A proposed $5 fee for Fiesta De Los Reyes during peak hours aims to cover security costs, but critics say it could limit access and hurt Market Square businesses.
SAN ANTONIO — A proposed entry fee for one of Fiesta’s most popular traditions is drawing backlash as city leaders prepare to vote on the change.
Organizers of Fiesta De Los Reyes are seeking approval from the San Antonio City Council to charge a $5 admission fee for attendees 13 and older during peak hours at Historic Market Square. The 10-day event is one of Fiesta’s largest and has long been free to attend.
The Rey Feo Consejo Educational Foundation, which produces the event, says the fee is necessary to offset rising security costs following recent violence.
The push for tighter security comes after a 2024 shooting at Fiesta De Los Reyes that left two people dead, as well as another shooting in 2023. In response, organizers added fencing, bag checks, metal detectors and security screenings, in addition to San Antonio police handling crowd control.
“That’s our main priority is to keep people safe. But again, there is a cost to that and unfortunately, it’s very, very expensive,” said Elaine De Los Santos, interim executive director of the foundation.
De Los Santos said the organization spent more than expected on security and ultimately lost money during last year’s event. She said the proposed fee is intended to recover some of those costs and emphasized it would only apply during certain high-traffic hours:
- April 17 (Friday): Starting at 6 p.m.
- April 18-19 (Saturday and Sunday): Starting at 1 p.m.
- April 20-23 (Monday through Thursday): Starting at 6 p.m.
- April 24-26 (Friday through Sunday): Starting at 1 p.m.
“There’s going to be a lot of times that it’s going to be free,” she said, noting visitors could still arrive earlier in the day and remain at the event without paying.
She also said organizers have been discussing the proposal with city officials for months and that a portion of event proceeds goes back to the city and supports community initiatives.
But the proposal is facing opposition from the San Antonio Farmers Market Plaza Association, which represents 88 businesses at Market Square.
Group president Yvette Ramirez said the fee could create barriers for families and negatively impact merchants who rely on Fiesta traffic.
“So to impede on those hours of operation by making a charge for you to go in just to go shopping … you’re going to have to pay $5 to do that,” Ramirez said.
Ramirez emphasized that Market Square is a public space supported by taxpayers and should remain accessible to everyone. She said many families attend Fiesta multiple times throughout the event, and even a small fee could add up.
“It’s difficult for these small families … and then on top of that you’re going to have to pay to get in,” she said.
She also raised concerns about the timing of the proposal, saying businesses were only informed in March, just weeks before Fiesta, leaving little time to prepare or weigh in.
“We had no idea that this was an issue until a few weeks ago,” Ramirez said, adding that stakeholders are willing to work with organizers on long-term solutions but not a last-minute change.
Ramirez also questioned the foundation’s financial claims, saying there has been limited transparency about last year’s reported losses.
“We’re just taking their word that they had a shortfall … but there’s no transparency,” she said.
Despite the disagreement, Ramirez acknowledged the importance of safety, noting security concerns have changed nationwide. However, she said the proposed fee risks changing the character of the event.
“We want this to be an open and free event to the public … and to continue to stay that way,” she said.
City Council is expected to vote on the proposal April 9. Fiesta San Antonio begins April 16.