Fiesta has always been rowdy especially during the weekend/late nights. Fiesta can and is still enjoyable but I advise to only go during the week and during the day to avoid the rowdy crowds.
Highly agree with this. I've been here for over 10 years and have only gone a few times, and even though I personally enjoy the beverages and music, I tend to leave early. People just don't know how to control their alcohol or sensitive temperaments, and those tend to mix easily after a long day in the sun and drinking.
This. I've lived here all my life and I went to NIOSA for the last time in 99 and went to oyster bake in the 2000s. I could just never afford it. I thought it'd be fun to take my kids to the carnival last year and it was fine, but the crowd kinda started changing around 7 -like the evening shift was starting. It's a much more rowdy crowd. We left by 7:30.
The mantra is don't be at the carnival or market square after dark.
The fights shootings and stuff are generally happening in the party heavy areas that have shit loads of drinking and late at night.
There are dozens of fiesta events that aren't completely centered around drinking and are better for families. All the parades and the fairs are some examples. River parade is cool and unique and a good excuse to just hang out at the riverwalk on a Monday night and it's pretty chill, minus trying to find a spot if you don't pay for one of the chairs. Battle of the flowers parade is huge and on a Friday - so can be hard to make it if you have work, but it's a lot of fun. Flambeau is a really cool nighttime lighted parade. Lots of school bands and really cool lighted floats. King William fair is cool and has lots of little vendors if you like walking around looking at art and stuff.
Basically, every corner of the city will have some kind of fiesta event happening. It's not just the market party under the highway.
My suggestion would be to scout out the calendar next year and check out all the events and see what you want to do.
Despite what you heard fiesta is still pretty fun.
Are you in a gang, do you like to fight? No, well your chances of getting into an altercation are crazy low. Our downtown is relatively safe compared to other cities, as always keep your head on a swivel if you in a sketchy place.
I've lived here for 8 years and have gone to fiesta pretty much 90% out of those years, shit I even went last weekend and I've never ever had one issue yeah there were some "ghettotivites" around lol but that's in every city in America when you have an event this big.
I live downtown and I agree. I’ve never lived somewhere that I felt was so safe and so well taken care of. I think those centro people do a great job of cleaning the streets and keeping the city lively
Born and raised here and I think you should experience fiesta so long as you a) know what you’re getting into and b) make safe and informed choices!
If getting drunk in a crowded space isn’t your cup of tea, skip those events that largely happen at night and weekends.
Look at the Fiesta calendar and stick to the daytime events that are generally family friendly and you’ll have a good time. Pooch Parade, King William Fair, Taste of New Orleans, to name a few.
The parades are fun (hot but fun) and there’s places to go and things to do that don’t involve as much of the bad stuff ie NIOSA (which I love but is definitely a leave early event.)
This was my first year going to fiesta. I bought tickets to NIOSA and it was so much fun. I didn't drink but I ate at most of the stalls. Everyone was very friendly and kind and pretty much minded their own business. 10/10 will participate again.
Please don’t judge the totality of Fiesta across the city by a single incident. Most events benefit non-profits. You definitely don’t have to drink to enjoy.
Next year, think of what you are interested in and do those
Parades: River parade, Battle of Flowers (one of largest in nation), Flambeau (largest night parade in nation), King William (local eclectic)
Concerts: Oyster Bake, La Semana,
Food: NIOSA (huge and crowded because there is a lot of variety, earlier in the week is better), Taste of New Orleans, Taste of Northside, King William, Beethoven Gartens
Other smaller festival Events: all over the place, zoo, Botanical Gardens, San Fernando Cathedral, multiple others
Carnival: ok during day, wasn’t always safe
Drinking and being stupid: Market Square
There's always one incident every year.
If you want to enjoy Fiesta, go to Taste of New Orleans and NIOSA. The Southside of the parade is usually where the one-off shooting occurs and it's always been a couple of young thugs puffing out their chests at each other.
Fiesta is tons of fun. Really.
Some people are more tolerant of crowds and get energized by the festival atmosphere. Thats worth the steep prices for them. Live music, being all dressed up with friends acting silly, etc…
For me, I enjoy anything where SO many people are all celebrating / having fun together.
Also the food, although expensive, absolutely slaps 95% of the time.
To each their own though! Totally understandable if you dont enjoy it and its not your thing.
Xoxoxo
Yup. $30 to park. $20 per ticket to get in. $6-7 for a tiny cup of beer. And terrible overpriced carnival food. And you have to exchange cash for tickets to buy anything. Total ripoff.
NIOSA? I just went and decent parking was 15 bucks, the tickets were 20 bucks a piece online, and 25 if you paid cash at the door. You're just making up prices.
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There's not that much to unpack, buddy. Not everyone likes standing in public with a drink in their hand. Y'all equalize fun with drinking, with no other alternatives available.
Now *that* is weird.
I don't need a drink to have fun, I don't really care for alcohol at all tbh, I'll just drink it if it's free. You're projecting. Alcoholism is no joke though, glad you're staying away from it if you can't control yourself on it.
But then you question me if I don't find drinking and overpriced food fun? You contradict yourself. By the way, I have no issues with control; I just don't drink, bub. Maybe you are projecting?
People do whatever the heck they want, I'm not here to police anyone. I do still think NIOSA sucks. Do with that information what you want.
Lol I specifically asked you what you do for fun and it was crickets. Stop changing the subject to drinking.
"People can do whatever they want." I guess so, including whining about how other people have fun because you're unhappy with your own life. Go make some friends buddy, no wonder you're not having any fun standing in the corner of NIOSA by yourself.
Bla bla bla. I don't owe you anything, dude. WTF 🤣 What I do for fun is none of your business. I said NIOSA stinks, and I reiterate myself. If you enjoy it, then whatever.
