san antonio tx, October 26, 2025
News Summary
San Antonio prepares for a vibrant celebration of Día de los Muertos, featuring parades, altars, performances, and family activities from October 21 to November 3. Highlights include a lively River Parade, free events at Hemisfair and Historic Market Square, and cultural workshops. This community-driven festival blends traditional observances with contemporary festivities, allowing participation throughout the city.
San Antonio — Día de los Muertos events across the city begin October 21 and run through November 3, 2025, with a full slate of parades, altars, performances, markets, family activities and community tributes. The season opens with a waterfront parade on October 24 and includes major free events at Hemisfair and Historic Market Square, a self-guided altar tour, a 5K run, workshops and multiple neighborhood celebrations.
Key details up front
– Día de los Muertos River Parade will feature decorated floats, altars, and costumed riders, starting at 7 PM on October 24, 2025. The parade begins at Lexington Avenue, with the first float arriving at the Arneson River Theatre around 7:45 PM; tickets start at $16.26.
– The 13th Annual Día de los Muertos event at Hemisfair takes place from October 25 to 26, 2025, featuring live music on five stages, vibrant processions, and the largest open altar exhibition in San Antonio; admission is free.
– Historic Market Square will host a two-day celebration on October 25-26, 2025, with traditional altars, professional face painting, and the Las Monas Cultural Dance Procession occurring daily from 1 PM to 2 PM; entry is free.
– A self-guided Día de los Muertos Altar Tour runs from October 21 to November 3, 2025, allowing visitors to explore beautifully crafted altars at Historic Market Square from 10 AM to 6 PM; this event is free.
Supporting details — more events and logistics
– Calaverita Run 5K is scheduled for October 25, 2025, at 7 PM, starting from La Gloria – The Pearl, with fees at $45 and $25 per person for family walks.
– A painting workshop titled Painting with DiZurita: Day of the Dead Alebrije Art is set for October 30, 2025, from 6 PM to 8 PM at the Briscoe Western Art Museum; costs are $20 for members and $35 for non-members.
– Pullman Market will hold a four-day celebration from October 30 to November 2, 2025, featuring themed events, mariachi nights, face painting, and trick-or-treating; admission is free.
– A colorful marketplace featuring local artisans and food vendors will be present at Historic Market Square on November 1, 2025, from 10 AM to 6 PM; entry is free.
– Día de los Muertos: Celebrando las Misiones begins November 1, 2025, at Mission Marquee Plaza, featuring a remembrance tribute with photos of departed loved ones displayed on a big screen from 3 PM to 10 PM; the event is free.
– The Rock at La Cantera will host an interactive Día de los Muertos event on November 1, 2025, featuring festive food, art, and makeup opportunities; admission is free.
– Esperanza Peace & Justice Center will celebrate with more than 20 community altars on November 1, 2025, from 4 PM to 10 PM; the event is free.
– Mariposas on the Plaza invites visitors to dedicate butterflies in memory of loved ones on November 1, 2025, from 7 PM to 9 PM at Main Plaza Conservancy; entry is free.
– The Día de los Muertos Night Market will occur at Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk on October 25, 2025, from 6 PM to 9 PM, featuring artisan vendors and festive food options; entry is free.
Context and community role
Día de los Muertos in San Antonio is an annual set of cultural observances rooted in Mexican-American traditions that honor life, love and memory. The 2025 schedule mixes formal parades and curated altars with community-driven offerings, allowing both residents and visitors to participate in processions, workshops, markets and remembrance activities across multiple neighborhoods. Several events emphasize accessibility with free admission, while select activities require tickets or fees for participation.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Main parade | The Día de los Muertos River Parade; starts at 7 PM on October 24, 2025; tickets start at $16.26 |
| Major free festival | 13th Annual Día de los Muertos at Hemisfair, October 25-26, 2025; live music on five stages and largest open altar exhibition |
| Community altars | Self-guided altar tour October 21–November 3, 2025; Historic Market Square altars daily 10 AM–6 PM |
| Active participation | Calaverita Run 5K on October 25, 2025; painting workshop October 30, 2025 |
Timeline of scheduled events
| Date / Time | Event | Status / Source |
|---|---|---|
| October 21 – November 3, 2025 (10 AM–6 PM) | Self-guided Día de los Muertos Altar Tour at Historic Market Square | Scheduled / Event listing |
| October 24, 2025, 7 PM (first float to Arneson River Theatre ~7:45 PM) | Día de los Muertos River Parade (Lexington Avenue to Arneson River Theatre) | Scheduled / Event listing |
