Entertainment
NIOSA 2026 Locks In Dates, Ticket Deals, and La Villita Layout Changes Ahead of Fiesta San Antonio
NIOSA 2026: “A Night in Old San Antonio” (NIOSA) will take place from April 21-24, 2026, in La Villita. The festival maintains its 14 cultural areas with food, music, and entertainment while slightly adjusting some layouts. Discounted tickets are available, supporting historic preservation efforts.
NIOSA 2026 Locks In Dates, Ticket Deals, and La Villita Layout Changes Ahead of Fiesta San Antonio
“A Night in Old San Antonio” (NIOSA) is already in full build mode for 2026, and for longtime Fiesta fans, the headline is simple: the experience is staying familiar—just with a few on-the-ground tweaks.
NIOSA, the four-night festival known for turning La Villita Historic Arts Village into a packed, music-filled maze of cultural neighborhoods, will run April 21–24, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. nightly, during Fiesta San Antonio. The event remains centered in La Villita, in the heart of downtown San Antonio, with organizers confirming that all 2025 areas will return—though some entertainment and dining areas will be moved around within the roughly five-acre footprint.
A Fiesta favorite with a preservation purpose
Celebrating its 78th presentation in 2026, NIOSA is more than a marquee Fiesta party. Organizers describe it as the top fundraiser for historic preservation in the United States, operating under the motto “A Celebration for Preservation.”
NIOSA is produced by and benefits The Conservation Society of San Antonio, one of the nation’s oldest historic preservation organizations, which marked its 100th anniversary in 2024. Proceeds support the Society’s work preserving historic properties and parks, along with education and advocacy efforts that include scholarships, grants, and funding support for research and restoration projects.
According to the release, NIOSA provides the Society over $1 million annually on average, helping fund preservation seminars, scholarships, a resource library, and house museums. The event also invests heavily back into the community through local suppliers and operational costs tied to hosting the festival in La Villita.
The 14 areas that make NIOSA feel like its own city
The core of NIOSA’s draw is its immersive layout: 14 cultural areas filled with food, music, décor, and continuous entertainment. The press release highlights the festival’s mix of atmosphere booths, entertainment stages, decorations, souvenirs, and an all-hands volunteer effort that brings the village to life each night.
The 14 areas include:
- The Mission Trail, celebrating early San Antonio history with colorful mission-inspired façades
- Arneson Theatre, set along the River Walk with an amphitheater built in 1941
- China Town, featuring Asian flavors
- French Quarter, where beignets share the menu with escargot
- Frontier Town, bringing the old west to life (and home to the famous Shypoke Eggs)
- Irish Flat, known for favorites like Potato Skins
- Haymarket, featuring Tejano sounds and handmade Maria’s Tortillas
- Clown Alley, built for nostalgic fun
- Froggy Bottom, where the music rocks while fans line up for Chicken on a Stick
- Main Street USA, where it’s always the 4th of July
- Mexican Market, featuring popular Anticuchos beef kabob
- Sauerkraut Bend, serving sizzling sausage with a German Oompa band
- South of the Border, with Northern Mexico-influenced cuisine like Pollo Rancho
- Villa España, surrounded by colorful Spanish murals
Organizers note that while some areas will shift locations within La Villita, every area from 2025 will still exist in 2026—meaning the festival’s “choose-your-own-adventure” feel should remain intact, even if your usual route through the grounds changes.
What’s staying the same (for the better)
NIOSA’s message for 2026 is that the fan favorites aren’t going anywhere.
The festival will again serve a long list of staples, including Mr. Chicken, Maria’s Tortillas, Anticuchos, German sausage, Bongo-K-Bobs, Shypoke Eggs, Beignets, Fried Mushrooms, Yak-i-Tori, Steer on a Stick, Gorditas, and Fajitas de Pollo. Organizers also say NIOSA’s favorite entertainers will return nightly for continuous entertainment, and popular souvenirs will be back, including 2026 NIOSA medalsand the event’s collectible beer cups.
A private medal unveiling ceremony is planned for late January, open to media.
NIOSA also emphasizes that it operates rain or shine, with no refunds on tickets.
Tickets: early discounts and member pricing
For those planning ahead, NIOSA is pushing early ticket savings now.
- Discount tickets are on sale for $17 through January 4, 2026.
- Those tickets are valid for any night of NIOSA 2026.
- Tickets are sold online at: https://niosa2023.ticketspice.com/a-night-in-old-san-antonio-2026
Families should also note: Children 12 and under are admitted free with a paying adult.
The release also points to the best discounted option for regular attendees: joining The Conservation Society of San Antonio by the end of March 2026. Discounted member tickets are listed at $15 per person, with the added benefit of supporting the preservation mission behind the festival.
Powered by volunteers, built for community
NIOSA’s scale is massive—and it runs on volunteer power. The release states that the entire event, including food booths, is operated by an “army” of 10,000 volunteers, with many booths staffed by second- and third-generation families. Volunteers travel from across the country to participate.
The 2026 NIOSA Chair is Julie Terrill, supported by Vice Chairs Monica Reyes, Anita Gonzalez, Lisa Pierce, and Abbi Power, with DeAnna Keesee serving as Treasurer.
The bottom line
NIOSA 2026 is set for April 21–24 at La Villita, keeping its signature mix of cultural areas, live entertainment, and iconic Fiesta food—while shifting a few dining and entertainment zones around the grounds. Early-bird tickets are already available, and organizers are positioning membership as the best way to save while backing San Antonio preservation efforts.
For more information, visit https://www.niosa.org/ or follow NIOSA on Facebook and Instagram.
amusement and theme parks
Six Flags Magic Mountain Unveils Record-Setting ‘Thrill Glider’ Coaster for 2027
Six Flags Magic Mountain is taking flight in 2027 with Thrill Glider, a first-of-its-kind coaster combining flying, motorbike and suspended ride technology with multiple launches, five inversions and speeds up to 50 mph.
