{"id":408453,"date":"2025-11-27T14:00:13","date_gmt":"2025-11-27T14:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/408453\/"},"modified":"2025-11-27T14:00:13","modified_gmt":"2025-11-27T14:00:13","slug":"planning-to-attend-h-e-b-tree-lighting-44th-annual-ford-holiday-river-parade-heres-what-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/408453\/","title":{"rendered":"Planning to attend H-E-B tree lighting, 44th annual Ford Holiday River Parade? Here\u2019s what to know"},"content":{"rendered":"

SAN ANTONIO<\/strong> \u2013 Two beloved celebrations will return to downtown San Antonio on Friday, bringing festive cheer.<\/p>\n

The H-E-B Christmas Tree Lighting at Travis Park and the Ford Holiday River Parade are traditionally held the day after Thanksgiving.<\/p>\n

If you plan to attend one or both events, here\u2019s everything you need to know.<\/p>\n

H-E-B Christmas tree lighting ceremony<\/p>\n

The free celebration<\/a> will kick off with holiday festivities at 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28, at Travis Park. <\/p>\n

The 50-foot-tall grand fir will be decorated with more than 10,000 sparkling lights and filled with dozens of handmade ornaments. <\/p>\n

Attendees can enjoy plenty of exciting activities, including letters to Santa, live entertainment, holiday crafts, giveaways and more. <\/p>\n

VIA<\/a> said it is partnering with H-E-B to provide free rides to the holiday event, according to a news release.<\/p>\n

When boarding, VIA said passengers can just inform the operator that they are attending the H-E-B Tree lighting to ride fare-free. <\/p>\n

The lighting ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. on Saturday.<\/p>\n

Ford Holiday River Parade<\/b><\/p>\n

The parade starts at 6 p.m. on Nov. 28 at the Tobin Center. If you can\u2019t make it, a live broadcast will be held at 7:05 p.m. from the Arneson River Theatre.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s theme is \u201cMerry Movie Magic<\/a>.\u201d Buddy the Elf, from the 2003 film \u201cElf,\u201d will serve as the 2025 grand marshal.<\/p>\n

The parade will feature more than 30 floats and 100,000+ holiday lights along the river path. Floats will be dedicated to the holiday season\u2019s most iconic films, according to the parade\u2019s website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A free viewing area along the route is available where you can bring your own chair on a first-come, first-served basis. It\u2019s located on the east side of the River Walk between Pecan Street and Richmond Avenue.<\/p>\n

If you would rather watch from the Arneson River Theatre or selected route areas, tickets range from $15 to $40. Children 2 and older will require a ticket. Heads up, attendees: strollers, carriers or ice chests are not <\/b>allowed at the River Walk for the event.<\/p>\n

For more additional details on the parade and where to find tickets, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Parking:<\/b><\/p>\n

Some nearby parking lots and garages in the downtown area from the City of San Antonio website<\/a> include:<\/p>\n