Hey y'all,
Cory here.
Annie and I snuck in a date night at Ladino this week—still one of our favorites (and yes, that new ice cream sandwich for dessert is absolutely worth it).
We also swung by Otto’s Ice House, a new Pearl-adjacent spot that’s got a laid-back vibe and good drinks. Between a river run, a work session at Make Ready Market, and pulling in our first tomatoes of the season, it’s been one of those “good to live here” kind of weeks.
And of course—Fiesta is in full swing!
Enjoy,
🎊 Feature of the Week: Fiesta Weekend #2 – Choose Your Adventure
With the second weekend of Fiesta upon us, the options are big, bold, and everywhere. From historic parades to neighborhood flair and tail-wagging fun, this is when the city truly shows off. But take it from us: pick your moments. You don’t need to do everything to feel the magic. Choose what feels right for you, and go all in.
Here are seven heavy hitters this weekend:
🌸 Battle of Flowers Parade📍Downtown | Friday, May 2, 9:30 AM 🎟 Tickets $20–$30 (Bleacher seating)
The one that started it all. Since 1891, this parade has honored the heroes of the Alamo and kicked off Fiesta in full bloom. Organized entirely by volunteer women, it’s pure tradition. Expect street closures and big crowds—but also iconic pageantry. More info →
🔥 Fiesta Flambeau Parade📍Downtown | Saturday, May 3, Vanguard 7:15 PM, Parade 7:45 PM 🎟 Tickets $20–$30 (Bleacher seating)
The largest illuminated night parade in the country. Lighted floats, marching bands, and the roar of downtown after dark. A can’t-miss spectacle if you’re down for Fiesta after sundown. More info →
🎭 King William Fair & Parade📍King William Historic District | Saturday, May 3, Parade at 9 AM 🎟 $20 adults, free for children 11 and under
Quirky, artsy, and locally beloved. This neighborhood festival blends food, music, arts vendors, and a creative parade themed “Our Olympic Culture” this year. It’s family-friendly by morning and gets livelier as the day unfolds. More info →
🐶 Alamo Heights Pooch Parade📍Alamo Heights (Viesca St) | Saturday, May 3, 7:30 AM–12:30 PM 🎟 $30 per dog/handler team, $5–$8 for spectators
Nearly 800 dogs in costume? Yes, please. This community favorite raises funds for Therapy Animals of SA and is one of the most heartwarming ways to start your Fiesta Saturday. Parade starts at 9:30. More info →
🎷 St. Mary’s Fiesta Jazz Festival📍St. Mary’s University | Friday, May 2, 11 AM–9 PM; Saturday, May 3, 8 AM–6 PM 🎟 Free and open to the public
One of the longest-running educational jazz festivals in the U.S., featuring middle and high school bands by day and headliners like the Mike Rodriguez Quintet by night. Great for music lovers who want a slower tempo. More info →
🍻 A Night in Old San Antonio (NIOSA)📍La Villita Historic Arts Village | Now through Friday, May 2, 5:30–10:30 PM 🎟 $25 in advance, $30 at the gate
Fiesta’s rowdiest, most eclectic food and drink festival. Four nights, 14 cultural areas, 80+ food booths, and nonstop music and beer-raising.
🎶 La Semana Alegre at Hemisfair | Thursday & Friday, May 1–2, 5–11 pm 📍Civic Park at Hemisfair, 210 S Alamo St. 🎟 Free (VIP tickets $40).
A two-night music fest in the heart of downtown with live bands, Fiesta eats, and plenty of space to roam. It’s still under the radar—last year, we had a whole set (or two) to ourselves. More info →
📆 This Week's Picks (Non-Fiesta Events):
🎨 First Friday at Blue Star Arts Complex | Friday, May 3, 6 PM–11 PM (most galleries open 6–10 PM).📍Blue Star Arts Complex, 1414 S Alamo St. Free! A lively night of art, music, and creative energy in the heart of Southtown.
