Ford Holiday River Parade & River Walk Holiday Lights

About this adventure

The world-famous San Antonio River Walk transforms into a mesmerizing holiday paradise with more than 100,000 brilliant, twinkling lights draped over the towering bald cypress trees along the winding riverbanks. The season officially launches the day after Thanksgiving with the historic Ford Holiday River Parade, featuring over 25 lavishly illuminated floats carrying costumed performers, local celebrities, choir groups, and Santa Claus himself gliding along the downtown waterways. Following parade night, the dazzling canopy of multicolored lights turns on automatically every evening at dusk through early January. Families can stroll along the pedestrian river level, dine at outdoor riverbank cafes, or take a festive guided boat tour with Go Rio Cruises. Pathways feature accessible ramps at bridge crossings and street-level access points near Arneson River Theatre and the Shops at Rivercenter.