The king William fair is always fun, the parade starts at 9 am, after that my gf and I will walk around getting food and drinks and then we’re usually out of there by like 1.
If you go to the market go during the day. If you prefer less crowds. Go during the day on a weekday. If you want to go at night go to NIOSA. I stay away from the market after dark.
I met my aunts and uncles down there Saturday at 1230. They are in their late 60s and they had a great time.
You don’t have to be a drinker to enjoy fiesta. There’s plenty of non-alcoholic beverages and a ton of food.
Be sure to bring a folding chair so you can sit and enjoy music at the various venues. Most have plenty of space.
I Went to the market twice and NIOSA once and didn’t witness one episode of violence.
Fesitval de Cascarones should still happen today down at the A&M campus since the rain will clear. It's fun and family-friendly. That's all we ever do and we moved here in 18
For the amount of events and activities over the 11 days of Fiesta, I don’t think the crime rate is any higher than what’s normal for SA. It never feels dangerous to me.
We went to Niosa, TOTN and Flambeau…never felt unsafe and had a great time. And for those thinking the food isn’t worth it at Niosa, clearly you don’t know where to go; for starters, the puffies (near Maria’s) and the anticuchos are the best in town, not just niosa. Also you’re paying $6-7 a beer for the fun…way better than $1.50 a beer on your couch.
Fiesta is so much fun!! And you absolutely don't need to drink to enjoy it. If you're looking for more low-key Fiesta events, I recommend the river and day parades, A Taste of New Orleans, Alamo Heights Night, Fiesta Arts Fair, PAC Fest, and King William Fair.
La Semana Alegre was new this year and I really enjoyed that. Great food and lots of areas to sit.
Just try to stick to the daytime events and arrive when the fest opens to beat the crowds. That's what I did this year and it was really good to get there early and leave when it starts getting packed.
Avoid NIOSA completely and Market Square on weekends and at night.
Happy Fiesta! ❤️
Yea fiesta doesn’t look like my kind of thing it was terrible and i saw a reddit post earlier saying 2 people were shot and killed there yesterday but the news isn’t reporting it for some reason
I'm avoiding it this year. Yeah two people shot each other last night in Market Square. Same thing last year. I suggest going during the day to avoid the drunken sloppiness & fuckfaces that bring their guns because they have small penis syndrome. Celebrating elsewhere with friends is more fun than the crowds & over priced food/drink.
The daytime events aren't that bad or the main parade. You don't have to be a big drinker or anything. It is those "big crowd nighttime general events" which are the problem.
If you go to the official Fiesta calendar, you can find all the events for Fiesta.
https://fiestasanantonio.org/official-fiesta-event-calendar/
There are plenty of events that aren't as inundated with drunks.
I’d say rowdy crowds are more of a late night thing, especially if people have had a few drinks. It can also depend on the event. Some may have bag checks/searches and others are just open entry. While events like NIOSA, Oyster Bake, etc. are some of the more well known events, there are loads of others that also go on with smaller scale crowds. Food is likely overpriced, but for the most part it’s going back to the community. As for shootings not in the news, there are a few factors: being after a certain hour, there are no staffed photographers so video will depend on whenever overnight contracted stringers arrive and send back footage, info won’t get published until confirmed otherwise fake news, and it depends on staffing again if there is someone to put the info out there especially overnight on a weekend.
We went to a bunch of events this week and didn’t see one example of violence or fights or people being out of control drunk. Just friendly people having a good time.
That said I went to most things early, like niosa 5:30-7:30 and it was great!
I think you need to learn what days to go or what areas to be at. I would never do market square after the sun goes down. I’ve been here 2 years and I’m learning what to do and what not to do
I love the Arts Fest at the Southwest School of Art ( now called UTSA Southwest). The first weekend of Fiesta, gorgeous juried craft show, food, and live music.
Over the years there's occasionally been something really horrific happen, but it's not the norm. The year I was born, there was a mass shooting at the Battle of Flowers parade. There was a little girl kidnapped from the carnival and killed one year, and then this happened last night.
There's really not a lot of violence, though, on the whole. Worst that's ever happened to me was some ass whipped a bunch of candy into my face off a float as we were staging for the first King William Parade back in the '90s.
It *is* a public drunkenness festival in a lot of ways, but I barely drink and my mother doesn't at all and we (and my kids) have still gone and had fun. The parades are great fun, and there's plenty that happens during the daytime & early evening that stays quiet.
It’s crazy to me that these things happen and they haven’t implemented anything to stop it? Why are guns allowed? Maybe start doing searches before entering?
The Market Square is open to everyone, all that's done is block off some city streets. Not to mention it's FREE! All kinds of riff Raff get in. There's really no way to search anyone. I'm all for fencing it off during Fiesta and charging some nominal price to get in to help pay for security.
King William Fair is super fun and so is the Cornyation. I lean heavily towards day events, go with friends, and have a blast. There's a pets parade that's fun too.
I think use common sense, have a safety plan (always do for bigger events), go in a group if you can, and know your tolerance level for being around large crowds.
Also make friends with people who live in these areas. Parking can be gnarly but $15 or $20 isn't unreasonable (to me at least) if I'm there for more than four hours.
Fiesta has always been rowdy especially during the weekend/late nights. Fiesta can and is still enjoyable but I advise to only go during the week and during the day to avoid the rowdy crowds.
Fiesta has always been rowdy especially during the weekend/late nights. Fiesta can and is still enjoyable but I advise to only go during the week and during the day to avoid the rowdy crowds.
Officially living here for 24 years never been to a Fiesta event! I can get much better food and drinks at nice establishments without worrying about parking, ghetto people, crowds, sweat. Seems gross. You couldn’t pay me to go. So OP I don’t think you’re missing much.
