The nighttime Day of the Dead San Antonio River Parade happens this year
during the weekend of Oct. 23-25
STEVEN LINDSEY | Contributing Writer
StevenCraigLindsey@gmail.com
Attracting tourists to a city to celebrate the afterlife might’ve once been a tricky marketing proposition. Ever since Pixar Animation Studios gave us the surprisingly poignant Coco in 2017, however, the Mexican tradition of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) has become considerably more mainstream in the United States.
Of course, Americans embracing the holiday’s joyful rituals can be attributed to more than a single movie, but that’s a story better suited for Reader’s Digest.
Regardless, it’s impossible not to think of the film while pausing to appreciate the colorful ofrendas, altars filled with family photos and other mementos of the deceased, snapping photos of the larger-than-life catrina skeletons and mythical alebrije sculptures, or grooving to the delightful sounds of mariachis drifting through the air around every corner in San Antonio.
Throughout October — and culminating with the official Día de los Muertos on Nov. 1 — San Antonio brings beloved, time-honored customs to vibrant life better than anywhere else in Texas — quite possibly the entire country. While most of us grew up with Halloween traditions that emphasize terror, treats and crazy costumes, Day of the Dead turns the concept of the great beyond into something altogether beautiful. Dare to say, comforting even.
No matter your religious beliefs, or lack thereof, Día de los Muertos, at its core, gives people the chance to remember friends and loved ones who left this world behind. Rather than mourning the loss, it’s about happily acknowledging the traits that endeared them to us in the first place. Alongside that simple construct comes a whole lot of incredible food, art, music, storytelling and community — five characteristics of a San Antonio visit that always shine.
From Fiesta and Pride in the spring to the November/December holiday season, it’s abundantly clear that the Alamo City always knows how to throw a party.
This year’s Día de los Muertos season is no different. The weekend of Oct. 23-25 serves as the centerpiece weekend of the month. Highlights during this time include the nighttime Day of the Dead San Antonio River Parade, which showcases the city’s iconic River Walk as decorated barges float by and crowds cheer for the performers and participants aboard each. At Hemisfair, Muertos Fest features a five-stage gathering of artists and musicians alongside food and drink vendors and ofrendas galore. Then head to Historic Market Square for more altars, live music, food and festivities.
Other highlights of the month-long event include the Día de los Muertos Tradition Trail, the Calavera Run 5K and Family Walk, plus additional Día de los Muertos commemorations at Pearl, La Cantera and La Villita. In between all this thoughtful revelry, pop over to San Antonio’s Pride Cultural Heritage District, home to several LGBTQ+ bars, restaurants and the city’s infamous new rainbow sidewalks that legally get around the elimination of rainbow crosswalks.
No matter which dates you visit, make a full weekend of it, and choose a home base close to all the action. Two of the city’s best hotels offer luxury accommodations, excellent restaurants, swimming pools, access to nearby spas, plus excellent blackout curtains so you can sleep late each morning before breakfast tacos, making this a true vacation.
Located near Hemisfair, the Kimpton Santo San Antonio — Riverwalk is a boutique 347-room property that incorporates a 19th-century schoolhouse in the design for a mix of historic and contemporary. Complimentary wine each evening makes for a nice touch. The rooftop is the city’s highest open-air luxury concept.
Across from Travis Park and two blocks from the River Walk, The St. Anthony, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Antonio, offers another glimpse into the city’s past. A mere 210 rooms occupy a 1909 National Historic Landmark, which also boasts a rooftop and classic design elements that have stood the test of time.
Whether you’ve never participated in Día de los Muertos before or you’ve been marking the occasion for decades, now’s your chance to experience this autumnal holiday in the kind of fun, friendly, authentic style that only San Antonio can achieve.
To learn more or build your own itinerary, head to VisitSanAntonio.com/Events/Arts-Culture-Events/Day-of-the-Dead.