Fiesta Noche del Rio Celebration in San Antonio

Fiesta Noche del Rio is one of San Antonio's most famous Latin cultural events. The event is held in La Villita, San Antonio's first neighborhood, and is one of the many art districts in the city. The Fiesta Noche del Rio offers seasonal events that feature outdoor performances with songs and dances from Mexico, Spain, Argentina, and Texas. Fiesta Noche del Rio is the oldest and longest-lasting outdoor performance event in the United States. The first performance was in 1958 and the operation has delivered 52 events since its inception. The Fiesta Noche del Rio consists of seven acts. Act one begins with the Fiesta Noche del Rio theme song. Acts two and three provide musical performances from Spain and Argentina. During act four the crowd is wooed with Romantic Latin Music. Acts five through seven are a combination of songs and dances from Mexico and a final performance that is considered the Fiesta Finale.

The performance is based at the Arneson River Theater in the San Antonio River Walk. The Arneson River Theater is a historic theatre with beautiful grassy seating. The tranquil river divides the stage from the seating and creates great acoustics for the performances it holds. The audience can enjoy the performances of the acts overlooking the San Antonio River. Performances are conducted on the stage beyond the river and immediately in front of the seating area near the audience side of the river. Because the artists are so close to the audience it is common for the artists to speak with the crowd after the performances.

The current director and choreographer of the seven act flamenco and folkloric performance is Elizabeth Sanchez-Lopez, who was the dance coordinator for the 1993 Olympics festival. Many of the dancers and performers at the Fiesta Noche del Rio are well seasoned. The performances held at the celebration are all beautifully and professional done.

For a quarter of a century, Fiesta Noche del Rio has been an integral part of San Antonio's entertainment. The Spanish culture in San Antonio heavily permeates the entire city and Fiesta Noche del Rio is no exception. Demographic experts in San Antonio estimate that more than sixty percent of the residents in San Antonio have some type of Hispanic heritage. The celebration contributes to the Spanish San Antonio vibe by commemorating Latin legacy. The Fiesta Noche del Rio is not only a fun and entertaining event but is also educational, teaching the public about the Spanish heritage of various Latin countries. Fiesta Noche del Rio exposes the heart of Spanish dance to those unfamiliar with the cultural background.

The Fiesta Noche del Rio normally starts in the evening at 7PM and performances begin an hour and a half later. The celebration lasts into the bright summer night and is a relaxing and enlightening way to spend an evening. There is a fee to enter the celebration. Adults are required to purchase a ticket for $15 and children between the ages of 6-14 and senior citizens can attend the celebration for $12.

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