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Shop Halloween Deals →Every October, San Antonio becomes a festive stage of culture, lights, costumes, and river parades.
In 2025 the highlight is the Day of the Dead River Parade on October 24 along the River Walk—Texas’s signature floating procession. You’ll also find the Muertos Fest procession in Hemisfair, plus spooky park events across the city.
Day of the Dead River Parade & Key Halloween Events
| Event | Date & Time | Location / Route | Duration | Entry Fee | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day of the Dead River Parade | October 24, 2025, starts 7:00 PM | River Walk, from Lexington Ave → Arneson River Theatre | ~1.5-2 hours | Ticketed (free standing viewing sections) | Decorated barges, altars, catrinas |
| Muertos Fest Procession | October 25 at 7:00 PM & Oct 26 at 3:00 PM | Hemisfair district | ~1 hour | Free / festival pass | Community procession, music, altars, parade route inside festival grounds |
| Morgan’s Wonderland Halloween Bash | Through October, nights until Oct 31 | 5223 David Edwards Drive | Evening hours | Ticketed | Family-friendly costumes, photo spots, live entertainment |
History & Origins
The Day of the Dead River Parade began as a way to merge Mexico’s Día de los Muertos tradition with San Antonio’s river culture. Over the years, locals and cultural organizations shaped it into a signature event in Texas.
The city already had strong Día de los Muertos observances via La Villita, altar displays, and community festivals. Muertos Fest grew to emphasize the arts, music, workshops, and a procession inside Hemisfair.
San Antonio now balances historical reverence with festive celebration, honoring ancestors in color and creativity.
Date, Time & Location Details (So Far)
Day of the Dead River Parade (San Antonio, TX)
- The parade will launch October 24, 2025, at 7:00 PM, departing from Lexington Avenue along the River Walk.
- The first float is expected to pass Arneson River Theatre by 7:45 PM.
- Along the route, there is a standing-room free viewing area from E. Commerce Street to the end of the route.
- Accessibility / ADA sections are reserved around Tobin Center, Hotel Valencia, Main Plaza, Briscoe Western Art Museum / Villita, Arneson River Theatre, and others.
- Strollers, ice chests, carriers aren’t allowed along the River Walk during the event.
- Children aged 2 years or older must have a ticket.
Muertos Fest & Procession (Hemisfair)
- Muertos Fest 2025 spans October 24–26: Friday from 5:00 PM–11:00 PM, Saturday 10:00 AM–11:00 PM, Sunday noon–9:00 PM.
- Processions inside the festival take place October 25 at 7:00 PM and October 26 at 3:00 PM.
- The routes for those processions are within the Hemisfair festival grounds, connecting stages, altars, and vendor zones.
How to Participate in San Antonio’s Halloween Parades & Events
If you’re planning to be part of San Antonio’s spooky celebrations this year, participation depends on the event you choose.
For the Day of the Dead River Parade, participants are usually pre-selected by the organizing committee and sponsors. They include community groups, artists, and cultural performers. However, visitors can register early as volunteers, decorators, or local vendors who contribute to the event setup.
For Muertos Fest, public participation is much more open. You can apply for a community altar, vendor space, or even a procession slot inside Hemisfair.
Applications typically open in August 2025, and spots fill up fast. Families can join by designing mini-altars, attending workshops, or dressing in theme for the community walk.
At theme parks like SeaWorld’s Howl-O-Scream or Fiesta Texas’s Fright Fest, you can sign up for costume contests, photo challenges, and live-show audiences.
These don’t require formal registration—just a great costume and a ticket for the night.
Viewing Tips & Best Spots
If you want the best views for the River Parade, arrive at least two hours early.
The most scenic stretch is near Arneson River Theatre and La Villita, where floats slow down for performances and lighting effects.
Families looking for calmer spots should head closer to Lexington Avenue or St. Mary’s Street Bridge, which are usually less crowded. For the Muertos Fest procession, the central plaza area gives the best visuals for photography.
Bring a folding chair or blanket if you plan to stay long, as standing zones fill up quickly. Nighttime temperatures in October average around 65°F (18°C), so a light jacket helps if you plan to stay till closing concerts.
Wheelchair-accessible sections are set up near Hotel Contessa, Briscoe Museum, and Tobin Center, and staff usually assist with guided seating. Public parking garages fill up fast—try to park a few blocks away and use VIA Metropolitan Transit or rideshare services.
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Shop Halloween Deals →Costumes & Themes for 2025
The 2025 Day of the Dead Parade theme focuses on “Bridges Between Worlds”, celebrating the connection between life, memory, and community. Expect plenty of glowing marigold floats, skeletal performers, and angelic wings painted in traditional calavera art.
If you plan to attend in costume, go for authentic sugar-skull makeup, Catrina gowns, or charro suits with bright embroidery. Locals love when visitors embrace the cultural essence respectfully, so avoid exaggerated or parody outfits.
For Fright Fest and Howl-O-Scream, the trend leans toward horror icons, LED masks, and glow-in-the-dark accessories. Families often dress in coordinated themes—think Coco characters, classic skeleton families, or even friendly ghosts for kids.
If you love contests, Muertos Fest hosts a public costume competition on Sunday evening, usually at 6:00 PM, open to all ages.
Entertainment & Highlights
San Antonio’s Halloween week mixes music, art, and theatrical storytelling unlike anywhere else in Texas. During the River Parade, barges glide through the water carrying live bands, dancers, and large skeletal puppets illuminated by hundreds of lanterns.
The reflection of colored lights on the water makes the scene breathtaking—bring your camera! At Muertos Fest, you’ll find over 80 musical and performance acts across multiple stages.
