Paseo del Rio Association
110 Broadway, Suite 500, San Antonio, TX 78205
Paula Schechter, Director of Marketing & Public Relations
Office (210) 227-4262 ext 102
Cell (210) 737-9040
2016 Calendar of Events
Winter Artisan River Walk Boutique
January 15-18, 2016, Opening day, 11am– 11pm, Middle days10am–11pm, Final day, 10am–8pm
River Walk Extension (close to San Antonio Convention & Rivercenter Mall)
Vendors display and sell handmade merchandise along the San Antonio River Walk
Bud Light River Walk Royalty Coronation
January 29, 2016, 7-10pm
Marriott Plaza Hotel, 555 S. Alamo Street, San Antonio 78205, ? Ballroom
This is the announcement and crowning ceremony of the 2016 River Walk Royal Court. The public is invited to meet the
River Walk’s King, Queen and their royal court. Royalty are crowned by who raises the most money and will represent
the Paseo del Rio Association throughout the year at Official Fiesta events and Official Paseo del Rio River Walk events.
Proceeds raised benefit the preservation, protection and promotion of the San Antonio River Walk. Tickets: $30 each or
couples for $55. Reserved tables of 10 are $500 and include extra perks. All tickets include 2 drink tickets per person, live
music, dancing and heavy hors d’oeuvres. To attend, simply go to www.TheSanAntonioRiverWalk.com and cli 2016
Royalty candidates are:
King Candidates: Jay Williams (Plaza Club) and Esteban Solis (KABB FOX29,Daytime@Nine), David Uminski (St. Phillips
College)
Queen Candidates: Lara Smedley (Valero Alamo Bowl) and Kimberly Crawford (KABB FOX29,Daytime@Nine)
Bud Light Battle of the Bands January 23, 2016, 1-7pm
River Walk, Arneson River Theatre
Great free concert on the River Walk at the Arneson River Theatre. Enjoy the music of four local San Antonio bands as
the vie for cash and the title of "Official Band of the River Walk."
Bud Light King Rex Coronation
February 2, 2016, 6pm
King Rex is identified and crowned when he finds the plastic baby hidden inside a slice of cake. King Rex leads
the Mardi Gras Parade on the River Walk February 6th.
Mardi Gras on the River Walk presented by Bud Light
February 6, 2016, 1-6pm
Noon-6pm Concert at the Arneson River Theatre
4 & 5pm, One-hour parade runs twice, Arneson and the River Walk “Horseshoe”
A procession of decorated river barges will transform the San Antonio River Walk into floating Bourbon Street. Costumed
revelers & live entertainment will celebrate Mardi Gras San Antonio Style! Enjoy live music on Arneson and a festival of
food, arts & crafts, activities and more at La Villita. The River Rat Brass Band will lead a procession on the banks of the
river starting at 4pm from the Hilton Palacio del to the Arneson River Theatre
Mardi Gras Artisan River Walk Boutique
February 12-14, 2016, Opening day, 11am– 11pm, Middle day10am–11pm, Final day, 10am–8pm
River Walk Extension (close to San Antonio Convention & Rivercenter Mall)
Over 30 local and out of state vendors display and sell handmade merchandise along the San Antonio River Walk. Booths
sell clothing, jewelry, caricatures, art, sculptures, woodworking, pottery and much more.
Murphy’s Pub Crawl
March 10, 2016, 6-10pm
2016 Bars on the Crawl: TBA
Participants will "crawl" from bar to bar through the River Walk’s wild and crazy fun bars. Make new drinking buddies and
have a blast on the crawl. The group is be led by a bagpiper. Your ticket includes a Murphy’s Pub Crawl t-shirt, green St.
Patty’s hat, reduced drink prices all evening, no cover charges and front of the line entry into bars. Advance tickets
purchases made on-line at www.TheSanAntonioRiverWalk.com. For more information call (210) 227-4262 ext. 104
St. Patrick’s Day Artisan River Walk Boutique
March 11-13, 2016, Opening day, 11am– 11pm, Middle day10am–11pm, Final day, 10am–8pm
River Walk Extension (close to San Antonio Convention & Rivercenter Mall)
Vendors display and sell handmade merchandise along the San Antonio River Walk
Murphy’s St. Patrick’s Day River Parade & Festival
March 12 & 13, 2016, Noon-6pm, Concert & Festival at the Arneson River Theatre
March 12 & 13, 2016, 2pm, Dyeing of the River green
March 13, 2016, 4:30-6pm Parade route follows: Homewood Suites, Drury Plaza, Aztec Theatre, Hyatt Hotel, Rivercenter
Mall, Convention Center, Arneson Theatre
A procession of 14 decorated river barges filled with Irish entertainment can be viewed from anywhere on the two and half
mile downtown area of the River Walk, however the fun pot-o-gold is at the Arneson Theatre. Murphy’s Irish Stout beer
and green beer will be sold at the Arneson River Theatre along with Irish and other ethnic foods. Several bagpipers will
grace the barges along with other entertainers.
