Few U.S. cities embrace their diversity like San Antonio, Texas. At the intersection of American, Texan and Mexican culture, the seventh-largest city in the United States knows how to celebrate traditions while making everyone feel welcome. (Can we all please take a cue from San Antonio!?)
This season, though tricky Halloween festivities still abound, it is the Mexican holiday of Día de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) that treats visitors most in San Antonio.
The traditional Mexican holiday, dating to pre-Columbian time, professes that on November 1, the distance between living and dead is at its closest point, creating the perfect opportunity to honor our dearly departed loved ones.
Considered the largest Día de los Muertos celebration in the United States, San Antonio builds traditional altars, throws parades and delivers delicious Mexican food offerings that remind you it’s tastier on this side of the divide. Here are a few of the Squire’s favorites:
Muertos Fest
Muertos Fest slays at Hemisfair on October 26-27, with the largest open altar exhibition in the city, live music on two stages, art shows, poetry readings and a puppet procession—all free and family-friendly.
Catrinas on the River
Catrinas on the River kicks the bucket downstream on the Day (November 1), with the first floating parade down the River Walk featuring the city’s famous barges, each dressed to kill in their Muertos seasonal best.
Mala Luna
Mala Luna connects the hip bone to the hop bone on October 26-27, by inviting some of EDM and hip-hop’s biggest stars to San Antonio. This year’s festival features Diplo and Miguel, among other killer headliners.
The Tobin Center
The Tobin Center’s Cinema on the Plaza will resuscitate even the most unresponsive with a free showing of “Coco,” the animated film that helped popularize the holiday throughout the world.
Centro Cultural Aztlan
Centro Cultural Aztlan is San Antonio’s longest living continuous Día de los Muertos celebration, dating back to 1977. Centro transforms galleries into giant art installations filled with one-of-a-kind altars and creates the “Avenida de los Artesanos” promoting some of the city’s most beloved artists, from November 2-15.
For more events, explore VisitSanAntonio.com/dia-de-los-muertos.
And any time of year, follow the Squire’s San Antonio destination guide.