NIOSA

NIOSA (pronounced, knee-OH-sa) is a celebration of the cultural and ethnic diversity of La Villita, the oldest part of the city. It is called Night in Old San Antonio Texas because of its location here in this eighteenth-century National Historic District on the banks of the San Antonio River.

NIOSA Facts and History

NIOSA 2023 celebrates the culture and history of the city of San Antonio, Texas. For four nights in mid-April the La Villita District, just blocks from the Alamo and Riverwalk, becomes a vast venue for enjoying some of the delicious Southwestern cuisine from 5:30 p.m until 10:30 p.m. Expect hundred of food booths, live entertainment, and more—all of which is centered on the cultures that helped make San Antonio the place it is today.

The enclosed area of La Villita has only four restaurants. However, the festival itself is known for the scores of food stalls and booths, including a New Orleans French Quarter area, a Chinatown section, the Frontier Town section specializing in Texas barbecue, the South of the Border section, and much more. For breakfast and lunch, you can try the many restaurants along the nearby Riverwalk or in one of the many San Antonio hotels around La Villita.

NIOSA Tickets

Advance tickets are available at a number of locations beginning the first of March. During the festival, NIOSA 2023 tickets are sold at each of the gates into the district. There are ticket discounts for Associate Members of the San Antonio Conservation Society, which is open to all. The Society helps to fund programs at various museums around the city, as well as the historic district. All tickets are for one-night only and are non-refundable. The festival goes on – rain or shine.

Directions to NIOSA

The Night in Old San Antonio Texas Festival is held exclusively in the La Villita District, which is located almost exactly in the center of the city. It is about five miles south of the airport, and accessible to the junctions of all major highways into the city. The district is closed to vehicle traffic during the festival. You can arrive and depart by taxis, which will be found at the north curb of Market Street, east of Alamo Street. As parking can be a bit tight and closed streets may be tricky to navigate, taking San Antonio’s VIA buses can be a great option. These arrive from points around the city. If you are driving, take I-35 Exit 141A toward Commerce Street/Downtown. Keep right at the fork and go onto E Commerce Street. Turn left onto N Presa Street.

NIOSA Lodging

The Night in Old San Antonio Texas welcomes close to 100,000 visitors, so the closest hotels do fill up during the festival. If you want to stay in the neighborhood, make your arrangements as far in advance as possible. You can choose the luxury of the Hilton Palacio del Rio at 200 South Alamo Street. It’s located right on the Riverwalk and within walking distance of La Villita and the Alamo. You might choose the historic Fairmount, dating to 1906 and located just down the street at 401 South Alamo Street, just across the street from La Villita Park.