Ford Holiday River Parade 2024 in Texas

San Antonio's Riverwalk is an excellent spot for an evening stroll at any time of the year. There are shops, restaurants, historical places, and picturesque boats on the canals. However, the site becomes magical in late November, with San Antonio Riverwalk Christmas Lights illuminating your path. About 122,000 LEDs hang over San Antonio's River Walk for about 2.5 miles, turning the place into a wonderland. For more than four decades, Riverwalk has been playing host to the Ford Holiday River Parade, a magnificent occasion during which dozens of festively decorated boats pass through the canal. The event traditionally marks the start of the Christmas season.

Christmas Lighting Ceremony

The annual lighting ceremony takes place on the same day as the Ford Holiday River Parade, transforming the San Antonio River Walk into a dazzling spectacle. More than 100,000 twinkling lights adorn the trees along the San Antonio River Walk, casting a magical reflection of colors in the water. The Christmas lights illuminate this hub of hustle and bustle from November 29th until January 5th, from dusk until dawn. This magical spectacle is completely free to witness and worth visiting, coupled with the festive entertainment along the San Antonio River Walk.

Parade Program

Drawing in thousands of people to the Riverwal, the Ford Holiday River Parade invites San Antonio residents and visitors to welcome the holidays with a vibrant celebration featuring lights, music, and festive costumes. Spectators have a chance to witness 27 magically decorated floats, several bands performing on the river, and other artists. Meet Santa, Rudolph, elves, and other favorite Christmas characters waving to you from their illuminated boats. Each float describes a traditional way San Antonians celebrate the holidays.

Parade Route

The procession begins at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts and generally follows the San Antonio River. The boats float down the river, past UTSA Southwest Campus and Augusta Street Bridge, pass the Weston Center, continue down the river, and turn after passing the Kallison Love Lock Walk Bridge. The participants then follow along the Paseo del Rio, past the Briscoe Western Art Museum, turn left, and continue past the 141st Infantry Regiment Historical Marker along the San Antonio River Walk. The procession then returns to the confluence of the river, near Del Mar Wine & Cigar, where the parade ends.

Music Program

Every year, a special concert of Christmas music takes place at the Arneson River Theatre before the parade, available only for ticket holders. The concert usually lasts approximately an hour and is followed by The River Walk Lighting Ceremony. In the past, the line-up has featured many well-known Texas artists like Flaco Jimenez, Jimmie Vaughan, Patricia Vonne, Randy Brooks, Jimmy Spacek, and others. The main music genres at the Holiday River Parade are country, rock, blues, and jazz.

Schedule

The parade begins at 6 pm and spans until 7:45 pm. Pre-parade show at the Arneson River Theatre lasts from 6 to 7 pm. The Christmas lighting ceremony kicks off at 7 pm, followed by the televised parade at 7-8 pm. Ticket holders can come to the River Walk at 5 pm.

Tickets

Free seating areas on the parade route are available on a first-come, first-served basis. You can bring your chair and grab a spot. There are ticketed seating areas, tickets to which generally vary around $17 to $27. Tickets to the show at the Arneson River Theatre range from $42 to $62.