Members of Fiesta royalty show off their shoes to the crowd during the Battle of Flowers Parade on April 24, 2026.
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The Battle of Flowers Parade has been marching through the streets of downtown San Antonio for more than a century, marking its 135th parade in 2026, traditionally held on the Friday of Fiesta San Antonio.
Saile Aranda
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TPR
The long train of a Fiesta royalty gown extends to the end of a float during the 2026 Battle of Flowers Parade.
Saile Aranda
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TPR
The 2026 Battle of Flowers Parade theme, “From Pages to Possibilities,” is reflected in book-inspired floats.
Tall and colorful floats decorated with flowers rolled through downtown as participants in dazzling costumes waved to thousands of spectators lining the route.
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A balloon of "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" from the classic children's picture book floats on Commerce Street for the Battle of Flowers Parade on April 24, 2026.
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Students from the St. George Episcopal School dress up as characters from "The Wizard of Oz" as they ride on a float through Alamo Plaza on April 24, 2026.
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Book Buddies from the SAISD Foundation ride a school bus-themed float at the Battle of Flowers Parade on April 24, 2026.
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At the Battle of Flowers parade, a float that honors contestants and scholarship recipients moves along the parade route through Alamo Plaza on April 24, 2026.
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The Battle of Flowers Association float during the parade on April 24, 2026.
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The 135th Battle of Flowers Parade was celebrated on April 24, 2026.
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This year’s theme was “From Pages to Possibilities.”
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TPR
Spectators sit along the sidewalk at Alamo Plaza for a close-up view of the Battle of Flowers Parade on April 24, 2026.
Storybook-inspired floats, including those influenced by “The Wizard of Oz” and “The Book of Life,” reflected the 2026 theme.
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A Mr. Potato Head helium balloon successfully makes a turn on Commerce Street at the Battle of Flowers Parade on April 24, 2026.
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Spectators at the Battle of Flowers parade crack confetti-filled eggs as they wait for the next float to drive by on April 24, 2026.
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Horses pulling carriages wear braids and flowers for the Battle of Flowers Parade on April 24, 2026.
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The parade began on North Main Avenue in front of San Antonio College and ended at the intersection of North Santa Rosa Avenue and West Martin Street, passing through Alamo Plaza along the route.
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Spectators at the Battle of Flowers Parade wave at people on a firetruck on April 24, 2026, as the parade begins.
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San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones waves at the crowd during the Battle of Flowers parade on April 24, 2026.
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Spectators at the Battle of Flowers fill up the bleachers on Ave E waiting for the parade to begin on April 24, 2026.
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Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas march through Alamo Plaza for the Battle of Flowers Parade on April 24, 2026.
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Cody Lane Georg — Princess of Iconic Texas Remembrance — on her float driving through Alamo Plaza on April 24, 2026.
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The Texas Cavaliers march through Alamo Plaza during the Battle of Flowers Parade on April 24, 2026.
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As part of the Battle of the Flowers Parade, floats, balloons, school bands, antique cars and wagons compete in judged categories. They pass a long table of judges who determine winners in each category.
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The Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas march through Alamo Plaza for the Battle of the Flowers Parade on April 24, 2026.
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The freshman drill team from Texas A&M at Alamo Plaza for the Battle of Flowers Parade on April 24, 2026.
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Members of the Women's Club of San Antonio in an antique car along the parade route.
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The Lee High School cheerleading team, the Royal Rubies, march on Commerce Street for the Battle of Flowers Parade on April 24, 2026.
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The Fiesta San Antonio Commission float drives by Alamo Plaza for the Battle of Flowers Parade on April 24, 2026.
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The Reina Linda float in front of the Alamo for the Battle of Flowers on April 24, 2026.
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The Witte Museum dinosaur-themed float — Alamo Plaza, the Battle of Flowers Parade on April 24, 2026.
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Attendees chant “Show me your shoes” to Fiesta royalty as they pass by on floats. In response, the court shows off bedazzled cowboy boots or other elaborate footwear paired with their gowns.
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The Miss Fiesta float at Alamo Plaza. Members of Fiesta royalty show off their boots during the Battle of Flowers Parade on April 24, 2026.
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The Court of the Order of the Alamo. Swimming flippers were her choice of footwear for the Battle of Flowers Parade on April 24, 2026.
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Confetti cannons
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Members of the Alamo Royalty court show off their cowboy boots at the Battle of Flowers on April 24, 2026.
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TPR
Battle of Flowers Parade attendees purchase food and refreshments mid-parade at booths set up along Commerce Street.
The Fiesta Flambeau Parade follows the same downtown route the following evening. It is the largest nighttime parade in the country, with illuminated floats lighting up the route through downtown San Antonio.
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TPR
Alejandra de la O shows her lilac boots to the crowd as a Fiesta Flambeau float turns onto Commerce Street during the 2026 Battle of Flowers Parade.
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TPR
The Battle of Flowers Parade crowd pops confetti cannons as Fiesta royalty floats pass by on April 24, 2026.
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A "Wizard of Oz"-themed float rolls through the Battle of Flowers Parade on April 24, 2026.
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Saile Aranda graduated from Texas A&M University-San Antonio with a Bachelor’s in Communications in May 2025. She completed a photography internship at Texas Public Radio. She won Texas Intercollegiate Press Association awards as part of The Mesquite newspaper and El Espejo magazine. She enjoys visiting small towns and reading books in her free time. Saile is now a freelance photographer and journalist eager to capture the essence of the city of San Antonio.