Attendee Laura Cavazos, in Dia de los Muertos makeup, listens to speakers during the Alma y Corazon Ceremony in the Oakwood Cemetery chapel on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023 in Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman
The Austin area is coming alive with color, music and remembrance as the city celebrates Día de los Muertos. From marigold-covered altars and glowing candles to neighborhood gatherings, the tradition of honoring loved ones through joy and community is alive and well in the capital city.
What is Día de los Muertos?
Amelia Salas, 4, looks at the community altar, or ofrenda, set up in the Moody Amphitheater as part of the Waterloo Park Día de los Muertos celebration, Nov. 2, 2022.
SARA DIGGINS/AMERICAN-STATESMAN
Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a centuries-old tradition that blends Indigenous Mesoamerican beliefs — whichview death not as an ending but as another part of life — with Catholic traditions. In Austin, it’s become a community-wide celebration — with art installations, altars (ofrendas), face painting, food and music.
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Oct. 31: Día de los Muertos ofrenda viewing party
A section of the community altar, or ofrenda, set up in the Moody Amphitheater as part of the Waterloo Park Día de los Muertos celebration, honors the victims of the Robb Elementary School Shooting in Uvalde on Nov. 2, 2022.
SARA DIGGINS/AMERICAN-STATESMAN
Join a gathering at the Latino Studies Community in Room 2.206 of the Gordon‑White Building of the University of Texas to share pan de muerto and tazas de chocolate around a community ofrenda. The altar will include photographs from friends across campus and victims of the 2022 Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde. Attendees will also receive an explanation of the symbolic items placed on altars — marigold flowers (cempasúchil), candles, personal keepsakes — and how Día de los Muertos is observed.
10 a.m. to noon, 210 W. 24th St. liberalarts.utexas.edu/latinostudies
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Nov. 1: St. Elmo Día de los Muertos Springdale celebration
A person holds Marigold flowers at the Waterloo Park Día de los Muertos celebration on Nov. 2, 2022. The flowers are traditionally used to decorate ofrendas, and their bright colors are thought to lead the dead souls to the altars.
SARA DIGGINS/AMERICAN-STATESMAN
The free celebration will feature a Latin-owned vendor market, live music by El Plan Sonidero, face painting and a DJ set from 7 to 9 p.m. A community ofrenda will be open. Drink specials and a special menu will be available. Tickets are available on Eventbrite.
2 to 9 p.m., 8110 Springdale Rd. 512-291-7355, stelmobrewing.com.
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Nov. 1: Day of the Dead Festival
Nikki Diaz, education associate for the Mexic-Arte Museum, put on coorful Dia de los Muertos-themed makeup for the museum’s Viva la Vida Festival in downtown Austin, Texas on Oct. 30, 2021.
Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman
The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center will host its 18th annual free, family-friendly event at the Oswaldo A. B. Cantu Pan American Recreation Center. The event features live Latin music and dance, face-painting and sugar-skull-decorating, a community altar, art installations and an artisan vendor market.
2 to 6 p.m., 2100 E. Third St. austintexas.gov.
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Nov. 1–2: Waterloo Greenway Día de los Muertos
Parade participants in Dia de los Muertos costumes walk down Congress Avenue during the Viva la Vida Festival parade in downtown Austin, Texas on Oct. 29, 2022.
Aaron E. Martinez / American-Statesman
Waterloo Park will host a two-day fest with altars, live music and dance, a “Bridge of Life” illuminated entrance, a community ofrenda, a tribute altar to beloved pets, vendor markets, food trucks and a dedicated family and children zone.
Event begins at 6 p.m. daily. 500 E. 12th St. 512-974-6700, waterloogreenway.org.
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Nov. 2: Allgo Day of the Dead community altar exhibit, celebration
Photos of loved ones sit on display on the ofrenda during the Dia de los Muertos celebration at San Jose Cemetery I on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021.
Mikala Compton/American-Statesman, Austin American-Statesman
The celebration offers a free hot meal, guest-artist performances and an inclusive space where queer, transgender, people of color communities and allies can connect and honor ancestors. Participants are encouraged to bring items like pan de muerto, candies, incense, photos and memorabilia to place on the altar as part of the offering.
4 to 7 p.m., 701 Tillery St. 512-472-2001, allgo.org.
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Nov. 2: La Mezca Sunday pop-up
The decoration inside La Mezca borrows from the Mexican tradition of Dia de los Muertos.
Provided by Frida Molina.
La Mezca is hosting Joseph Gomez from Sana Sana Taqueria as the first guest of their Sunday Pop-Up Series. Gomez is bringing a special taco menu to the mezcalería. The regular drink menu will be available.
5 p.m. to midnight, 1905 Aldrich St. #120. lamezcaatx.com.
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Nov. 8: Día de las Mascotas
Samantha Escamilla places marigolds on an altar, or ofrenda, set up for pets in the Moody Amphitheater as part of the Waterloo Park Día de los Muertos celebration, Nov. 2, 2022.
SARA DIGGINS/AMERICAN-STATESMAN
Organized by Austin Animal Services, this free, family-friendly event combines the traditions of Día de los Muertos with a love of pets. Event includes a parade of adoptable dogs in festive attire, local vendor goods and an outdoor movie under the stars.
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5:30 to 8:30 p.m., 7201 Levander Loop, Building A. 512-974-2000, austintexas.gov/austin-animal-center.