San Antonio Day of the Dead River Parade & Events: Ultimate Festivity Guide

Pullman Market is celebrating Día de los Muertos with programming throughout October and early November. Photo: Robert Lerma, used with permission.

Celebrate Día de los Muertos in San Antonio: Top Events, Dining, & Festivities

San Antonio is home to some of the largest and most vibrant Día de los Muertos celebrations in the United States. From illuminated river parades and rooftop parties to exquisite tasting menus and traditional altars, here is your ultimate guide to celebrating Day of the Dead across the Alamo City this season.

1. The Westin Riverwalk: Day of the Dead River Parade Celebration

Experience the spectacular Day of the Dead River Parade right from the heart of the River Walk with fine dining, delectable cocktails, live entertainment, and premium parade seating. (The Westin Riverwalk, 2026)

  • Date & Time: October 23 | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
  • Highlights: Stilt walkers, live DJ, sugar skull face painting, and reserved parade viewing.

Available Packages:

  • Calavera Celebration Reception ($160 / person): Includes reception-style dining in the Olivares Ballroom (6:00 PM – 7:15 PM), two drink tickets, and one pre-assigned reserved chair along the River Walk.
  • VIP Zocca Patio Experience ($220 / person): Elevated four-course specialty dining on Zocca’s patio with reserved seating from 6:15 PM – 10:00 PM and one drink ticket (first course served at 6:30 PM).
  • Afterlife VIP Room Experience ($650 / 2 guests): Single-room overnight accommodations for two, VIP area reception dinner, four drink tickets (2 per guest), two outdoor VIP chairs with prime parade views, and overnight valet parking.
  • Private Loggia Packages ($2,000 for up to 8 guests | $2,500 for up to 10 guests): Semi-private loggia on the lobby level (6:00 PM – 10:00 PM). Includes buffet and reception dining, two drink tickets per guest, and a dedicated server.

2. Kimpton Santo San Antonio Riverwalk: Spirits of the Night

Head up to Tenfold Rooftop for a spooky, elevated evening honoring those who have passed.

  • Date & Time: Thursday, October 22 | 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM
  • Location: 431 S Alamo St
  • Admission: Free (Reservations encouraged)
  • Highlights: Live DJ sets, flash tattoos by local artist Wild Okra Tattoo, and seasonal cocktails.

Featured Autumn Cocktails:

  • The Midnight Harvest: Blanco Tequila, pumpkin, orange, and agave (served in a rocks glass).
  • The Black Magic Mojito: Rum, blackberry, mint, lime, and activated charcoal (served in a highball glass).

3. Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa: Remembrance Brunch

Bring family and friends together over good food, music, and festive activities at Corinne San Antonio.

  • Date & Time: October 25 | 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
  • Location: 555 S Alamo St
  • Onsite Activations:
    • Live Latin guitarist and face painting (11:00 AM – 2:00 PM)
    • Donut decorating station
    • Marigold flower bar

4. Pullman Market at The Pearl: Month-Long Culinary Programming

Pullman Market, created by the award-winning Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group, is hosting special programming throughout October and early November. (Pullman Market, 2026)

  • Location: 221 Newell Avenue, San Antonio, TX 78215

Featured Activations:

  • The Ofrenda at The Mezcaleria (Through Nov. 3): Honoring deceased loved ones of Pullman Market employees, prominently featuring Guadalupe Mendez—a pioneer of San Antonio’s market community whose legacy of community building inspires the market today.
  • Happy Hour at The Mezcaleria: Monday – Friday (3:00 PM – 6:00 PM). Enjoy a special 1 oz. pour of Mezquite x Parejo Maguey de Cerro Lechuguilla, served with chocolate and a mini concha.
  • 8-Course Dessert Tasting at Nicosi (Oct. 30 – Nov. 1): An exclusive eight-course dessert menu inspired by nostalgic memories of Halloween and Día de los Muertos in San Antonio.
    • Price: $150 per person (includes standard beverage pairings; optional Reserve Wine Pairing for +$50).
    • Seatings: 5:30 PM & 8:00 PM (Reservations on OpenTable).

5. La Panadería: Altars, Calaveras, & Pan de Muerto

La Panadería is bringing vibrant art installations and beloved traditional pastries to all of its San Antonio locations. (La Panadería, 2026)

  • Community Altars (Starting Oct. 24): Guests are invited to bring photos of loved ones who have passed to place on community altars across all locations.
  • Large Calaveras: Decorated skulls adorn entrances to welcome guests.
  • Seasonal Pan de Muerto (Available through Nov. 1–2): Traditional Mexican sweet bread available in Pink, White, and Talavera designs.
    • Mini Packs: 6 Regular Sugar ($25) | 6 Pink Sugar ($30)
    • Family-Style: Large Regular Sugar ($25) | Large Pink Sugar ($27.50)
    • Available for pre-order online and in-person.
La Panadería’s Pan de Muerto. Photo: La Panadería, used with permission.

