River of Lights

River of Lights Promotional Graphic 2026

Saturday, December 12, 2026 | 4PM - 8PM | San Antonio River Lock & Dam on the Museum Reach

Bring the whole family to the San San Antonio River Lock & Dam on the Museum Reach for a FREE winter celebration filled with outdoor fun, music, games, and real snow!

Festival Fun

Experience the Magic of the Museum Reach River of Lights!
Join us along the San Antonio River Museum Reach for a festive evening filled with holiday cheer. Enjoy lights, family fun, and seasonal activities as we celebrate the holidays together on the river.
 
Take pictures with Santa or go play in the 100,000 pounds of real snow after sliding down one of our 2 snow slides. View our Holiday Animal Display while listening to live musical performances. Don’t forget to browse through our Holiday Market and grab a bite to eat at our many food truck vendors. 
 
Want to be a food truck or vendor for this event? Stay tuned. Applications are opening soon! 
 

Main Stage Schedule

Get serenaded by the jams and tunes of the River of Lights live performances. Check out the stage schedule below!
 
Holiday Stage Schedule:
  • more info coming soon!
River Stage Schedule:
  • more info coming soon! 

Parking Information

550 Brooklyn Ave, San Antonio, TX 78215
Dec. 12 | 4 PM – 8 PM

**Parking near the Lock & Dam is limited, so here are some tips to make your visit smooth:

  • Street Parking: Available along Brooklyn Ave and nearby streets. Meters are enforced 8 a.m.–6 p.m. Mon–Sat; after 6 p.m., many meters are free. Always check signage.
  • Pay-to-Use Lots: Various Parking Lots are available along McCollough, Brooklyn, 8th, and 9th Streets between St. Mary’s and Broadway.
  • VIA routes 5 on McCollough, 8 on St. Mary’s and 9 down Broadway are most convenient. Consider taking transit to avoid parking hassles.
  • Plan ahead: Carpool, rideshare, or walk if possible, and arrive early — spaces fill quickly!

Thank you for helping us keep River of Lights a safe, clean, and enjoyable evening for all!

Get Involved

Thank you for your interest in the 2026 River of Lights Event! Please check back soon for this year’s vendor applications.

Thank you for your interest in being a vendor at River of Lights along the Museum Reach on Saturday, December 12, 2026. Please complete the application below. 

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Thank you for your interest in being a Food Vendor at River of Lights along the Museum Reach on Saturday, December 12, 2026. Please complete the application below. 

Food Vendor Information
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Alerts

Stem Density Efforts

Please be advised that trails near the Mission San Juan, Mission Espada, and Conception Park of the Mission Reach area will be temporarily closed due to ongoing Stem Density efforts. We appreciate your cooperation and ask that you remain mindful of workers and closures when in the vicinity. Thank you for your patience as we work to improve our natural spaces!

San Pedro Creek Culture Park

The Salinas boardwalk will be closed due to repairs for the next couple of weeks. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Museum Reach Maintenance Alert

Lexington Avenue West Bank Sidewalk Closure A portion of the trail along the west bank of Lexington Avenue is temporarily closed due to work being conducted by the City. Trail users should follow posted signs at McCullough Avenue and cross to the opposite side of the trail to continue their route. Please follow all detour signage and use caution in the area. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience while this work is underway.

SASPAMCO Paddling Trail Temporarily Closed

Staff have removed two large log jams just downstream of Helton Nature Park, keeping the southern portion of the SASPAMCO Paddling Trail temporarily closed. Staff are working to contact adjacent landowners to support a land-based removal solution.

Goliad Paddling Trail Alert

NOTICE: HWY 59 Landing Site Closed Due to TxDOT construction on the HWY 59 Bridge, the HWY 59 landing site is closed until further notice. However, the Goliad Paddling Trail remains open, and paddlers can still access the river at the Riverdale, Ferry Street, and Goliad State Park landings. Please plan accordingly and check back for updates.

River Reach Newsletter and Blog Signup

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By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing materials from: San Antonio River Authority, 100 East Guenther St., San Antonio, TX, 78204, US. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.