EAST AUSTIN, Texas — The spirit of remembrance and community will fill East Austin this week as the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center (ESB-MACC) hosts its 18th annual Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, celebration.

The free, family-friendly event will take place Friday, November 1, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Oswaldo A. B. Cantú Pan American Recreation Center.

Organizers say no RSVP is needed, and guests are encouraged to bring folding chairs, refillable water bottles, and strollers.

A free shuttle will run from the East Holly Street neighborhood to the event site.

“This celebration honors our ancestors and the beautiful traditions that keep their memory alive,” said organizers with the ESB-MACC.

It’s a space where families can celebrate life through music, art, and community.

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This year’s lineup includes live performances from Austin favorites Gary Hobbs (1:45 pm), Marca Especial (3pm), The Tiarras (3:45pm), Nova Band (5:00pm), and Danza Azteca Guadalupana (5:45pm).

Visitors can also enjoy free face painting and sugar skull decorating workshops while supplies last, led by the ESB-MACC Education Department.

For art lovers, MexAmeriCon will host panels, games, and exhibits exploring storytelling through comics, art, and pop culture.

Attendees can also browse an artisan market featuring local Latino/a/e vendors and admire large-scale piñata-inspired installations created by Las Piñatas/Latinos in Architecture.

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A centerpiece of the event will be the community altar, or ofrenda, where visitors can leave notes, photos, and small tributes to loved ones.

The altar grows throughout the day as guests contribute their personal offerings.

Food trucks and local vendors will serve up Austin favorites—from tacos to sweet pan dulce—creating a lively, welcoming atmosphere for all ages.

For more information about the Día de los Muertos celebration and educational resources in English and Spanish, visit AustinTexas.gov/ESBMACC.