Whether you’re diving into Black Friday shopping or kicking off the holiday season with festive events, there’s plenty to enjoy this weekend.

Two beloved holiday downtown traditions will return to bring a bundle of holiday joy on Friday.

It’s never too early to start planning for the holiday season — Visit San Antonio has announced the grand marshal and other details for the San Antonio Holiday River Parade.

The official kickoff to the holiday season in San Antonio will celebrate its 42nd year in 2023.

Things to do around San Antonio this fall

Thousands of people gathered for the 41st annual Ford Holiday River Parade at the San Antonio River Walk on Friday.

The holiday season will be in full swing this week along the San Antonio River Walk as the Ford Holiday River Parade returns for its 41st year.

The grand marshal of this year’s Ford Holiday River Parade will be none other than the cynical Christmas grump the Grinch.

The 40th Annual Ford Holiday River Parade is a San Antonio tradition and this Friday at 6 p.m. the parade is back, offering a bright and extravagant show along the San Antonio River Walk.

Where to see holiday lights and celebrate the season with things to do around San Antonio.

The Ford Holiday River Parade means the holiday season is in full swing along the San Antonio River Walk.

SAN ANTONIO – Plans for a downtown San Antonio holiday tradition have sunk this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. The San Antonio River Walk Association and City of San Antonio on Tuesday announced the 2020 Ford Holiday River Parade will be canceled, but virtual activities will be available. The events are San Antonio’s official kickoff to the holiday season. It’s the first time in 40 years the twinkling holiday riverboats won’t be parading down the River Walk. Maggie Thompson, the executive director of the San Antonio River Walk Association, said she and her team are devastated about having to cancel the event.

SAN ANTONIO – Ever wondered why the holiday lights along the River Walk are taken down and put back up every year? KSAT reached out to Paula Schechter with the San Antonio River Walk Association, as well as Superintendent of River Walk Operations Joeseph Cruz, and got some answers about the San Antonio tradition that started in 1974. How many lights are used to light up the San Antonio River Walk? The same number of lights is used each year and officials with the San Antonio River Authority have added lights along the Museum Reach section of the River Walk going up towards The Pearl. The holiday lights along the River Walk are a joint project between the City of San Antonio and the San Antonio River Walk Association.