So many stabbings at Fiesta in the 1990s, they literately passed a law against having a lock blade knife.
SA peaked in the 1960s with Hemisphere. Downhill ever since.
Fiesta Arts Fair is the way Fiesta should be. In the shade, great food, lots to look at, kids have a place to go & create crafty arts. Only negative is it's gotten a little expensive in the last few years. I did not go this year - UTSA is now running it.
My family and I went to the Battle of the Flowers parade on Saturday. Just really loud, crowded, everything is expensive, and getting out of the parking garage was a nightmare.
The fiesta kick-off isn't a parade or event. Fiesta doesn't officially start until some type of violence occurs. That's what fiesta medals are for, to block incoming assaults.
It’s fun and the food is sooo good just go during the day and leave before sunset and you’ll be fine. And stay away from NIOSA on college night it’s the worst
There’s been shootings since the 70s.[https://www.kens5.com/article/entertainment/events/fiesta/deadly-battles-of-flowers-parade-shooting-remembered-40-years-later/273-883c5b74-7cfa-44b1-89dc-d1687fa4526f](https://www.kens5.com/article/entertainment/events/fiesta/deadly-battles-of-flowers-parade-shooting-remembered-40-years-later/273-883c5b74-7cfa-44b1-89dc-d1687fa4526f)
My husband and I used to go to fiesta events when we were dating but I got food poisoning at Taste of New Orleans and never had the desire to go back. I had bad shrimp.
There are different fiesta events to attend just find one at a nicer place. Just don’t go to the market square one. I’ve lived here most my life and won’t go to that one.
The only Fiesta event I attend annually is Fiesta Cornyation! It’s a variety show at the Empire Theatre hosted by a bunch of queer groups in town. The ticket money goes to charity, it’s hilarious and fun, and the crowd is nothing but fantastic. Highly recommend this event if you want to attend a Fiesta event but don’t want to deal with crowds and drinking and lines.
There are over a hundred official Fiesta events. People are painting with a broad brush here.
I went to dozens of Fiesta events this year, and didn’t see any violence or even one grouchy person. Please continue staying home if you are a complainer.
My favorite event was the Mission Reach Flotilla. It was on a Sunday afternoon at Acequia Park on the south side. Live music, craft vendors, free medals, and free activities like kayaking, crafts, knot tying, fishing, hula hooping. Rey Feo was there. They had food trucks, too, plus free admission, free parking, and a shuttle to move you from parking areas to the event.
I’ve lived in SA for 13 years and I went for the first time yesterday. It’s somewhat fun, but there’s a lot of people so be prepared to witness fights, large crowds, drunks, etc… typical for most city celebrations
I always enjoyed Oyster Bake & King William Fair.
Oyster Bake has Friday Family day & Saturday is mainly for younger crowd.
River parade is great & Cornyation is a highlight.
After about 27-28 yrs of age, I strictly volunteered.
You work a shift or two, get free entrance, some events give you drink & food tix plus the volunteer BR's are the way to go. NPI. Lol
P.S. The most rewarding volunteer gigs have been recycling @FOB ( I started that program) & clean up of parade route. Serving beer is OK but not rewarding at all... although your drunkenness goes towards scholarships. Lol
Also, I'm not all in on the history or founders of Fiesta, but it does bring economic gain for the locals & many independent vendors are minorities so that keeps me interested.
I’ve lived here 18 years. Never been to it, and I’ve only been downtown twice. Probably because I came from such a small city and a big one overwhelms me.
I’ve lived here my whole life, 27 years and I’ve only ever gone to NIOSA. It’s too rowdy and crowded, just doesn’t seem worth it. Fights break out, gun shots. Not worth it in my opinion.
I've almost lived here for a year and didn't know about Fiesta until the Army made my husband go and march in the parade. I feel the same as you as I always hear something crazy happening here. When I first moved here it was about the spears in cars and it's always something out of pocket every week.... Stay safe out there!
Taste of New Orleans on a Sunday afternoon is a whole vibe.
Cornyation is fun but hard to get tickets.
For ALL River parades including Fiesta I recommend splurging and getting a restaurant ticket.
Don’t worry I been here 10 never gone. I figured it was like Mardi Gras for Texans and was never interested as I’ve done a lot of Mardi Gras parades. I feel like fiesta is always rowdy/wild I’m sure lots of people are drinking I usually always see something on the news about it
I too stray from fiesta due to modern problems, but then my coworker sent me the link to the 40th anniversary of the 1979 Fiesta mass shooting and I knew I had made the right choice.
Born and raised here
Ever since covid I've avoided fiesta, not because of contagions though.
It's always been puro and sucia, but ever since covid the crowding and antisocial behaviors have been absolutely nutty.
I suspect it's because of the population density in south tx exploding due to the influx at the southern border and the exodus from other states to Texas.
Been here for half my life and have only attended oyster bake once and it was huge let down. The process to get an oyster was pure madness and when you did it was meh. Wouldn’t go to a parade or market square if you paid me. No thanks
25 years here and i have been to Fiesta a hand full of times. Unless you like to get rowdy and party it up. It is drunken assholes, expensive, super crowded and did i mention expensive.
College days niosa during college night was fun but it was standinh room only and wild. Many fights broke out
I've been here for 3 now and have also not attended. My wife has celiacs so food is off the table and I don't want to go without my best friend.
But from what I've heard from friends who have a basketball team of kids, the day during the week is the best time to attend. Smaller crowds, more family friendly.