| October 25–26, 2025 | 13th Annual Día de los Muertos at Hemisfair | Scheduled / Event listing |
| October 25–26, 2025 | Historic Market Square two-day celebration | Scheduled / Event listing |
| October 25, 2025, 6 PM–9 PM | Día de los Muertos Night Market at Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk | Scheduled / Event listing |
| October 25, 2025, 7 PM | Calaverita Run 5K (La Gloria – The Pearl) | Scheduled / Event listing |
| October 30 – November 2, 2025 | Pullman Market four-day celebration | Scheduled / Event listing |
| October 30, 2025, 6 PM–8 PM | Painting with DiZurita: Day of the Dead Alebrije Art (Briscoe Western Art Museum) | Scheduled / Event listing |
| November 1, 2025, 10 AM–6 PM | Colorful marketplace at Historic Market Square | Scheduled / Event listing |
| November 1, 2025, 3 PM–10 PM | Día de los Muertos: Celebrando las Misiones (Mission Marquee Plaza) | Scheduled / Event listing |
| November 1, 2025, 4 PM–10 PM | Esperanza Peace & Justice Center celebration with more than 20 community altars | Scheduled / Event listing |
| November 1, 2025, 7 PM–9 PM | Mariposas on the Plaza (Main Plaza Conservancy) | Scheduled / Event listing |
| November 1, 2025 | The Rock at La Cantera Día de los Muertos event | Scheduled / Event listing |
Visual summary — free vs. paid events (count)
FAQ
When does the Día de los Muertos River Parade start?
The Día de los Muertos River Parade will feature decorated floats, altars, and costumed riders, starting at 7 PM on October 24, 2025.
What are the dates and highlights for the event at Hemisfair?
The 13th Annual Día de los Muertos event at Hemisfair takes place from October 25 to 26, 2025, featuring live music on five stages, vibrant processions, and the largest open altar exhibition in San Antonio; admission is free.
What will Historic Market Square host?
Historic Market Square will host a two-day celebration on October 25-26, 2025, with traditional altars, professional face painting, and the Las Monas Cultural Dance Procession occurring daily from 1 PM to 2 PM; entry is free.
When is the self-guided altar tour?
A self-guided Día de los Muertos Altar Tour runs from October 21 to November 3, 2025, allowing visitors to explore beautifully crafted altars at Historic Market Square from 10 AM to 6 PM; this event is free.
What are the Calaverita Run 5K details and fees?
The Calaverita Run 5K is scheduled for October 25, 2025, at 7 PM, starting from La Gloria – The Pearl, with fees at $45 and $25 per person for family walks.
When and where is the painting workshop and what does it cost?
A painting workshop titled Painting with DiZurita: Day of the Dead Alebrije Art, is set for October 30, 2025, from 6 PM to 8 PM at the Briscoe Western Art Museum; costs are $20 for members and $35 for non-members.
What are Pullman Market dates and activities?
Pullman Market will hold a four-day celebration from October 30 to November 2, 2025, featuring themed events, mariachi nights, face painting, and trick-or-treating; admission is free.
When is the marketplace at Historic Market Square on November 1?
A colorful marketplace featuring local artisans and food vendors will be present at Historic Market Square on November 1, 2025, from 10 AM to 6 PM; entry is free.
What is Día de los Muertos: Celebrando las Misiones?
The Día de los Muertos: Celebrando las Misiones begins November 1, 2025, at Mission Marquee Plaza, featuring a remembrance tribute with photos of departed loved ones displayed on a big screen from 3 PM to 10 PM; the event is free.
What events occur at The Rock at La Cantera, Esperanza and Main Plaza?
The Rock at La Cantera will host an interactive Día de los Muertos event on November 1, 2025, featuring festive food, art, and makeup opportunities; admission is free. Esperanza Peace & Justice Center will celebrate with more than 20 community altars on November 1, 2025, from 4 PM to 10 PM; the event is free. Mariposas on the Plaza invites visitors to dedicate butterflies in memory of loved ones on November 1, 2025, from 7 PM to 9 PM at Main Plaza Conservancy; entry is free.
When is the Día de los Muertos Night Market at the Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk?
The Día de los Muertos Night Market will occur at Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk on October 25, 2025, from 6 PM to 9 PM, featuring artisan vendors and festive food options; entry is free.
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Additional Resources
- San Antonio Things to Do
- Wikipedia: Día de los Muertos
- Express News
- Google Search: Día de los Muertos San Antonio
- Community Impact
- Google Scholar: Día de los Muertos San Antonio
- Hoodline
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Día de los Muertos
- Axios
- Google News: Día de los Muertos San Antonio
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
