Guayabera Days
San Antonians break out the short sleeves for Guayabera Fest
A free Fiesta pre-party this April gives San Antonians a chance to add some flavor to their festival outfits. Guayabera Fest promises its "biggest event" in its five-year history on April 19 at Travis Park.
Guayabera shirts, characterized by their vertical panels, have a contested origin — either Mexico or Cuba — but they're definitely a staple in Latin American countries. In this case, the origin is easy: local shop Divide and Conquer Denim & Leather, which specializes in guayaberas and leather jackets.
Divide and Conquer is teaming up with Centro San Antonio and inviting select vendors and partners to join the festivities. The search is active as of March 31, and the festival aims to offer more than 40 vendors overall in a new portion of the festival curated by SA Local Market.
A press release shares that Guayabera Fest was created to "honor the rich history and cultural significance of the iconic guayabera shirt." Of course, attendees are encouraged to wear their own, but they can also buy some at the festival.
“Guayabera Fest is a true reflection of my passion for celebrating and uniting the community,” said founder and CEO of Divide and Conquer Javier Treviño in the release. “It brings together people from all walks of life to celebrate something that is more than just fashion—it’s a symbol of heritage, identity, and storytelling, passed down through generations, uniting our cultures in a shared tradition.”
The festival is also partnering with Univision radio stations VIBE 107.5 and 98.5 The Beat for a live music lineup including emcee and musical curator DJ Tone, modern cumbia group Movimiento Cumbia, Tejano singer Isabel Marie Sanchez (with some Selena tributes along with original music), and legendary Miami DJ Laz.
“Guayabera Fest is rapidly establishing itself as a signature event in Downtown San Antonio,” said president and CEO of Centro San Antonio Trish DeBerry. “We’ve long envisioned an event of this caliber bringing energy back to Travis Park. This collaboration with Divide and Conquer not only enhances the festival experience but also furthers Centro’s mission of supporting and elevating local businesses and spaces in downtown San Antonio.”
The free festival runs from 1-8 pm at Travis Park (301 E Travis St.). The park is fully wheelchair accessible, with accessible public and private parking. An interactive parking map can be found here, but attendees are encouraged to walk, use VIA Metropolitan Transit, or use ride-share services.