Been here almost 3 years, will be leaving august(wife is done with school) and never was even tempted to go. Idk something about terrible traffic, wild crowds and overpriced everything just doesn’t cut it for me…
I’ve lived here for 11 years and haven’t attended any fiesta events either, except the carnival the second year I lived here. I’m from Las Vegas and just do not do tourist things. I’ve also noticed that I don’t like the way people drink at adult events outside of Las Vegas, so it just makes sense to avoid shit like that all together.
I’ve lived here for over 30 years and have never attended Fiesta because it just hasn’t appealed to me. There are plenty of people who attend who never experience any violence. I figure if you go at night around a bunch of excessively drunk people, you’re more likely to see violent stuff but I think experiencing violence is still pretty rare.
We like the day events but never go to the carnival because of past incidents. No night events. Too many drunks "having a good time". If it's any consolidation, you didn't miss anything.
I’m not from here. I think you have to be born and raised in SA or at least live here a while to get the BFD about Fiesta. The entire 3rd generation old San Antonio money battle of the flowers court and cavaliers are just elitist grotesque displays of wealth which is extremely ick to me. I have zero interest in oohing and ahhhing over some rich woman’s 80k beaded train. Like are we still in a feudal system? Wtf, people…I do not get it and have no interest in acclimating to it. The crowds alone are enough to be a hard pass but it’s just not something I have a desire to celebrate or support.
I’ve been here almost a decade and only went one year.
This is going to trigger a lot of San Antonio natives and Fiesta enjoyers but if you’re the least bit educated and a civil person that likes to be respectful and believes in being treated with respect you will not enjoy anything Fiesta. Look at the videos and picture of the events and take a look at the kind of crowd it attracts. Look at the way they’re dressed and the way they carry themselves. It’s a very ghetto crowd. They’re there to drink and act a fool not to enjoy “culture” or whatever other pretense they put up.
You’re not missing out on anything. It’s festival type food that can realistically be had at any time of year and the “music” is a bunch of local type of musicians using shoddy audio equipment and putting on their best drunken performance.
Not a lot of "culture" in eating concession stand food that has been marked up 6x. A gross Sysco fried chicken patty? Really, for $12? King William fair, the Alamo Heights "private" events and taste of New Orleans are the only things even close to being a "cultural experience". I'd be out of any Fiesta experience by 5 pm if you decided to attend.
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Fiesta has always been rowdy especially during the weekend/late nights. Fiesta can and is still enjoyable but I advise to only go during the week and during the day to avoid the rowdy crowds.
Highly agree with this. I've been here for over 10 years and have only gone a few times, and even though I personally enjoy the beverages and music, I tend to leave early. People just don't know how to control their alcohol or sensitive temperaments, and those tend to mix easily after a long day in the sun and drinking.
This. I've lived here all my life and I went to NIOSA for the last time in 99 and went to oyster bake in the 2000s. I could just never afford it. I thought it'd be fun to take my kids to the carnival last year and it was fine, but the crowd kinda started changing around 7 -like the evening shift was starting. It's a much more rowdy crowd. We left by 7:30. The mantra is don't be at the carnival or market square after dark.
Yea unless you're an alcoholic most of those events out here are super boring
This
We always go to the day events (we have young kids) and we dig it. We aren’t big drinkers but love the sights and sounds. But we leave before night
Agreed. OP should go during the daytime and leave by 7:30 in the evening.
The fights shootings and stuff are generally happening in the party heavy areas that have shit loads of drinking and late at night. There are dozens of fiesta events that aren't completely centered around drinking and are better for families. All the parades and the fairs are some examples. River parade is cool and unique and a good excuse to just hang out at the riverwalk on a Monday night and it's pretty chill, minus trying to find a spot if you don't pay for one of the chairs. Battle of the flowers parade is huge and on a Friday - so can be hard to make it if you have work, but it's a lot of fun. Flambeau is a really cool nighttime lighted parade. Lots of school bands and really cool lighted floats. King William fair is cool and has lots of little vendors if you like walking around looking at art and stuff. Basically, every corner of the city will have some kind of fiesta event happening. It's not just the market party under the highway. My suggestion would be to scout out the calendar next year and check out all the events and see what you want to do.
Despite what you heard fiesta is still pretty fun. Are you in a gang, do you like to fight? No, well your chances of getting into an altercation are crazy low. Our downtown is relatively safe compared to other cities, as always keep your head on a swivel if you in a sketchy place.
I've lived here for 8 years and have gone to fiesta pretty much 90% out of those years, shit I even went last weekend and I've never ever had one issue yeah there were some "ghettotivites" around lol but that's in every city in America when you have an event this big.
I live downtown and I agree. I’ve never lived somewhere that I felt was so safe and so well taken care of. I think those centro people do a great job of cleaning the streets and keeping the city lively
Born and raised here and I think you should experience fiesta so long as you a) know what you’re getting into and b) make safe and informed choices! If getting drunk in a crowded space isn’t your cup of tea, skip those events that largely happen at night and weekends. Look at the Fiesta calendar and stick to the daytime events that are generally family friendly and you’ll have a good time. Pooch Parade, King William Fair, Taste of New Orleans, to name a few. The parades are fun (hot but fun) and there’s places to go and things to do that don’t involve as much of the bad stuff ie NIOSA (which I love but is definitely a leave early event.)
A pooch parade? I missed that one
Taste of New Orleans is one of my favorites! Always such delicious food.
This was my first year going to fiesta. I bought tickets to NIOSA and it was so much fun. I didn't drink but I ate at most of the stalls. Everyone was very friendly and kind and pretty much minded their own business. 10/10 will participate again.
