Day of the Dead events in metro Phoenix: Dia de los Muertos altars, a procession and more

Dina Kaur, Arizona Republic
Updated ·4 min read

Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Mexican holiday celebrated to honor friends and family members who have passed.

Día de los Muertos is based on the belief that spirits of the deceased return to the world of the living. Death is embraced and celebrated with music, dance, traditional foods and other festivities.

Key components of Day of the Dead include ofrendas or altars, cemeteries, calaveras and catrinas, sugar skulls, marigolds or cempasúchil, parades and festivals.

If you’re looking to get involved in Day of the Dead, here are events in Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe where you can commemorate loved ones.

Día de los Muertos: What is Day of the Dead? Ultimate guide to traditions, dates and what goes on an altar

Day of the Dead 2023 events in metro Phoenix

Scottsdale Día de los Muertos events: Multiple celebrations and art installations will take place in Old Town in collaboration with Lore Media & Arts, Scottsdale Arts, the city of Scottsdale, the Mexican Consulate General in Phoenix and Old Adobe Mission. World-class artists will present art, altars and performances. Events include the seventh annual Scottsdale Dia de Los Muertos Artares y Ofrendas, an 11-day interactive walk-through event; “Fiesta de Muertos y Danza,” an evening performance of theatrical folk ballet at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts; and a four-day Civic Center Art Installation Experience.

Details: Altares y Ofrendas, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. daily through Nov. 2. at the Old Adobe Mission, 3817 N. Brown Ave., Scottsdale. $15; free for age 10 and younger. ScottsdaleDiaDeLosMuertos.com.

Scottsdale Civic Center art installation, 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Monday Oct. 27-30. at 7380 E. Second. Free. CivicCenterLIVE.org/events.

“Fiesta de Muertos y Danza,” 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. Second St. Tickets start at $49. ScottsdalePerformingArts.org.

Día de los Muertos Ofrenda Exhibition: The Consulate General of Mexico in Phoenix, the city of Tempe and Tempe History Museum are unveiling a Día de los Muertos ofrenda inspired by the traditions of Michoacán and created by artist Monica Gisel Crespo.

Details: 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25. The ofrenda will be on display through Nov. 2. Tempe History Museum Community Room, 809 E. Southern Ave., Tempe. Free. 480-350-5100, allevents.in.

Día de los Muertos PHX Festival: The 12th annual Día de los Muertos event presented by the Cultural Coalition will feature a land acknowledgement, Danza Mexica, Harmony Project, Ollin Yolitzli, Enparoxismo, Quetzalli BF, Mariachi Rubor, Indigenous Enterprise, La Huehueteada/Penas, La Procesion and QVLN. Quetzalcoatl, La Llorona and Las Flacas also will be in attendance. Activities include mask-making, a community altar, face painting, Artists Mercado, art activities, Barrio Bookmobile, instrument making, printmaking and an instrument petting zoo. There will be food vendors, merchants and informational booths. Bring cash to buy food from vendors and items from the mercado.

Details: 2-7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29. Steele Indian School Park, 300 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. Free. 480-834-5731, diadelosmuertosphx.com.

Desert Botanical Garden: Día de Muertos: With a new immersive experience by Cultural Curator Ulrike Figueroa Vilchis of Mexico City, the Desert Botanical Garden Día de Muertos event is back. This year’s theme is La Catrina and focuses on the history and symbolism of the elegant skeleton figure. There will be a community altar, floral entry archway and a procession, as well as food, activities, dancing and music.

Details: Noon-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 4-5. Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix. $29.95, $16.95 for ages 3-17, free for age 2 and younger. 480-941-3517, dbg.org.

St. Mary's Basilica Día de los Muertos Festival: Saint Mary’s Basilica will host its annual Día de los Muertos Festival in downtown Phoenix. There will be a community altar, entertainment by Carmela y Más, an artisan market with over 20 vendors, more than a dozen local food trucks, children’s activities, face painting and a car show.

Details: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5. Saint Mary’s Basilica, 231 N. Third St., Phoenix. Free; nonperishable food donations to St. Vincent de Paul Society are encouraged. 602-354-2100, saintmarysbasilica.org.

Day of the Dead origins: Dia de los Muertos: Its rich history, traditions and why not all Mexicans celebrate it

Reach the reporter at dina.kaur@arizonarepublic.com. Follow @dina_kaur on X, formerly known as Twitter.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Day of the Dead 2023: Events in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe