River Walk Holiday Lights & the Ford Holiday River Parade 2026
Prices & schedules checked October 18, 2026
Every year on the day after Thanksgiving, a parade of lit floats on the river switches on the holiday lights strung through the cypress trees along the downtown River Walk. Here’s what’s confirmed for 2026.
Ford Holiday River Parade — Friday, November 27, 2026
- The 45th annual parade and river lighting ceremony begins at 6 p.m. at the Tobin Center, with a live broadcast at 7:05 p.m.
- Free viewing: a first-come, first-served area on the east side of the River Walk between Pecan Street and Richmond Avenue. Bring your own chair.
- Ticketed seating, including ADA tickets, is also offered; see the official page.
The lights
- The organizers describe about 200,000 lights draped over the bald cypress trees on the downtown River Walk.
- They shine nightly from the day after Thanksgiving through early January, and seeing them is free.
- The River Walk is a public park open 24 hours a day.
More on the River Walk in December
- River Walk December Artisan Show: December 11–13, 2026 (free).
- River Walk Holiday Artisan Show: December 18–20, 2026 (free).
- Ford Holiday Boat Caroling: carolers float along the river through the season, per the organizers.
See the lights from a boat or trolley
- GO RIO runs 35-minute narrated cruises through the downtown River Walk, daily, most of the year from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. An evening cruise under the lights is the classic way to see them.
- Old Town Trolley sells a holiday package (a festive trolley tour plus a GO RIO cruise under the lights) for November 28, 2026 – January 2, 2027.
We may earn a commission when you book through our links, at no extra cost to you. Details
Viator prices change often, so we don’t quote them: the Viator buttons open the live listing, where you’ll see today’s price, times and cancellation terms. Facts on this page come from the operators’ own sites.
Staying for the parade? Hotels on the River Walk book up early; see where to stay.
Sources
- San Antonio River Walk — 2026 Ford Holiday River Parade (date, time, free viewing area)
- San Antonio River Walk — Holiday lights (200,000 lights, dates, free)
- San Antonio River Walk — Events (artisan shows)
- GO RIO Cruises — Narrated tours (35 minutes, hours)
- Old Town Trolley Tours San Antonio — Holiday tour tickets (Nov 28, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027)