Ford Mariachi Festival
April 19-22, 2016, 7-10pm
Local middle school and high school Mariachi Bands perform on floating barges along the 2 1/2 mile downtown area of
the River Walk. Enjoy the music from the banks of the River Walk as the barges float along. This is a great time to sit
outside at a River Walk restaurant, sip on a margarita and enjoy the music. This is an official FIESTA event, free
admission.
Bands board the floats at River Walk level of the Chamber of Commerce building. Floats are on the river in two shifts; 4
floats from 7pm -8pm and 3 new barges from 8:30-9:30.
Fiesta Artisan River Walk Boutique
April 22-24, 2016, Opening day, 11am– 11pm, Middle day10am–11pm, Final day, 10am–8pm
River Walk Extension (close to San Antonio Convention & Rivercenter Mall)
Vendors display and sell handmade merchandise along the San Antonio River Walk
Yellow Ribbon Project
Ribbons sold April 1-30, 2016
Ribbons installed May 7, 2016
Ribbons Displayed May 7-May 21
Trees on the River Walk are adorned with yellow ribbons to honor those serving in all branches of the United
States military. Anyone may purchase a yellow ribbon honoring friends and loved ones who have served or are
serving now. Proceeds from ribbon sales are used to underwrite the America’s Armed Forces River Parade, May
16, 2015. Ribbons may be purchased online at www.TheSanAntonioRiverWalk.com for $5 each. Purchased
prior to April 30 will include the honorees name in the Armed Forces River Day official program and online.
Volunteers may sign-up at www.TheSanAntonioRiverWalk.com to hang and remove the ribbons.
America’s Armed Forces River Parade
April 1, 10am, Press Conference announcing the Grand Marshall, Arneson Theatre
May 21, 2016, 5pm-6, Tops In Blues Concert / 6-7pm Parade, Arneson River Theatre
This parade is dedicated to the men and women of the Armed Forces; past, present and future.
26 patriotically-decorated floats carrying all 5 branches of military personnel ranging from enlisted to a general.
Patriotic music is played from the floats and on stage to serenade the floats throughout the 2 1/2 mile
downtown area of the River Walk including the Arneson Theatre.
This is one of the largest Parades held on the River Walk. It is televised live locally and syndicated in 26
markets throughout the United Sates including the Pentagon Channel. The 2015 Grand Marshall’s are 3 Medal
of Honor recipients General Patrick Brady, Sgt. Santiago Erevia, Sgt. Clarence Sasser. The primary parade
sponsors are Budweiser and Silver Eagle Distributor’s.
For details go to www.TheSanAntonioRiverWalk.com
View the parade for free from anywhere downtown on the River Walk. It’s an ideal time to make a reservation
at your favorite spot on the River Walk so you can dine and drink outside while enjoying the parade.
Memorial Day Artisan River Walk Boutique
May 27-30, 2016, Opening day, 11am– 11pm, Middle day10am–11pm, Final day, 10am–8pm
River Walk Extension (close to San Antonio Convention & Rivercenter Mall)
Vendors display and sell handmade merchandise along the San Antonio River Walk
Fourth of July Artisan River Walk Boutique
July 1-4, 2016, Opening day, 11am– 11pm, Middle days10am–11pm, Final day, 10am–8pm
River Walk Extension (close to San Antonio Convention & Rivercenter Mall)
Vendors display and sell handmade merchandise along the San Antonio River Walk
Ford Canoe Challenge
August 6, 2016, 7-10:30am
River Walk Extension
1 1/2 mile Boy Scout Route: Chamber of Commerce building to Convention Center to Rivercenter Mall and back to Chamber of Commerce
1 1/4 mile public and celebrity route: Chamber of Commerce Building to Rivercenter Mall and back to Chamber of Commerce
The event is a highly spirited canoe competition started back in 1969 to help Scouts understand teamwork.
Since the late 1980’s it opened to the public and is a chance for approximately 100 two-person teams to
compete in timed heats. Participation is open to the public, local celebrities, city officials, corporations and Boy
& Girl Scouts. This is the only time the city allows canoes in the downtown River Walk area.
Boy Scouts & Girl Scouts (74 canoe teams), registration 6:30am, heats begin at 7am
General Public/Paseo del Rio Members & their employees (54 canoe teams), registration 8am, heats begin at 9am
Celebrities (20 canoe teams), registration begins at 9:30am, heats begin at 10am
Registration forms available at www.theSanAntonioRiverwalk.com begins in early June. Registration closes
mid July. Cost per team of two; $150 general public and $100 Paseo del Rio members and their employees.
Scouts are $15 per person. Celebrities interested in participating may call Paseo del Rio 210-227-4262 ext
102.
