San Antonio's Holiday Lights: Parades, River Walks and Lighting Ceremonies

For anyone who hasn't spent the holiday season in San Antonio: You're missing out. With average daytime temperatures in the low- to mid-sixties, and nighttime lows in the forties, it's the perfect season to be out and about, and there are some truly incredible lighting displays to enjoy.

First and foremost would be the dazzling yearly launch of the season, the Ford Holiday River Parade and Lighting Ceremony, held the Friday after Thanksgiving (this year Nov. 23rd). The light display continues nightly through Jan. 1st, but the parade is truly a spectacular beginning. Festivities start at 7:00 PM, when the Mayor throws the switch to turn on the 122,000 lights along the river. Then the parade begins as brightly illuminated, decorated floats start their downriver voyage. Gorgeously costumed bands, celebrities, dancers and all kinds of performers entertain the more than 150,000 people who typically attend. Anyone can come and watch, but there's also reserved seating available for 10-20 dollars, though the twenty dollar level is already sold out for this year, so if you want reserved seats it would be good to act soon. The best way to see the parade is to park and walk down to the river level or get there early and get a spot on one of the bridges. This is easily one of the most beautiful and unique holiday parades you will ever experience, and it's only the beginning.

From Nov. 24th through Dec. 16th the brightly-lit River Walk hosts nightly river caroling, so you can enjoy the lights while musical groups of all kinds make their way down river by boat. The mix is eclectic; Conjunto, Polka, Jazz, Bell Chiors, and just about every kind of sound this incredibly musical city is home to. Impromptu sing-alongs are common. Ford Holiday Boat Caroling starts nightly at 6:30 and goes until 9:45. And it's free, of course. Again, it's called the River Walk for a reason, so best way is to walk down to river level, but standing on one of the bridges also affords a view.

From Nov. 30th through Dec 16th the River Walk also features the annual FORD Fiesta de las Luminarias beginning at dusk on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. In addition to the regular lights the River Walk is lined with over 2500 luminarais which, according to tradition, light the way of the Holy Family. It's a beautiful scene to behold as you walk the lush arboretum trails: small paper sacks, weighted with sand, each holding a single candle cast a warm glow on the stone pathway.

Also along the River walk, but at street level is La Villita, the old colonial era settlement, which pre-dates the battle of the Alamo, is also beautifully lit and festooned. The old village is now an art marketplace with the old stone houses converted into all manner of galleries and gift shops. Lighting begins on the same evening as the River Parade, the Friday following Thanksgiving, and continues through Jan 1st. You'll want to walk around inside La Villita since the old walls still enclose much of it.

Only a stone's throw from La Villita is the historic King William district. The neighborhood features many lovely mansions dating from the 1840's with spectacular examples of Victorian, Italianate, and Greek Revival architecture. Originally settled by German immigrants, King William was San Antonio's first suburb and is still the jewel of the city. Beautifully decorated from the Friday after Thanksgiving through Jan 1st, this is a lovely area for an evening stroll or even a drive, starting at dusk nightly. The neighborhood is on the South bank of the San Antonio River and is bordered by South St. Mary's, East Durango and South Alamo Streets.

Another important San Antonio holiday tradition is the Windcrest Lightup. Technically not in San Antonio, but Windcrest, it's only twenty minutes tops from downtown at the I35- Loop 410 interchange. The event's opening ceremony is Dec. 15th and it runs nightly through Dec 31st. San Antonio residents cruise the streets nightly to view the elaborate lighting displays and the city of Windcrest posts a map on their website of the yearly prizewinners.

If you get the chance to visit San Antonio this holiday season you should definitely check out these attractions. San Antonio culture and weather make it a dream destination for the season.