San Antonio – Centro San Antonio leaders revealed Friday that the popular Guayabera Fest will relocate to the historic arts district of La Villita and expand to a four‑day event for Fiesta 2027. The festival will run April 20‑23, the same dates NIOSA would have occupied before the Conservation Society of San Antonio halted its ten‑year lease.
New home and longer schedule
“We’re incredibly excited to work alongside the City of San Antonio to bring Guayabera Fest to La Villita, creating new opportunities to celebrate Fiesta while investing in a place that means so much to our community,” said Trish DeBerry, president and CEO of Centro San Antonio.
Previously held in Peacock Alley and later in Travis Park, Guayabera Fest honors the embroidered, pleated summer shirt known as a guayabera. The expanded schedule will feature live entertainment across three stages, local vendors, food options and immersive cultural experiences throughout the historic village.
Event details
Each day the festival will open at 5 p.m. and run until 10 p.m., offering families and visitors a safe, family‑friendly evening of music, dance and artisan showcases. A portion of the festival’s revenue will be earmarked to support the preservation of La Villita’s historic and cultural spaces, reinforcing Centro’s commitment to maintaining the district’s unique character.
Lease negotiations and future plans
Centro is currently negotiating a lease agreement with the City of San Antonio, which owns La Villita. While specific terms have not yet been released, a Centro spokesperson confirmed that discussions are “in the works.” In September, the city accepted the Conservation Society’s request to end its remaining nine‑year lease, opening the venue for new programming.
DeBerry also expressed optimism that NIOSA could return in some form. “I hold out hope that we’ll have a reincarnation of something perhaps over at La Villita,” she said. “It may not be NIOSA, which we all love, but there could be something. We’ll see.”
City support
Chief Downtown Officer Shanon Miller praised the move, noting that La Villita is “the perfect home for Guayabera Fest’s next chapter” and that the expansion promises lasting support for one of San Antonio’s most iconic historic neighborhoods.
Ticketing and related events
Ticket prices will be announced in the coming months. In addition to Guayabera Fest, Centro announced that its annual Holidays on Houston Street event will also shift to La Villita this year. Although the holiday market will retain its name, it will be set up several blocks away in the historic arts district and will run over two weekends, Dec. 4‑6 and Dec. 17‑20.
Both festivals aim to highlight local artisans, musicians and food vendors, providing residents and visitors with authentic cultural experiences while supporting the economic vitality of downtown San Antonio.
Original reporting: San Antonio Report — read the source article.
