The holiday season is here, and the San Antonio River Authority (River Authority) invites you to celebrate along the sparkling San Antonio River with a variety of magical holiday activities for all ages!
Photo Credit: Ford Holiday River Parade
The River Authority is proud to be a sponsor of the 44th Annual Ford Holiday River Parade, with a festive “Grinch Who Stole Christmas” themed float as part of the celebration. It’s the perfect opportunity to welcome the holiday season along the beautiful San Antonio River!
Join us on Friday, November 28, at 6 PM for the 44th Annual Ford Holiday River Parade and river lighting ceremony at the Tobin Center. This year’s theme, Merry Movie Magic, brings your favorite holiday films to life with more than 30 dazzling floats and over 100,000 sparkling lights along the River Walk.
With Santa and Mrs. Claus returning, Buddy the Elf serving as grand marshal, and a free viewing area between Pecan Street and Richmond Avenue, this cherished San Antonio tradition promises a joyful start to your holiday season.
For more details or to purchase tickets, visit the event website.
Holly Jolly Kayaking on the Museum Reach is officially sold out, but you can still soak in the festive spirit along the river! We invite you to stroll the beautifully lit Museum Reach on Wednesday, December 3, and Wednesday, December 10, and enjoy the sights of kayakers and paddlers gliding through the holiday lights. Even from the shoreline, it’s a magical way to experience the season on the San Antonio River.
The Museum Reach River of Lights Festival is back—and this year, it’s bigger, brighter, and more magical than ever! The River Authority invites the community to step into a sparkling winter celebration on Saturday, December 13, 2025, from 4–8 p.m. at the San Antonio River Lock & Dam (550 Brooklyn Ave, San Antonio, TX 78215). This free, family-friendly festival transforms the Museum Reach into a dazzling holiday wonderland filled with lights, music, snow, and festive fun for all ages.
A Winter Wonderland in the Heart of San Antonio
Get ready for an unforgettable snow-filled adventure! This year’s festival will feature over 100,000 pounds of real snow, including two thrilling snow slides for all ages and a spacious snow play area perfect for building snowmen, making snow angels, or simply soaking in the wintery magic.
Guests can also wander the Museum Reach beneath all-new light pole decorations, 47 glowing trees, and an enchanting pixel tree light show, bringing even more holiday sparkle to the river in 2025.
Live music will fill the air from local bands and musicians who will perform holiday classics as well as other types of music, so there is something for everyone to enjoy!
2025 River of Lights Entertainment Lineup
Holiday Stage Schedule:
- 4:00 PM – Stephanie Bergara
- 5:15 PM – The San Antonio Jazz Collective
- 6:30 PM – The Sideman Syndicate
River Stage Schedule:
- 4:00 PM – Live Oak Singers
- 4:30 PM – Ballet Folklorico Performance
- 5:00 PM – Red Riding Hood – Magic Theater
- 6:15 PM – Lanier High School Jazz Band
- 7:00 PM – Red Riding Hood – Magic Theater
Holiday Shopping & Local Eats
Stroll through vendor booths featuring unique holiday gifts, handcrafted items, and seasonal décor—perfect for finding one-of-a-kind presents or treating yourself to something special. Be sure to enjoy delicious bites from local food trucks as live music fills the air.
Festive Fun for the Whole Family
- Free Pictures with Santa
• Holiday Animal Display
• Live Music & Performances on two stages
• Food Trucks & Shopping Vendors
• Photo ops throughout the festival
Visitors can also write a heartfelt letter to Santa and his elves—a charming tradition for children and adults alike!
Join Us!
Come experience the joy, lights, music, snow, and unforgettable holiday magic of the 2025 Museum Reach River of Lights Festival. Bring your family, bring your friends—and make sure your wish list finds its way to the North Pole!
And the holiday fun doesn’t stop there. After soaking in the sparkle of River of Lights, keep the festive spirit going with the River Authority’s 6 Days of Christmas Cinema Nights!
Celebrate the season with cozy blankets, twinkling stars, and your favorite holiday movies at our beautiful parks across the watershed. Each night brings a new festive film and a magical outdoor experience for the whole family. Bring your holiday cheer, a warm blanket, and enjoy a night under the stars!
Mark Your Calendars!
Dec 18: Christmas with the Kranks – Trueheart Ranch, San Antonio
Dec 19: The Grinch – San Pedro Creek Culture Park, San Antonio
Dec 20: The Santa Clause – Helton Nature Park, Floresville
Dec 21: The Grinch – Escondido Creek Parkway, Kenedy
Dec 22: Elf – Branch River Park, Goliad
Dec 23: The Nightmare Before Christmas – Confluence Park, San Antonio
San Pedro Creek Culture Park’s Mustard Seed Plaza
