balance public safety concerns with the event's mission of funding college scholarships through Fiesta celebrations.

The details

The El Rey Feo Consejo Educational Foundation, which organizes Fiesta de los Reyes, is seeking City Council approval to charge the $5 entry fee during the event's busiest times, including Friday evenings and weekend afternoons. This would help cover the costs of new security measures like fencing, bag checks, and metal detectors, which were implemented after shootings at the event in 2023 and 2024.

  • In 2025, the foundation lost money while paying for the extra security.
  • The $5 fee would be in effect during limited hours, such as Friday evenings starting at 6 p.m. and weekend afternoons starting at 1 p.m.
  • City Council is expected to vote on approving the contract change at its April 9, 2026 meeting.

The players

El Rey Feo Consejo Educational Foundation

The organization that oversees the Fiesta de los Reyes event in San Antonio's Historic Market Square.

Elaine de los Santos

The interim executive director of the El Rey Feo Consejo Educational Foundation.

San Antonio City Council

The governing body that must approve the proposed $5 entry fee for Fiesta de los Reyes.

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What they’re saying

“Safety is a top priority”

— Elaine de los Santos, Interim Executive Director, El Rey Feo Consejo Educational Foundation

“Fiesta ran smoothly last year”

— Elaine de los Santos, Interim Executive Director, El Rey Feo Consejo Educational Foundation

What’s next

The San Antonio City Council is expected to vote on approving the contract change that would allow the $5 entry fee at its April 9, 2026 meeting.

The takeaway

The proposed $5 entry fee for Fiesta de los Reyes reflects the organizers' efforts to balance public safety concerns with the event's mission of funding college scholarships. If approved by the City Council, the fee would help cover the costs of enhanced security measures implemented after past incidents of violence at the popular, family-friendly celebration.