SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio is gearing up for the 11-day city-wide event, Fiesta, which honors the heroes of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto. Beginning in 1891, the event encapsulates the spirit of San Antonio, including parades, flower crowns and community enthusiasm. 

While the traditional festivities don’t begin until April 24, the city is still hosting many events to gear up locals for the excitement. Here is a list of things to do around San Antonio in the meantime to get you in the Fiesta mood. 

(Please note some events listed are not official Fiesta events.) 

• Pizza Italia is hosting a medal party on April 1, including beer, pizza and Fiesta fun. The restaurant is located at 3023 Thousand Oaks Drive.

• Matamoros Restaurant & Bar is hosting a pre-Fiesta Sunday brunch on April 6. An RSVP is required, and food and drink will be available for purchase. The restaurant is located at 12844 West Interstate 10.

• Caliente Harley-Davidson is hosting a pre-Fiesta medal swap on April 12. The event is located at 7230 Northwest Loop 410 and includes a Fiesta hat competition, swapping medals and food and drinks. Event details can be found on Eventbrite. 

• A flash sale for the Fiesta Carnival is being held on April 2, which includes $22 unlimited rides. The carnival will take place at the Alamodome parking lot, and it begins on April 24. 

• Morgan’s Fiesta Market, an official Fiesta event presented by Monarch Trophy Studio, will take place on April 12. The event will have food trucks, medal giveaways, raffles and more. It will be located at 5210 Thousand Oaks Drive.

• A princess training camp for little girls ages 4 to 9 on April 12 will be hosted by the Cherice Cochrane Mentoring for Success Foundation. The official Fiesta event, Fit for a Princess, will help children with character building and etiquette skills, making friends and creating princess crafts.

• On April 12, Joint Base San Antonio presents the Great Texas Freedom Fest, which will consist of live music, shopping vendors, military demonstrations and more family-friendly activities. The event is located at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston through the Wurzbach Road entrance.

• Guayabera Fest will take place at Travis Park on April 19, which is located at 301 E. Travis St. The festival is free to the public and includes live music from local and national artists, SA Local Market vendors and fashion showcases.

The full official Fiesta event calendar can be found on its website.