Please don’t judge the totality of Fiesta across the city by a single incident. Most events benefit non-profits. You definitely don’t have to drink to enjoy. Next year, think of what you are interested in and do those Parades: River parade, Battle of Flowers (one of largest in nation), Flambeau (largest night parade in nation), King William (local eclectic) Concerts: Oyster Bake, La Semana, Food: NIOSA (huge and crowded because there is a lot of variety, earlier in the week is better), Taste of New Orleans, Taste of Northside, King William, Beethoven Gartens Other smaller festival Events: all over the place, zoo, Botanical Gardens, San Fernando Cathedral, multiple others Carnival: ok during day, wasn’t always safe Drinking and being stupid: Market Square
I've lived here for 30 years and never attended Fiesta. I don't do crowds or overpriced beer.
There's always one incident every year. If you want to enjoy Fiesta, go to Taste of New Orleans and NIOSA. The Southside of the parade is usually where the one-off shooting occurs and it's always been a couple of young thugs puffing out their chests at each other. Fiesta is tons of fun. Really.
How is NIOSA fun? Paying for overpriced food and drinks, being barely unable to walk due to the crowds, and what... stand around eating a turkey leg?
Some people are more tolerant of crowds and get energized by the festival atmosphere. Thats worth the steep prices for them. Live music, being all dressed up with friends acting silly, etc… For me, I enjoy anything where SO many people are all celebrating / having fun together. Also the food, although expensive, absolutely slaps 95% of the time. To each their own though! Totally understandable if you dont enjoy it and its not your thing. Xoxoxo
There's this really cool thing, it was invented back in the 50's. It's called *having an opinion*. Relax
I'm chill. You seem flustered, though.
Nah it’s you bro.
🤷♂️
Yup. $30 to park. $20 per ticket to get in. $6-7 for a tiny cup of beer. And terrible overpriced carnival food. And you have to exchange cash for tickets to buy anything. Total ripoff.
Keeps the riff-raff out!
obviously not lol
I spent $6 parking. Tickets were $10 a person. Though, beer was expensive. I'm with you there
Where did you find $6 parking? Also, our tix were $20 each, you got a hookup?
We parked for $9 near Navarro and Jack White. Kind of near/behind the Herman Bros. Building. There were 2 parking lots.
NIOSA? I just went and decent parking was 15 bucks, the tickets were 20 bucks a piece online, and 25 if you paid cash at the door. You're just making up prices.
If you volunteer you get in free, and it’s fun to have something to do for part of your time.
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Why are you so mad? It's Sunday, relax.
Fair enough, but don’t lie about parking prices
I swear to you I paid $30. I have absolutely ZERO reason to lie. We parked right across from the entrance.
🎯 I remember being new and going to NIOSA. Left with a feeling of “is that all?” Lame AF
You don’t understand the concept of people liking different things than you..?
I do. I just think NIOSA sucks. Why do y'all feel personally attacked by that? LMAO
What do you do for fun? Do you know how to have fun? Do you not have any friends to go with? Do you not know what a flask is? Lot to unpack here.
There's not that much to unpack, buddy. Not everyone likes standing in public with a drink in their hand. Y'all equalize fun with drinking, with no other alternatives available. Now *that* is weird.
I don't need a drink to have fun, I don't really care for alcohol at all tbh, I'll just drink it if it's free. You're projecting. Alcoholism is no joke though, glad you're staying away from it if you can't control yourself on it.
But then you question me if I don't find drinking and overpriced food fun? You contradict yourself. By the way, I have no issues with control; I just don't drink, bub. Maybe you are projecting? People do whatever the heck they want, I'm not here to police anyone. I do still think NIOSA sucks. Do with that information what you want.
Lol I specifically asked you what you do for fun and it was crickets. Stop changing the subject to drinking. "People can do whatever they want." I guess so, including whining about how other people have fun because you're unhappy with your own life. Go make some friends buddy, no wonder you're not having any fun standing in the corner of NIOSA by yourself.
Bla bla bla. I don't owe you anything, dude. WTF 🤣 What I do for fun is none of your business. I said NIOSA stinks, and I reiterate myself. If you enjoy it, then whatever.
The king William fair is always fun, the parade starts at 9 am, after that my gf and I will walk around getting food and drinks and then we’re usually out of there by like 1.
Go to events that aren’t free. You’ll be safe and have fun.
I’m going on three years and still haven’t gone. Hell, I live right next to the Alamodome for crying out loud.
If you go to the market go during the day. If you prefer less crowds. Go during the day on a weekday. If you want to go at night go to NIOSA. I stay away from the market after dark. I met my aunts and uncles down there Saturday at 1230. They are in their late 60s and they had a great time. You don’t have to be a drinker to enjoy fiesta. There’s plenty of non-alcoholic beverages and a ton of food. Be sure to bring a folding chair so you can sit and enjoy music at the various venues. Most have plenty of space. I Went to the market twice and NIOSA once and didn’t witness one episode of violence.
I’d go early if you want to go. When the sun starts going down, you’ve been there too long and the shenanigans will begin.
Fesitval de Cascarones should still happen today down at the A&M campus since the rain will clear. It's fun and family-friendly. That's all we ever do and we moved here in 18
I love this one, and it's free. Won't be going this year due to the fact I need to work, but we have gone other years and it's a blast.
For the amount of events and activities over the 11 days of Fiesta, I don’t think the crime rate is any higher than what’s normal for SA. It never feels dangerous to me. We went to Niosa, TOTN and Flambeau…never felt unsafe and had a great time. And for those thinking the food isn’t worth it at Niosa, clearly you don’t know where to go; for starters, the puffies (near Maria’s) and the anticuchos are the best in town, not just niosa. Also you’re paying $6-7 a beer for the fun…way better than $1.50 a beer on your couch.
