Día de los Muertos in Phoenix 2026
Día de los Muertos 2026 is Sunday, Nov 1 and Monday, Nov 2: a Mexican tradition of remembering and honoring loved ones who have died with ofrendas (altars), marigolds, candles, music and food. Valley celebrations start the weekend before and run into the weekend after.
We checked 11 festivals, ofrendas and performances across the Phoenix area against their official sites, plus 7 Día de los Muertos events from library, venue, city and ticketing calendars. 9 of the curated celebrations are free. Every card says what the organizer's page lists for times and prices; those change, so confirm before you go. A few regulars haven't posted 2026 details on their own sites yet; they're at the bottom with their official links.
Happening this weekend (2)
Friday 5 pm through Sunday.
Festivals & processions (10)
Community festivals with music, folklórico, mercados and evening processions, most of them free. Times and prices are copied from each organizer's own page.
Fiesta de Muertos Festival Sat, Oct 24; art installation Oct 22–25
Scottsdale Día de los Muertos Fiestas
Scottsdale Civic Center · 3939 N Drinkwater Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
The 10th annual Día de los Muertos celebration in Old Town Scottsdale: large-scale Day of the Dead art installations and altars around the Civic Center, music all day, food, arts, crafts and merchants, a Catrina Fashion Contest open to individuals, couples, families and people with their dogs, and the evening Desfile de los Muertos procession, with GRAMMY-nominated Lupita Infante as special guest. The organizer suggests arriving early and using public parking in Old Town.
- Hours:
- Festival 1–10 pm (Catrina Fashion Show 5 pm, Desfile de los Muertos procession 7 pm, Lupita Infante 8 pm) · art installation 8 am–10 pm daily
- Price:
- Free
Official site ↗Checked Oct 20 on the official site
Sat, Oct 24 – Sun, Oct 25
Día de los Muertos Festival at Mesa Arts Center
Mesa Arts Center · 1 E Main St, Mesa, AZ 85201
Mesa Arts Center's annual free festival, made with the community: folklórico, mariachi, banda and salsa on four stages, the community altar and altar-contest entries in the Piper Theater, a Saturday-evening street party with QVLN and GRAMMY and Latin GRAMMY winner Lila Downs, and a Sunday procession. The relaxed hour before opening each day has smaller crowds, less amplified sound, sensory rooms, face painting and hands-on art.
- Hours:
- Sat noon–10 pm (QVLN 7 pm, Lila Downs 8 pm) · Sun noon–5 pm (procession and ceremony 4:30 pm) · relaxed hour 11 am–noon both days
- Price:
- Free
Official site ↗Checked Oct 20 on the official site
Sat, Oct 24
MIKIZTLI: Día de los Muertos PHX Festival
Arizona Center · 455 N 3rd St, Phoenix, AZ
Cultural Coalition's 15th annual festival downtown: mariachi, ballet folklórico, arts and crafts, food trucks, face painting, art vendors and MIKIZTLI's largest community ofrenda. Come early for the Danza Mexica ceremony and stay for the community procession led by Las Flacas, 8-foot animated skeleton puppets, which kicks off a dance party with live music. Two-hour parking validation for the Arizona Center garage (SW corner of 5th St and Fillmore); the 3rd St/Washington and Van Buren/Central light rail stations are about a 7-minute walk.
- Hours:
- 4–9 pm (Katrin & Katrina contest sign-up 4:30–5 pm, winners 5:30 pm)
- Price:
- Free
- Ages:
- All ages
Official site ↗Checked Oct 20 on the official site
Thu, Oct 29
Día de los Muertos at ASU Polytechnic
ASU Polytechnic campus, Mesa
The sixth annual community celebration from ASU's College of Integrative Sciences and Arts and Latinx Oral History Lab: Mariachi Rubor, Ballet Folklórico Quetzalli-AZ, Coatlicue Danza Mexica and giant puppets, plus skull painting, altar frames, paper flowers, flower crowns and face painting. Bring a photo of a loved one that can be left behind for one of the campus ofrendas.
- Hours:
- 4–7 pm
- Price:
- Free (RSVP on the event page)
Official site ↗Checked Oct 20 on the official site
Sun, Nov 1
Día de los Muertos at the Phoenix Zoo
Phoenix Zoo · 455 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85008
Altars, ballet folklórico and mariachi performances across the zoo, arts and crafts, Spanish-speaking animal talks and cruiser rides, live music from Radio Campesina, and an art sale whose proceeds go to animal care. Face painting is $3 per guest (ages 3 and up, card only).
