Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos, is a Mexican holiday where families and friends gather to celebrate, remember and prepare special foods in honor of those who have departed. In Austin, Día de los Muertos festivities, parades, and even fireworks will be happening over the next several weeks, offering Austinites of all ages plenty of fun ways to celebrate.
2017 Día De Los Muertos Events in Austin
ROSITA Y CONCHITA: Día de los Muertos Play in English and Spanish
September 30 – October 29 | 207 West 18th Street, Austin
Back by popular demand! Two sisters try to reunite on the Day of the Dead. Along the way Rosita keeps getting lost, but she miraculously finds her way to Conchita through familiar sounds, sights and smells. Kids of all ages will love the rhyming bilingual dialogue and touching images. Based on the award-winning children’s book Rosita y Conchita by Erich Haeger and Eric González. Featuring live son jarocho music by Austin artists! $8-12. Dates, times and tickets available here.
Rosita y Conchita, photo from Austin Scottish Rite Theater
Día de los Muertos
October 12 at 4 p.m. | APL – Twin Oaks Branch, 1800 South Fifth Street, Austin
It’s time for books, stories and fun, with laughing skulls, lively music and mask-making amidst fluttering butterflies. Come enjoy this family literacy-based art program. All ages welcome. FREE!
Día de los Muertos
October 21 | Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center, 600 River St, Austin
A day full of entertainment, art activities, and food for the family. Experience a display of traditional and contemporary altars and explore the beauty of classic cars and bikes. FREE and open to the public!
Día de los Muertos
October 23 at 5 p.m. | APL – Windsor Park Branch, 5833 Westminster Drive, Austin
It’s time for books, stories and fun, with laughing skulls, lively music and mask-making amidst fluttering butterflies. Come enjoy this family literacy-based art program. All ages welcome. FREE!
Día de los Muertos
October 24 at 3:30 p.m. | APL – Pleasant Hill Branch, 211 East William Cannon Drive, Austin
It’s time for books, stories and fun, with laughing skulls, lively music and mask-making amidst fluttering butterflies. Come enjoy this family literacy-based art program. All ages welcome. FREE!
Día de los Muertos
October 26 at 6:30 p.m. | APL – Manchaca Road Branch, 5500 Manchaca Road, Austin
It’s time for books, stories and fun, with laughing skulls, lively music and mask-making amidst fluttering butterflies. Come enjoy this family literacy-based art program. All ages welcome. FREE!
Día de los Muertos
October 27 at 3:30 p.m. | Recycled Reads Bookstore, 5335 Burnet Road, Austin
It’s time for books, stories and fun, with laughing skulls, lively music and mask-making amidst fluttering butterflies. Come enjoy this family literacy-based art program. All ages welcome. FREE!
Viva la Vida Festival and Parade
October 28 from noon to 8:00 p.m. | 100-200 block E 4th St, Austin
Mexic-Arte Museum’s Viva La Vida Fest is Austin’s largest and longest-running Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) festival. The FREE festival features a Grand Procession, an education pavilion with hands-on art activities and artist demos, and a celebration with traditional foods, local artist and retail booths, a low-rider exhibition, live music, and performances throughout the day. This year’s festival will honor Frida Kahlo in conjunction with the autumn exhibit Diego & Frida: A Smile in the Middle of the Way.
Día De Los Muertos
October 28 from 2-3:30 p.m. | Pflugerville Library, 1008 W Pfluger St, Pflugerville
Enjoy stories, crafts, and sugar skull decorating. The event will start with a special story time with Ms. Silvia. Then guests may enjoy crafts like decorating paper and real sugar skulls while watching The Book of Life. All ages are welcome. Materials for crafts will be provided while supplies last. One sugar skull will be provided per family while supplies last.
Día de los Muertos (Round Rock)
October 28 from 2-10 p.m. | Centennial Plaza, 301 West Bagdad, Round Rock
Parade starts at 5 p.m. from CD Fulkes Elementary, 300 West Anderson Avenue. Presented by Round Rock Ballet Folklorico and Williamson Hispanic Heritage Committee. FREE!
Día de los Muertos Festival (New Braunfels)
October 28 from 5-10 p.m. | DOWNTOWN off San Antonio Street, New Braunfels
Come out to celebrate the 2nd Annual New Braunfels’ Dia De Los Muertos Festival on October 28 from 5-10 p.m. located DOWNTOWN off San Antonio Street. FREE! This cultural event will feature local food, drinks, arts & crafts, vendor booths, shopping, and live entertainment. This event is hosted by the Greater New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce’s Hispanic Business Alliance (HBA). Music lineup features Mariachi, Folklorico dancers, and Tejano sensation Sunny Sauceda and Crystal Garza. Also this year they have a special treat with a surprise performance you’d be sure to remember.
Día de los Muertos
October 31 at 4 p.m. | APL – Ruiz Branch, 1600 Grove Boulevard, Austin
It’s time for books, stories and fun, with laughing skulls, lively music and mask-making amidst fluttering butterflies. Come enjoy this family literacy-based art program. All ages welcome. FREE!
Día de los Muertos
October 31 at 6:30 p.m. | Dove Springs Recreation Center, 5801 Ainez Dr, Austin
It’s time for books, stories and fun, with laughing skulls, lively music and mask-making amidst fluttering butterflies. Come enjoy this family literacy-based art program. All ages welcome. FREE!
Planet K Texas Fireworks and Dia De Los Muertos Celebration
October 31 | East of Pleasant Valley, behind Krieg Baseball Field, 515 S Pleasant Valley Rd, Austin
On Halloween, thousands of spectators will gather with Planet K to rejoice and celebrate the lives of loved ones passed. There will be a grand display of life affirming fireworks, celebrating Dia De Los Muertos, the traditional Mexican holiday, Planet K style.
Día de los Muertos
November 1 at 6 p.m. | APL – Cepeda Branch, 651 North Pleasant Valley Road, Austin
It’s time for books, stories and fun, with laughing skulls, lively music and mask-making amidst fluttering butterflies. Come enjoy this family literacy-based art program. All ages welcome. FREE!
Día de los Muertos
November 2 at 6:30 p.m. | APL – Willie Mae Kirk Branch, 3101 Oak Springs Drive, Austin
It’s time for books, stories and fun, with laughing skulls, lively music and mask-making amidst fluttering butterflies. Come enjoy this family literacy-based art program. All ages welcome. FREE!
Día de los Muertos
November 3 at 10:30 a.m. | APL – Central Library, 710 W. César Chávez St, Austin
It’s time for books, stories and fun, with laughing skulls, lively music and mask-making amidst fluttering butterflies. Come enjoy this family literacy-based art program. All ages welcome. FREE!
Día de los Muertos
November 3 at 3:30 p.m. | APL – Hampton Branch at Oak Hill, 5125 Convict Hill Road, Austin
It’s time for books, stories and fun, with laughing skulls, lively music and mask-making amidst fluttering butterflies. Come enjoy this family literacy-based art program. All ages welcome. FREE!
Disability Awareness Day & Día De Los Muertos Concert
November 4 | Stubb’s BBQ, 801 Red River Street, Austin
Día los Muertos cultural experience with live music, performances, art, kid’s zone, food and drink. The festival brings together a dynamic blend of music with vibrant Día de los Muertos traditions. Proceeds from the festival will benefit Easter Seals Central Texas’ mission of promoting independence and creating opportunities for people with disabilities. This event is not free, but children 6 years and under get in free with a valid purchased adult ticket. Tickets available here. Cash only will be accepted for ticket purchases day of the event.
