Annual River Parades, Festivals, and More
Iconic Events on the San Antonio River Walk
If you have never been to the vibrant and festive world of the San Antonio River Walk, you’re in luck! We love to celebrate, and we celebrate often here. We may have incredible restaurants, one-of-a-kind boutiques, and endless outdoor adventures, but did you know we’re also home to a treasure trove of parades, events, and festivals happening year-round?
Let this rundown of events be your passport to discovering the magic that awaits you on the San Antonio River Walk. Join us as we dive into the enchanting world of parades, events, and festivals that make this city a truly unique gem in the Lone Star State!
Discover Events by Month
January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December
River Walk Mardi Gras Artisan Show
Look for this: February 28 - March 2, 2025
Shop local and experience the heart of San Antonio at the River Walk Mardi Gras Artisan Show! Stroll along the downtown stretch of the River Walk, where booths showcase handmade jewelry, artwork, textiles, woodwork, and more. These Artisan Shows take place throughout the year and are always free to enjoy!
Mardi Gras River Walk Celebrations
Look for this: March 1, 2025
Catch the fun at the River Walk’s family-friendly Mardi Gras weekend festivities.
Plus, don't miss our Mardi Gras Artisan Show!
St. Patrick's River Parade & Celebration
Look for This: March 15-16, 2025
The San Antonio River Walk becomes the River Shannon during St. Patrick’s Festivities at the St. Patrick's River Dyeing. Not only do we dye our river green – with eco-friendly dye, of course, but you can catch live entertainment at Arneson River Theatre, a festival at La Villita, and our spectacular St. Patrick’s River Parade, complete with bagpipes, entertainment, and more!
Plus, don't miss our River Walk St. Patrick's Artisan Show!
River Walk St. Patrick's Artisan Show
Look for this: March 14-16, 2025
Celebrate local creativity at the River Walk St. Patrick's Artisan Show! Explore the downtown River Walk as it transforms into a vibrant marketplace featuring handmade jewelry, artwork, textiles, woodwork, and more. These free Artisan Shows happen year-round and offer a unique taste of San Antonio’s artistry!
Texas Cavaliers River Parade
Look for this: April 28, 2025
Always held the first Monday of Fiesta San Antonio, the Texas Cavaliers River Parade began in 1941 when the Texas Cavaliers took note of river barges adorned with flowers in Mexico City. It continues today with river barges decked out in the vibrant colors of fiesta, music, entertainment, and more!
Ford Mariachi Festival
Look for this: April 30 - May 1, 2025
Stay for the Ford Mariachi Festival, held later during Fiesta, and watch local Mariachi and Folklorico performers drift down the San Antonio River Walk for three evenings. It’s the perfect entertainment to complement your relaxing Fiesta evening along the River Walk!
Plus, don't miss our River Walk Fiesta Artisan Show!
Shop Local with River Walk Artisan ShowsSelect Weekends Throughout the Year
San Antonio’s local artists come together to showcase their incredible works of jewelry, textiles, pottery, paintings, woodworking, and more at River Walk Artisan Shows. Check our event calendar for the next River Walk Artisan Show!
River Walk Fiesta Artisan Show
Look for this: May 2-4, 2025
Support local and shop authentic San Antonio at the River Walk Fiesta Artisan Show! The downtown portion of the River Walk becomes lined with booths featuring handmade jewelry, artwork, textiles, woodwork and more. Artisan Shows are held throughout the year and are always free to attend!
Drift & Dine
Look for this: May 13-15, 2025
How would you like to float through the heart of San Antonio while stopping at your favorite River Walk restaurants to sample their offerings and enjoy an evening of great company?
That’s just what you can expect at Drift & Dine! Savor the flavors of the San Antonio River Walk and float through a journey of culinary flavors and fusions.
River Walk Memorial Day Artisan Show
Look for this: May 23-26, 2025
Support local and shop authentic San Antonio at the River Walk Memorial Day Artisan Show! The downtown portion of the River Walk becomes lined with booths featuring handmade jewelry, artwork, textiles, woodwork and more. Artisan Shows are held throughout the year and are always free to attend!
Pride River Parade & Celebration
Look for this: June 7, 2025
Let’s get loud and proud at the Pride River Parade and Celebration! Created by Visit San Antonio to celebrate the Alamo City’s LGBTQ+ community, you can expect live entertainment, performances, and a lot of fun at the Pride River Parade. The fun doesn’t stop at the River Parade; celebrations and festivities continue throughout the day at La Villita Historic Arts Village!
Salute at Sunset
Look for this: July 4-6, 2024
San Antonio pays homage to the brave men and women in all branches of the United States Armed Forces at Salute at Sunset. Festive floats celebrating both active and retired members of all branches of our country’s military float through the heart of San Antonio – join us!
