Christmas in San Antonio ~ On the River Walk

Christmas in San Antonio ~ On the River Walk

The San Antonio River Walk has earned the #8 spot on Yahoo Travel’s “Top 10 Destinations for Holiday Lights.” This year there are 20 times more Christmas lights or 1.8 million lights decorating the cypress trees and bridges along the River Walk. (Not to worry; they are energy efficient LED lighting.) Festivities began on November 25 with the Ford Holiday River Parade, and will run through January 1. This year, for the first time, the new Museum Reach section of the River Walk features the “River of Lights” with over 100 underwater light and fiber optic-outfitted water attractions.

Luminarias ~ The Lighting of the Way

This tradition dates back to 16^th century Spain, when bonfires lit the way to midnight mass, symbolizing Mary and Joseph’s search for an inn in Bethlehem. Bonfires continued to be used by Spanish missionaries in the new world, but today’s luminarias, made from brown paper bags, were first brought down the Santa Fe Trail in the early 1800’s.

The Festival of Lights
San Antonio’s Fiesta de las Luminarias starts at dusk on the first weekend in December and continues each Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 18. Thousands of illuminated paper bags “light the way” along the banks of the River Walk.

River Walk Christmas Carolers
Along with light displays and luminarias, caroling by dozens of school, church, civic and corporate groups is a wonderful holiday tradition on the River Walk.

Walk or board a River Cruiser
River Walk visitors have the choice of walking or taking in the sights on a barge cruise. For river cruise schedules and pick up points go to www.riosanantonio.com.

La Gran Posada
On the last night of La Fiesta de las Luminarias, San Fernando Cathedral, the nation’s oldest cathedral sanctuary, recreates the original search for lodging by the Holy Family. If you would like to participate, the posada starts just to the west of San Fernando Cathedral and makes its way through Market Square and past City Hall and the County Courthouse and ending at the cathedral. Pilgrims hold lighted candles and sing traditional carols as they follow Mary and Joseph on their search for lodging.

I find the RiverWalk to be so beautiful and mesmerizing at Christmas, with all the lights bouncing off the water and the sounds of Christmas carols filling the air. Even the mariachi singers add traditional Christmas carols to their repertoire.