Every year the downtown portion of the San Antonio River Walk lights up for Christmas for what is officially called “Holiday Lights on the River Walk”. We posted photos of last year’s Christmas lights in a popular post that went viral on our Facebook page.
Gallery of San Antonio River Walk Christmas Lights
The Christmas lights are part of a wider selection of winter holiday events on the River Walk including a boat parade, luminarias, and boat caroling. Visitors to San Antonio only wanting to view the lights can see them free of charge by walking down the River Walk starting at 5:30 pm every night of the week. You have plenty of time to get your holiday light viewing in too as the lights stay up until early January of next year.
Here are all of the facts you need for the 2021 San Antonio River Walk Christmas Lights
- Number of lights: over 100,000 lights
- Number of light strings: 2,250 strings of light
- Price: Free
- Start date: Friday November 12th, 2021
- End date: Monday January 10th, 2022
- Daily start time: 5:30 pm
- Daily end time: 8:00 am
Map to the downtown portion of the San Antonio River Walk
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Is there an official lighting ceremony for the River Walk holiday lights display?
Answer: Yes. While the lights are turning on early this year, the official ceremony will be held on Friday, November 26th, 2021 at Arneson River Theatre.
Question: Is the lighting ceremony televised this year?
Answer: Yes, if you are unable to travel to San Antonio you can watch the ceremony on TV.
Question: What part of the River Walk are the Christmas lights located on?
Answer: The “Holiday Lights on the River Walk” are located in the downtown section of the River Walk. There is another set of Christmas lights this year North of Downtown in the Pearl District added by the San Antonio River Authority.
Question: When is the Christmas boat parade?
Answer: The annual Ford Holiday River Parade follows the official lighting ceremony on Friday, November 26th, 2021
Question: Is this a family friendly thing to do?
Answer: Absolutely. The River Walk is a public park and all are free to enjoy it.
Question: Are the lights up earlier than usual this year?
Answer: Yes. Typically the lights are turned on the day after Thanksgiving, however, since the start of COVID the lights have been put up earlier to help reduce crowding.
Question: Are dogs allowed on the River Walk for the Christmas lights display?
Answer: Leashed dogs are allowed on the River Walk at all times.
Question: What kind of trees are those the lights are hanging on?
Answer: They are bald cypress trees.
Featured image via Jaron Contreras of Luxe Auto Detailing
