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, Dia 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. Not all of these events are free, but we feel like they’re worth spending your entertainment dollars on.
2018 Día De Los Muertos Events in Austin
Dia de los Muertos
October 18 | at 11 a.m. | APL – University Hills Branch, 4721 Loyola Lane
A family celebration to enjoy the Mexican tradition of Dia de los Muertos, with shadow show puppetry, songs, rhymes, stories, dances, arts and crafts.
Traditions of Dia De Los Muertos
October 24, 26 | 6:30 to 8:15 and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Sanctuary Holistic Kitchen, 1911 N Austin Avenue Suite 102, Georgetown
Join Sanctuary Holistic Kitchen as they discuss the cultural relevance of Dia de los Muertos and its traditions. They will also be creating an ofrenda (October 24) (alter) and paper skull. (October 26)
Dia de los Muertos
October 24 | at 10:30 a.m. | APL – Central Library, Children’s Area (Third Floor), 710 West Cesar Chavez Street
A family celebration to enjoy the Mexican tradition of Dia de los Muertos, with shadow show puppetry, songs, rhymes, stories, dances, arts and crafts.
ROSITA Y CONCHITA: Día de los Muertos Play in English and Spanish
October 26, 27, November 2 |various times | Austin Scottish Rite Theater, 207 West 18th Street
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! $10-15. Dates, times and tickets available here.
Rosita y Conchita, photo courtesy Austin Scottish Rite Theater
Dia de los Muertos Festival and Parade
Saturday, October 26 | from noon to 6 p.m. | 100-200 block East 4th Street
Mexic-Arte Museum’s 36th Annual Viva La Vida Festival & Parade Presented by Austin Convention Center is Austin’s largest and longest-running Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) festival. The festival features a Grand Procession, the 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. Admission is FREE!
Dia de los Muertos
October 26 | from 2 to 4 p.m. | Pflugerville Library, 1008 West Pfluger Street, Pflugerville
Celebrate Día de los Muertos with storytelling and an activity. Caroline Storyteller will begin her presentation at 2 pm, followed by sugar skull decorating for the family. Sugar skulls will be provided (one per family). Should you have allergies, please note that the sugar skulls are made with egg products. All ages are welcome to attend.
Dia de los Muertos (New Braunfels)
October 26 | from 12 to 10 p.m. | Downtown off San Antonio Street, New Braunfels
Come out to celebrate the 3rd Annual New Braunfels’ Dia De Los Muertos Festival on October 27 from 12pm-10pm located DOWNTOWN on San Antonio Street. We will have a lot more kids events through the day and a lot more face painters! FREE ADMISSION!!! This cultural event will feature local food and food trucks, drinks, arts & crafts, an ofrenda (offering space) for honoring the lives of loved ones passed, vendor booths, shopping, contests and live entertainment. This event is hosted by the Greater New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce’s Hispanic Business Alliance (HBA).
La Pena Gallery
October 26| from 6 to 8 p.m. | 227 Congress Avenue
With a tribute to the casualties of gun violence, La Peña celebrates the annual Día de Los Muertos/Day of the Dead with a group exhibition of artwork and Altares.
Austin’s hearts intersect with the hearts of all those who have been victims of America’s gun violence. This homage will address the full impact of gun deaths and injuries in America. We grieve the sacrifice of those who lost their lives, who witnessed a massacre, who know someone who was shot, or who live in fear of what may happen with yet another senseless shooting. We also celebrate the living people’s courage and resilience to confront gun violence, as communities recommit to justice, equity, and democratic values.
Planet K Texas Fireworks and Dia De Los Muertos Celebration
October 31 | at 9:30 p.m. | East of Pleasant Valley, behind Krieg Baseball Field, 515 South Pleasant Valley Road
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 at the Mexican American Culture Center
November 2 | from 3 to 8 p.m. | Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center, 600 River Street
Annual celebration for Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). This event is free and open to all ages. It will include an exhibition of altars (ofrendas), a community altar where guests can add their objects and pay respects to those loved ones who have passed on. There will be children’s activities including sugar skull decorating and facepainting. Live music and dance performances highlight Mexican traditions. Also food trucks, a vendor market, and plenty of entertainment for guests of all ages. Come in your Day of the Dead costume to honor this celebration of life and death!
Dia de los Muertos (Round Rock)
November 2 | from 2 to 10 p.m. | Centennial Plaza, 301 West Bagdad, Round Rock
Join the fun for the 7th annual Round Rock Dia de los Muertos Festival, November 2, 2019. The festival celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Mexico and promotes cultural diversity for families of Round Rock and surrounding communities.
The Dia de los Muertos Festival provides traditional dance performances and music, altar displays and craft booths. Last year the Dia de los Muertos Festival had 8,500+ attendees and this year we are expecting even more.
Dia de los Muertos at Central Market North
November 2 | 6 to 9 p.m. | Central Market North, 4001 North Lamar
An Austin Favorite for the Whole Family! Come out to Central Market North Lamar for their annual Dia de los Muertos celebration featuring Austin Samba School and Las Monas de San Antonio! Free! Bring your friends and family, grab a snack, and prepare for the biggest and most elaborate Central Market show of the year, complete with puppets, live drums and dozens of dancers. Feeling especially festive? Come out in your own Day of the Dead face paint and costume and join in on the dancing and celebration. Prepare to dance, clap, and smile through two spectacular sets at one of Austin’s favorite fall events!
Day of the Dead Pub Crawl
November 2| from 6 to 9 p.m.| Copper Shot Distillery, 809 Main Street, Bastrop
This one is for the grown ups only but is just too fun not to share – The bars, restaurants, merchants and artisans of Historic Downtown Bastrop invite you to eat, drink and be spooky at our upcoming Day of the Dead Pub Crawl on Saturday, November 2nd, from 6 pm until 9 pm.
Stroll historic downtown and take in the sights and sounds of Day of the Dead, Bastrop-style! There will be live music, drink and small bites specials at participating bars and eateries, decorations, treats, altars, a costume contest and participating shops will be open late and celebrating with the community.
Dia De Los Muertos Music Festival
November 3|4 p.m.| Stubb’s Waller Creek Amptheater, 801 Red River Street
Featuring Los Lobos, Los Daddys, El Dusty, Chicas Rock, DJ Automatic, TA, and TwztdAdio! Benefitting Easterseals and Hosted by Dana Cortez! Tickets are $25. All ages welcome!
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