By: Katy Barber | From: MySA
The Ford Holiday River Parade is going to float the San Antonio River to kickoff the Christmas season for a 43rd year on the day after Thanksgiving. The annual river parade will light up the River Walk " with more glitter, glee, and toys" on Friday, November 29, according to the official website.
The 2024 theme of the 43rd Annual Ford Holiday River Parade is "Toy Box Adventures" and will feature 27 illuminated floats, five entertainment floats, and more than 100,000 holiday lights that Visit San Antonio says will "brighten the River Walk from sundown to sunrise until the weekend after New Year’s Day.
The grand marshal of the parade is Frost Bank CEO Phil Green. The parade and river lighting ceremony will kick off at 6 p.m. at the Tobin Center. A live broadcast will begin at 7:05 from from the Arneson River Theatre, the event website states.
There are tickets available to purchase online throughout the parade route, and children aged two and older will need a ticket. At the time of writing, there were limited seats available online. Some restaurants along the River Walk also offer dinner packages to watch the parade while enjoying a meal.
According to the website, people can also watch from the free viewing area that is offered along the parade route on the east side of the River Walk between Pecan Street and Richmond Avenue. The free viewing area has seating available on a first-come-first-serve basis and Visit San Antonio recommends bringing a chair.
Strollers, ice chests, and carriers are not allowed on the River Walk for the duration of the event, the rules state. There are also ADA tickets available in nine areas along the parade route.
The annual parade takes place the same day as the 40th Annual H-E-B Tree Lighting at Travis Park on November 29. The festivities will kick off at 4 p.m. and the tree will be lit at 6:20 p.m. The event will end at 7 p.m.