San Antonio's 2026 Día de los Muertos events guide
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Day of the Dead River Parade. Photo: Brandon Bell/Getty Images
San Antonio's Día de los Muertos celebrations are ramping up, bringing colorful altars, processions and festivities across the city.
Why it matters: The Mexican holiday honors loved ones who have died, and San Antonio has become a major U.S. destination for celebrations.
Here's what to look forward to across San Antonio:
🪗 Jam to music on five stages, featuring Chris Pérez and LA 45 with Sunny Ozuna, at Muertos Fest, the free event at Hemisfair Oct. 23-25.
- The event also includes more than 80 altars, two processions and an artisan market.
🌺 Admire eight giant Catrina sculptures and thousands of marigolds at the San Antonio Botanical Garden through Nov. 2.
- Ticket prices vary.
🕯️ See Pullman Market's ofrenda honoring produce pioneer Guadalupe Mendez through Nov. 3, plus weekday mezcal happy hour specials.
🎨 Shop Hotel Contessa's free Muertos Makers Market from 5 to 9pm Saturday and explore the hotel's holiday altars and décor.
🚤 Watch illuminated barges carrying altars and costumed performers during the Day of the Dead River Parade at 7pm on Oct. 23.
🎶 Enjoy altars, mariachi, face painting and cultural processions at Historic Market Square's free celebration from 10am to 6pm Oct. 24-25.
🏃 Join the Calaverita Run — a themed 5K or 1-mile walk along Museum Reach — on Oct. 24 at 7:30pm. Registration required.
🌼 Celebrate at Pearl with artist-designed altars and live performances Oct. 27-Nov. 3, plus a Nov. 1 procession.
🤎 Honor loved ones with 20-plus altars, live music and a West Side procession at Esperanza Peace and Justice Center's free celebration Nov. 1 at 4pm.
🎭 Explore Centro Cultural Aztlan's free altar exhibition featuring music, pan de muerto and vendors, from 6 to 9pm Nov. 2.
Reality check: Planet K canceled its annual Nov. 2 festival at Woodlawn Lake, citing concerns over ICE activity.