Scottsdale will come alive with the vibrant colors, sounds, and traditions of Dia de Los Muertos through a series of immersive events that honor the cultural heritage of Mexico. From captivating dance performances to art installations, this year’s Scottsdale Dia de Los Muertos will host various events between Oct. 24 and Nov. 2.
During the 8th Annual Scottsdale Día de Los Muertos Fiestas, the Altares y Ofrendas experience featuring Gus Mejia Arte’s “La Ofrenda” will be available to view at the Old Adobe Mission from Oct. 24 to Nov. 2 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Internationally recognized photographer Gus Mejia brings his captivating Dia de Los Muertos imagery to Scottsdale with his portrait art exhibition “La Ofrenda.” Mejia is renowned for his Catrina style that blends vivid colors, cultural narratives, and dramatic compositions. Visitors will also experience Oaxacan-inspired Altares y Ofrendas art installations, adding to the cultural depth of the exhibition.
For four days (Oct. 24 to Oct. 27), Scottsdale Civic Center will transform into a vibrant outdoor gallery with large-scale Dia de Los Muertos art installations imported from Guadalajara, Mexico. These displays are free to enjoy and open to the public to view from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., offering a visual celebration of life and death as told through Mexican art traditions.
“When you look at this type of art, you are inspiring those who have passed away to come into space. So it is very important that we as a community understand why we are doing a Dia de Los Muertos,” says Robert Ramirez, co-founder of Scottsdale Dia de Los Muertos, in a press release.
On Friday, Oct. 25, from 6 to 10 p.m., join a powerful cultural tradition with the Procession Desfile de Los Muertos. Beginning at the Old Adobe Mission and ending at Scottsdale Civic Center, this procession honors the memories of loved ones through traditional regalia, photos, and altars. The event is both a solemn tribute and a joyful celebration of life, where families and participants are encouraged to engage in communal remembrance.
The Scottsdale Dia de Los Muertos celebration culminates on Oct. 26 with the Fiesta de Muertos Festival at the Civic Center from noon to 6 p.m. This lively day-long event will feature musical performances, presentations, food vendors, crafts, and art. It’s a celebration of Mexican culture that invites everyone to partake in the rich traditions of Dia de Los Muertos.
Presented by LORE Media & Arts in collaboration with Grandeza Mexicana Folk Ballet Company, Danza de Muertos will take audiences on an emotional journey celebrating the beauty of Mexican folk dance and the traditions of Dia de Los Muertos on Oct. 26. The program invites the audience to embrace death as a natural part of life’s journey and to honor the sacred traditions of Mexican and Native Mesoamerican cultures. Grandeza Mexicana Folk Ballet Company is dedicated to preserving and presenting the diverse cultural traditions of Mexico through breathtaking choreography, music, and artistry. The performance will take place at the Scottsdale Center for Performing Arts at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $39.
For those looking to fully immerse themselves in the Dia de Los Muertos experience, from Oct. 23 to Oct. 26, the Catrina Tour offers a unique photoshoot led by Mejia. Participants will be professionally styled with traditional Catrina/Catrin makeup and wardrobe, then photographed amidst large-scale altar installations in Old Town Scottsdale. The experience includes posing tips, props, and a digital gallery of 20 edited images, making it a one-of-a-kind experience for those who want to embrace the spirit of Dia de Los Muertos. This experience starts at $550 per person.
“Dia de Los Muertos is a cultural experience that invites everyone to participate in a symbolic journey of remembrance. The festival has become a tradition in Scottsdale thanks to Robert Ramirez and the partnership with the City of Scottsdale. On behalf of the Mexican Consulate of Phoenix, I want to invite you all to experience the beauty of memory and tradition of Scottsdale Dia de Los Muertos,” says Jorge Mendoza Yescas, consul general of Mexico in Phoenix, in a press release.
For more information, visit www.scottsdalediadelosmuertos.com.