- Hours:
- 9 am–1 pm
- Price:
- Included with general admission or membership
Official site ↗Checked Oct 20 on the official site
Sun, Nov 1
Entre Dos Mundos: A Día de Muertos Celebration
Chandler Center for the Arts · 250 N Arizona Ave, Chandler, AZ 85225
A free, family-friendly afternoon with Mariachi Hermanas del Corazón, Mariachi Rosie's House and De Cajón, ballet folklórico, storytelling, the El Mercado artisan market, food at La Fonda del Pueblo, mask-making, calaca puppets and a community ofrenda; come dressed in your Día de los Muertos best. The ofrenda in the center's gallery takes photos and mementos from Oct 19 through Nov 2. At 4 pm the ticketed 27th Annual Chandler Mariachi & Folklórico Festival follows on the main stage ($49–$79).
- Hours:
- 12:30–3:30 pm on the center's terrace
- Price:
- Free (RSVP on the event page)
Official site ↗Checked Oct 20 on the official site
Sun, Nov 1
St. Mary's Basilica Día de los Muertos Festival
St. Mary's Basilica · 231 N 3rd St, Phoenix, AZ
The 13th annual festival at the downtown basilica: mariachi, ballet folklórico, live music by Rhythm Edition, food trucks, kids' activities, a car show, an artisan market and a community ofrenda. Guests are encouraged to bring non-perishable food for the St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank.
- Hours:
- 11 am–5 pm
- Price:
- Free (bring a non-perishable food donation if you can)
Official site ↗Checked Oct 20 on the official site
Nov 6–9 (community ofrenda); festival Sat–Sun, Nov 7–8
Día de Muertos Festival at Desert Botanical Garden
Desert Botanical Garden · 1201 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85008
Four days of marigolds and altars: a community ofrenda in Webster Auditorium where visitors can leave memories and wishes, then a weekend festival with folklórico dance, Mariachi Rubor, a Lucha Voz wrestling showcase, a mercado, sugar skulls, face painting, pan de muerto from La Purísima Bakery and an evening procession.
- Hours:
- Festival noon–6 pm with La Procesión 5–6 pm; ofrenda 7 am–10 pm
- Price:
- Included with general admission or membership (the 21+ Jaleo concert Fri, Nov 6 needs a Music in the Garden ticket)
- Ages:
- All ages
Official site ↗Checked Oct 20 on the official site
Sat, Nov 7
Avondale Día de los Muertos Festival
Goodyear Farms Historic Cemetery · 3720 N Santa Fe Trail, Avondale, AZ 85392
The 18th annual festival from Ballet Folklórico Esperanza and the City of Avondale, held at the historic Goodyear Farms cemetery: music, live entertainment, food trucks, arts and crafts vendors and a community ofrenda. Family-friendly and free.
- Hours:
- 5–9 pm
- Price:
- Free
Official site ↗Checked Oct 20 on the official site
Community ofrendas & altar exhibits (2)
Altars you can visit, and several you can add to: many organizers invite you to leave a photo or a note for a loved one. The card says when.
Altar display Oct 20–Nov 7; opening reception Wed, Oct 21
Día de Muertos Altar at the Tempe History Museum
Tempe History Museum · 809 E Southern Ave, Tempe, AZ 85282
The museum's annual Day of the Dead altar, presented in partnership with the Consul General of Mexico. This year's altar honors Mexican writer Juan Rulfo. The free, family-friendly opening ceremony and reception includes light refreshments and a performance by Las Damas del Folklor.
- Hours:
- Opening ceremony and reception 6–7 pm
- Price:
- Free
Official site ↗Checked Oct 20 on the official site
Free family events & crafts (1)
Sugar-skull and mask crafts, storytimes and free Día events the organizer lists for kids or all ages.
Shows, concerts & theme nights (2)
Día de los Muertos performances, concerts and theme nights. Ticket prices are from the seller's listing.
