– The San Antonio festival features more than 80 community altars, Día de los Muertos processions, and 5 stages with live music and performances –
SAN ANTONIO, Sept. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Muertos Fest, one of the largest Day of the Dead celebrations in the United States, returns to Hemisfair in downtown San Antonio on October 23–25, 2026, for three days of remembrance, art, music, and celebration. The free festival draws more than 100,000 attendees each year.
The festival’s theme, “Remember. Honor. Celebrate.”, captures the heart of Muertos Fest: bringing people together to remember those who have passed, honor their lives, and celebrate the cultural traditions that keep their memories alive.
Founded in 2013, Muertos Fest has grown into a nationally recognized celebration rooted in Día de los Muertos traditions. At the heart of the festival are more than 80 community-created altars, built by families, schools, artists, and community organizations in remembrance of loved ones who have passed.
Remembrance also takes center stage during the festival’s two signature Día de los Muertos processions, among the weekend’s most anticipated moments. Each procession entry honors the memory of someone who has died, transforming the processions into moving tributes filled with music, dance, art, and celebration.
The 2026 celebration begins Friday, October 23, with ¡Presente! A Night to Remember, an evening centered on the festival’s large-scale outdoor altar exhibition. The evening kicks off with sensory-friendly altar viewing hours from 5 to 7 p.m. Later that evening, attendees can enjoy a Goodwill San Antonio Fashion Show featuring Día de los Muertos-inspired looks and musical performances on the main stage.
The full festival takes place Saturday, October 24, and Sunday, October 25, transforming Hemisfair into a celebration featuring more than 80 altars, five stages of music and performances, two processions, workshops, food, and over 75 art vendors at the Muertos Mercado.
Organizers have also opened applications for individuals, families, schools, community organizations, and artists interested in creating one of the festival’s more than 80 community altars or in participating in its signature Día de los Muertos processions.
The nonprofit partner for the 2026 event is Letras en la Frontera, a San Antonio-based literary organization that regularly collaborates with UNAM San Antonio (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México) on cultural programming. Together, the organizations will bring back the popular Day of the Dead Bookstore, launched at Muertos Fest in 2025.
Applications are now open for individuals, families, schools, artists, and community organizations interested in creating an altar or participating in one of the 2026 Muertos Fest processions at muertosfest.com.
For festival information, travel details, and upcoming announcements, visit muertosfest.com and follow @MuertosFest on social media.
ABOUT MUERTOS FEST
Since its founding in 2013, Muertos Fest has grown into San Antonio’s signature Día de los Muertos celebration and one of the largest Day of the Dead events in the United States. Held annually at Hemisfair in downtown San Antonio, the free community festival welcomes more than 100,000 attendees and features community-created altars, live music and performances, processions, art, food, and cultural programming that honors Día de los Muertos traditions. San Antonio Area Chevy Dealers return as the title sponsor of the 2026 Muertos Fest.
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SOURCE Muertos Fest
