SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio Conservation Society is planning to “reset” and reimagine Night in Old San Antonio (NIOSA), its four-day Fiesta San Antonio event, while eliminating two full-time positions as construction and declining attendance affect the festival.
The Conservation Society announced the changes Wednesday, saying the planning process for a new version of NIOSA will begin next week. President Betty Bueché said the organization hopes to hold the event in 2027 but has not finalized its format.
“Now, with an eye toward the future, we are taking some time to review and reimagine NIOSA,” Bueché said.
NIOSA has been a major Fiesta event in downtown San Antonio for more than 80 years. The festival takes place in La Villita and raises money for the Conservation Society’s education and historic preservation programs.
Bueché said construction in and around La Villita has reduced the space available for the festival. A food hall is planned for the renovated La Villita Assembly Hall, while three restaurants are planned for Maverick Plaza.
She also said NIOSA attendance has declined in recent years while production costs have increased.
“Costs to produce the event have risen and sales are reduced due to lower attendance,” Bueché said.
The two eliminated positions are among six full-time NIOSA staff positions. Four employees — one office worker and three warehouse and maintenance workers — will remain.
Bueché said the two affected employees could reapply if the reconfigured event requires additional permanent staff.
About 6,500 volunteers help operate NIOSA, which has been held in some form since 1936, with interruptions during World War II. The event’s website estimates that it attracts about 85,000 visitors annually.
Bueché said proceeds from NIOSA will continue to support the Conservation Society’s preservation and education programs, including efforts involving historic properties such as the Aztec Theatre and Casa Navarro.
“Our priority is to fund the education and preservation programs which will continue,” she said. “Some savings may be used to fund the future event.”
Bueché became Conservation Society president in June, while Angelica Docog became the organization’s executive director in July.
The Conservation Society expects to develop plans for NIOSA and present them to its board for approval within the next one or two months.
