Day of the Dead
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Dia de los Muertos / Day of the Dead Sunday, November 1st, 1-6pm
Dia de los Muertos
The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center (ESB MACC) invites the public to their 19th annual Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). This beloved tradition brings family and community together to celebrate the lives of our ancestors, family, friends, and public figures. Welcome the memories of our loved ones with ofrendas (altars), art installations, and activities that foster an appreciation for the sweetness and fragility of life. The community altar will be a gathering of memories to which the public can contribute.
Dia de los Muertos at the MACC is a family-friendly, alcohol-free event. Admission is free. Guests are encouraged to bring folding chairs, strollers, and refillable water bottles. Please park for free in the Holly Street Neighborhood just East of the MACC. Guests can then walk, crossing under i-35, to the MACC (5-10 minute walk). There also will be a shuttle giving rides from the Holly Street neighborhood to the MACC. Accessible parking is available at the MACC parking lot upon request.
Indoors & Outdoors
Community Altars- Exhibit Dates: October 19- November 7
A collection of altars made by community members and groups in Austin will be on display before, after, and during our event on November 1st. There will be altars on display for family members, public figures, and community groups, including an altar for the Uvalde students, an altar for victims of ICE, and altars for local heroes like Dr. Gilberto Cardenas.
Please consider creating an altar at the MACC! We have spaces available for smaller indoor altars and larger outdoor altars.
Please fill out the form to create your indoor or outdoor altar before October 9th, 2026:
Indoor Altar Form
Outdoor Altar Form
Outdoor Stage, Zocalo at Shade Structure, 1st Floor
Live Music & Dance on the Plaza
Performances by Miguel St. Michael, Los Gatos 512 and more! Guests are welcome to bring chairs or blankets to sit outside on the plaza and enjoy entertainment on the outdoor stage. Come ready to dance!
Auditorium/ BlackBox
Xochimiquiztli, a Play by Teatro Sin Fronteras
Join us for a live performance of Codex Miquitztli, an illustrated storybook about the Indigenous origins of Día de los Muertos, brought to life with hand-crafted puppets. Written in English, Spanish, and Nahuatl, this book for young audiences follows a young poet who journeys to Mictlán, the Aztec Underworld, in search of a warrior. This performance will be in English and Nahuatl and runs 30 minutes long.
Auditorium/ BlackBox
Catrina Contest & History of La Catrina
Participate in our Catrina contest! Come dressed as a calavera, catrin/a/e, or any Day of the Dead-inspired look. We want to see your creativity! Contest host Samantha Ledesma Montenegro will take us through the journey of La Catrina- the origins of calavera imagery and its place in Mexican history as well as modern visual representations. Take photos with Samantha, as she meanders through the festival dressed as La Catrina!
Dance Studio, 1st Floor
Nochipa Tapete and Aztec Pyramid
Nochipa – “Siempre" is an art installation by - Forever is an opportunity for the community at ESB-MACC to learn, engage, and celebrate rememberance through the teachings associated with Dia de los Muertos. Teaching artist Laura Yohualtlahuiz wiil teach a sawdust dyeing workshop, where community can learn how to prepare the material used for making “floral tapetes” or tlalmanalli. The installation includes a Teokalli (pyramid)and a Cempoaxochitl (marigold) archway representing the portal the ancestors walk through. The completed installation will serve as an interactive opportunity for guests to write the names of their ancestors on an LED candle with a sharpie and place their candles around the Teokalli.
Community Gallery, 1st Floor
Portraits from the Barrios- Veterans Art Exhibit by Franklin Mendez
An exhibit of portraits by Franklin Mendez, an Austin-born Marine Corps and Vietnam veteran, master painter, and board member for veterans' suicide prevention efforts who uses portraiture and painting to heal invisible wounds. His extensive portrait series documents local veterans, including projects featuring his Vietnam veteran meetup group and Mexican American veterans ("Portraits from the Barrios").
Zocalo Plaza and Gran Entrada, 1st Floor
Las Piñatas ATX
Since its inception in 2015, the exhibition has grown into a pivotal feature of the festivities, celebrating the resilience and creativity of Austin’s Latino community. Latinos in Architecture (LiA) is dedicated to enhancing diversity and inclusivity within the architectural profession, and they create three dimensional sculptures and interactive art pieces that have become one of the most treasured and joyful art installations at the MACC. Often accompanied by a pinata giveaway, these sculptures will be located throughout the MACC.
La Cocina, 1st Floor
Pan de Muerto Workshop
Pan de Muerto is the traditional food for Dia de los Muertos. Making fresh pan de muerto is a beloved tradition that is an essential aspect to the celebration of this holiday. Pan de Muertos is similar to the Mexican concha, but the addition of orange flower essence and its unique shape make it specific to Dia de los Muertos. Join Karla from Bubbles and Buttercream us in this cooking demonstration, sample pan de muerto, and pick up your own pan de muerto from vendors in our outdoor market.
Outdoor Activity Area- Puerta 5, 1st Floor
Face Painting/ Pinta Caritas
Get your face painted like a calavera! The MACC offers free face painting as a courtesy, thanks to the amazing young artists in our Caminos Teen Leadership Program and MACC EDU. This tradition at the MACC will pull your calavera look together! Painting is for all ages, and we ask your patience as we intend to paint as many faces as possible. Materials used are non-toxic and every design is unique!
Pineda Art Studio 2nd Floor
Sugar Skull Decorating
Make a real sugar skull to take home or to place on the Collective Altar. These sugar skulls have been handmade by our Education team at the MACC, and they are for decorating, not for eating! Pick up a recipe so you can make more sugar skulls at home using just sugar, water, and one special secret ingredient!
Multi Purpose Room, 2nd Floor
Create Your Own Corona
Celebrate Día de Muertos and look beautiful doing it. In this workshop led by Erica Sanchez and the MACC education team, you'll create a vibrant corona of golden cempasúchil (marigolds) and other florals, the kind of flower-filled headdress Frida made famous, to wear at the festival and carry the season's beauty, memory, and tradition with you.
Outdoor Area Under the Stairs, Puerta 4, 1st Floor
Collective Altar
Add the name(s) and note(s) to our collective altar to honor a loved one who is no longer with us. You may bring objects, photocopies of photos, or small artworks to leave at the outdoor altar. Please do not place valuables or one of a kind object on the collective altar.
Zocalo at Snake Head Path, 1st Floor
Loteria & Giveaways with Univision Partners
Play loteria with our partners at Univision! Univision will be providing hosts for our event and bringing partners like supermarkets and local businesses that will have fun games and giveaways.
Zocalo at Snake Head Path, 1st Floor
Vendor Market
Shop from local artists! Our giant outdoor market includes vendors selling jewelry, clothing, pet accessories, Mexican imports, candles, gift, skin care, and more!
Zocalo at Puerta 1, 1st Floor
Food Court
Food trucks will be parked on the Zocalo to provide full meals such as tacos and burgers, plus there will be plenty of food stands selling snacks, candies, pan de muerto, chocolates, and more!
Opportunities to Participate:
Volunteer- Sign up on Givepulse
Sign up to Make a Community Altar
Vendor opportunities!
Food Vendor Application
Artisan Vendor Application
Please follow Facebook and Instagram @ESBMACC for the most up to date information!