We write about a lot of Pride events all over the world here at He Said Dallas.
But sometimes a passion for parties and parades can celebrate being proud about something besides the LGBTQ+ community.
Take Fiesta San Antonio, for instance. This 10-day festival celebrates everything we love so much about the Alamo City.
Fiesta highlights so much of the culture and incredible traditions of San Antonio, Texas, making it an ideal time to visit.
Fiesta San Antonio this year runs from Thursday, April 16 to Sunday, April 26.
You’ll find several parades and events throughout the city (with much centered in the downtown area near and along the River Walk).
But lucky you, Fiesta also inspires several queer events to the LGBTQ-inclusive city.
Dates are still TBD for most of the queer-specific events, but here’s what to expect.
Each year, the San Antonio AIDS Foundation hosts a massive fundraiser called the WEBB Party, this year with a Sunset Strip: The Golden Ages theme (April 17).
The hilarious Fiesta Cornyation (April 21-23) brings a little bit of raunchy, gender-bending fun to the proceedings, crowning King Anchovy LIX, Marty Schlesinger. It’s always a sell-out and one of the most popular events in the city during Fiesta.
Masquerade event Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (April 18) returns for a 12th year, with proceeds benefiting Fiesta Youth, an LGBTQ+ organization for 6th to 12th grade students.
Additionally, numerous parties and activities typically take place at the iconic LGBTQ+ bar, Bonham Exchange, while Gay Night at NIOSA (Night in Old San Antonio) usually occurs the Tuesday of NIOSA with free shuttles to the event from many of the area gay bars. As of today, neither Bonham or Gay Night at NIOSA has posted updates for 2026, so keep your eyes peeled for updates.
Of course, you can always hang out at all the LGBTQ bars in San Antonio throughout the festival, so it’ll be a fun time whether you’re going to an official queer event or simply grabbing a cocktail.
Even with not all the dates confirmed for every queer event, book your hotel now and get a cheap flight (or make a road trip of it if that’s more your style).
We recently returned from two back-to-back weekends in San Antonio and recommend The Westin Riverwalk, San Antonio as your home base for Fiesta.
The four-star hotel is walking distance to much of Fiesta’s shenanigans or a quick Uber/Lyft to your event of choice.
As the name suggests, this beautifully appointed property rises along the riverwalk with riverside dining (and drinking) at Zocca Cuisine D’Italia, a tranquil place to end each night with a night cap and conversation as people parade by. We’ve dined here for all three meals and recommend you try it for at least breakfast, lunch or dinner between all the Tex-Mex you’ll be filling up on elsewhere.
We go to San Antonio often and the Westin Riverwalk has been our home base on multiple occasions over the years, especially because we know we can spread out in one of the suites and luxuriate in the massive bathrooms with separate soaking tubs (something you’ll appreciate after walking around the city for hours.)
It also boasts some of the most comfortable beds in the business, something the Westin brand has long been famous for.
With two balconies overlooking the river, there’s always something to check out, especially if you want to see how many hotties are hanging out at the rooftop pool before you head down for a splash. It may mean the difference between prancing to your lounge chair in a Speedo or a more modest robe-and-board-shorts situation.
With more than a month and a half to plan, there’s never been a better time to get down to San Antonio and get down in San Antonio during Fiesta.
Fiesta San Antonio 2026
Thursday, April 16 to Sunday, April 26
fiestasanantonio.org
