Colorful Dia de los Muertos Festival Comes Alive in El Paso This Fall

Photo byMuseums and Cultural Affairs Department - City of El Paso Facebook

The annual Día de los Muertos festival is returning to the streets of downtown El Paso this fall and the city is promising another colorful and all-around fun afternoon that includes the popular and highly anticipated Day of the Dead parade.

This will be the 7^th year the border city puts on the day-long celebration for El Pasoans to honor and commune with those who have passed on.

What is Dia de los Muertos?

Observed November 1 and 2, the Mexican observance is an important holiday for Mexican and Mexican-American families.

Contrary to the day’s name, Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is more joyous than macabre. The colorful celebration honors loved ones who have passed with festively decorated alters commemorating the lives lived.

Ofrendas, or offerings, of their favorite foods and beverages are typically placed on the alter, as well as photos of the dearly departed, and memorabilia.

It’s a day that is far from a gloomy affair, and El Paso’s Day of the Dead Festival is a great example of that.

2024 City of El Paso Dia de los Muertos Parade

A mojiganga is part of the City of El Paso Dia de los Muertos paradePhoto byMuseums and Cultural Affairs Department - City of El Paso Facebook

This year the city will celebrate the holiday on Saturday, November 2.

Although a schedule of events and other specifics have not been announced, it typically includes local performers, an artisan market, food trucks, live music, and a float-filled parade in the Downtown Arts District.

In addition, community altars and drop-in, hands-on activities at the El Paso Museum of Art and the El Paso Museum of History are incorporated.

The Dia de los Muertos parade -- second in attendance only to the Winterfest Lights Parade – will begin at 4 p.m. The cavalcade routinely consists of catrinas, catrins, calaveras, community floats, and larger-than-life Mojigangas (puppets).

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