Hotel Contessa’s Monthlong Día de los Muertos Festivities

Hotel Contessa will host various spirited activations for Día de los Muertos. Photo: Hotel Contessa, used with permission.

Celebrate Día de los Muertos All Month Long at Hotel Contessa

This October, Hotel Contessa invites guests and locals alike to experience a vibrant monthlong Día de los Muertos celebration along San Antonio’s iconic River Walk. The festivities will feature colorful cultural traditions, hands-on workshops, culinary delights, and live entertainment designed to honor remembrance and bring the community together. (Hotel Contessa, 2025)


🎉 Día de los Muertos River Parade Celebration

📍 River Level Atrium & River Patio
🗓 Friday, Oct. 24 | 5:30–7:30 p.m.

San Antonio’s Day of the Dead River Parade returns with elaborately decorated floats, catrinas, and costumed riders. Guests staying at Hotel Contessa can enjoy front-row seats to the parade, plus face painting, mariachi music, a live DJ, and local tacos and food vendors.

🎟 Tickets: $50–$110 (via Eventbrite)
Status: Sold Out


🌺 Día de los Muertos River Parade – VIP Terrace Experience

📍 Private Rooftop Terrace
🗓 Friday, Oct. 24 | 5:30–7:30 p.m.

Enjoy an elevated view of the River Parade from Hotel Contessa’s private rooftop terrace. This exclusive VIP experience includes two specialty cocktails, private bar access, DJ entertainment, and a flower crown-making station. VIP guests will also be entered into a raffle to win a one-night stay at Hotel Contessa in 2026.

🎟 Tickets: Starting at $175 per person (Eventbrite)


🌮 Street Taco Cook-Off with St. Philip’s College

📍 River Patio
🗓 Saturday, Oct. 25 | 10:30 a.m.–1 p.m.

Watch as culinary students from St. Philip’s College compete to create the best taco in town. Guests can enjoy complimentary light bites and refreshments while cheering on the chefs.

🎟 Free and open to the public — no RSVP required.


🎨 Make Your Own Altar: Kids Workshop

📍 River Level Atrium
🗓 Saturday, Oct. 25 | 2–3:30 p.m.

Perfect for kids 12 and under, this interactive workshop led by local artist Mary Carmen Sessions teaches the traditions of Día de los Muertos through hands-on art projects. Children will create tissue paper marigolds, colorful papel picado, and mini pan de muerto from modeling clay while learning the meaning behind each symbol.

🎟 Tickets: $25 per child (includes supplies, drink, and snacks) — purchase tickets [here].


🍸 Spirits & Sips Altar Workshop (Adults Only)

📍 River Level Atrium
🗓 Saturday, Oct. 25 | 6–7:30 p.m.

An evening for adults to sip, socialize, and create. Guests will design their own mini altar while enjoying a signature cocktail and learning about the cultural significance of altar traditions.

🎟 Tickets: $55 per person (includes cocktail and altar kit) — purchase tickets [here].


🖼️ Monthly Art Fair: Día de los Muertos Edition + CAST School Art Reveal

📍 River Level Atrium
🗓 Sunday, Oct. 26 | 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m.

This special edition of Hotel Contessa’s monthly art fair transforms the atrium into a lively marketplace of local artists and artisans, featuring Día de los Muertos–inspired works. Guests can also enjoy a student art reveal from CAST School, where young artists collaborate with professional mentors.

🎟 Free and open to the public — no RSVP required.


👻 Spooky Spa Halloween Party

📍 Rooftop Spa
🗓 Thursday, Oct. 31 | 6–9 p.m.

Cap off the month with an adults-only Halloween celebration at Hotel Contessa’s rooftop spa. Enjoy spa and jacuzzi access, themed demos, light bites, spooky cocktails, and a crystal sound bath experience. Guests can sign up for up to three spa sessions, including chair massages, Japanese head spa demos, infrared sauna services, and cold plunge stretch sessions.

The evening also includes adult trick-or-treating, a costume contest, and complimentary parking.

🎟 Sound bath tickets: $30 per person (limited availability; RSVP required)


📍 Hotel Contessa
306 W. Market St.
San Antonio, TX 78205