🖼 McNay Print Fair | Saturday, May 3, 10 AM–5 PM; Sunday, May 4, 12–5 PM📍McNay Art Museum, Leeper Auditorium. Included with museum admission (free on Sunday!). One weekend only: rare prints, expert dealers, and original art for every budget.
🤠 Locals Day at the Briscoe | Sunday, May 4, 10 AM–5 PM📍Briscoe Western Art Museum, 210 W Market St. Free for San Antonio & Bexar County residents. Your last chance to catch the Night of Artists exhibition—one of the top showcases of contemporary Western art in the country.
📰 One Read: San Antonio’s Most Important Election in Years—But Where Are the Voters?
Early voting turnout is dramatically low—down nearly 30% from the 2023 municipal election. Despite a wide-open mayor’s race and 10 City Council seats on the ballot, just 8% of registered voters in San Antonio cast ballots early. Read the full breakdown from the San Antonio Report →
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the 27 candidates in the mayoral race, you’re not alone. That’s part of why we helped produce a series of in-depth interviews with six leading candidates for mayor on bigcitysmalltown. Two candidates didn’t respond to our invitations, but the series still offers meaningful insight into the people and ideas competing to shape San Antonio’s future.
🎧 Listen to the mayoral series →
And if you’re curious how I came to my own decision, I wrote a personal endorsement—the first we’ve published at Ensemble Texas.
📝 Read why I’m voting for Beto Altamirano →
Election Day is this Saturday, May 3 with polling sites open 7 am to 7 pm. Find your polling place, make a plan—and please, participate.
🌳 (Re)Discover Something New: Phil Hardberger Park Turns 15!
One of San Antonio’s most beloved urban green spaces just turned 15—and it’s the perfect excuse to get outside before the summer heat sets in. Whether you’re walking the trails for the first time or the fiftieth, Phil Hardberger Park is worth a revisit.
Don’t miss the Robert L.B. Tobin Land Bridge, the first of its kind in the U.S.—a 150-foot-wide green crossing connecting both sides of the park over Wurzbach Parkway. It’s designed for both wildlife and people, with a central berm that gives animals cover while offering visitors a peaceful, car-free path. Just beyond, the Skywalk takes you up into the canopy for a unique view through the treetops.
Other highlights:
- Nature Play Area for kids
- Wildlife Blinds designed by local artists
- Butterfly Garden, Ecology Center, and miles of native trails
Bring water, pack a snack, and enjoy the park that’s redefined how cities can blend conservation and recreation.
🔗 More at philhardbergerpark.org →
🌿 Texas Nature Journal: Designing with Place in Mind – Jean Robinson
This week, I want to shout out my friend and landscape designer, Jean Robinson. As part of my Sustainability Office-funded native plant demonstration site, Jean delivered an absolutely beautiful, hand-illustrated design that captures the soul of what we’re building—something that feels truly rooted in place.
Jean’s designs are driven by native Texas plants, sustainability, and a deep understanding of how to create landscapes that thrive with less water and more ecological intention. If you’re looking for a landscape designer who blends artistry with expertise in native plants, I can’t recommend her enough.
👉 Learn more or get in touch with Jean at jeanrobinsondesign.com
Or reply to this email and I’ll connect you directly.
If you make it out to any of this week’s picks—or discover a hidden gem I didn’t catch—let me know. Just hit reply, I’d love to hear what you got up to.
And if A Guide to Living in San Antonio helps you feel more rooted here, consider forwarding it to a friend. That’s how this thing grows—neighbor to neighbor, one good recommendation at a time.
Curious about partnering or supporting Ensemble Texas?
I’m always open to ideas, collaborations, or simply a good conversation.
📬 sponsor@ensembletexas.com or just reply to this email.
Enjoy your weekend. Pace yourself with the Fiesta calendar. And make time for whatever fills your cup.
Until next time,
Cory