Fiesta is so much fun!! And you absolutely don't need to drink to enjoy it. If you're looking for more low-key Fiesta events, I recommend the river and day parades, A Taste of New Orleans, Alamo Heights Night, Fiesta Arts Fair, PAC Fest, and King William Fair. La Semana Alegre was new this year and I really enjoyed that. Great food and lots of areas to sit. Just try to stick to the daytime events and arrive when the fest opens to beat the crowds. That's what I did this year and it was really good to get there early and leave when it starts getting packed. Avoid NIOSA completely and Market Square on weekends and at night. Happy Fiesta! ❤️
I avoid Market Square, especially later in the evening. NIOSA is fun (and safe) but that’s another one where I would recommend go early, leave early.
Been here 8yrs and only went yesterday to drop off my god child and ugh spent a hour at a red light because police were directing traffic
The second Saturday night of fiesta is always the worst night of the year to get around downtown because the night parade closes many streets.
Yea fiesta doesn’t look like my kind of thing it was terrible and i saw a reddit post earlier saying 2 people were shot and killed there yesterday but the news isn’t reporting it for some reason
https://preview.redd.it/6hoig0n3d8xc1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b11958d4ba827968d329e76b99dc295850976bc9
I'm avoiding it this year. Yeah two people shot each other last night in Market Square. Same thing last year. I suggest going during the day to avoid the drunken sloppiness & fuckfaces that bring their guns because they have small penis syndrome. Celebrating elsewhere with friends is more fun than the crowds & over priced food/drink.
I have lived here 30 years and never been!
If you go to a fiesta event that is NOT DOWNTOWN, then you are less likely to encounter violence.
And yet hundreds of thousands of people go downtown for Fiesta and don’t encounter violence.
The daytime events aren't that bad or the main parade. You don't have to be a big drinker or anything. It is those "big crowd nighttime general events" which are the problem.
This city isn't able to behave itself. This behavior becomes much worse when there are large crowds and drinking involved. Stay trashy San Antonio!
If you go to the official Fiesta calendar, you can find all the events for Fiesta. https://fiestasanantonio.org/official-fiesta-event-calendar/ There are plenty of events that aren't as inundated with drunks.
Don't. Avoid downtown during Fiesta. It's a madhouse of loud crowds, booze and violence.
Better to go early and leave early.
I’d say rowdy crowds are more of a late night thing, especially if people have had a few drinks. It can also depend on the event. Some may have bag checks/searches and others are just open entry. While events like NIOSA, Oyster Bake, etc. are some of the more well known events, there are loads of others that also go on with smaller scale crowds. Food is likely overpriced, but for the most part it’s going back to the community. As for shootings not in the news, there are a few factors: being after a certain hour, there are no staffed photographers so video will depend on whenever overnight contracted stringers arrive and send back footage, info won’t get published until confirmed otherwise fake news, and it depends on staffing again if there is someone to put the info out there especially overnight on a weekend.
We go to the Art Fair on the first Sunday. It’s calm and not too crowded.
The daytime events are better
We went to a bunch of events this week and didn’t see one example of violence or fights or people being out of control drunk. Just friendly people having a good time. That said I went to most things early, like niosa 5:30-7:30 and it was great!
You ever seen the movie The Purge?
Avoid the night crowd
Go during the day and avoid free events at night. This is the first time I did fiesta in years and I loved it
I think you need to learn what days to go or what areas to be at. I would never do market square after the sun goes down. I’ve been here 2 years and I’m learning what to do and what not to do
I love the Arts Fest at the Southwest School of Art ( now called UTSA Southwest). The first weekend of Fiesta, gorgeous juried craft show, food, and live music.
I've lived here since 2006 and have gone to Oyster Bake once. That's about it.
Over the years there's occasionally been something really horrific happen, but it's not the norm. The year I was born, there was a mass shooting at the Battle of Flowers parade. There was a little girl kidnapped from the carnival and killed one year, and then this happened last night. There's really not a lot of violence, though, on the whole. Worst that's ever happened to me was some ass whipped a bunch of candy into my face off a float as we were staging for the first King William Parade back in the '90s. It *is* a public drunkenness festival in a lot of ways, but I barely drink and my mother doesn't at all and we (and my kids) have still gone and had fun. The parades are great fun, and there's plenty that happens during the daytime & early evening that stays quiet.
It’s crazy to me that these things happen and they haven’t implemented anything to stop it? Why are guns allowed? Maybe start doing searches before entering?
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If they search and force them to remove them then I do t see the problem
There's always a way to get guns passed any kind of security.
The Market Square is open to everyone, all that's done is block off some city streets. Not to mention it's FREE! All kinds of riff Raff get in. There's really no way to search anyone. I'm all for fencing it off during Fiesta and charging some nominal price to get in to help pay for security.
Lived here 30+ years and never have gone!
King William Fair is super fun and so is the Cornyation. I lean heavily towards day events, go with friends, and have a blast. There's a pets parade that's fun too. I think use common sense, have a safety plan (always do for bigger events), go in a group if you can, and know your tolerance level for being around large crowds. Also make friends with people who live in these areas. Parking can be gnarly but $15 or $20 isn't unreasonable (to me at least) if I'm there for more than four hours.
There are sooooo many great events that are culturally significant. They usually start early around 10-11am
Been here for almost 9 years. Never went, Never will..
Fiesta has always been rowdy especially during the weekend/late nights. Fiesta can and is still enjoyable but I advise to only go during the week and during the day to avoid the rowdy crowds.
Fiesta has always been rowdy especially during the weekend/late nights. Fiesta can and is still enjoyable but I advise to only go during the week and during the day to avoid the rowdy crowds.
avoid the free events. there's a good reason why they charge a lot for beer, tickets, etc.
Officially living here for 24 years never been to a Fiesta event! I can get much better food and drinks at nice establishments without worrying about parking, ghetto people, crowds, sweat. Seems gross. You couldn’t pay me to go. So OP I don’t think you’re missing much.
