Plan your transportation, parking in advance

With thousands of revelers descending on downtown intent on getting their Fiesta on, traffic and parking during the 11-day, citywide party can be a nightmare. So it pays to plan ahead.

Consider going by taxi, ride share, bike or Via’s Park and Ride service available to selected Fiesta events. If you decide to drive, there are plenty of privately owned lots throughout downtown, and the city’s website lists a dozen public lots on its interactive map. These include multifloor garages, street-level lots and spaces under Interstate 35 and Interstate 37.

Fiesta parking

Most city lots charge a $15 event rate during Fiesta. Be sure to bring a debit or credit card, as they don’t accept cash. A select few offer EV charging stations. And before you go, visit Saspeakup.com/fiesta2023 for Fiesta related downtown street closure and additional parking information.

Note that the Downtown Tuesday free parking program will be temporarily suspended on April 25 but that City Tower Sundays will continue during Fiesta. The program offers free parking on Sundays from 7 a.m. to midnight at the City Tower Garage at 117 W. Commerce.

City-run lots include:

• Alamo Lot, 418 S. Alamo

• Convention Center Garage, 41 S. Bowie St.

• City Tower Garage, 117 W. Commerce St.

• Central Library Garage, 600 Soledad

• Houston/nolan Lot, Houston at Elm

• Houston Street Garage, 111 College St.

• I-35 Lots, between West Commerce and West Martin streets

• I-37 Lots, corner of Ninth and Austin streets

• Market Square Lot, 612 W. Commerce.

• Martinez Parking Lot, South Alamo and Martinez

• Municipal Court Lot, 401 S. Frio St.

• St. Mary’s Garage, 205 E. Travis St.

Parking will also be available for both the Battle of Flowers and Fiesta Flambeau parades at San Antonio College in Garage

3. The garage opens April 28 at 6 a.m. for the Battle of Flowers and April 29 at 3 p.m. for the Fiesta Flambeau. The cost will be $15 and only credit and debit cards will be accepted. To park, enter from San Pedro and take Evergreen to Garage 3. For more information, visit fiestasanantonio.org/parade-eventticket-guide.

Via’s Park and Ride

Perhaps the best way to avoid traffic headaches and parking woes is by taking advantage of Via’s Park and Ride program, which runs to selected Fiesta events. The service costs $2.60 round trip and includes free parking. For more information, visit viainfo.net/fiesta.

Park and Ride service will operate during the following events from these lots: Crossroads at 151 N. Crossroads Blvd.; Randolph at 9400 I-35 N.; and Stone Oak at 22139 U.S. 281.

Friday

Taste of New Orleans, from 4:30 to 11:30 p.m. Pickup from Crossroads and Randolph, drop-off at Sunken Gardens entrance at N. St. Mary’s St.

Oyster Bake, from 4:30 to 11:30 p.m. Pickup from Crossroads, drop-off at St. Mary’s University, Camino Santa Maria and Cincinnati.

Saturday

Taste of New Orleans, from 11:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Pickup at Crossroads and Randolph, drop-off at Sunken Gardens entrance at N. St. Mary’s St.

Oyster Bake, 11:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Pickup at Crossroads, drop-off at St. Mary’s University, Camino Santa Maria at Cincinnati.

Sunday

Taste of New Orleans, from 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Pickup at Crossroads and Randolph, drop-off Sunken Gardens entrance at N. St. Mary’s St.

Monday

Texas Cavalier’s River Parade, from 5 to 10:30 p.m.

Pickup at Crossroads and Stone Oak, drop-off at Convention Way Drive off Market Street.

April 25-28 NIOSA (Night in Old San Antonio),

from 4 to 11 p.m. Pickup at Crossroads, drop-off at Convention Way Drive off Market Street.

April 28 Battle of Flowers Parade,

from 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Pickup at Crossroads, drop-off at Convention Way Drive off Market Street.

April 29 King William Fair,

from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Pickup at Crossroads and Stone Oak, drop-off at corner of South Main Avenue and East Guenther Street.

Flambeau Parade,

from 5 p.m. to midnight. Pickup at Crossroads, drop-off at Convention Way Drive off Market Street.