Labor Day Artisan River Walk Boutique
September 2-5, 2016, *Time
River Walk Extension (close to San Antonio Convention & Rivercenter Mall)
Vendors display and sell handmade merchandise along the San Antonio River Walk
Bud Light, The Taste
September 13-15, 2016, 6-8:30pm
Tuesday September 13, Houston Street (check-in at Majestic Theatre)
Wednesday, September 14, River Walk (check-in at RiverCenter Mall Lagoon)
Thursday, September 15, River Walk (check-in at RiverCenter Mall Lagoon)
The Taste is an affordable way to sample delicious food from over 30 of the finest restaurants located
downtown and on the River Walk. Over 1,400 food-lovers attend annually. Approximately 11 restaurants each
day showcase their culinary genius through appetizer-sized samples of a signature dish from their menu. The
first day features only restaurants located on Houston Street Downtown. Food-lovers stroll Houston Street and
walk to participating establishments The second and third days are only restaurants located on the River Walk
itself. Barges transport participants along the restaurant path on Wednesday and Thursday. Live music is
performed on each day from 6-7pm at the starting point restaurant.
Tickets are $60 for a 3-day ticket and $25 for any one-day ticket.
Tickets are purchased on-line at www.theSanAntonioRiverwalk.com beginning in July.
Fall Artisan River Walk Boutique
October 7-9, 2016, Opening day, 11am– 11pm, Middle day10am–11pm, Final day, 10am–8pm
River Walk Extension (close to San Antonio Convention & Rivercenter Mall)
Vendors display and sell handmade merchandise along the San Antonio River Walk
Bud Light Halloween Fest
October 29, 2016, 7-10:30PM, Arneson River Theatre
7pm-10pm, DJ music or Band
8:30-10pm Costume Parade, 10 decorated floats
9-10 Costume Contest, $1,000
Music, costume contest, parade and adult beverages combine for a goulish good time. Professionally
decorated floats with costumed participants travel along the 2 1/2 mile Downtown River Walk area. This is a
popular event-come early.
Ford Holiday River Parade
November 25, 2016, 7-9PM, Arneson River Theatre & a 4-mile route on the River Walk
5pm, gates open
6pm-7pm, Christmas Music Concert, Youth Orchestra of San Antonio
7pm, Lighting of the River Walk, by the Mayor of San Antonio
7-8pm, Televised Parade, KABB/CW35, Santa on last float
7-9pm, Parade on the River Walk for attendance in person
Ticket Prices: sold on-line www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com
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Arneson $40 floor seats, $30 Grandstand seats, $20 Top level seats
Anywhere else on the River Walk Parade route-Front Row $25, Other seating $20, $15, $10
Free seats on the parade route (bring your own chair)
o from North of Martin St. to Lexington St. Bridge and North St. Mary’s St. to Lexington St)
Majority of restaurants on the River Walk offer packages of seating and meals-check with them directly.
The 35th Annual Ford Holiday River Parade is a San Antonio tradition drawing 1/4 of a million people annually.
It offers a spectacular parade along the San Antonio River Walk featuring 26 illuminated floats decorated for
the 2016 theme. Parade participants include celebrities, bands and lavishly-costumed people.
Ford Holiday Boat Caroling
November 30- December 18, 2016, 6:15-9:30pm
Throughout the 2 1/2 miles in the downtown area of the River Walk
Four or five boats float on the river each night carrying a different group each hour performing live Christmas
Carols. More than 185 school, church, company, and civic choral groups participate each year. Joyous caroling
fills the evening air along the San Antonio River Walk. The public is invited to stroll on the banks of the river or
sit outdoors in a restaurant to enjoy the caroling.
Ford Caroling Nights with Santa
Friday and Saturday, December 2-3, 2016, 6-9pm
Arneson River Theatre, River Walk
Bring your camera and take your own photos with the “real” Santa. This photo-op is free and open to the
public. Early enough for a family holiday portrait! Enjoy free holiday music and the famous River Walk
Christmas lights shining 250,000 strong.
Ford Fiesta de las Luminarias
December 2-4, 2016, at dusk
December 9-11, 2016, at dusk
December 16-18, 2016, at dusk
Experience the holiday serenity of the River Walk as you stroll along the lush banks of the San Antonio River
guided by more than 3,000 Luminarias. This century’s old tradition begins at dusk Friday, Saturday & Sunday
only for three weekends in December.
Luminarias are a traditional Mexican Christmas lantern originally consisting of a candle set in sand inside a
small paper bag. Thirty volunteers spend nearly 2 hours each night lighting the candles. Volunteers consist of
Boy Scouts, youth organizations and church groups The candles are left on the bank of the river till they
naturally extinguish. Over 27,000 candles are burned each year. This event is not held if raining. Prime time to
view the Luminarias is on the weekends when viewers can enjoy both the lights and the Ford Holiday Boat
Caroling. Duck into a River Walk restaurant or bar for a hot drink.
Holiday Artisan River Walk Boutique
December 9-11, 2016, Opening day, 11am– 11pm, Middle day10am–11pm, Final day, 10am–8pm
River Walk Extension (close to San Antonio Convention & Rivercenter Mall)
Vendors display and sell handmade merchandise along the San Antonio River Walk
*Craft Shows hours:
Opening day, 11am– 11pm
Middle day(s) 10am–11pm
Final day, 10am–8pm