Across Texas, people celebrate Día de los Muertos or Day of the Dead, by making altars, attending parades and holding a party. In San Antonio, Texas, the city hosts elaborate celebrations, decorates with candy skulls and constructs altars adorned with marigolds.
Best Day of the Dead Celebrations in Texas
San Antonio
Austin
Corpus Christi
Houston
Dallas – Fort Worth
Sugar Land
San Angelo
Deer Park
History and Cultural Significance of Día de los Muertos
The Day of the Dead sounds macabre; however, it celebrates death as a part of the life cycle. The separation between the spirit world and the earth world is believed to vanish for a few days in early November. This is when families welcome their departed relatives back with their favorite foods, candles, music, and dancing.
Día de los Muertos is more than candy skulls and marigolds. Its origins date back thousands of years to Mexico, when families would remember their dearly departed relatives and place ofrendas, or gifts, on an altar.
Blending traditions from Meso-American rituals with Spanish culture and European religion, Dia de los Muertos intended to welcome back departed loved ones with a celebration. Traditionally, Day of the Dead celebrations were held on November 1 and November 2.
The altars are adorned with their favorite food and drinks, fit for a party, and include music and dancing. Photos of the departed or favorite clothing are left along with lots of lighted candles, bright marigold flowers and sugar skulls.
The fancifully dressed Day of the Dead skeleton decorations are the creation of José Guadalupe Posada, a Mexican graphic artist. In 1910, La Calavera Catrina was displayed in black and white; it now includes the saturated colors of the season. Many use this as a mask for their Dead of the Dead costumes.
Dead of the Dead in San Antonio
With a rich Hispanic culture, San Antonio is home to the largest Day of the Dead celebration in the U.S. Over 100,000 revelers attend the parade along the River Walk with dozens of floats.
Downtown San Antonio loves to celebrate. Visitors will find Dia de Muertos symbols across the city, like the largest La Calavera Catrina and her companion Catrin in the US in La Villita.
Musts for Day of the Dead in San Antonio
Dia de los Muertos Trail
Five-foot-tall alebrijes join calaveras and altars across downtown San Antonio. The tallest La Calavera Catrina in the US is joined by Catrin. Runs from Friday, October 3 to Wednesday, November 5, 2025. It is free to enjoy.
Día de los Muertos at the Missions
At the San Antonio Missions, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, visitors can see the authentic ofrendas at the Missions, created by parish members. Runs from Saturday, October 11 to Friday, November 14, 2025.
Rio de la Vida
On Tuesdays and Sundays, visitors can take a guided River Walk boat ride to see the vibrant alebrijes. Guests will learn about the history and culture behind the Day of the Dead symbols. Runs from Sunday, October 5 to Tuesday, November 4, 2025. Tickets required.
Muertos Fest
Located in Hemisfair Park, this festival celebrates its 13th year. Featuring more than 100 community altars and seminars, guests will also enjoy live music and an artisan market.
Located at 600 Hemisfair Park. Runs from Friday, October 24 to Sunday, October 26, 2025.
Day of the Dead Parade
San Antonio loves its River Parade, especially its night parades. Illuminated barges and costumed performers float past the River Walk.
Located in Downtown San Antonio. Held on Friday, October 23, 2026, and reserved seating is available.
Day of the Dead in La Villita
With spirit animals crafted by Mexico City artisans, festival-goers will delight in the bright colors in historic La Villita. San Antonio’s Calavera Collection features 25 giant skulls with unique details.
Located at 418 Villita St., San Antonio. Held from Friday, October 23 to Sunday, October 25, 2026.
Día de los Muertos in Historic Market Square
As the largest Mexican Market in the U.S., visitors can shop for traditional Mexican crafts. While there, festival-goers can see the traditional altars, enjoy live music and sample foodie favorites, from Elote to Micheladas.
Located at 514 W Commerce St., San Antonio. Held Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25, 2026.
San Antonio Calaverita Run 5K
The Día de los Muertos-inspired 5K and family walk started in 2025. It is scheduled for Saturday, October 24, 2026, at the Pearl. Sign up in advance.
Día de los Muertos at the Pearl
Anchored by Hotel Emma, a former brewery, The Pearl offers live music, family activities, art installations and more.
Located at 303 Pearl Parkway, San Antonio, Scheduled for Tuesday, October 27, and Sunday, November 3, 2026.
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Day of the Dead in Austin
Now in its 42nd year, the Mexic-Arte Museum hosts the Viva La Vida Festival and Parade.
This year’s event starts with the grand procession. With Ballet Folkloric dancers and costumed participants, this parade is colorful and lively.
Other activities include art activities, live performances, local artists and retail booths. Check out the low-rider exhibition, too. and live performances.
Located in Downtown Austin at 4th Street and Congress Avenue. From noon to 6 p.m. It is scheduled on Saturday, October 24, 2026.
