Due to the COVID pandemic, Fiesta San Antonio events were mostly cancelled the past two years. This year, Fiesta returns with a full roster of festivities including those sponsored by organizations in the LGBTQ community.
Below is a list of events organized to help raise funds for queer nonprofits.
April 1, Webb Party
The San Antonio AIDS Foundation’s 2022 WEBB Party theme is “Celestial Dreams, A Night in the Zodiac” at the Aztec Theatre on Friday, April 1. Costumes strongly encouraged. The evening will include stellar performers, celestial decor and roaming entertainment. Costumes are strongly encouraged.
Guests can opt to pay General Admission or extra for a “VIP Experience.” In either case there will be food, libations and plenty of entertainment. Ten restaurants including Tio Pelon’s Salsita, Toro Kitchen, Magnolia Pancake Haus, and the SAAF Kitchen will provide tasty treats for partygoers. All proceeds benefit the San Antonio AIDS Foundation.
Webb Party, April 1, 2022, 7-11pm, Aztec Theater. 104 N St Mary’s St. General Admission $75. VIP Admission: $175, $800 (for party of 4). Visit this link for tickets and more information.
April 3 – The Chili Queens Cook-Off
The Chili Queens Cook-Off is an Official Fiesta San Antonio Event presented by the Happy Foundation with donations benefiting the San Antonio AIDS Foundation and The Thrive Youth Center. The Happy Foundation, located in the Bonham Exchange building, is San Antonio’s LGBTQ archive.
Due to COVID the event will be a bit different this year. instead of a traditional chili competition, the Bonham will be bringing in a previous winner to give out chili samples.
There will be live music with The Jimmy Spacek Band Featuring RB Blackstone. The Bonham Babes will be doing special numbers to honor some of the Chili Queens VIPs for all their help and accomplishments. The night finishes off with Fiesta’s tackiest competition, giving out the Woochie award for the Tackiest Queen.
Chili Queens Chili Cook-Off, April 3 at the Bonham Exchange, 411 Bonham Street, from 3 PM to 8 PM. 18+ only, Free admission.
April 5 – Pride Ride to NIOSA
Gay Night at Night in Old San Antonio returns on Tuesday, April 5 with the Annual Pride Ride Shuttle from the Main Avenue Strip to the gates of NIOSA and back. Shuttle runs from 5:00 PM to 10:30 PM. Cost is $5 roundtrip. Proceeds benefit Pride San Antonio. Wristbands can be purchased at the Annex, Knockout Sports Bar, Heat Nightclub, the Queendom, Essence Bar, Luther’s Cafe and Sparky’s Pub. Proceeds benefit Pride San Antonio.
King Anchovy LV, Jesse Mata.
April 5 to 7 – Fiesta Cornyation
Fiesta Cornyation has been proclaimed by its organizers as Fiesta’s “raunchiest, cheapest event with a purpose.” This year’s show, The Court Of Frenetic Frantic Kingdoms, will be reigned over by “His Royal Heinous” King Anchovy LV, Jesse Mata.
The extravaganza is part drag show, part satirical revue, part beer hall bawdy-fest. Since becoming a non-profit organization, Cornyation has donated over $3 million to local charities.
Beneficiaries of the event are San Antonio AIDS Foundation, BEAT AIDS, and Thrive Youth Center. Additionally, Cornyation will award Robert Rehm scholarships to college students pursuing a degree in a theater arts-related field.
Fiesta Cornyation, April 5 to 7 at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. at the Charline McCombs Empire Theatre, 226 N. St. Marys Street. Tickets are available at the Empire/Majestic Box Office and on Ticketmaster.com.
April 6 – Fiesta Frenzy
Celebrate Fiesta with an evening featuring the city’s premier drag performers at San Antonio’s Fiesta Frenzy, hosted by the Mistresses of Ceremonies Eryca Daniels and Autumn Summers. The show features performances by Layla LaRue, Kourtney Devereau, Lynn-Z Andrews, Taryn Taylor, Tonica Cavali, Sasha Cavali, Natalie Cutrone McCall, Donet McKim, Ka’alyah McKim Diamond, Dakota Whitney, and Alannah Davis. Opening act by Reese McKenna. Benefit for San Antonio students pursuing careers in the arts.
Fiesta Frenzy, pre-sale tickets online $20 at PrideSanAntonio.org. $25 at the door on April 6. Doors open 6:30 p.m, show starts at 7:30 p.m. Public Theater of San Antonio, 800 W Ashby Place.
April 8 – Battle of Flowers After Party
The Battle of Flowers Parade passes along Alamo Plaza in front of the Menger Hotel, an area where the queer community traditionally gather to watch to the parade. After the parade, many revelers head over to the Bonham Exchange for an unofficial after party that continues until the early evening.
Fiesta Battle of Flowers After Party, April 27 at the Bonham Exchange, 411 Bonham St. Doors open at 11 a.m.
April 9 – Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
The 8th Annual Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil masquerade party will benefit Fiesta Youth, a nonprofit that offers peer support, friendship, enrichment activities for LGBTQ Youth. Masks are encouraged.
The party will be held at the Betty Kelso Center inside the San Antonio Botanical Garden. Guests will enjoy cocktails and appetizers along with a full roster of entertainment including the e7 Band, DJ Rook, singer/songwriter Laura Marie, DFNTLY Entertainment, and the Grupo Folklorico de Bendiciones Dance Team.
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, April 9 from 7PM to Midnight at Betty Kelso Center at the San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston Pl. VIP Single Admission $125 (all-inclusive ticket to the event with admission to event one hour early at 6:00PM). VIP Couple Admission $225.00 (includes two all-inclusive tickets to the event with admission to event one hour early at 6:00PM). General Admission ($100.00 includes one all-inclusive ticket to the event starting at 7:00PM). After March 30, 2022 all ticket prices increase $25.00 for each level. This is a 21+ fundraising event only. All sales are final. Rain or shine. Use this link to purchase tickets.
