What to Expect at the 2026 Día de los Muertos Festival

This year’s Día de los Muertos festival returns to Mission Plaza on Saturday, October 31, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM — free and open to the whole county. Here’s what’s planned for the day.

11:00 AM — Gates Open & Community Altar

The festival opens with our community ofrenda, a shared altar where guests are invited to add a photo or small memento honoring someone they’ve lost. It stays up and grows throughout the day.

11:30 AM — Folklórico Performance

Traditional dance from local youth performance groups kicks off the afternoon’s programming on the plaza stage.

12:30 PM — Costume Contest

Categories for kids, adults, and best group costume — judged live, with the crowd weighing in.

1:30 PM — Live Mariachi

A full-set mariachi performance fills the plaza amphitheater through the early afternoon.

2:30 PM — Closing Blessing

The day wraps with a closing moment of reflection, bringing the community together before the festival closes at 3:00 PM.

Throughout the day, local vendors and food booths line the plaza walkway — see our sponsors and vendors for this year’s festival. For the full rundown, visit the festival program page.