By: Roxy Van Ruiten | From: Kens5

From the River Walk parade to a remembrance 5K at Pearl, here’s what San Antonians can expect during the 2026 Día de los Muertos season.

SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio is already preparing for Día de los Muertos, with a month of events planned along the River Walk, at La Villita and the Pearl.

This year’s “Spirit Season” begins Oct. 2 and continues through Día de los Muertos on Nov. 2. Organizers announced the 2026 lineup Tuesday, including the return of several popular traditions and a new way for local restaurants to participate. 

For chef Johnny Hernandez, owner of La Gloria Group restaurants and who has helped organize Día de los Muertos events at La Villita, this year’s celebration will also be a personal one.

“You know, this year’s a special year for me personally. My mom passed away in December, and we were going to be doing something very special for Mama at Casa Hernan and La Villita,” Hernandez said.

He added, “To me, participation is essential and key to grow this event, and the educational piece is something that I believe we’ve kept as a as a foundation of this celebration.”

What’s new this year?

A new event called Culinary Spirits will bring Día de los Muertos into participating restaurants throughout October.

Restaurants will offer special dishes paired with cocktails inspired by the flavors, traditions and memories of people they want to honor.

The Tradition Trail will also return to the downtown River Walk, with participating hotels, restaurants and businesses displaying altars. Visitors will also find colorful calaveras and other artwork along the river.

Both Culinary Spirits and the Tradition Trail are free and open to the public.

“You can come to the river. You can visit the altars in the hotels, stop by a restaurant and get maybe some food or a drink to celebrate and honor a loved one,” said Rosalyn Castaneda, director of River Walk operations for Visit San Antonio. 

Castaneda said visitors can experience the installations during the day or at night, when some take on a different appearance under blacklight.

River parade returns

The Día de los Muertos River Parade returns Friday, October 23, for its eighth year.

Illuminated floats, performers, music and artwork will travel along the San Antonio River. Tickets for the parade are already on sale, according to the city's website. 

The following day, Saturday, Oct. 24, the Calaverita Run 5k and Family Walk will take place at Pearl.

The event is centered around remembrance. Participants can run or walk in honor of someone they have lost, carry a loved one’s photo on their race bib, add their name to the “For Whom Do You Run?” wall and visit a community altar at the finish line. Registration is now open. 

Día de los Muertos at La Villita

Celebrations at La Villita are scheduled for October 23 through October 25.

Hernandez said this year’s event will include an expanded artisan market featuring artists from Mexico, with a focus on artisans from Oaxaca and Mexico City.

Visitors can also expect food, workshops, face painting and other family activities. The collection of calaveras will continue to grow, and large Día de los Muertos figures will welcome visitors into La Villita. 

Organizers say the goal is to keep the celebrations going beyond the parade weekend and through Día de los Muertos on November 2.

Key dates

  • October 2: Spirit Season begins
  • October 23: Día de los Muertos River Parade
  • October 23–25: Día de los Muertos celebrations at La Villita
  • October 24: Calaveras 5K and Walk at the Pearl
  • November. 2: Día de los Muertos and final day of Spirit Season