San Antonio’s Muertos Fest returning for weekend of Oct. 23-25 | San Antonio Current

San Antonio’s Muertos Fest will once again transform Hemisfair into a massive Día de los Muertos celebration this fall.

The free event, slated for the weekend of Oct. 23-25, is one of the nation’s largest Day of the Dead celebrations and is a centerpiece of San Antonio’s fall calendar.

Applications are now open for altar builders and procession participants. Muertos Fest organizers also are inviting individual community members, families, schools, artists and businesses to take part in the 2026 celebration. More information, including the application, can be found at the Muertos Fest website.

This year’s theme, “Remember. Honor. Celebrate.” is a nod to the cultural traditions that shape the holiday and the memories it honors. Expect giant ofrendas — or altar installations — along with processions, music, food and calavera face painting.

Founded in 2013, Muertos Fest has grown into a nationally recognized event that draws an estimated 100,000 people to downtown San Antonio. More than 80 altars will once again line Hemisfair. Each artwork is created by local families, schools, professional artists and organizations to honor loved ones who died during the past year.

The festival’s two Día de los Muertos processions, which represent the deceased’s journey from the afterlife to visit the living, remain one of the weekend’s most anticipated moments.

Festivities begin Friday with “¡Presente! A Night to Remember,” an evening that celebrates the festival’s large-scale outdoor altar exhibition. Viewing hours run from 5-7 p.m., followed by a Goodwill San Antonio fashion show featuring Día de los Muertos-inspired looks and live performances on the Hemisfair main stage.

The full festival will unfold on Saturday and Sunday. Five stages will be set up in Hemisfair for live music and performances, and more than 75 art vendors will sell wares at the Muertos Mercado.

This year’s nonprofit partner, Letras en la Frontera, will again collaborate with UNAM San Antonio to bring back the popular Day of the Dead Bookstore launched at last year’s festival.

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