FIESTA NEWS
San Antonio City Council approves new $5 Fiesta de Los Reyes gate fee
Some Market Square vendors aren't happy about the new Fiesta de Los Reyes fee.
For the first time in 135 years, Fiesta de Los Reyes will charge admission. In a seven-to-four vote, San Antonio City Council approved a measure that will allow organizers Rey Feo Consejo Educational Foundation to charge a $5 fee for entrance into Market Square during the city’s largest Fiesta event.
The annual event, held April 17-26, attracts over 250,000 visitors a year. Following 1 tragic 2024 shooting, the city implemented new security measures, including a heightened police presence, magnetometers to detect weapons, and fencing around Milam Park and Market Square.
Although the foundation welcomed the safety measures, it says it also ate into the amount it was able to give for scholarships and other educational initiatives.
"I will tell you, and my board members of my organization will tell you, I have fought for years to keep this event free because it is the people's event," said Fiesta de Los Reyes board member Frank Garza, during the meeting. "The increased security is a great benefit to this event, but it comes at a cost."
The affirmative vote did not come without controversy. Community organizers and Market Square business owners argued that the fee would reduce foot traffic and harm the more than 100 local businesses that call the popular tourist attraction their home. To those opposed, the fee represents a dangerous step in privatizing public land.
“Market Square belongs to the people,” argued Farmer's Market Tenant Association Yvette Ramirez. “It is a place where culture, tradition, and commerce coexisted for generations, and it should remain open and accessible to the public."
The $5 gate fee will be charged starting at 6 pm on April 17 and be in effect after 1 pm on Fiesta weekends. Children under 12 and people who enter before the afternoon cutoff will not be charged. Online ticketing will open Thursday, April 9.
