A San Antonio Christmas lights party bus starts at $115 an hour, with a 3-hour minimum Sunday to Thursday and 4 hours Friday and Saturday. The River Walk lights switch on Friday, November 27, 2026 and burn nightly into early January, so one bus can carry the whole group from pickup to the river and back home.
Call (830) 268-1181 or get a San Antonio party bus quote.
What is lit in San Antonio in 2026
- Ford Holiday River Parade and lighting ceremony: Friday, November 27, 2026. The parade starts at 6 PM at the Tobin Center and the river lights come on during the ceremony. Reserved seating is ticketed and there is a free viewing area. Source: River Walk parade page.
- River Walk holiday lights: about 200,000 lights in the downtown cypress trees, lit nightly from November 27, 2026 through early January and free to see. Source: River Walk holiday lights page.
- Ford Holiday Boat Caroling: select December 2026 dates. Each river barge holds at most 12 people, so a group of 15 or more needs a bus for the rest of the evening. Source: boat caroling page.
Dates and ticket rules are the organizers’, not ours. Confirm them on the linked pages before you lock a route.
How the evening usually runs
Plan on three to four hours. The bus collects the group at one or two pickup points, makes the downtown run to the River Walk lights, then loops back through whatever decorated neighborhood your group picked. Downtown streets near the river are busiest on parade night, so we set a drop-off and a pickup corner with you in advance instead of circling.
Pickup areas
We pick up in San Antonio, Alamo Heights, Olmos Park, Terrell Hills, Leon Valley, Helotes, Boerne, Fair Oaks Ranch, Timberwood Park, Selma, Live Oak, Universal City, Schertz, Cibolo, Seguin, New Braunfels and Canyon Lake.
Christmas lights party bus price from $115/hr
Prices as of November 2026 from our San Antonio rates table. These are typical ranges, not a quote.
| Vehicle | Seats | Hourly | One-way |
|---|---|---|---|
| Party bus | 10-60 | $115-$220/hr | $340-$655 |
| Limo bus | 10-60 | $145-$280/hr | $435-$835 |
| Executive Sprinter van | 10-15 | $85-$160/hr | $255-$490 |
Party bus and limo bus hourly rates carry a typical minimum of 3 hours Sunday to Thursday and 4 hours Friday and Saturday. Three weeknight hours on a party bus works out to roughly $345 to $660 before gratuity; split across 20 riders that is about $17 to $33 each.
When to book
Parade night and December Fridays and Saturdays are the dates groups ask for first. Send your date, pickup address and headcount as soon as the plan firms up; the quote form usually answers within a minute.
Questions we hear
How much is a Christmas lights party bus in San Antonio?
Party buses start at $115 an hour in San Antonio, with typical rates of $115 to $220 an hour and a 3-hour minimum Sunday to Thursday (4 hours Friday and Saturday). The final quote depends on date, hours, vehicle and availability.
When do the River Walk Christmas lights come on in 2026?
The lights come on during the Ford Holiday River Parade and lighting ceremony on Friday, November 27, 2026, and stay lit nightly through early January, according to the official River Walk site.
Can we do the river boat caroling and still use a bus?
Yes. Each caroling barge holds at most 12 people and runs on select December 2026 dates, so many groups use the bus for pickups, the lights drive and the ride home, and book the barge separately through the River Walk.
How long should a Christmas lights tour last?
Most groups plan three to four hours, which also matches our usual 3-hour weeknight and 4-hour weekend minimums.
How early should we book?
As early as your headcount is settled. Parade night and December weekends are the first dates asked for, and a quote request is usually answered within a minute.
Ask for your date
Tell us where the group starts, where it ends and how many are riding: (830) 268-1181 or the San Antonio party bus rates page. Back to San Antonio party bus rental.