Your guide to celebrating Día de los Muertos in San Antonio
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Arneson River Theatre during the 2021 Day of the Dead River Parade. Photo: Brandon Bell via Getty Images
Though Día de los Muertos is officially celebrated on Nov. 1-2, San Antonio is kicking off the festivities with headline events starting Friday.
Why it matters: San Antonio has emerged as a leading U.S. destination for those looking to celebrate as the holiday gains mainstream popularity.
We've created a one-stop shop for everything you need to know about participating in the revered holiday locally.
Events
The San Antonio River Walk is hosting a parade Friday with elaborately decorated floats carrying ofrendas, catrinas and costumed riders.
- The parade starts at 7pm from the Weston Centre and passes through the Arneson River Theatre around 7:45pm. Tickets are available online.
- The parade kicks off Day of the Dead San Antonio, a free three-day celebration at La Villita that features ofrendas, markets, workshops and the tallest La Catrina statue in the U.S.
Muertos Fest, another free event, happens across South Alamo at Hemisfair Saturday from 10am-11pm and Sunday from noon-9pm.
- Ofrenda exhibitions, processions, live music and more will unfold both days.
Esperanza Peace and Justice Center's main event is happening Nov. 1 at Rinconcito de Esperanza from 4-10pm.
- The free event will feature poetry, face painting, a community ofrenda, a procession and live performances.
- MujerArtes, a studio at the center, will have its annual sale of handmade works by women artists inspired by the holiday from Oct. 28-Nov. 2.
- There will also be a workshop where guests will learn to prepare strings of cempasúchil, the Mexican marigolds used as decorations throughout the holiday, on Oct. 30 from 10am-7pm.
The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center will celebrate with a free theater performance by the Guadalupe Dance Company and Academy called "La Vida de los Muertos" on Nov. 2 at 6:30pm.
- An ofrenda exhibition will also be on display in the Progreso Community Building from Nov. 2-30, 10am-4pm.
Pearl will host a free procession and catrin and catrina contest on Nov. 2 from 5-9pm.
The Rock at La Cantera will have two days of programming with a free screening of "Coco" on Nov. 1 at 7:30pm, followed by a celebration of Frost Plaza's ofrenda on Nov. 2 from 5-11pm.
More ofrendas to see
Amalia Mesa-Bains designed an ofrenda in honor of labor rights activist Emma Tenayuca, known for leading the 1938 pecan shellers strike.
- It'll be on view at the San Antonio Museum of Art's Great Hall through Jan. 12.
- Museum admission is free for Bexar County residents on Tuesdays from 4-7pm.
InterContinental San Antonio, a new River Walk hotel, created an ofrenda dedicated to movie star Joan Crawford, who was from the Alamo City.
La Tuna Icehouse is inviting the community to add photos of their loved ones to its ofrenda, which will be up until Nov. 3.
Altars and attire
It's not too late to build your own ofrenda or perfect your catrina look.
- We spoke with experts to gather tips on how to immerse yourself — and your home — in the season.
Taste of tradition
Alebrije Bakery and La Panadería, both locally owned businesses, are popular spots to buy pan de muerto, a type of pan dulce that is a staple in the celebrations.
- But you can find it at most local panaderías.
The bottom line: San Antonio offers a multitude of ways to hold space and remember our departed loved ones.