A multi-day holiday in which family and friends gather to remember those who have died, Día de los Muertos is celebrated locally with a variety of dining specials to bring together loved ones, community ofrendas, live entertainment and much more. Save the date for these Día de los Muertos events in Phoenix and beyond.
Oct. 27 to Oct. 30: Scottsdale Día de los Muertos
For four days, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., the outdoor spaces at Scottsdale Civic Center host colorful, large-scale installations for the Scottsdale Día de Los Muertos celebration. Among the installations at Scottsdale Civic Center, primarily around the West Bowl and Civic Lawn areas north of Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, will be a Oaxaca Community Altar with two- and three-dimensional art. These installations are open to the public.
Cost: Free.
For more information: civiccenterlive.org.
Oct. 27 to Nov. 2: Toca Madera Scottsdale
From Oct. 27 to Nov. 2, Mexico City-inspired Toca Madera Scottsdale honors Día de los Muertos with two special cocktail offerings. Sip on these tasty tipples: Santa Muerte (strawberry peppercorn-infused Flecha Blanco, Cointreau noir, blackberry cordial, creme de fraise, strawberry shrub and lime) and Calavera (Flecha Blanco, mezcal, coconut, lime, honey-mint cordial and black agave). Both cocktails are $18.
For more information: tocamadera.com/locations/scottsdale.
Oct. 28: 2023 15th Annual Dia De Los Muertos Festival
Ballet Folklorico Esperanza and the City of Avondale presents the15th Annual Dia De Los Muertos Festival, taking place Oct. 28, 2 to 10 p.m., at Avondale Goodyear Farms Historic Cemetery. The family-friendly event will feature live music and entertainment, local vendors, food trucks, a community ofrenda and much more (the public is invited to bring photos to honor loved ones).
Cost: Free admission.
For more information: balletfolkloricoesperanza.org.
Oct. 28: Scottsdale Día de los Muertos – FIESTA DE MUERTOS Y DANZA
LORE Media & Arts – Grandeza Mexicana Folk Ballet Company presents a beautiful performance of dance, music, art and ritual to celebrate the rich traditions of Dia de Los Muertos and the splendor of Mexican folk dance at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. The performance starts at 8 p.m. on Oct. 28.
Cost: Tickets start at $49.
For more information: scottsdaleperformingarts.org/event.
Oct. 31 to Nov. 2: The Mexicano
For Día de los Muertos, Scottsdale’s The Mexicano is celebrating the holiday, Oct. 31 to Nov. 2, with $5 margaritas and Draft Modelo. Guests can expect Day of the Dead décor, live entertainment by DJs, fire dancers, stilt walkers as well as custom Modelo print tote bags and Day of the Dead masks for guests to get into the spirit.
For more information: www.themexicano.com.
Oct. 31 to Nov. 2: Frutilandia
From Oct. 31 to Nov. 2, each Frutilandia location (there are nine to choose from) will have BOGO 50 percent off all raspados and ice cream.
For more information: www.frutilandiausa.com.
Oct. 31 to Nov. 2: Taqueria Factory
In honor of Día de los Muertos, celebrate at Taqueria Factory with BOGO 50 percent off all tacos from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2. Guests can opt for carne asada, chicken, shrimp, birria or al pastor. A half-and-half option is also available, allowing guests to choose two different types of meat.
For more information: www.taqueriafactory.com.
Nov. 2: Día de Los Muertos Heritage Night Market
The Heritage Night Market in the West Valley hosts a celebration of Día de Los Muertos on Thursday, Nov. 2, 5 to 9 p.m. The evening event will celebrate life and loved ones in a festive collaboration with E.L.L.A. Mujeres Mercado, a local nonprofit serving Latina-owned businesses and entrepreneurs. The family-friendly event will host over 100 local vendors offering products, services, food and fun. The market will be fully decorated and will feature musical entertainment from a Mariachi band and professional DJ. Día de Los Muertos Heritage Night Market also hosts education and crafts from the artist, author and designer Kathy Cano-Murillo, also known as the Crafty Chica. Plus, community members and guests can bring photos or personal items of their loved ones to be on display on the 360-degree community ofrenda.
Cost: Free admission.
For more information: www.heritagenightmarket.com.
Nov. 3: “La Vida Es Un Carnival”
Phoenix artist Kathryn Sesma (a k a La Jefa), whose work is influenced Día de los Muertos and Mexican culture, hosts her inaugural solo art exhibition, “La Vida Es Un Carnival,” which translates to “Life is a Party.” The show will take place at Luna Culture Lab in Downtown Phoenix on Friday, Nov. 3, 6 to 9 p.m. It will take guests on a journey through a kaleidoscope of colors and visionary perspectives that define La Jefa’s artistic world.
Cost: Free admission.
For more information: www.instagram.com/lajefapaint.
Nov. 4 and Nov. 5: Día de Muertos at Desert Botanical Garden
From noon to 6 p.m., Nov. 4 and Nov. 5, Día de Muertos returns to Desert Botanical Garden. The Día de Los Muertos event in Phoenix will feature an immersive experience that includes a mega community altar centered on the history and symbolism of the elegant skeleton figure La Catrina, festive processions, delicious food, hands-on activities, music, dancing and much more.
Cost: Included in Garden admission.
For more information: dbg.org.