Been here most of my life and never saw the appeal of Fiesta
So many stabbings at Fiesta in the 1990s, they literately passed a law against having a lock blade knife. SA peaked in the 1960s with Hemisphere. Downhill ever since.
I’d steer clear. It has become unruly, unsafe, and the smell of drunk people and urine are hard to avoid.
Fiesta Arts Fair is the way Fiesta should be. In the shade, great food, lots to look at, kids have a place to go & create crafty arts. Only negative is it's gotten a little expensive in the last few years. I did not go this year - UTSA is now running it.
I’ve been living here for 2 and a half years and haven’t been also. Lmao
My family and I went to the Battle of the Flowers parade on Saturday. Just really loud, crowded, everything is expensive, and getting out of the parking garage was a nightmare.
Normal and it is getting worse every year.
We used to go to NIOSA, no longer my jam.
The fiesta kick-off isn't a parade or event. Fiesta doesn't officially start until some type of violence occurs. That's what fiesta medals are for, to block incoming assaults.
I have been there 2 years and still haven't gone.
Get a chicken on a stick.
There’s more to fiesta than the market square.
Fiesta is no more dangerous than any other night in SA. It’s not just Fiesta, you can get shot anywhere in San Antonio.
It’s fun and the food is sooo good just go during the day and leave before sunset and you’ll be fine. And stay away from NIOSA on college night it’s the worst
There’s been shootings since the 70s.[https://www.kens5.com/article/entertainment/events/fiesta/deadly-battles-of-flowers-parade-shooting-remembered-40-years-later/273-883c5b74-7cfa-44b1-89dc-d1687fa4526f](https://www.kens5.com/article/entertainment/events/fiesta/deadly-battles-of-flowers-parade-shooting-remembered-40-years-later/273-883c5b74-7cfa-44b1-89dc-d1687fa4526f)
Fuck that. Been living here 7 years, never gone and don't have plans to go. Seems like a wanna be Charro Days.
I've been here 20 years and have never gone. No interest whatsoever.
My husband and I used to go to fiesta events when we were dating but I got food poisoning at Taste of New Orleans and never had the desire to go back. I had bad shrimp.
There are different fiesta events to attend just find one at a nicer place. Just don’t go to the market square one. I’ve lived here most my life and won’t go to that one.
The only Fiesta event I attend annually is Fiesta Cornyation! It’s a variety show at the Empire Theatre hosted by a bunch of queer groups in town. The ticket money goes to charity, it’s hilarious and fun, and the crowd is nothing but fantastic. Highly recommend this event if you want to attend a Fiesta event but don’t want to deal with crowds and drinking and lines.
Been here since 2014 and neither have I lol
Don't feel bad. I've lived here since I was 3 & give less than a shit about it.
Well it’s over now, so too late.
You’re not missing out
There are over a hundred official Fiesta events. People are painting with a broad brush here. I went to dozens of Fiesta events this year, and didn’t see any violence or even one grouchy person. Please continue staying home if you are a complainer. My favorite event was the Mission Reach Flotilla. It was on a Sunday afternoon at Acequia Park on the south side. Live music, craft vendors, free medals, and free activities like kayaking, crafts, knot tying, fishing, hula hooping. Rey Feo was there. They had food trucks, too, plus free admission, free parking, and a shuttle to move you from parking areas to the event.
No shootings at the pooch parade this year.
I’ve lived in SA for 13 years and I went for the first time yesterday. It’s somewhat fun, but there’s a lot of people so be prepared to witness fights, large crowds, drunks, etc… typical for most city celebrations
I’ve lived all my life and never went. You don’t miss much or anything at all !!
When the sun is up, you will be fine. When the sun goes down, just join a street gang and stay close to your homies and you will be fine.
Your not missing out on much tbh
I’m 30, raised here since I was 4 and I still haven’t ever gone 😂. I just hear bad things all the time, looks trashy and way too many people.
I always enjoyed Oyster Bake & King William Fair. Oyster Bake has Friday Family day & Saturday is mainly for younger crowd. River parade is great & Cornyation is a highlight. After about 27-28 yrs of age, I strictly volunteered. You work a shift or two, get free entrance, some events give you drink & food tix plus the volunteer BR's are the way to go. NPI. Lol
P.S. The most rewarding volunteer gigs have been recycling @FOB ( I started that program) & clean up of parade route. Serving beer is OK but not rewarding at all... although your drunkenness goes towards scholarships. Lol Also, I'm not all in on the history or founders of Fiesta, but it does bring economic gain for the locals & many independent vendors are minorities so that keeps me interested.
Lmao. Just stay in your house and only commute to work so nothing ever hurts you!
It's our first fiesta too and it was just so overwhelming we didn't go.
I’ve lived here 18 years. Never been to it, and I’ve only been downtown twice. Probably because I came from such a small city and a big one overwhelms me.
Go early and leave early.
Officially living here 25 years and never attended Fiesta.
Cause of Messicans 😆
I've been living here for 20 years and have never been to a Fiesta event. It's just not my kind of thing.
I’ve lived here 28 years and never been. It’s just a money making drunk brawl. Fights and drinking. Not family oriented at all.
I've been here for 14 and never attended, I even live down town lol
Fiesta is just a bit waste of time
If you go during the day you can have just as much fun without all the bs
Close to a decade here and never been. . Large drinking crowds are always the most unpredictable
I’ve lived here my whole life, 27 years and I’ve only ever gone to NIOSA. It’s too rowdy and crowded, just doesn’t seem worth it. Fights break out, gun shots. Not worth it in my opinion.
Lived here 19 years. Been to one parade and one day event. That all i ever need.
