In a 7-4 San Antonio City Council vote, Fiesta de los Reyes — the largest free Fiesta event bringing about 250,000 guests — will require a $5 entry fee for certain hours.
To run and operate Fiesta, it costs about $1 million. The nonprofit that organizes the event — Rey Feo Consejo Educational Foundation — generates revenue through sponsorships, booth rentals and drink sales. Before the event increased security measures, including screenings, security and insurance, the event generated $85,000 in net proceeds. The newly added measures caused the organization to operate Fiesta at a net loss.
The organization incurred $143,000 in security measures costs following the 2024 and 2023 shootings at the event. The organization was unable to raise its usual $85,000 in scholarships in 2024 because it focused on fundraising for additional security measures. This year, experts predict that security costs will rise to $730,000 after spending $690,000 in 2025.
In a City Council agenda sheet, the new rule will apply to anyone 13 years or older during certain hours of the day. On Monday through Thursday and the first Friday of Fiesta, a $5 fee will be administered after 6 p.m. On weekends and the second Friday, the $5 fee goes into effect at 1 p.m.
While the City Council has approved this item, Fiesta de los Reyes has made the first two days of the event, April 17 and 18, free of charge.
The projected revenue for this year’s Fiesta is $400,000. Since the City Council will collect 25% of any revenue that is beyond the organization’s secured $250,000, the Council will be pulling 25% from the $150,000 left over from the expected revenue. This leaves the Council with $37,500 added to the city’s budget.
While the city’s $5 fee will help cover the costs for Fiesta, business owners have questioned the implications of the fee on the once-free event.
Small business owner Thelma Gonzales, who operates G’s Gonzalez Gift Shop in the Historic Market Square, detailed the risks of the $5 fee.
“It risks reduced foot traffic, harming small businesses and limiting access to families who have visited this space freely for decades,” Gonzales explained.
Additionally, Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones, District 2 Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez, District 5 Councilwoman Teri Castillo and District 6 Councilman Ric Galvan voted in opposition to the item.
“It will deter folks from going, enjoying the culture, the music and the community that ultimately has built and shaped the City of San Antonio,” Castillo said.
Fiesta will take place from April 17-26.
