If you are new to San Antonio, you might be wondering why people are talking about camping in the parks for Easter. As you can imagine, The Easter holiday in San Antonio, and really all south Texas, is rich with traditions. Here it’s all about being with family, firing up the grill so the family pit master can cook up all the fajitas, chicken, and ribs you can eat. There will be homemade pico de gallo, fresh tortillas and a few chocolate bunnies. These gatherings will be held in backyards, state parks and city parks.

If you choose the city park, in San Antonio at least, it is first come first serve. Families have to get creative in order to get the perfect spot. I know of families who have celebrated in the same spot for over two decades. Here is how it works… A few days before Easter, the city will lift its curfew and allow camping in the parks. People will stake their spot by anchoring something to the picnic table (chairs are most common), then they’ll take turns keeping an eye on the spot until the big day. Some people go all out with a full camp set up, while others just hang out in their car.

On Easter weekend, families flock to their spots bringing coolers full of food and beer, a few piñatas, and a whole bunch of cascarones (a confetti filled egg to crack on some unsuspecting grandmother or cousin’s head).

If you are ready to give it a shot, here are the city parks to check out. Good Luck!

Park curfew will be lifted beginning at 11 p.m. on Thursday, March 28 and will resume at 11 p.m. on Easter Sunday, March 31 at the following City Parks:

Brackenridge Park, 3700 N. St. Mary’s (excludes Brackenridge Parking Facility)

Brackenridge Park, First Tee, 915 E. Mulberry (beginning Friday, March 29 at 3pm)

Brackenridge Park, Lions Field, 2809 Broadway

McAllister Park, 13102 Jones Maltsberger

MLK Park, 3503 Martin Luther King Dr.

Roosevelt Park, 331 Roosevelt Ave.

San Pedro Springs Park, 1315 San Pedro Ave.

O.P. Schnabel Park, 9606 Bandera Rd.

Southside Lions Park, 3100 Hiawatha

Southside Lions Park East, 3900 Pecan Valley

Woodlawn Lake Park, 1103 Cincinnati