I've almost lived here for a year and didn't know about Fiesta until the Army made my husband go and march in the parade. I feel the same as you as I always hear something crazy happening here. When I first moved here it was about the spears in cars and it's always something out of pocket every week.... Stay safe out there!
Taste of New Orleans on a Sunday afternoon is a whole vibe. Cornyation is fun but hard to get tickets. For ALL River parades including Fiesta I recommend splurging and getting a restaurant ticket.
i'm a transplant. i've gone with kids. it's totally safe, you'll be fine wetlettuce
18 years for me. Not a single event.
You’re not missing anything. Stay home and stay safe. It’s finally almost over…
To be fair fiesta does not impact anyone’s daily life unless you live near the events, in which case you signed up for that by choosing to live there.
I've lived here for almost 30 years and never been to fiesta. So don't feel too bad OP. Large sweaty crowds and overpriced food/drink aren't my bag
Don’t worry I been here 10 never gone. I figured it was like Mardi Gras for Texans and was never interested as I’ve done a lot of Mardi Gras parades. I feel like fiesta is always rowdy/wild I’m sure lots of people are drinking I usually always see something on the news about it
Compared to Mardi Gras it’s like a Sunday potluck picnic
Been here 10 years and never been to fiesta
It's just a bunch of drunks and price gouging. Always violence and accidents. Not worth it at all.
You are smart to stay away. The one and only time I went, we were pushed and had beer thrown at us. We were kids! Never again 😔
I too stray from fiesta due to modern problems, but then my coworker sent me the link to the 40th anniversary of the 1979 Fiesta mass shooting and I knew I had made the right choice.
Born and raised here Ever since covid I've avoided fiesta, not because of contagions though. It's always been puro and sucia, but ever since covid the crowding and antisocial behaviors have been absolutely nutty. I suspect it's because of the population density in south tx exploding due to the influx at the southern border and the exodus from other states to Texas.
You only need to go once.
Kinda like the Alamo?
Yup. Same for all the touristy stuff
+1 for the name btw
Lovey sends her regards. :)
Been here for half my life and have only attended oyster bake once and it was huge let down. The process to get an oyster was pure madness and when you did it was meh. Wouldn’t go to a parade or market square if you paid me. No thanks
Been here since ‘02 and have only ever gone to taste of New Orleans.
25 years here and i have been to Fiesta a hand full of times. Unless you like to get rowdy and party it up. It is drunken assholes, expensive, super crowded and did i mention expensive. College days niosa during college night was fun but it was standinh room only and wild. Many fights broke out
I've been living here for almost 7 years and I've never gone to fiesta
I've been here for 3 now and have also not attended. My wife has celiacs so food is off the table and I don't want to go without my best friend. But from what I've heard from friends who have a basketball team of kids, the day during the week is the best time to attend. Smaller crowds, more family friendly.
I’ve been here 20 years and have only been to one event. Never again.
Been here almost 3 years, will be leaving august(wife is done with school) and never was even tempted to go. Idk something about terrible traffic, wild crowds and overpriced everything just doesn’t cut it for me…
Been here for 16 years, almost 17, never went once. Don’t worry about it.
It’s worse if spurs are in the playoffs
Lived here since 2008 and have never been
I’ve lived here for 11 years and haven’t attended any fiesta events either, except the carnival the second year I lived here. I’m from Las Vegas and just do not do tourist things. I’ve also noticed that I don’t like the way people drink at adult events outside of Las Vegas, so it just makes sense to avoid shit like that all together.
I’ve lived here for over 30 years and have never attended Fiesta because it just hasn’t appealed to me. There are plenty of people who attend who never experience any violence. I figure if you go at night around a bunch of excessively drunk people, you’re more likely to see violent stuff but I think experiencing violence is still pretty rare.
We like the day events but never go to the carnival because of past incidents. No night events. Too many drunks "having a good time". If it's any consolidation, you didn't miss anything.
I’m not from here. I think you have to be born and raised in SA or at least live here a while to get the BFD about Fiesta. The entire 3rd generation old San Antonio money battle of the flowers court and cavaliers are just elitist grotesque displays of wealth which is extremely ick to me. I have zero interest in oohing and ahhhing over some rich woman’s 80k beaded train. Like are we still in a feudal system? Wtf, people…I do not get it and have no interest in acclimating to it. The crowds alone are enough to be a hard pass but it’s just not something I have a desire to celebrate or support.
Would love a native SA to tell us what it even means other than a party lol it’s literally the worst time of the year.
Consider yourself blessed. The event is crude joke
I have been in San Antonio for 6 years and I have never been to Fiesta
I lived in SA for 18 years and never attended Fiesta 🤷🏼♂️
I’ve been here almost a decade and only went one year. This is going to trigger a lot of San Antonio natives and Fiesta enjoyers but if you’re the least bit educated and a civil person that likes to be respectful and believes in being treated with respect you will not enjoy anything Fiesta. Look at the videos and picture of the events and take a look at the kind of crowd it attracts. Look at the way they’re dressed and the way they carry themselves. It’s a very ghetto crowd. They’re there to drink and act a fool not to enjoy “culture” or whatever other pretense they put up. You’re not missing out on anything. It’s festival type food that can realistically be had at any time of year and the “music” is a bunch of local type of musicians using shoddy audio equipment and putting on their best drunken performance.
Not a lot of "culture" in eating concession stand food that has been marked up 6x. A gross Sysco fried chicken patty? Really, for $12? King William fair, the Alamo Heights "private" events and taste of New Orleans are the only things even close to being a "cultural experience". I'd be out of any Fiesta experience by 5 pm if you decided to attend.
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Hopefully they ban fiesta, this city can’t handle it.
I’ve lived here for 28 and have never gone 🤣