About The Festival
Each year, students from more than 40 local high school bands join together to present an entertaining musical evening that is undoubtedly one of Fiesta’s most popular events. Some of the highlights include Herald Trumpets, parades of bands with colorful flags and twirlers, and feature bands performing their award-winning UIL shows for the crowd. At the end of the evening, all musicians will perform together in a spectacular finale set to fireworks!
The Battle of Flowers Band Festival was first held in 1936, and is the oldest and longest running marching Band Festival in the country. The purpose of the Band Festival is to offer high school bands a unique opportunity to perform together and encourage their interest in music. Top placing bands and fan favorites are awarded with “Celebration of Music” grants to support and encourage the arts in our local schools.
Please note: Limited mobility seating for the Band Festival has reached capacity.
Free Parking Options
San Antonio Zoo Parking Garage
Trinity University and Laurie Auditorium
SAWS Parking Garage
Sunken Gardens
Japanese Tea Gardens
San Antonio Zoo
Alamo Stadium LOT B public parking (entry off of Stadium Drive)
*Limited Mobility drop off area in LOT B
**Park and Ride not available for this event
2026 Winners
PARADE OF BANDS
CATEGORY 3A and below
FIRST PLACE BAND AWARD: Cornerstone High School
SECOND PLACE BAND AWARD: Central Catholic High School
CATEGORY 4A
FIRST PLACE BAND AWARD: Bandera High School
SECOND PLACE BAND AWARD: Somerset High School
CATEGORY 5A
FIRST PLACE BAND AWARD: Thomas Jefferson High School
SECOND PLACE BAND AWARD: Pieper High School
CATEGORY 6A
FIRST PLACE BAND AWARD: Churchill High School
SECOND PLACE BAND AWARD: East Central High School
THE SPIRIT AWARD WINNER (COLOR GUARD OR FLAG UNIT): East Central High Schooll
THE CHAIRMAN’S AWARD (“CROWD PLEASING” PERFORMANCE): Thomas Jefferson High School
BATTLE OF FLOWERS FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Five seniors from area high schools were selected to receive $10,000 scholarships to the school of their choice based upon scholarship, leadership, extracurricular activities and involvement in band.
Hannah Michelle Aguirre, drum major at McCollum High School, Harlandale ISD
Adrian Manuel Alanis, drum major at Sandra Day O’Connor High School, Northside ISD
Layla Decker, section leader at Southwest High School, Southwest ISD
Evelyn Martinez, section leader and captain at Sidney Lanier High School, SAISD
Jake Schultze, herald trumpeter and brass captain at Marion High School, Marion ISD
2026 Participating Bands
Feature Bands
Poth High School
Luther Burbank High School
Tom C Clark High School
Parade of Bands 1
Thomas Jefferson HS
South San Antonio HS
McCollum HS
John F. Kennedy HS
Edison HS
Douglas MacArthur HS
Randolph HS
Southwest HS
Highlands HS
Cornerstone Christian Schools
Stockdale HS
Sandra Day O’Connor HS
Parade of Bands 2
Pieper HS
Marion HS
Holy Cross of San Antonio HS
John Marshall HS
Poteet HS
Legacy of Educational Excellence (LEE) HS
William J. Brennan HS
Southside HS
Young Men’s Leadership Academy
Roosevelt HS
Lanier High School
East Central HS
Parade of Bands 3
Winston Churchill HS
G.W. Brackenridge HS
Central Catholic HS
Harlandale HS
Antonian College Preparatory HS
Somerset HS
Southwest Legacy HS
Memorial HS
John Jay HS
Bandera HS
Sam Houston HS
John M. Harlan HS
Video Coverage
2026 Battle of Flowers® Souvenir Program
Click here to view the 2026 Battle of Flowers® souvenir program, which includes this year’s highlights of the Oratorical Contest winners, Cover Art Contest winners, Band Festival, and Battle of Flowers Parade.
