City leaders still need to approve the change.
SAN ANTONIO — Fiesta de los Reyes has long been one of Fiesta’s most highly attended free events, drawing tens of thousands over 10 days. But attendees arriving to Historic Market Square for family fun, live music and chicken-on-a-stick may have to pay $5 to enter this year.
Leaders with the El Rey Feo Consejo Educational Foundation, which organizes the downtown Fiesta event, are looking to charge a $5 entry fee at certain parts of the day for attendees 13 years and older. The reason: a need to offset costs for additional security measures.
“Safety is a top priority,” said Elaine de los Santos, interim executive director at the foundation.
It was even more of a priority for Fiesta de los Reyes organizers last year, after a shooting at the event in 2024 left two people dead. Someone else was injured in 2023 amid another shooting at Market Square during Fiesta; on that same night, two others were arrested for allegedly carrying firearms, which aren’t allowed at the property.
The El Reo Feo Consejo Foundation responded by implementing new security strategies, including fencing, a stricter bag policy and metal detectors.
“Fiesta ran smoothly last year,” de los Santos said.
But those safeguards cost money. And the foundation, which uses Fiesta de los Reyes as a way to fund college scholarships, lost money in 2025 while paying to keep guests safe.
The $5 admission fee would go towards covering the extra security while ensuring the foundation can still accomplish its Fiesta mission, de los Santos said. It would be in effect during limited hours, albeit what’s likely the event’s busiest times:
- 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.
Because organizers have a contract with the city to oversee Fiesta de los Reyes, adding an admission fee requires City Council approval. The body is expected to vote at its April 9 meeting.
“Last year, the Consejos were required to cover all costs related to fencing and screening of attendees using a qualified private security contractor, and these new costs contributed to their (financial) loss,” city documents state.
Approval of the contract change would also establish a revenue-sharing agreement between event organizers and the city, according to records. For 2026, the foundation would retain 75% of dollars beyond $250,000; city records show the foundation expects to bring in an estimated $400,000.
Fiesta kicks off April 16.