2025 Fiesta® San Antonio
April 24 — May 4, 2025
Fiesta is San Antonio’s largest celebration, with more than three million people attending over 100 events during the 11-day festival. Participating groups host many activities, including parades, musical entertainment, food festivals and carnivals — all raising funds for their organizations. This year’s festivities run from April 24 to May 4, 2025.
If you’ve attended Fiesta in the past, you already know the magic of wearing flower crowns, cracking cascarones, waiting for that prized chicken-on-a-stick, and shouting, “Show us your shoes,” at the Battle of Flowers Parade. And if this is your first time, then you have a world of magic and fun in store.
The first Fiesta celebration dates back 134 years ago, with the first run of the Battle of Flowers Parade in 1891. Since then, the parades have only gotten bigger and better. Some of the Grand Marshals from past parades have included the company of NASA astronauts, First Ladies Laura Bush and Lady Bird Johnson, David Robinson of the San Antonio Spurs, country singer Pat Green, Baroness Maria Von Trapp, and other notable Texas figures such as governors, senators and even Olympians.
Let’s see what this year’s iconic parades and Grand Marshals have in store for us.
80th Annual Texas Cavaliers River Parade
Shine Bright: A Celebration of Light and Illumination for All
Monday, April 28, 2025
This kickoff Fiesta parade happens each year on the first Monday of the festivities. Over 250,000 spectators line the banks of the River Walk, crowd on bridges, and tune into the city’s live broadcast to get a glimpse of more than 45 lively floats that make their way down the river. The floats bring music, confetti and fun along the way — all in the name of children’s charities. The Cavalier’s first parade rolled in 1941, coinciding with the completed River Walk revival project designed by architect Robert H.H. Hugman and carried out by President Roosevelt’s Works Progress Administration. This year’s theme is “Shine Bright,” showcasing the community leaders who bring illuminating hope to our city.
Remembering Your Grand Marshal: Rosemary Kowalski
Philanthropic community leader Rosemary Kowalski was named the 2025 Texas Cavaliers River Parade Celebrity Grand Marshal. She was a luminous example of compassion and generosity that brightened the lives of countless individuals, perfectly capturing this year’s parade theme. Sadly, she passed prior to this year’s Fiesta celebration. Tres Steves, Texas Cavaliers River Parade Marshal, will lead the parade in tribute to Rosemary. “Rosemary didn’t just make an appearance in our city,” he reflects. “She claimed a profound place in its heart.” Paul Arthur Rohlfs, Jr. will preside over ceremonies as the 2025 King Antonio, cementing a three-generation family legacy by following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Porter Loring, Jr., who notably served as King Antonio LIII 50 years prior in 1975.
134th Annual Battle of Flowers Parade
Melodies in Bloom — A Texas Serenade
Friday, May 2, 2025
With 10,000 participants and 500,000 spectators, the Battle of Flowers® is one of the most popular Fiesta events. What you may not know is that it was also the first. Without it, there wouldn’t even be a Fiesta! It all began on April 24, 1891, when congressman James L. Slayden’s wife, Ellen Maury Slayden, sought to honor the Alamo’s heroes and commemorate the victory at San Jacinto, where Texas gained its independence from Mexico. From there, it grew into one of the oldest and largest parades in the country. Today, the Battle of Flowers Association is the only all-women, all-volunteer organization producing events of its kind, continuing to grow and shape the Fiesta experience for new generations. This year’s theme is “Melodies in Bloom,” a serenade to Texas honoring the musical traditions of the Lone Star State, including Tejano, rock, hip-hop, zydeco, blues, mariachi, country and more.
Meet Your Grand Marshals: Josh Abbott Band
Starting Battle of Flowers on a high note, the Josh Abbott Band will bring the “Texas Serenade” to life as the Grand Marshals with a step-off time of 9:55am on the downtown streets of Alamo City. This year’s parade celebrates the roots of Texas music, showcasing the spirit of true Texas country legends. “It’s truly a big honor, and we are super excited,” said Josh Abbott. “We’ve played an event or two during Fiesta over the years, and so we understand how big of a cultural tradition it is in San Antonio, and this just feels like a one-of-a-kind opportunity and honor.” The Josh Abbot Band is from Lubbock and is most known for songs like “My Texas” and “Oh, Tonight.”
77th Annual Fiesta Flambeau Parade
Deep in the Arts of Texas
Saturday, May 3, 2024
The largest night parade in the country, Fiesta Flambeau™ runs a 2.6-mile route through the city lined by an audience of over 750,000, plus another 1.5 million watching at home on their television sets. The first Fiesta Flambeau Parade rolled in 1948. It was formed by Reynolds Andricks who took some inspiration from the lively Mardi Gras night parades in New Orleans. Now, Flambeau is one of Fiesta’s most anticipated events. It has even been named one of the “Best in the World” by the International Festivals and Events Association. Illuminated floats shine bright, showcasing the best of Texas. This year’s theme is “Deep in the Arts of Texas,” highlighting Texan leaders of creative fields, including culinary arts, literature, art and mariachi music.
Meet Your Grand Marshal: Mateo Lopez
Get ready to meet this year’s youngest Grand Marshal, also known as the Mariachi Kid, Mateo Lopez. A San Antonio native, Mateo holds the Guinness World Record for being the youngest mariachi musician. He’s appeared on national television and performed around the world, and his hometown couldn’t be more excited for him to take on the big job of leading the country’s largest night parade. This year’s theme is all about celebrating the arts. Mateo will represent Texas music and San Antonio’s rich mariachi history and culture. Honorary Grand Marshals include Chef Johnny Hernandez — representing the culinary arts; Joe R. Villarreal — representing the visual arts; and Dr. Carmen Tafolla — representing the literary arts. This year’s parade is a chance to see just how creative Texans really are!
