San Antonio's Fiesta Celebration Returns with Beloved Traditions

From parades to music festivals, the annual Fiesta celebration brings the city's culture and community to life.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 9:54pm

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San Antonio's iconic Fiesta celebration is set to return April 18-26, 2026, with a lineup of beloved annual events that have been bringing the city together for over a century. Highlights include the four-night A Night in Old San Antonio (NIOSA) festival, the 10-day Fiesta De Los Reyes in Historic Market Square, and the adult-only Fiesta Cornyation show. While the Alamo Heights Night event has been canceled this year due to declining revenues, the city is gearing up to celebrate its rich heritage, culture, and community spirit through Fiesta's many vibrant traditions.

Why it matters

Fiesta San Antonio is a cherished annual tradition that has evolved over more than 100 years, showcasing the city's diverse cultural influences and supporting local nonprofits, tourism, and the economy. The festival's return after pandemic disruptions is an important milestone for San Antonio's recovery and community spirit.

The details

Fiesta San Antonio features dozens of events over the 9-day celebration, including the four-night A Night in Old San Antonio (NIOSA) festival at La Villita Historic Arts Village, the 10-day Fiesta De Los Reyes in Historic Market Square with live music and food vendors, and the adult-only Fiesta Cornyation show at the Charline McCombs Empire Theater. While the Alamo Heights Night event has been canceled this year, the city is preparing to welcome revelers back to its longstanding Fiesta traditions.

  • Fiesta San Antonio will take place April 18-26, 2026.
  • A Night in Old San Antonio (NIOSA) is scheduled for April 21-24, 2026, from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. each evening.
  • Fiesta De Los Reyes will run from April 17 through 26, with festivities from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on most days.
  • Fiesta Cornyation 2026 is set for April 21 through 23, with shows at 7 and 10 p.m. each night.

The players

Julie Terrill

The chairman of A Night in Old San Antonio (NIOSA), a four-night festival produced entirely by volunteers to benefit The Conservation Society of San Antonio.

Marty Schlesinger

The honoree who will be crowned as King Anchovy LIX for the 2026 Fiesta Cornyation show, an adult-only Fiesta event that has raised almost $5 million for local charities and scholarships over the decades.

Rick Thorp

The president of the Alamo Heights Rotary Club, which announced the cancellation of the Alamo Heights Night event this year due to declining revenues and rising costs.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, Grocery employee

The takeaway

Fiesta San Antonio's return in 2026 will be a joyous celebration of the city's rich cultural heritage and community spirit, showcasing the resilience of longstanding traditions like NIOSA, Fiesta De Los Reyes, and Fiesta Cornyation even as some events like Alamo Heights Night face challenges. The festival's ability to adapt and endure underscores its importance to San Antonio's identity and economy.