If you haven’t had beer or a margarita spilled on your shoes at NIOSA, have you truly celebrated Fiesta? San Antonio’s annual citywide party is almost upon us, this year running from April 16 to April 26.
For Fiesta first-timers, knowing how to navigate the festivities can be a bit daunting. However, even old hands at the celebration could use a refresher on hitting highlights that haven’t yet made it into their personal rotations.
That’s why we compiled a straightforward guide on some of Fiesta’s best-loved events, allowing you to enjoy the indulgence one chicken-on-a-stick at a time. Keep in mind, the celebration features multiple parades, singular events and carnivals, so it may be a good idea to visit fiestasanantonio.org/schedule to take in the myriad options.
Oyster Bake
Don’t let the name fool you. There’s more than oysters available at the eponymous gathering. The two-day party takes place at St. Mary’s University Friday and Saturday, April 17-18. While oysters are the star culinary attraction — the event typically results in over 100,000 oysters served, depending on demand, sometimes more — there are plenty of other foods available to purchase. Guests can partake in oysters served in a variety of creative ways along with chicken-on-a-stick, corn dogs and a variety of fried foods as far as the eye can see. Check the schedule for an array of musical performances. 1 Camino Santa Maria, oysterbake.com.
NIOSA
Night In Old San Antonio, or NIOSA, is a foodie’s paradise that runs April 21-24. The event is divided into different global stations, each representing a contribution to SA’s cultural heritage — so you can grab sausage from Sauerkraut bend, enjoy gumbo in the French Quarter, nosh on egg rolls in China Town and wash it all down with a wine margarita or two. They’re called Niosaritas for a reason. Other drinks include wine, beer, and specialty cocktails like Smirnoff preparadas and an assortment of nonalcoholic drinks. Don’t forget to feast on NIOSA’s famous bongo-k-babs in the Froggy Bottom area before you head out — they’re a must-try. 227 S. Presa St., (210) 226-5188, niosa.org.
A Taste of New Orleans
Like the name says, A Taste of New Orleans, April 17-19, is a ticket to Creole and Cajun cuisine. Held at the Sunken Garden Theater in Brackenridge Park, this weekend-long party features multiple vendors selling NOLA-inspired bites and beverages. Expect gumbo, crawfish boils, étouffée, jambalaya, boudin, beignets, and even alligator. Given that this event pays homage to the Big Easy, naturally there are Hurricane cocktails available for purchase, in addition to other classics like margaritas, beers, wine and nonalcoholic options like soda. The event thrown by the San Antonio Zulu Association is also full of great music, from zydeco and Big Easy-style brass bands to soul and R&B, so check the schedule and plan accordingly. 3875 N. St. Mary’s St., saza.org.
Taste of the Republic
If you’re looking for an experience similar to NIOSA but on a different scale, try Taste of the Republic. The Fiesta kickoff bash on April 16 features an array of local food vendors, wine pairings and much more. So why the “republic” part of the name? Each vendor will represent a certain region of cuisine in the Texas republic — from Central Texas to the Gulf. So while NIOSA centers around global cuisine, a Taste of the Republic keeps things set straight in Texas. Each $150 ticket is all-inclusive for food and drinks. 210 W. Market St., tasteoftherepublic.com.
King William Fair
One of the last events of Fiesta, Saturday, April 25’s King William Fair has it all — a parade, live entertainment, and, yes, plenty of food. Another nice detail about the food and drink scene at the King William Fair? There’s a Texas Wine Garden, wherein all the vendors serve solely Texas-sourced wines. No California pours here. The garden itself also features a rotating lineup of live music and scenic décor. It’s the perfect adults-only escape. There’s plenty of chicken-on-a-stick to be had here, with other popular Fiesta foods and other bites onsite from participating food vendors. And since King William is adjacent to Southtown, you can bet that an amazing amount of locally produced arts and crafts will be on display — and for sale. 122 Madison St., kwfair.org.
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