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.
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2016 Día De Los Muertos Events in Austin
Día de los Muertos
October 13 at 5 p.m. | APL – Little Walnut Creek Branch, 835 W. Rundberg Ln, 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!
ROSITA Y CONCHITA: Día de los Muertos Play in English and Spanish
October 16, 22, 23, 30 at 11 a.m. | 207 West 18th Street, Austin
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 and images. Kids of all ages will love the rhyming bilingual dialogue and touching images. Tickets available here.
Día De Los Muertos Music Festival
October 15 from 3-10 p.m. | Fiesta Gardens, 2101 Jesse E. Segovia Street, Austin
Día de los Muertos Festival is a unique festival featuring a full-day 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. Tickets are $30, cash only. Children 6 years and under get in free with a valid purchased adult ticket. Bring your ID and cash!
Día De Los Muertos
October 20 from 6-7:30 p.m. | Pflugerville Library, 1008 W Pfluger St, Pflugerville
A Dia de los Muertos celebration at the Pflugerville Library! There will be paper crafts and sugar skulls that you can decorate. The film The Book of Life will be shown as well. Families with children ages 8 and up are welcome to attend.
Discovery! Día de los Muertos/ Day of the Dead Activities
October 26 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. | Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Road, Austin
Why is Day of the Dead called a “Celebration of Life?” Come to Laura’s on Wednesday, October 26 at 4:30 p.m. to find out! Decorate “calavera” skull masks, and more. FREE!
Día de los Muertos
October 27 at 10:15 a.m. | APL – Windsor Park Branch, 5833 Westminster 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.
Homeschool Spooky Fest (Round Rock)
October 27 from 12-2 p.m. | Round Rock Public Library, 216 E Main Street, Round Rock
Enjoy a True North Homeschoolers event at Round Rock Public Library on October 27, 2016 in Meeting Room B for a tale of two holidays! Participants will experience both Halloween and Dia de Los Muertos with themed activities, a hand crafted costume contest, special treats, and more. Participating children should come prepared with a ghost story of their own creation to share around the “campfire”. Please bring a snack or drink to share with attending children. All ages. FREE!
Día de los Muertos
October 27 at 5:30 p.m. | APL – Southeast Branch, 5803 Nuckols Crossing Rd, 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 28 at 10:30 a.m. | APL – Faulk Central Library, 800 Guadalupe 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!
Viva la Vida Festival and Parade
October 29 from 12-8 p.m. | 419 Congress Ave, Austin
Viva la Vida is Austin’s largest and longest-running Day of the Dead festival featuring Latino artists and entertainment, an exhibition, and educational programs in the heart of downtown. Part of the proceeds will benefit the education programs of Mexic-Arte Museum, whose mission is to enrich the community through education programs and exhibitions focusing on traditional and contemporary Mexican, Latino, and Latin American art and culture. Mexic-Arte Museum presents Día de los Muertos as Viva la Vida Fest to celebrate life by promoting health and environmental awareness through art and culture. Mexic-Arte Museum’s Viva la Vida Fest brings together Austin’s diverse population to pay homage to friends, family, and heroes. The festival features an exhibition of contemporary art as well as community altars. Attendees can also enjoy wall murals, education programs, a grand procession with costumes and props, and a street celebration with traditional foods, hands-on art activities, artist demos, local retail booths, live music and performances. FREE!
Día de los Muertos
October 29 from 1-6 p.m. | Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center, 600 River St, Austin
An afternoon 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 Procession and Festival (Round Rock)
October 29 from 1-8 p.m. | Centennial Plaza, 301 West Bagdad, Round Rock
Join the Williamson County Hispanic Heritage Committee, Round Rock Ballet Folklorico, City of Round Rock, Round Rock Arts and Univision for the fifth annual Día de los Muertos procession and festival. Día de los Muertos is a traditional Mesoamerican holiday dedicated to the ancestors; it honors both death and the cycle of life. There will be crafts and activities for kids and art, craft and food vendors. Featured performers are Las Fenix. FREE!
Día de los Muertos Festival (New Braunfels)
October 29 from 5-10 p.m. | New Braunfels Farmers Market, 186 S Castell Ave, New Braunfels
Come out to celebrate New Braunfels’ Día De Los Muertos Festival on October 29 from 5-10 p.m. at the Farmers Market on Castell. This cultural event will feature food, drinks, arts & crafts, vendor booths, shopping, and live entertainment. This event is hosted by the Hispanic Business Alliance a part of the Greater New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce. FREE!
Día de los Muertos
October 30 from 6-9 p.m. | Central Market, 4001 North Lamar, Austin
Join Central Market for the annual Día de los Muertos celebration featuring Austin Samba School and Las Monas de San Antonio. FREE!
Día de los Muertos
October 31 at 6 p.m. | APL – Carver Branch, 1161 Angelina 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!
Planet K Texas Fireworks and Día De Los Muertos Celebration
October 31 | 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 Día De Los Muertos, the traditional Mexican holiday, Planet K style. FREE!
Day of the Dead Party
November 5 from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. | Verde’s Mexican Parrilla Hamilton Pool, 16018 Hamilton Pool Road, Austin
Enjoy the traditions of Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) with music, art, dancing, and shopping in the mercado lined with art, home decor, and wares from local businesses. Artists and students will create ofrendas (celebration of life altars). Members of the community are welcome to create their own altars to celebrate the life of a loved one. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. This event will be held rain or shine. Verdes Mexican Parrilla has indoor, seated dining options. Bring an umbrella if you wish to visit the mercado and view the artists’ ofrendas (altars). FREE, but please register here. Learn more and confirm event details here.
