EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — The Mexican American Cultural Center (MACC) in Downtown El Paso is inviting the community to honor the memory of our dearly departed and celebrate life with the City’s 9th Día de los Muertos festival and parade.
The event will be held Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 pm., at various parts of Downtown.
Besides the parade, people will be able to enjoy live entertainment, buy unique items at artisan markets and take in the traditional altars made by local artists.
Below is a breakdown of the festival highlights:
Día de los Muertos Desfile (Parade): Approximately 60 entries will participate, marching from City Hall to Santa Fe Street.Art and cultural activities: Free, hands-on experiences hosted by the MACC and City museums.Live entertainment: Performances on the Perches Main Stage at San Jacinto Plaza.Artisan mercaditos: Local vendors, handmade goods and original art at San Jacinto Plaza and Cleveland Square Park.Food trucks: Serving up local flavors along Main Street near San Jacinto Plaza and behind the El Paso Museum of Art.Movie screenings: Macario at noon in the MACC auditorium and The Book of Life at 6 p.m. at Cleveland Square Park, alongside DJ entertainment.Traditional ofrendas: Community- and artist-created altars at the MACC, along with cultural décor throughout the festival.
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Organizers advise attendees to dress for the weather, bring water, and come early, as parking fills up quickly downtown- especially as organizers say they expect more people this year.
MACC Director Dr. Rebecca Munoz said last year they estimated that 45,000 people attended the festival and parade and this year they’re hoping more people attend, noticing that the event has been growing steadily over the years.
MACC Director Dr. Rebecca Munoz. Oct. 21, 2026. Credit: KFOX14/CBS4
“I feel like people are really searching for that sense of community and that sense of home, and so whether you’ve been in El Paso all your life or you have family in Mexico, this is an event and a celebration that really connects you to your culture, connects you to memories of family who have gone on and passed away,” Munoz said.
Regarding parking, Munoz said people can and should take advantage of the trolley if they have to park far.
Munoz also said she wants to remind people that this is a family-friendly and that alcohol is not allowed, and asked people to dress up in “Día de los Muertos” costumes.
For updates, she said people can check the festival’s Facebook or Instagram page or visit the Mexican American Cultural Center’s official website.
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