Last Updated on September 27, 2026 by Daily News Staff
VALENCIA, Calif. — Six Flags Magic Mountain is preparing to add another major attraction to its coaster lineup with Thrill Glider, a first-of-its-kind roller coaster scheduled to open in 2027.
The Southern California theme park announced Sept. 10 that the new attraction will combine elements of flying, motorbike and suspended roller coasters to create what the park is calling an entirely new category: the “Thrillglider.”
Developed by coaster manufacturer Vekoma, Thrill Glider will place riders aboard specially designed “hovercycles.” Instead of sitting upright, riders will be positioned face-forward and prone beneath the track, creating the sensation of flying through the terrain.
The approximately 80-second ride will feature multiple launches reaching speeds of 50 mph, along with 12 airtime moments, five inversions and 20 track elements spread across nearly 3.5 acres. Onboard audio and lighting effects will add to the experience.
A Record-Setting New Coaster
According to Six Flags, Thrill Glider will stretch 3,380 feet — more than half a mile — and reach a maximum height of 107 feet. The company says the attraction will establish several records within the newly created Thrillglider category, including world’s longest, fastest and tallest Thrillglider.
The ride will also feature an elaborate science-fiction storyline centered on the fictional QuantumPulse Propulsion Systems and its discovery of an energy source called PSR B417. Guests will encounter futuristic displays, holographic presentations and other themed elements before boarding their hovercycles.
“Thrill Glider is more than a new attraction. It is the latest milestone in Six Flags Magic Mountain’s renaissance and a reflection of the park’s enduring role as an industry innovator,” park president Brian Oerding said in the announcement.
Where Will Thrill Glider Be Located?
Thrill Glider will occupy the former Golden Bear Theatre site, positioned between Full Throttle and LEX LUTHOR: Drop of Doom and next to the recently reimagined Looney Tunes Land.
Construction is already underway, with Six Flags planning to open the attraction sometime in 2027. A specific opening date has not yet been announced. The minimum rider height will be 48 inches.
The addition continues Magic Mountain’s long-running emphasis on ambitious roller coasters and introduces a substantially different ride experience: part flying coaster, part launched coaster and part futuristic motorcycle adventure.
Source/ Related Links
Six Flags Magic Mountain — Official Site
Source: Six Flags Magic Mountain press release, Sept. 10, 2026.
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Entertainment
Mattel Adventure Park and VAI Resort: What’s the Latest in Glendale?
Mattel Adventure Park and VAI Resort still have no announced opening date. VAI says construction continues and expects to share more about the park in late 2026.
GLENDALE, Ariz. — The wait continues for Mattel Adventure Park and VAI Resort near State Farm Stadium. Both remain under development, and neither has announced an opening date.
There has, however, been a change in how the park is being described. In August, Axios Phoenix reported that Epic Resort Destinations, the park’s original developer, appears to be out of the Glendale project. Asked about Epic’s involvement, a VAI spokesperson told Axios that VAI is the park’s owner and operator, but did not directly answer whether Epic still has any role. Another VAI spokesperson said the park and resort are now considered part of the same project and that construction continues on both.
VAI also told Axios it is redefining the park’s guest experience and creative vision and expects to share more in the fourth quarter of 2026. That is a promise of a project update, not an opening announcement.
The VAI Resort FAQ currently says it will announce an opening date approximately nine months in advance. Mattel Adventure Park’s Glendale page continues to promote planned attractions, including the Barbie Beach House and two Hot Wheels roller coasters, without listing an opening date.
For families hoping to visit, the practical answer is that there is still no date to put on the calendar. The next meaningful development to watch is VAI’s promised fourth-quarter update: it may clarify the park’s plans, but visitors will need an official opening announcement before they can plan a trip.
Source links: VAI Resort FAQ · Mattel Adventure Park Glendale page · Axios Phoenix’s August report
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Entertainment
Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show Starring Bad Bunny Wins 7 Emmys, Sets New Record
Executive produced by Roc Nation and JAY-Z, the show becomes the most-awarded halftime production in Emmy history.
The Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show starring Bad Bunny took home seven Emmy Awards at the 78th Emmy Awards, making it the most-awarded Super Bowl halftime show in Emmy history, according to Roc Nation. The live spectacle—executive produced by Roc Nation and JAY-Z—won across major production categories, underscoring how the halftime stage has evolved into a full-scale, awards-caliber live television event.
The record-setting wins included Outstanding Variety Special (Live), Outstanding Music Direction, Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special, Outstanding Choreography for Variety or Reality Programming, Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Variety Series or Special, Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction for a Special, and Outstanding Technical Direction and Camerawork for a Special. Roc Nation also noted the show set a global viewership record, pulling 4.157 billion views in 24 hours across global broadcast, YouTube, and social platforms.
Beyond the trophies and viewership numbers, the halftime show leaned into big-name star power with special guest performers Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin, plus additional appearances from Karol G, Cardi B, Jessica Alba, Pedro Pascal, Young Miko, and others. The sweep signals not just a win for the artists on stage, but for the behind-the-scenes creative teams turning the halftime show into one of the most technically ambitious live productions on television.
What to watch for: With Emmy recognition now firmly in the conversation, expect future halftime shows to push even harder on cinematic staging, choreography, and broadcast innovation—because the bar (and the awards) just got higher.
Source: Roc Nation (PRNewswire), Sept. 6, 2026
Link to original press release: https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-apple-music-super-bowl-lx-halftime-starring-bad-bunny–executive-produced-by-roc-nation–jay-z-wins-seven-emmys-302870842.html
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