SAN ANTONIO – Over 135,000 people from all over the country are expected to gather this weekend at Hemisfair for the 14th annual Muertos Fest, a vibrant celebration dedicated to honoring those we’ve lost.
This three-day festival is not just an event; it’s a heartfelt tribute to our loved ones who have passed away. Through beautifully crafted altars, lively music, delicious food, and various community traditions, attendees will experience the rich culture of Día de los Muertos.
“For us, it is an important part of our culture,” expressed Abigail Mata, who traveled from Dallas with her family to take part in the festivities. The Mata family enjoyed the Day of the Dead River Parade on Friday night, spent Saturday immersed in Muertos Fest activities, and are gearing up for the 16th annual Día de los Muertos 5K.
“It is absolutely amazing that there’s so many celebrations,” Mata added. “There’s not too many Día de los Muertos celebrations in Dallas. So coming here and just being surrounded by it is so enriching. It’s wonderful.”
Visitors are coming in from various corners of the country, including Jessie Garcia and Diana Lee from California, who are at the festival to honor their recently deceased family members. “My father and my brother had just passed away within the past year,” Garcia shared. “So I thought it was important to come out and kind of honor them as well.”
A significant highlight of the festival is the display of ofrendas, or altars. More than 80 altars have been handcrafted by families, schools, and artists for festival-goers to view and interact with.
“Altars are really the heart of Muertos Fest, and our community altar comes with us every single year. We have a team of artists that come and put this together. We had over 1,000 submissions of photos,” said Cristina Martinez, co-curator of the Muertos Mercado.
Visitors are encouraged to bring photos of their ancestors, loved ones, or even pets to place at the community altar. Martinez noted that many attendees also leave behind meaningful items, such as loteria cards or someone’s favorite drink. “Last year I saw so many Big Red cans,” she reminisced.
In addition to the altars, the festival features over 90 food and craft vendors, along with three stages hosting live music performances, making it a full sensory experience.
The celebrations continue on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. at Hemisfair, inviting everyone to join in this unique cultural experience.