Expect mariachi, cumbia, local rock, and folklore dance troupes paying tribute to ancestors. Children enjoy puppet shows, craft booths, and sugar-skull decorating tents that run through the day.
Theme parks, meanwhile, go all-out with haunted mazes, scare zones, and firework finales. Six Flags Fiesta Texas typically hosts “Fright by Night” parades after dark, while SeaWorld balances its scares with daytime trick-or-treat zones for kids.
If you’re up for nightlife, the Haunted San Antonio Pub Crawl and Bonham Exchange Halloween Bash offer adults-only fun with themed cocktails and DJ sets until 2:00 AM.
Travel & Accommodation Tips
San Antonio is one of Texas’s most tourist-friendly cities, so travel is easy.
If you’re flying in, the San Antonio International Airport (SAT) is only 15 minutes from downtown. You can also take intercity buses from Austin, Houston, or Dallas.
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Shop Halloween Deals →Hotels near the River Walk sell out quickly around Halloween weekend.
Book early at places like Hotel Valencia, Hyatt Regency, or Omni La Mansión del Rio if you want balcony views of the parade route.
For a budget stay, the Downtown Holiday Inn Express and La Quinta by Rivercenter Mall are good options within walking distance. If you prefer something cozy, local Airbnb stays in King William District or Southtown are perfect—they’re quiet yet close to Hemisfair.
Parking in downtown garages costs around $10–20 per night, and most hotels offer shuttle access to major event zones.
Food & Local Experiences
Halloween in San Antonio is just as much about the food as the festivals.
Street vendors along the River Walk serve elotes, pan de muerto, churros, and aguas frescas during the parade evenings.
Nearby restaurants like Mi Tierra Café, La Margarita, and Iron Cactus offer special Día de los Muertos-themed menus throughout the weekend. If you love coffee, stop by a local favorite like Halcyon or Rosella Coffee, which often decorate with mini altars and sell sugar-skull pastries.
Nightlife fans can explore the Pearl District, which hosts themed block parties and DJ nights. For families, many neighborhoods such as Alamo Heights and Monte Vista organize safe trick-or-treat events for kids.
San Antonio’s mix of flavors, art, and traditions makes Halloween feel both festive and soulful—every bite and beat tells a story of heritage and fun.
Safety Guidelines & Event Rules
San Antonio’s Halloween season welcomes everyone, but the city keeps things organized with clear safety guidelines. The River Parade and Muertos Fest both implement bag checks at entry points.
Avoid bringing large backpacks, glass bottles, or weapons of any kind.
Pets are generally not allowed along parade routes unless they’re certified service animals. For families, keep children close to marked viewing zones and use glow bracelets for visibility after dark.
If you’re attending the parade near the water, stay behind safety rails and follow staff instructions at all times. Weather in late October can shift quickly, so carry a light rain poncho instead of an umbrella, which can block views.
Parking garages close to the River Walk fill up before dusk, so plan to arrive early or use public transportation. Local police and volunteers are stationed along all main streets for traffic control, making it easy to navigate even on busy nights.
Keep your phone fully charged—San Antonio’s events are large, and finding friends in costume crowds can take time.
Photography & Social Media Tips
If you love capturing the magic, San Antonio’s Halloween parades are a dream for photographers. The best lighting is right after sunset, when the floats reflect off the water but the sky still holds a faint glow.
If you’re using a phone, switch to Night Mode or HDR for crisp images without flash. The most photogenic section of the River Parade is between La Villita and Arneson River Theatre, where performers pause for choreography.
For Muertos Fest, aim for mid-afternoon shots when the light hits the colorful altars just right. Many visitors prefer wide-angle lenses to capture the crowd and the historic architecture in one frame.
If you plan to share online, use hashtags like #SanAntonioHalloween, #MuertosFest2025, or #DayOfTheDeadRiverParade.The official accounts often repost high-quality photos from visitors. Tripods are allowed in general viewing areas, but avoid blocking pathways or reserved spaces.
Conclusion
Halloween in San Antonio isn’t just a night of costumes—it’s a living celebration of art, memory, and culture. From the glowing barges on the River Walk to the lively stages at Hemisfair, every corner of the city hums with excitement.
Whether you’re dancing in the Muertos Fest procession or snapping photos of marigold altars, the spirit of the season surrounds you. What makes San Antonio stand out is its ability to blend tradition with modern fun.
You’ll feel history in the music, community in the streets, and joy in every candle flickering beside an altar. If you’re searching for a Halloween experience that’s emotional, photogenic, and full of heart, San Antonio 2025 should top your travel list.
So pack your costume, bring your camera, and come join the thousands of visitors ready to celebrate life, death, and everything in between this October.
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Shop Halloween Deals →FAQs
The Day of the Dead River Parade has both ticketed and free standing sections. Muertos Fest and neighborhood events are free to attend.
Yes, if you want reserved seating near Arneson River Theatre or any front-row views along the River Walk. Early purchase is recommended.
Arrive by 5:30 PM for the 7:00 PM parade start. It ensures you find parking and a good viewing spot before crowds build.
Absolutely. Both the River Parade and Muertos Fest are family-friendly, though evening events can get crowded. Many parents prefer daytime visits or earlier shows.
Yes, but only from licensed vendors inside event zones. Open containers outside these areas are not permitted.
No, but highly encouraged! Dressing up adds to the festive spirit, and you’ll blend perfectly with San Antonio’s lively Halloween crowd.
Public restrooms are available near the River Walk, Hemisfair, and designated event zones. Most hotels and shopping centers nearby also accommodate visitors during the weekend.