Battle of Flowers Parade

Every April, downtown San Antonio becomes the site of a citywide celebration – the Battle of Flowers Parade.

The Battle of Flowers Parade honors the heroic spirit of the patriots of the Alamo. It commemorates the victory of San Jacinto and celebrates the diversity and heritage of Texas and our nation. The parade also holds the distinction of being the first celebration to be held in Alamo Plaza. Also, it is considered the founding event of Fiesta San Antonio

Each year the Fiesta San Antonio Commission stages “Fiesta San Antonio” (or simply “Fiesta”). San Antonio holds this festival, the city’s signature event in April. The city began this festival in the late 19th century. Fiesta honors the memory of the battles of the Alamo and San Jacinto.

Battle of Flowers Parade beginnings

In 1891, local women decorated carriages, baby buggies and bicycles with live flowers. They then met in front of the Alamo and threw the blossoms at one another, thus inspiring the name “Battle of Flowers.” They soon added other activities to the flower parade. The city included balls, parties and a carnival. The celebration’s name changed over the years. Carnival became Spring Carnival then Fiesta San Jacinto. Finally, in 1960, the Commission changed the festival’s name to Fiesta San Antonio.

The Battle of Flowers parade supports the educational, artistic, social and philanthropic achievements of our community’s youth. Also, it is the second largest day parade in the U.S.. The parade has
entertained our city every year since 1891, except during World Wars I and II.

Volunteer women produce this parade and it the only one in the nation holding this distinction. Additionally, non-profit organizations raise funds by selling over 45,000 parade seats along the parade route each year.

The theme of the 2018 Battle of Flowers Parade is “300 Timeless Treasures.” The parade will bring to life fond memories, magical moments, monumental milestones, and hopeful visions. This represents the heart and the spirit of our legendary city. The cry “Remember the Alamo” will also be accompanied by the cry “I Remember.”