San Antonio Christmas Guide › San Antonio Christmas Lights 2026
When from Nov 27, 2026
Where San Antonio River Walk, San Antonio, TX 78205
Price Free
The downtown San Antonio River Walk does the holidays from the treetops down. Some 200,000 lights are draped across the towering bald cypress trees that line the riverbanks, and seeing them is free. It's open to all ages, and there's no ticket to buy.
Stroll the riverfront paths under the lights while river barges pass beneath them and patio diners settle in along the banks. The lights are switched on at the Ford Holiday River Parade, the official televised lighting ceremony at Arneson River Theatre, and Ford Holiday Boat Caroling is one of the events that runs during the lights season.
Downtown has plenty to fill an evening around the walk: restaurants, shops, river cruises, live entertainment, and Tex-Mex with margaritas. The Alamo and La Villita are nearby, too. Before you go, download the parking map, which shows the parking areas downtown.
Questions
Does it cost anything to see the lights?
No. The River Walk lights are free and open to all ages. Pick a stretch of the downtown riverfront and start walking.
How do the lights get switched on?
They come on at the Ford Holiday River Parade, the official televised lighting ceremony at Arneson River Theatre.
Where should you park?
Download the parking map before you go. It shows the parking areas in downtown San Antonio.
What else is there to do nearby?
The downtown River Walk has restaurants, shops, river cruises, live entertainment, and Tex-Mex with margaritas. The Alamo and La Villita are close by, too.