Tag: Day of the Dead San Antonio

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.

Inaugural Catrinas on the River Parade

dayofdeadpic
San Antonio’s first-ever Día de Los Muertos celebration will kick off with the Catrinas on the River Parade on Friday. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Actress, producer, director and philanthropist Eva Longoria will celebrate Día de Los Muertos in San Antonio as the grand marshal of the Catrinas on the River Parade. San Antonio’s first-ever Día de Los Muertos river parade, Catrinas on the River will illuminate downtown San Antonio with the spirit of the Day of the Dead this Friday, November 1 from 7p.m to 8:30p.m. (Day of the Dead San Antonio, 2019)

A Screen Actors Guild Award winner and Golden Globe nominee, Longoria is not only known for her storied acting career, but for her commitment to charitable causes. Longoria is a champion of charities and organizations supporting Latinos and has been honored several times with American Latino Media Arts awards. She was selected in 2006 as ALMA’s “person of the year.”

Presented by Day of the Dead San Antonio and co-hosted by official parade partner Rey Feo Consejo Educational Foundation, the Catrinas on the River Parade features more than 22 barges spotlighting local San Antonio organizations, special guests and dignitaries. Unlike anything before seen on the San Antonio River, 16 of the barges are trajineras, colorful barges that mirror the flat-bottom gondola-like trajineras seen in Xochimilco, a UNESCO World Heritage Site south of Mexico City. San Antonio’s famous Go Rio barges will join the trajineras for a fabulous night on the river. Both Go Rio and the San Antonio River Walk Association are partners in the parade. Seat sales for the parade benefit the Rey Feo Scholarship Foundation, which provides scholarships to local children. KSAT12/ABC will air the Catrinas on the River Parade live on November 1, from 7p.m. to 10p.m. The three-hour live broadcast will feature the parade, the festival opening and family fun for everyone to enjoy.

Catrinas on the River features a Catrine and Catrina. The parade’s first-ever Catrine and Catrina are Dick Tips, Chairman and CEO of Mission Park Funeral Chapels and Cemeteries, and his wife, Kristin Tips, the President and Funeral Director of Mission Park Funeral Chapels and Cemeteries. Catrines and Catrinas, elegantly dressed smiling skeleton figures, are an essential part of Day of the Dead festivities. The Tips will be featured on a special barge during the parade.

The inaugural Day of the Dead San Antonio Festival will offer free admission across all three days of celebration, November 1 through November 3. Decorative characters and engaging activities featuring live music and performances, workshops, children’s activities and Mexican food, drinks and shopping are the highlights of this family-friendly event. On Saturday November 2 there will be a Celebrate Life 5K Run-Walk at Mission Park Funeral Chapels and Cemeteries South. The race will be held entirely within the cemetery, allowing runners to connect with the spirits of those who have passed. La Villita will be filled again with festive celebration glowing throughout the evening. Then the event will conclude with an afternoon of family fun and remembrance on Sunday, November 3.

Arneson River Theater
418 Villita St
San Antonio, TX 78205