Official San Antonio River Walk Event Calendar

Día de los Muertos Tradition Trail

Look for this: October 2 - November 2, 2026

Celebrate life, culture, and remembrance along the Day of the Dead Tradition Trail, presented by Community First Health Plans. Stroll the San Antonio River Walk and beyond to discover colorful alebrijes, larger-than-life calaveras, and altars honoring loved ones past. Continue your journey with specialty dishes and cocktails inspired by personal stories through Culinary Spirits, or step aboard GO RIO’s Río de la Vida Tradition Trail Tour for a guided cruise exploring the art and symbolism that bring Día de los Muertos traditions to life. 

River Walk Fall Artisan Show

Look for this: October 9-11, 2026

Support and connect with local crafters while shopping for authentic San Antonio goods at the River Walk Fall Artisan Show! The downtown portion of the River Walk becomes lined with booths featuring handmade jewelry, artwork, textiles, woodwork, and more. All ages welcome!

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 23, 2026

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!

Calaverita Run 5K & Family Walk

Look for this: October 24, 2026

Celebrate life, community, and tradition at the Calaverita Run 5K, a joyful way to honor loved ones during Día de los Muertos. 

Lace up for this family-friendly evening event that blends fitness, culture, and remembrance into one unforgettable evening. Run, walk, or cheer from the sidelines in your best calavera-inspired outfit and help fill the course with color and spirit.

Dia de los Muertos (MuertosFest) at Hemisfair

Look for This: October 23 - 25, 2026

Separately, in the Hemisfair District, Dia de los Muertos (Muertos Fest) celebrations feature live music, a procession, altars, and more. Find more information at muertosfest.com.

DiwaliSA

Look for this: November 7, 2026

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 27, 2026

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!

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 200,000 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 Holiday Boat Caroling on the River Walk

Look for this: December 1 - 23, 2026

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.

If you are not into singing yourself, but would still like to see carolers, sit at your favorite River Walk restaurant and catch them drifting along the riverbank throughout the holiday season.

River Walk December Artisan Show

Look for this: December 11 - 13, 2026

Shop small and support San Antonio's creative community at the River Walk December Artisan Show! Stroll along the downtown River Walk as local vendors set up shop with handmade jewelry, artwork, textiles, woodwork, and more!

Free and open to all ages, Artisan Shows pop up throughout the year, so there's always a reason to come find something one-of-a-kind.

River Walk Holiday Artisan Show

Look for this: December 18 - 20, 2026

Check off your holiday shopping list while supporting local crafters at the River Walk Holiday Artisan Show! The downtown River Walk fills with festive booths of handmade jewelry, artwork, textiles, woodwork, and more - perfect for finding one-of-a-kind gifts. All ages welcome!

Free and open to the public, this seasonal show is one of several Artisan Shows held throughout the year along the River Walk.

River Walk Winter Artisan Show

Look for this: January 15 - 17, 2027

Support local and shop authentic San Antonio at the River Walk Artisan Show, where the downtown River Walk fills with booths featuring handmade jewelry, artwork, textiles, woodwork, and more.

This free event happens throughout the year and is always worth a stroll.

River Walk Mardi Gras Artisan Show

Look for this: February 5-7, 2027

Add a little color to your Mardi Gras celebration with a stroll along the downtown River Walk! Local makers line the paths with handmade jewelry, artwork, textiles, woodwork, and more!

This is the perfect way to celebrate the season while supporting San Antonio's creative community. Free and open to all.

River Walk St. Patrick's Artisan Show

Look for this: March 12 - 14, 2027

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!

Bud Light St. Patrick's River Parades & Celebration & Emerald Run

Look for This: March 13 - 14 2027
 

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!

Don't Miss: Join the Emerald Run 5K!  

Texas Cavaliers River Parade

Look for this: April 19, 2027

Always held on 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 22 - 23, 2027

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! 

River Walk Fiesta Artisan Show

Look for this: April 23 - 25, 2027

Celebrate Fiesta season while supporting local makers at the River Walk Fiesta Artisan Show! The downtown River Walk comes alive with booths of handmade jewelry, artwork, textiles, woodwork, and a colorful addition to the Fiesta lineup. Free and open to all ages.

River Walk Memorial Day Artisan Show

Look for this: Memorial Weekend; May 28 - 31, 2027

Kick off summer while supporting local makers at the River Walk Memorial Day Artisan Show! The downtown River Walk fills with booths of handmade jewelry, artwork, textiles, woodwork, and more!

It's a great way to spend the long weekend outdoors. Free and open to all ages.

Pride River Parade & Celebration

Look for this: Summer 2027

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!

Sip Around the Rainbow

Look for this: June 2027

Stay cool with colorful drinks celebrating Pride in San Antonio. With both cocktails and mocktails available, Sip Around the Rainbow invites you to download this exclusive passport to your phone, check in at participating locations, and enter for a chance to win prizes!

River Walk Summer Artisan Show

Look for this: June 18 - 20, 2027

Beat the heat with a shaded stroll along the downtown River Walk at the River Walk Summer Artisan Show! Browse booths of handmade jewelry, artwork, textiles, woodwork, and more while supporting local makers. Free and open to all ages.

River Walk 4th of July Artisan Show

Look for this: 4th of July Weekend 2027

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! 

River Walk Labor Day Artisan Show

Look for this: September 4-7, 2026

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! 

Hispanic Heroes, presented by Hennessy

Look for this: September 15-30, 2026

The Hispanic Heroes project is an art installation presented by Hennessy in partnership with UTSA and San Anto Cultural Arts, featuring Hispanic San Antonio thought leaders whose vision, leadership, and contributions helped shape our city’s music scene.

Rey Feo Superhero River Parade

Look for this: September 26, 2026

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-related non-profit organization that dates back to 1947.

Proceeds from this event support scholarships for high school seniors to pursue college and university education, regardless of race, color, religion, or gender. 

Tickets are on sale now!