Annual Day of the Dead River Parade

Q: When and where is the parade, and when will it reach my viewing area?

The Day of the Dead River Parade takes place Friday, October 23, 2026 , along the downtown San Antonio River Walk. It begins at 7:00 p.m. near Lexington Avenue , by the Tobin Center and Thompson San Antonio. Float arrival times vary by viewing area. The first float is expected at Parade Plaza around 8:15 p.m. and Area S near Rivercenter around 8:20 p.m. Check the parade map for your seating area, entrance, and estimated arrival time.

Q: What ticket options are available, and what do they include?

Choose the experience that fits your evening: Standard parade tickets reserve an assigned chair, row, and section along the River Walk. Food and beverages are not included. Parade Plaza Presented by Hennessy offers general-admission, standing-room access at the Convention Center Lagoon, with vendors, entertainment, and food and drinks available for purchase. It does not include chairs or reserved seating. The celebration welcomes all ages; the interactive Hennessy space is limited to guests 21 and older. Dinner and parade packages combine a meal at a participating River Walk restaurant with parade seating. Menus, inclusions, and seating arrangements vary by restaurant.

Q: Does my child need a ticket?

Children 2 years of age and older require a ticket . Children younger than 2 do not require a ticket.

Q: Can tickets be refunded or exchanged?

No. All ticket sales are final. Tickets are nonrefundable and cannot be exchanged.

Q: What time should I arrive, and which entrance should I use?

Reserved-seat ticket holders: Arrive at least one hour before the parade is expected to reach your viewing area. Allow time to park, walk to your assigned gate, and find your seat. Approach your designated gate from street level, since chair placement limits movement along the river-level sidewalks. Parade Plaza guests: Doors open at 5:00 p.m. Arrive by 6:00 p.m. to enjoy the vendors, food, drinks, and activities before the first float arrives around 8:15 p.m. Review your ticket and the Know Before You Go information before leaving home.

Q: Where should I park?

Choose parking or a rideshare drop-off near the seating area and gate printed on your ticket . The parade route spans approximately 2.5 miles, so the best arrival location depends on where you’ll be watching. Visit the Parking & Getting Here section for downtown parking options, and allow extra time for traffic and walking to your entrance.

Q: What can I bring, and are food and drinks allowed?

Strollers, carriers, and ice chests are not permitted on the River Walk during the event. Guests with standard reserved seats may bring personal food and beverages. Keep items manageable and clean your seating area before leaving. Outside food and beverages are not permitted inside Parade Plaza; food and drinks will be available for purchase. Dinner-package guests should follow their restaurant’s policies.

Decorative logo for river parade

October 23, 2026

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Join us at the San Antonio River Walk for the Day of the Dead River Parade. See elaborately decorated floats with altars, catrinas, and costumed riders, all celebrating life and loved ones. What better place to commemorate this celebration than right here in beautiful San Antonio?

Decorated barges will parade down the river that runs through the heart of our magnificent city along the River Walk. Each barge represents a different figure or tradition associated with the Day of the Dead.

Woman dressed in pancho with sugar skull face painting

Get Your 2026 Event Tickets Now

Parade Plaza Presented by Hennessy

Make a full evening of the celebration at Parade Plaza Presented by Hennessy, a lively festival experience at the Convention Center Lagoon. Enjoy entertainment, food, drinks, and immersive Hennessy activations surrounded…

2025 Day of the Dead River Parade float and performance

Day of the Dead Dinner & Parade Packages

Pair your parade experience with dinner at a participating River Walk restaurant. Explore special packages that make it easy to enjoy a memorable meal and reserved river parade seating in one experience.

Important Ticket Information

Day of the Dead River Parade tickets are available online. Please review the following information before completing your purchase:

All ticket sales are final. Tickets are nonrefundable and cannot be exchanged.
Children 2 years of age and older require a ticket.
Strollers, carriers, and ice chests are not permitted on the River Walk during the event.
A free standing-room-only viewing area is available along the parade route from East Commerce Street through the end of the route. Chairs are not permitted in this area.
Sidewalks must remain clear for pedestrian access. Guests may not block business or restaurant entrances or interfere with their operations.
ADA seating is available in select areas along the parade route. Visit the Accessibility and ADA Information page for locations and additional details.

Parade Route and Schedule

map of 2026 Day of the Dead River Parade

The parade officially begins at 7:00 PM near Lexington Avenue by the Tobin Center and Thompson San Antonio. Because the floats travel along the River Walk, they will arrive in each seating area at a different time. Review the parade map to find your section, assigned entrance, and the estimated time the first float will reach your area. For example, the parade is expected to reach Area S near Rivercenter Mall at approximately 8:20 PM.

View the Parade Map and Arrival Times

Parking and Arriving

Parade seating spans approximately 2.5 miles of the downtown River Walk, so there is no single recommended parking area or rideshare drop-off location. Before arriving, review your ticket for your assigned seating area and gate, then plan to park or be dropped off near that location.

There are no road closures scheduled by the parade organizers, but guests should remain aware of other downtown activity that may affect traffic or access.

City of San Antonio parking garages are often one of the easiest and most affordable options, with event-day flat rates typically around $20 or less. The St. Mary’s Street Garage, Houston Street Garage, and Convention Center Garage are all located along the parade route.

If using a surface lot, make sure payment is completed before leaving your vehicle. Guests using street parking should also verify that the space is valid and review all posted restrictions.