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Día de los Muertos in Corpus Christi
Now in its 19th year, the Día de los Muertos Street Festival in downtown Corpus Christi brings the heritage of South Texas and Mexico. Visitors will enjoy live music and traditional culture.
From Mariachis to Ballet Folklorico, the Dia de los Muertos celebrates tradition. There’s an art contest, and school kids compete in a piñata contest. Come hungry; there are over 25 food vendors.
Held on Chaparral, Starr, Mesquite, Taylor and Peoples Streets. Scheduled for Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 1 p.m. to midnight.
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Houston
The Houston area offers several Day of the Dead celebrations. From Discovery Green to Sam Houston Park, find parades, altars and more.
The Día de los Muertos Parade and Festival
The 7th Annual Day of the Dead Parade will be held at Sam Houston Park. The festivities include live music, a procession, food, and arts & crafts.
Located at 1000 Bagby St., Houston. Scheduled for Saturday, November 7, 2026, from 4 to 10 p.m. The parade will be at 7 p.m.
Day of the Dead at Discovery Green
In the heart of Houston’s downtown, Discovery Green hosts a Dia de los Muertos celebration. Houston artist Angel Quesada will build a community ofrenda this year at Discovery Green. There’s a Catrina and Catrin Contest this year. Visitors will find a market and lots of food vendors.
Located at Discovery Green at 1500 McKinney St., Houston. Scheduled for Sunday, November 1, from 3 to 7 p.m.
MECA Dia De Los Muertos
Now in its 26th year, the MECA Dia de los Muertos is the culmination of a month of community activities. The festival will host children’s art activities, an ofrendas/altar exhibition and artist and artisan vendors. There are festival foods and three performance stages.
Located at DOW School, 1900 Kane St., Houston. It is scheduled for Saturday. October 31 to Sunday, November 1, 2026.
Día de los Muertos at the Houston Zoo
It’s not just humans who celebrate the Day of the Dead; now the zoo animals do. Zoo-goers can walk among the glowing decorations, take selfies at the photo ops and see La Catrina.
There’s an ofrenda for beloved pets. Kids can even visit the craft station.
Located at 6200 Hermann Park Dr., Houston. Scheduled for Sunday, November 1 and Monday, November 2, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tickets required.
National Museum of Funeral History
Inside the Funeral Museum, visitors can browse the Día de los Muertos – Day of the Dead Market. It will feature 40 vendors, showcasing everything from Hispanic Heritage to Artisan goods.
Located at 415 Barren Springs Drive, Houston.
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Day of the Dead Celebrations in North Texas
In North Texas, find parades, live performances and even a coffin race. Most events are family-friendly.
Day of the Dead in Dallas
The Latino Cultural Center is close to downtown, and its festival will have decorate-your-own sugar skull stations. There will be local artisans and live dance performances on the plaza.
Located at the Latino Cultural Center, 2600 Live Oak St., Dallas. Scheduled for Saturday, October 31.
Denton’s Day of the Dead
Home of the widely popular coffin races with DIY coffins running down Hickory Street. OK, the top reason? By far the coffin races. This weekend festival features a community altar, pumpkin patch and kids’ activities and a twilight lantern parade at 7 p.m. on Saturday.
Located at Denton Square at Oak, Hickory, Elm and Locust St., Denton. Runs from Friday, October 23 to Sunday, October 24, 2026.
Day of the Dead in Sugar Land
Smaller communities also celebrate Day of the Dead, like Sugar Land. There are two main Día de los Muertos celebrations in Sugar Land.
Sugar Land Heritage Museum
The first one is the Día de los Muertos Museum Exhibit at the Sugar Land Heritage Museum. The exhibit features altars celebrating the accomplishments of those who helped build Sugar Land. Made by local families, the Sugar Land Heritage Museum displays the altars with their ofrendas.
Located at 198 Kempner St. The display will be up from October 12 to November 1, 2026. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is free to enter.
Day of the Dead at Sugar Land Town Square
Festival-goers gather for Mariachi bands, Ballet Folklorico performances, and Aztec dancing. There will also be traditional food, a Day of the Dead costume contest and an accordion player.
Located at Sugar Land Town Square, 15958 City Walk, Sugar Land. Scheduled for Sunday, October 25, 2026, from noon to 5 p.m.
Día de los Muertos in San Angelo
About three hours Northwest of San Antonio, San Angelo celebrates Día de los Muertos. Visitors can enjoy a fun run, a car show, floral ofrendas, paper flower-making workshops and an art exhibition.
Located at Bart Dewitt Park, 325 S. Oakes, San Angelo. It is scheduled for Saturday, October 10, 2026.
Day of the Dead in Deer Park
Visitors will find ofrendas, food and live music. There will also be crafts.
Located at Dow Park, 610 E San Augustine St, Deer Park. Set for Saturday, October 24, 2026.
