Our favorite events to celebrate culture and honor loved ones who have passed.
October 30, 2023
Día de los Muertos, traditionally celebrated on November 1 and 2 in Mexico, serves as a celebration of life, Hispanic heritage and culture, and a way to honor the passing of loved ones and ancestors. “It’s important for us to keep our traditions alive,” says Luis Gavito, the ofrenda (altar) curator for local organization MECA’s annual Day of the Dead festival. “We live in a climate where people look down on immigrants, and kids need to be proud of their roots and traditions, and not be ashamed of them.”
Día de los Muertos celebrates those who have departed by creating ofrendas that display decorative sugar skulls, photos of deceased relatives, and cherished objects of loved ones. According to Gavito, some believe that on this day, the line between life and death is so thin that the spirits can cross over.
MECA’s celebration has passed, but there are still some family friendly Día de los Muertos events to participate in around town this week. Here are a few of our favorites.
Memorial Park | November 1, 6:30 p.m. | $55 and up
The Día de los Muertos Candlelight Concert event allows attendees to enjoy a 65-minute performance by Divisi’s Amp’d String Quartet in the soft glow of candlelight. The concert features a diverse program, including traditional folk songs, pieces from Disney Pixar’s Coco, and classical compositions. Attendees can also personalize their experience with the “Snapshot by Candlelight” photo service, capturing memories in the candlelit ambiance. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis in designated zones at the venue.
Downtown | November 1, 6–10 p.m. | Free
Discovery Green will present another year of festive celebrations downtown. Visitors are encouraged to bring photos and recuerdos (“memories” or loved ones’ objects) to a community ofrenda, a commissioned piece by Houston artist Angel Quesada. Local vendors, live music, and art activities will also be available throughout the evening.
Sam Houston Park | November 4, 2–10 p.m. | Free
The third annual Houston Día de los Muertos Parade welcomes people from all backgrounds to join the festival, emphasizing shared feelings of love and loss. The festival, taking place at Sam Houston Park, will have live music, a procession, concessions, arts and crafts, and more. The parade starts at 7 p.m. on Bagby and Lamar and goes through a few blocks of downtown.
Museum District | November 5 & 6, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. | $17
The Children’s Museum Houston hosts a vibrant Día de los Muertos celebration that transforms the museum into a Land of the Dead, commemorating the Day of the Dead with Mariachi music, sugar skull art, and marigold decorations. Families can participate in various activities such as sugar skull mask and marigold garland workshops. The Intempo Dance Ensemble will present three Día de los Muertos–inspired dances, and visitors can also meet Coco movie characters Hector and Imelda.
Sofia Gonzalez, Claire Anderson, and Geneva Diaz contributed to this guide.