Throw together several people, over 150 events, lots of food, and barrels of margaritas. Add a good dose of Texas pride and the partying spirit of Old Mexico. What have you got? The recipe for another year of Fiesta San Antonio, a party that wakes up this South Texas city and draws revelers from across the US and Mexico. Since 1891, this 10-day event has celebrated Texas independence; the party was later expanded to recognize the many cultures that make San Antonio what it is today. The festival always centers around April 21st, the anniversary of the Battle of San Jacinto which won Texas its independence from Mexico.
While the event may have been founded for the purpose of commemorating Texas heroes, today the emphasis is on Texas-size fun. Events kick off about 10:00 every morning, although most of the serious partying takes place much later in the day in the form of music festivals, elaborate parades, and serious noshing with everything from Tex-Mex to German to Cajun offerings. While most events wrap up by midnight, the party continues at nightclubs along the River Walk until about 2am.
The biggest Fiesta event is A Night in Old San Antonio, better known by its nickname, NIOSA (n-eye-o-sa). The party, featuring music and food in 15 cultural areas, takes place in La Villita, a restored 18th century village on the River Walk. Dance to western, conjunto, oompah, or mariachi performances and when you’ve worked up an appetite stroll over to the food booths selling everything from escargot to German sausage to antichuchos, a spicy marinated meat.