San Antonio River Walk Fall & Winter Events

Wishing Lanterns
Returns September 3, 2022, 5:00 - 10:30 PM
Unified Lantern launch at 8:00 PM
An ethereal experience of casting lanterns into the river in honor of loved ones, hopes, dreams, and wishes. Admission is free. Lanterns are $5 and can be purchased online in advance or at the event. Lanterns include one LED candle. Pens are available at the event to personalize your lanterns. Entertainment includes festival dancing to thematic music.

Labor Day Artisan Show
September 2 – 5
Friday-Sunday 11AM-11PM; Monday 11AM-8PM
River Walk Extension (on Chamber of Commerce sidewalk & close to Shops at Rivercenter)
Experience the beauty of the San Antonio River Walk at the Artisan Show by shopping over 40 handmade artisan booths, including pottery, textiles, jewelry, woodwork, paintings, beadwork, and more.

Ford Parade of Lights
September 2 – 4 & 9 – 11; 8 – 10 PM nightly
Downtown River Walk 
10 to 12 magically illuminated boats will float throughout the downtown River Walk. Floats depict different light themes and will have illuminated props. Enjoy the magically illuminated floats from anywhere along the downtown portion of the River Walk. This is a free event.

Fall Artisan Show
October 14 – 1611AM-11PM; Sunday 11AM-8PM
River Walk Extension (on Chamber of Commerce sidewalk & close to Shops at Rivercenter)
Vendors display and sell beautiful handmade merchandise along the San Antonio River Walk. Artisans are different for each show but usually include pottery, textiles, jewelry, woodwork, paintings, beadwork and more.

Drift & Dine
October 12-14, 2021, 5 - 9 PM nightly
Experience a night to remember as you slowly Drift & Dine along the River Walk. Discover new restaurants and revisit old favorites. Relax in good company with music to hear, a sunset to watch, food to savor, and a feeling of bliss. Go with the flow; savor the flavor! Beautifully decorated dinner boats carrying 16-20 passengers each will float along the river making six restaurant stops during their journey. The culinary voyage is offered on three individual nights

Haunted River, Jr.
DATE TBA,  6 - 9 PM, Shops at Rivercenter
Families will have a ghoulishly good time on the River Walk celebrating Halloween. Eerie sights and sounds shall haunt the river while families trick or treat. 2,500 free Trick-or-Treat bags are distributed to kids, while supplies last. Maps to participating restaurants are posted online and at the event. Other entertainment includes face painting, moon bounce, and family-appropriate Halloween music.

Diwali Festival of Lights Parade
November 5,  5 - 6 PM
Diwali San Antonio is one of the largest Indian festivals in the country, drawing thousands of people from all over Texas. The ancient Hindu festival is also known as the Festival of Lights and celebrates the triumph of good over evil. The event features live entertainment and cultural performances, food and handicrafts, DJ, dancing and a fireworks display. The river parade is highlight of the festival. Free

Ford Mariachi Festival
November 10-12, 7:30 - 9:30 PM
2 ½ mile downtown area of the River Walk
This free, official Fiesta event features Mariachi bands and Folklorico dancers from local schools and colleges. This is the perfect time to sit outside, sip a margarita (as if you needed an excuse), and enjoy the music as it floats past you. Boats randomly stop and play music for guests sitting outdoors. Each group wears traditional mariachi and Folklorico costumes. Free to enjoy.

Ford Holiday River Parade
November 25, 6 - 9 PM, Tickets On Sale Now

Seating at Arneson River Theatre & on a 4-mile route on the River Walk
5 PM: Gates open for access to the River Walk
6 PM: The parade begins at the Tobin Center
6 PM - 7 PM: Pre-parade show for ticket holders in the Arneson
7- 8 PM: Lighting of the River Walk & Televised Parade - Santa on last float 
The parade on the River Walk is ticketed
This themed parade is a San Antonio tradition that kicks-off the lighting of the River Walk and the holiday season. It features 28 illuminated floats, and 100,000 lights (2,250 strands) are illuminated to kick-off the parade. The lights remain on the trees and are turned-on from sundown to sunrise everyday till shortly after New Year’s Day. Always held the day after Thanksgiving, the ticket prices range from $15-$40 and are sold on-line at www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com. Free seating areas are on the parade route (bring your own chair). The majority of River Walk restaurants offer dinner packages.

Holiday Lights on the River Walk
100,000 lights (2,250 strands of lights) are illuminated on the River Walk each year. The lights remain on the trees and are turned on from sundown to sunrise every day until shortly after New Year’s Day. The exact ending date varies each year. Check the River Walk website to learn the final date.

Ford Holiday Boat Caroling
December 1- 23 (Caroling boats go on sale in April)
Monday - Thursday, 6 - 8 PM; Friday - Sunday, 6 - 9:30 PM
Throughout the 2 1/2 miles in the downtown area of the River Walk. Six boats float on the river each night carrying a different group each hour performing live Christmas Carols. More than 185 school, church, company, and civic choral groups participate each year. Joyous caroling fills the evening air along the San Antonio River Walk. The public is invited to stroll on the banks of the river or sit outdoors in a restaurant to enjoy the caroling. Private caroling boats are sold exclusively online beginning in April.

Ford Fiesta de las Luminarias
Dec 2 - 4, Dec 8 - 11, Dec 16 - 18
Experience the holiday serenity of the River Walk as you stroll along the lush banks of the San Antonio River guided by more than 2,000 Luminarias. This century’s old tradition begins at dusk Friday, Saturday & Sunday only for three weekends in December ember. Luminarias are a traditional Mexican Christmas lantern originally consisting of a candle set in sand inside a small bag. View the Luminarias and listen to Ford Holiday Boat Caroling from a River Walk restaurant or bar while dining or sipping on a drink.

Holiday Artisan Show
December 9 – 11, 2022
Friday-Saturday 11AM-11PM; Sunday 11AM-8PM
River Walk Extension (on Chamber of Commerce sidewalk & close to Shops at Rivercenter)
Vendors display and sell beautiful handmade merchandise along the San Antonio River Walk. Artisans are different for each show but usually include pottery, textiles, jewelry, woodwork, paintings, beadwork and more.