San Antonio kicks off the holiday season in style at the Holiday River Parade and Lighting Ceremony. Join over 150,000 San Antonio residents and visitors on the banks of the San Antonio River to watch the holiday lighting ceremony and spectacular one hour parade.
Holiday River Parade and Lighting Ceremony
An annual event for over 27 years in San Antonio, the Holiday River Parade and Lighting Ceremony takes place on the Friday following Thanksgiving each year. At 7 p.m., the main switch is thrown and approximately 1.4 million LED lights illuminate the San Antonio River Walk. The lights continue to shine every evening through Jan. 1, 2012.
After the Lighting Ceremony, the Holiday River Parade begins with 25 professionally decorated and lighted river barges floating down the Paseo del Rio. The barges feature local and national celebrities, bands and musicians, and festively costumed participants.
A ticket to the parade is required to access the River Walk after 5 p.m. the day of the parade. You can purchase reserved seating in plastic folding chairs that are arranged along the sidewalk and walkways around the river. You can choose $10, $15, $20 or $25 tickets. The cheapest tickets are general admission, guaranteeing a chair but not an assigned seat. The most expensive tickets are for reserved seating in the Arneson River Theater — where the parade is nationally televised for millions of viewers.
Additionally, many restaurants on the River Walk offer dinner packages that allow you to view the parade while enjoying a meal. Call the restaurant of your choice for more information.
Even if you miss the Holiday River Parade and Lighting Ceremony, visit the San Antonio River Walk through New Year’s Day to enjoy the amazing light display and other holiday events. Check out the San Antonio River Walk website for a parade route map, ticket information and more details.
Holiday River Parade and Lighting Ceremony information
Address: 418 Villita Street, San Antonio, Texas 78205
Phone: 210.227.4262
Website:thesanantonioriverwalk.com
Image courtesy of the Paseo del Rio Association
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