Revelers participate in last year’s Muertos Fest. Credit: Jaime Monzon
San Antonio’s largest Día de los Muertos celebration is returning to Hemisfair Park this month, bringing three days of art, music and remembrance.
Now in its 13th year, Muertos Fest will take place Oct. 24-26. The free event kicks off Día de los Muertos celebrations — a time to honor those who’ve passed away through ofrendas (altars), art and community.
Muertos Fest encompasses all of the above with the largest altar exhibition in San Antonio, a lineup of musical artists all three nights, face painting booths, a children’s stage and two processions — the first taking place at 7 p.m. Satuday, Oct. 25, and the second at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26.
Friday’s evening celebration has a special meaning — it will be dedicated to the late conjunto legend Flaco Jiménez. The San Antonio-born accordionist, singer and songwriter died earlier this summer at the age of 86, but his legacy and music endure.
Muertos Fest organizers expanded the celebration with the musical tribute to Jiménez, which begins at 8 p.m. A full roster of musicians are slated to pay tribute to the five-time Grammy Award winner, including Ruben Ramos, Rick Treviño, Jesse Borrego, David Hidalgo and Cesar Rosas of Los Lobos, Lisa Morales and more.
Max Baca and Los Texmaniacs will serve as the house band for Friday evening’s musical tribute. There also will be tributes to San Antonio arts educator Mary Cantu and the legendary late Tejano music icons Laura Canales, Lydia Mendoza and Selena Quintanilla-Perez.
The festival will resume normal hours for Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and noon to 9 p.m. respectively.
The all-star musical lineup for Saturday and Sunday includes Piñata Protest, Kings del Wepa, Llamativa, Los Juanos, Nick Gaitán, The Tiarras, The Guadalupe Dance Company, Erick y Su Grupo Massore, La Doña, The Last Bandoleros and more. A full schedule is available online.
Free, Friday, Oct. 24-Sunday, Oct. 26, Hemisfair, 630 Nueva St., muertosfest.com.
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