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Get ready for a weekend filled with festivities, including an artisan show, live entertainment, the San Antonio St. Patrick’s Day Festival & River Parade, and everybody’s favorite, dyeing the river a shade as green as a shamrock.
Every year over the St. Patrick’s Day weekend, The San Antonio River Walk Association transforms the 2.5-mile river that flows through downtown a bright Irish green with 25-gallons of eco-friendly dye. The official Facebook event suggests that the rich color lasts five days with additional applications, which means you have March 17 – 22 to witness the river change into a gorgeous spring green.
This free event sponsored by Bud Light kicks off with a bagpipers floating down the river on a barge, followed by a procession of 12 Irish-themed decorated floats playing Irish entertainment. Grab a seat and a pint along the riverwalk at one of the many bang-up cocktail bars with spacious patios that hug the riverbanks. We recommend Waxy O’Connor’s, On the Rocks Pub, and of course, Durty Nelly’s, to really get in the spirit of the holiday season.
San Antonio St. Patrick’s Day Festival & River Parade Schedule
Dyeing of the River Green
Friday, March 17, 1-3PM (Downtown) & Saturday, March 18, 11AM-12PM (Museum Reach), 1-3PM (Downtown)
Kicking off the festival is the dyeing of the River Walk green on St. Patrick’s Day. When our beautiful San Antonio River Walk is transformed into the River Shannon through 25-gallons of eco-friendly green dye.
Bud Light St. Patrick’s Festival & Stage Entertainment
Friday, March 17 | 3-8PM & Saturday, March 18 | 12-5PM
Join us for a fantastic festival that includes family-friendly activities, live entertainment, vendors and more. Admission is free!
Bud Light St. Patrick’s River Parade
Friday, March 17 | 2-3PM (Museum Reach), 5-6PM (Downtown)
A procession of 12 Irish-themed decorated floats filled with Irish entertainment can be viewed from anywhere on the parade route. Several bagpipers will grace the floats along with other entertainers. This event started in 1969 and has been organized by the Visit San Antonio River Walk and the Harp & Shamrock Society of Texas since that time. Both parades are free to attend.
We’re lowkey really psyched about seeing the San Antonio river turn green for St. Patrick’s Day. They’ve been dyeing the river green every single year since 1968, including during the pandemic, even though the parade was canceled in 2020.