Día de los Muertos
Desfile & Festival

Thank You El Paso!

Our Downtown Arts District was filled with vibrant colors, life, and most importantly, your many ofrendas!
We are so thankful for your participation in this year's Día de los Muertos Desfile y Festival.
Watch the recap of this amazing event.



Video shot and produced by Acavius Largo.

Join us in Downtown El Paso the Saturday of

NOVEMBER 1st, 2025


Día de los Muertos Desfile & Festival: a celebration of life and those who have departed. DÍa de los Muertos is a holiday that has roots in Pre-Columbian Meso-American traditions and the observance of All Soul’s Day brought to Mexico by the Spanish in the early 1500's. It is celebrated on both November 1 and 2, with preparations happening on the days before as well. The holiday is centered on family remembrances where homes and cemeteries are decorated with altars and ofrendas (offerings) to the spirits of their loved ones who have passed away.

A signature event of the Mexican American Cultural Center in the heart of the Downtown Arts District

Día de los Muertos Desfile & Festival logo

Alebrije graphic

This Year’s Festival Theme is ALEBRIJES


Festival activations begin from 11 am to 9 pm.

Come experience all that the vendors and food trucks at The Market have to offer from 11 am to 9 pm too!

The festival will be located right in the Downtown Arts District to include the El Paso Museum of Art, El Paso Museum of History, Mexican American Cultural Center and surrounding areas including San Jacinto Plaza (114 Mills Ave) and Cleveland Square Park (510 Santa Fe St).

View Event Map

Check out the activities, performances, exhibitions and more happening this Saturday, November 1st.

View Event Guide

Coco - FREE Film Screening


Get into the spirit of Dia de los Muertos and join the MACC for a special screening of the Disney - Pixar Film Coco on November 1, 2025 at 11 am.

Seating is limited so reserve your seats today.

The screening will take place in the MACC Auditorium on the 1st Floor. Make sure to bring a sweater - the auditorium tends to get cold.

Register Now
Coco Movie

The Market logo

The Market at Día de los Muertos

View Mercadito Vendors

Apron-mania
Art by Magda
BijouGlass
Blossom Bar
By Create & Designs
Cacao Coyatoc
Catrina Headpiece Vibes
ChucoTownAF
Cooltural: Sugar Skull Deco
DAIZY BABY
Dark Shadows Art Studio
David Herrera
Dei Amore Coffee and Loose Leaf Tea
Diegorobot
DIOSA
El Paso Images
Gabriela’s M Jewelry
GeoGenius
Healing Ways Artistry
The Hummus Co
iCreateWithClay
Jenny's Bakery
JJ Premium Carne Seca
J&M Creations of El Paso LLC
Kitty Kat Meow
Krasa LLC
Kraving Sweets
Lone Star Laser Engraving
Los Tres Cochinitos
Mel’s Goodies
Milintica Glassworks

MMB CRAFTS CLUB
Muchas Flores Studio
Mundo de Papel
Nursy Little Things
Pawpy Love
Piko by Marina
Printmeikiando + Ofen and Tassen
Sabrina Creates
Sew Stitchin' Cute
Sombreros Jerky
Sweet & Spicy Co.
El Taller Fuentes
Tlachihual
Trendy Decor
Tres Toros Leather Co
Vanessa Clark Designs
VLFL
Wik 'N Luv
Woz Art
Wyndrock
The Yarn Life

View Antojitos Vendors

Craze
Juarez Dogs
Legendary Burgers
Los Traviesos
Organiza Eventos-El Taco Tipico
Papasitas Loaded Fries
Taquizas Mi General
Thirsty AF
El Merendero

Map of Parade Route

Dia De Los Muertos Parade

Begins at 4 pm

The parade begins at the corner of Campbell St and Mills Ave, and continues west through Mills Ave, turns north on Mesa St, and goes west on Franklin Ave until ending by going south on Santa Fe St.

View Map

Parade Participants

General Guidelines

  1. Appropriate Attire and Icons: Parade participants are expected to align with the theme of Día de los Muertos and to respectfully highlight the symbols and elements associated with this cultural celebration. Some culturally relevant symbols include calaveras, marigolds, monarch butterflies, pan de muerto, altars and so on.
  2. While not required, following the annual theme is preferred (alebrijes). Participants may choose to celebrate using their family traditions too.
  3. Any individuals participating, whether marching individually or accompanying a float, should be costumed appropriately and/or have their faces painted in a calavera style/be wearing a calavera mask.
  4. Absolutely NO Halloween themed floats and entries are allowed.
  5. Participants who violate the guidelines for appropriate attire/icons and instructions will be asked to leave parade lineup.
  6. Floats, mojigangas, alebrijes, well-behaved animals, and individuals are invited to participate.
  7. Every PARTICIPANT entering animals in the parade must provide sanitation services for their animals.
  8. Small businesses interested in participating will be asked to enter the parade as sponsors for a fee. This fee is required to be paid by September 1st, 2025 to secure a spot in the parade. Logos and official business name will be asked for at this time so to be featured on parade programming. Learn about Small Business Parade Entry Perks!
  9. All parade participating groups and organizations must have a banner or sign identifying them at their time of procession.
  10. All parade participants are expected to behave in an appropriate manner, follow MCAD staff instructions and be good neighbors to fellow parade participants.
  11. MCAD has a zero-tolerance policy for harassment of any kind. Participants failing to follow parade guidelines will be dismissed from the parade and barred from future participation in MCAD events.

Walking Groups & Floats

Parade FAQs

  1. Are animals allowed in the parade?
    Yes, animals are allowed to be in the parade. All animals must be well-behaved and not a danger to the public.
  2. Parade participants must clean up any accidents made by participating animals.
    Failure to clean up after animals will result in cleaning fees assessed to the participant.
  3. Is there a minimum age for participating?
    There is no minimum age for participants, but minors must be accompanied by parents or guardians at all times.
  4. Can I pass out candy/flyers/etc.?
    No candy or flyers are allowed to limit trash on the parade route, and for participant safety.
  5. Are there vehicle restrictions?
    There are no vehicle restrictions- however, all vehicles must be in working order and decorated for the event unless they are specialty vehicles like low riders.
  6. Can scooters, roller skates, and skateboards participate?
    Riding on scooters, skateboards and roller skates is permitted as long as participants are dressed according to the Día de los Muertos theme and wearing the appropriate safety gear.
  7. How long will the parade last?
    Depending on the number of participants, the parade can last anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour.
  8. How long is the parade route?
    The parade route is approximately 1.4 miles long, with slight inclines. Please pace accordingly.
  9. What do we do if there’s an emergency during the parade among participants (i.e. injury)?
    In case of an emergency, find festival staff (wearing STAFF t-shirts) and police officers, if necessary.

Festival & Parade Sponsors

Sponsors

Get Involved!


Volunteer
Experience Día de los Muertos as a part of the team! We are in search of volunteers that can participate during set up on the days leading up to the event, one or multiple shifts, as well as break-down. If interested, please fill out the MACC Volunteer form.

Donate & Sponsor
We have multiple opportunities for you to get involved, whether its sponsoring the parade, a performance, or activity. Click here to check out our Día de los Muertos 2025 Sponsorship Opportunities.

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El Paso Museum of Art
El Paso Museum of Archaeology
El Paso Museum of History