Fri, Nov 6
Noche de Ofrendas: Calaveras Cantantes y Calacas Bailantes
Herberger Theater Center · 222 E Monroe St, Phoenix, AZ
An evening celebration of life that pays respect to the dead, with original music, dance, multilingual spoken word and poetry, costumes and handmade art. Movement by Elena Cano, Rigo Sandoval, and Olivia and AthanaSia Segraves; music by Marcus Weeden, Erin Richardson, José Salinas, Jeff Jones, Liliana de León-Torsiello, Peter Torsiello and Vincenzo Torsiello, plus guests.
- Hours:
- 6–9 pm
- Price:
- Free
Official site ↗Checked Oct 20 on the official site
More Día de los Muertos events (1)
Classes, crafts and other events with an explicit Día de los Muertos theme.
Dates not confirmed yet
Regulars we'd list, but their official sites don't confirm 2026 dates yet. We add them once they do.
- Día de los Muertos at the Arizona Latino Arts & Cultural Center (ALAC) ↗ · PhoenixDowntown Phoenix's events calendar lists a free celebration here, but ALAC's own site doesn't show it yet. (checked Oct 20)
Día de los Muertos in Phoenix: FAQ
When is Día de los Muertos 2026?
Sunday, November 1 and Monday, November 2, 2026. Festivals around Phoenix run from late October through Monday, Nov 9; this guide covers all of them.
Where are the Día de los Muertos festivals around Phoenix in 2026?
Scottsdale Día de los Muertos Fiestas (Oct 22–Oct 25, Scottsdale), Día de los Muertos Festival at Mesa Arts Center (Oct 24–Oct 25, Mesa), MIKIZTLI: Día de los Muertos PHX Festival (Oct 24, Phoenix), Día de los Muertos at ASU Polytechnic (Oct 29, Mesa), Día de los Muertos at the Phoenix Zoo (Nov 1, Phoenix), Entre Dos Mundos: A Día de Muertos Celebration (Nov 1, Chandler) and 3 more. Times, prices and procession details are on each card, from the organizer's own page.
Are there free Día de los Muertos events around Phoenix?
Yes. Día de Muertos Altar at the Tempe History Museum (Oct 20–Nov 7, Tempe), Scottsdale Día de los Muertos Fiestas (Oct 22–Oct 25, Scottsdale), Día de los Muertos Festival at Mesa Arts Center (Oct 24–Oct 25, Mesa), MIKIZTLI: Día de los Muertos PHX Festival (Oct 24, Phoenix), Día de los Muertos at ASU Polytechnic (Oct 29, Mesa), Entre Dos Mundos: A Día de Muertos Celebration (Nov 1, Chandler), St. Mary's Basilica Día de los Muertos Festival (Nov 1, Phoenix), Noche de Ofrendas: Calaveras Cantantes y Calacas Bailantes (Nov 6, Phoenix) and 1 more are free, as listed on their official pages. 6 of the event listings below are free too.
Where can I visit or add to a community ofrenda around Phoenix?
Día de Muertos Altar at the Tempe History Museum (Oct 20–Nov 7, Tempe), MIKIZTLI: Día de los Muertos PHX Festival (Oct 24, Phoenix), Entre Dos Mundos: A Día de Muertos Celebration (Nov 1, Chandler), St. Mary's Basilica Día de los Muertos Festival (Nov 1, Phoenix), Día de Muertos Festival at Desert Botanical Garden (Nov 6–Nov 9, Phoenix) and Avondale Día de los Muertos Festival (Nov 7, Avondale) have community ofrendas or altar displays. Where the organizer invites photos or notes for loved ones, the card says so; bring a copy you don't need back.
Which Día de los Muertos events haven't posted 2026 details yet?
Día de los Muertos at the Arizona Latino Arts & Cultural Center (ALAC) (Phoenix). We list them under "Dates not confirmed yet" with their official links and add them once their own pages confirm 2026 details.
Is Día de los Muertos the same as Halloween?
No. It follows Halloween on November 1 and 2, but it's a celebration of the lives of people who have died, not a scary holiday: families build ofrendas with photos, marigolds, candles and favorite foods. For trick-or-treats and haunted houses, see our Halloween guide.
Are these events OK for kids?
Cards say Kid-friendly when the organizer lists the event for families or all ages, and 21+ or Adults only when it's for grown-ups. Most festivals here are family events with face painting, crafts and folklórico.
More in Phoenix
Events come from venue, library, city and ticketing calendars and update several times a day. Seasonal attractions are checked by hand against each official site (date shown on the card). Spot something wrong? Tell us.