View Downtown Parking Options

Accessibility and ADA Information

ADA-designated seating is available in select sections located near accessible River Walk entrances with either a ramp or elevator. When purchasing tickets, look for the accessibility symbol to identify available ADA seats.

Parade seating spans approximately 2.5 miles of the downtown River Walk, so there is no single recommended parking area or rideshare drop-off location. Before arriving, review your ticket for your assigned seating area and gate, then plan to park or be dropped off near that location.

There are no road closures scheduled by the parade organizers, but guests should remain aware of other downtown activity that may affect traffic or access.

City of San Antonio parking garages are often one of the easiest and most affordable options, with event-day flat rates typically around $20 or less. The St. Mary’s Street Garage, Houston Street Garage, and Convention Center Garage are all located along the parade route.

If using a surface lot, make sure payment is completed before leaving your vehicle. Guests using street parking should also verify that the space is valid and review all posted restrictions.

ADA seating is available near:

Tobin Center for the Performing Arts: Section A18
Hotel Valencia: Section F22
Main Plaza: Section G5
International Building: Section G2
Hugman’s Oasis: Section G18
Homewood Suites: Section H8
Briscoe Western Art Museum and Venue Villita: Sections K6 and K3
Arneson River Theatre: Section L1
Alamo Street Bridge: Section N5

Your ticket will identify the assigned entrance closest to your seating section. Please use this designated gate to access the River Walk.

Buy River Parade Tickets

More Dia de los Muertos Events

Day of the Dead Tradition Trail

Follow the Day of the Dead Tradition Trail Presented by Community First Health Plans to discover colorful alebrijes, vibrant calaveras, meaningful altars, and cultural experiences throughout the River Walk.

Culinary Spirits Presented by Hennessy

Discover meaningful food and cocktail creations inspired by loved ones, personal stories, and traditions during Culinary Spirits: A Taste of Legacy on the River Walk Presented by Hennessy.

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where is the parade, and when will it reach my viewing area?

The Day of the Dead River Parade takes place Friday, October 23, 2026, along the downtown San Antonio River Walk. It begins at 7:00 p.m. near Lexington Avenue, by the Tobin Center and Thompson San Antonio.

Float arrival times vary by viewing area. The first float is expected at Parade Plaza around 8:15 p.m. and Area S near Rivercenter around 8:20 p.m. Check the parade map for your seating area, entrance, and estimated arrival time.

What ticket options are available, and what do they include?

Choose the experience that fits your evening:

Standard parade tickets reserve an assigned chair, row, and section along the River Walk. Food and beverages are not included.
Parade Plaza Presented by Hennessy offers general-admission, standing-room access at the Convention Center Lagoon, with vendors, entertainment, and food and drinks available for purchase. It does not include chairs or reserved seating. The celebration welcomes all ages; the interactive Hennessy space is limited to guests 21 and older.
Dinner and parade packages combine a meal at a participating River Walk restaurant with parade seating. Menus, inclusions, and seating arrangements vary by restaurant.

Does my child need a ticket?

Children 2 years of age and older require a ticket. Children younger than 2 do not require a ticket.

Can tickets be refunded or exchanged?

No. All ticket sales are final. Tickets are nonrefundable and cannot be exchanged.

Can I watch the parade for free?

Yes. A free standing-room-only viewing area is available from East Commerce Street through the end of the parade route, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Chairs are not permitted. Keep sidewalks and business entrances clear, and avoid interfering with restaurant or business operations.

What time should I arrive, and which entrance should I use?

Reserved-seat ticket holders: Arrive at least one hour before the parade is expected to reach your viewing area. Allow time to park, walk to your assigned gate, and find your seat. Approach your designated gate from street level, since chair placement limits movement along the river-level sidewalks.

Parade Plaza guests: Doors open at 5:00 p.m. Arrive by 6:00 p.m. to enjoy the vendors, food, drinks, and activities before the first float arrives around 8:15 p.m.

Review your ticket and the Know Before You Go information before leaving home.

Where should I park?

Choose parking or a rideshare drop-off near the seating area and gate printed on your ticket. The parade route spans approximately 2.5 miles, so the best arrival location depends on where you’ll be watching.

Visit the Parking & Getting Here section for downtown parking options, and allow extra time for traffic and walking to your entrance.

Is accessible seating available, and how do I book it?

Yes. ADA-designated seating is available in select sections near accessible River Walk entrances with ramps or elevators.

Look for the accessibility symbol on the official ticketing page when selecting seats. Review the Accessibility & ADA Seating section for locations, then follow the assigned gate information on your ticket.

What can I bring, and are food and drinks allowed?

Strollers, carriers, and ice chests are not permitted on the River Walk during the event.

Guests with standard reserved seats may bring personal food and beverages. Keep items manageable and clean your seating area before leaving.

Outside food and beverages are not permitted inside Parade Plaza; food and drinks will be available for purchase. Dinner-package guests should follow their restaurant’s policies.

Will restrooms be available?

Yes. Restrooms will be available near the parade route.

What happens if it rains?

The parade is a rain-or-shine event. Lightning within the designated safety radius may cause a delay. Check official River Walk communication channels for weather updates and instructions.

Who can help with my tickets?

For ticket assistance, contact Melisa Sanchez at melisa.sanchez@visitsanantonio.com or (210) 244-2044.

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