River Walk 4th of July Artisan Show
Look for this: July 3-6, 2025
Support local and shop authentic San Antonio at the River Walk 4th of July Artisan Show! The downtown portion of the River Walk becomes lined with booths featuring handmade jewelry, artwork, textiles, woodwork and more. Artisan Shows are held throughout the year and are always free to attend!
Ford Parade of Lights
Look for this: August and September 2025
You haven’t seen the River Walk lit up like this before! River barges adorned with unique lighting displays light the Alamo City night during the Ford Parade of Lights. See ten 26-foot-long river barges drift through the River Walk with extraordinary exhibitions on an unforgettable evening.
Rey Feo Superhero River Parade
Look for this: September 2025
Each year, the Rey Feo Scholarship Foundation puts on the annual Rey Feo Superhero River Parade, inviting young and old to meet their favorite superheroes in an evening of live entertainment, food, drinks, and, of course – a river parade! Rey Feo, translated to “Ugly King” in English, is a Fiesta thing – trust us- a non-political, non-profit that dates to 1947. Proceeds from this event go toward scholarships for high school seniors to pursue college and university education regardless of race, color, religion, or gender.
River Walk Labor Day Artisan Show
Look for this: August 29 - September 1, 2025
Support local and shop authentic San Antonio at the River Walk Labor Day Artisan Show! The downtown portion of the River Walk becomes lined with booths featuring handmade jewelry, artwork, textiles, woodwork and more. Artisan Shows are held throughout the year and are always free to attend!
Day of the Dead San Antonio River Parade
Look for this: October 24, 2025
San Antonio is the premier location to celebrate Dia de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, with its many festivals, commemorations, and celebrations. Join us for the Day of the Dead San Antonio River Parade, where you’ll see festive barges decorated with altars, catrinos, and catrinas, and costumed characters paying homage to the occasion and celebrating the life and memories of loved ones past. The festivities continue all weekend long at La Villita Historic Arts Village!
Dia de los Muertos (MuertosFest) at Hemisfair
Look for This: October 2025
Separately, at Hemisfair District, the Dia de los Muertos (Muertos Fest) celebrations invite you to live music celebrations, a procession, altars, and more. Find more information at muertosfest.com.
DiwaliSA
Look for this: November 2025
Diwali, also commonly known as the Festival of Lights, is a unique Indian celebration celebrating the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance. At DiwaliSA, authentic Indian traditions, food, and celebrations can be found as you’re sure to see true Indian attire and dances and ceremonial lighting of candles on the River Walk. This incredible evening culminates in a grand fireworks display in the heart of San Antonio!
Ford Holiday River Parade
Look for this: November 28, 2025
San Antonio’s official kick-off into the Holiday Season, the Ford Holiday River Parade, is a must-see. Always held the day after Thanksgiving, the Ford Holiday River Parade is a festive celebration of holly jolly floats, entertainment, and music, complete with Santa and Mrs. Claus themselves. If you’ve never been a part of the Official River Walk Holiday Light Countdown at this event – it needs to be on your bucket list! Light up the San Antonio Night with thousands of holiday lights and ring in the season in the Alamo City!
Ford Holiday Boat Caroling on the River Walk
Look for this: December 2025
If holiday caroling is your thing, then you’ll want to experience it floating down the gorgeous San Antonio River Walk! Ford Holiday Boat Caroling is available from the end of November through just before Christmas. Are you not a caroler yourself, but would you still like to see carolers? Sit at your favorite River Walk restaurant and catch carolers drifting along the riverbank throughout the holiday season.
Holiday Lights on the River Walk
Look for this: The day after Thanksgiving through early January
Catch the magic of the holiday season at the San Antonio River Walk. Holiday lights are turned on, casting a mesmerizing glow and illuminating the night with over 100,000 lights intertwined among the cypress trees each year at the Ford Holiday River Parade at the end of November.
They remain lit nightly through the beginning of January.
Ford Fiesta de Luminarias
Look for this: December 2025
At the Ford Fiesta de Luminarias held select weekends in December, see over 2,000 luminarias light the river's pathway, adding to the River Walk’s festive atmosphere. A single candle is set in sand, sitting inside small bags. The luminarias are traditional Mexican lanterns.
River Walk Winter Artisan Show
Look for this: January 2026
Support local and shop authentic San Antonio at the River Walk Artisan Show! The downtown portion of the River Walk becomes lined with booths featuring handmade jewelry, artwork, textiles, woodwork and more. Artisan Shows are held throughout the year and are always free to attend!