On Thursday, June 17, revelers can kick off the week with the official Fiesta kick-off ceremony at Hemisfair in the heart of San Antonio. Locals and tourists alike are set to welcome to join in for some great music, locally manufactured arts and crafts, and food prepared by local culinary talents at the Fiesta San Antonio Commission. Barter for Fiesta medals and bring home your very personal medal rainbow, the ultimate Fiesta ritual.
Nature lovers may explore 38 acres of it just north of downtown San Antonio during Viva Botanica at the San Antonio Botanical Garden on June 19. Bring a blanket and spend the day enjoying family-friendly activities, culinary samples, and live entertainment.
The San Antonio Zoo celebrates its Festival de Animales the next week, an event that highlights the zoo’s conservation work in South and Central America as well as the species endemic to the region.
Local’s favorite La Villita
A Night in Old San Antonio (NIOSA), a local favorite, is returning to La Villita. This year’s event will be limited in size and will use a new online touchless and cashless payment method.
All 14 cultural zones will be included, but with a redesigned arrangement that includes more than 150 food and drink stalls as well as live entertainment.
The country-western Frontier Town and the Mexican Haymarket will make their debuts. Advance tickets are available online and all guests are required to produce their e-ticket purchase number, either by phone or printout, at the gate.
While most parades were canceled for this year’s citywide celebration, the colorful and flamboyant Texas Cavaliers Parade on June 21 is an exception.
Since its start in 1926, the boat parade down the San Antonio River has raised more than $10 million for children’s organizations. This year’s proceeds benefit The Zoo School ($14-26, 6-9 p.m. The San Antonio River Walk will be open on June 21st.
The Bottom Line
On June 22, the River Walk’s Ford Mariachi Festival will promote youth arts. Traditional Folklorico dancers and mariachis from area high schools and college programs will perform during the occasion.
