What is Oyster Bake? Is it kid-friendly, or should I get a babysitter? Where is it? These are just a few of the questions I have received, and I wanted to provide some answers.
Oyster Bake Admission in 2025: Adults are $25 pre-sale and $30 at gate, & Kids 12 and under are Free. (Prices are subject to change)
Oyster Bake Parking: we parked on campus for $20 but got lucky; it filled up quickly. Everywhere else around is $20 or you can take the VIA for about $1.50
Oyster Bake Location: St. Mary’s University Campus – 1 Camino Santa Maria, San Antonio, TX 78228
Oyster Bake Dates & Times in 2025: Friday, April 25, 2025: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM and Saturday, April 26, 2025: 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
From Oyster Bake:
Oyster Bake features more than 100,000 oysters served baked, raw, and fried, plus 70+ food and beverage booths that dish up savory favorites and quench every thirst. Enjoy continuous Rock, Country, Tejano, R&B / Hip Hop, Pop, and Children’s musical entertainment, a full carnival, and a special Fireworks Spectacular on Friday evening. Join more than 7,000 volunteers and 60,000 patrons at this exciting event. Oyster Bake’s mission is to produce a quality, volunteer-driven, Fiesta San Antonio-approved music festival to raise funds for student scholarships to St. Mary’s University and to support the University and the Alumni Association. Proceeds from the event support scholarships and university programs, with over $10 million raised to date.
Kid-friendly: Nope…LOL. I know others will disagree, but it is crazy and crowded. If you want a great carnival, go to the Fiesta Carnival.
Oyster Bake Activities and Attractions:
- Lots of Great Food & Drink Vendors
- Multiple stages with multiple great bands, probably the best music experience at Fiesta
- Huge carnival
- Cool interactive experiences and samples to try
- They offer a great VIP area with AC potties and massages
- Fireworks
- VIP experiences available
Oyster Bake Food and Beverages:
Attendees can indulge in over 100,000 oysters served baked, raw, or fried. Other popular offerings include the famous “chicken on a stick” with jalapeño, along with a variety of other food and beverage options from numerous vendors.
To Note: Prepare for ALOT of walking! Prepare for crazy crowds. We saw lots of overflowing trash cans. We saw a few dirty port-o-potties. There also seems to be a lack of signage and maps, so first-timers just get ready to wander and discover, which is kinda fun. This was the tightest security we have encountered thus far. They check everything so make sure to check their website and leave things in the car so they don’t take them.
Parent Tips if you bring the kids:
- Wear closed-toed, comfy shoes
- Prepare for tricky parking
- Bring money as the activities and food are expensive
- Bring hand wipes and antibacterial
- Be ready to hold hands so you don’t get separated
While the event is open to all ages, the large crowds and festive atmosphere may be overwhelming for young children. Parents should plan accordingly and consider attending during earlier hours if bringing kids.
My overall recommendation is for Oyster Bake if you are an adult. I personally would never bring my kids again & they are good with that decision.
Check out my other Fiesta Reviews
- What is Fiesta?
- Fiesta Fiesta
- Alamo Heights Night
- Oyster Bake
- Taste of New Orleans
- Viva Botanica
- Charreada
- NIOSA
- King William Parade & Fair
- Fiesta Flambeau
- Festival de Animales
- Texas Cavalier River Parade
- Battle of Flowers Parade
- Taste of Northside (coming soon)
- Fiesta Castle Hills (coming soon)
- Fiesta Fashion Outfits
