San Antonio, October 25, 2025
News Summary
Muertos Fest at Hemisfair in San Antonio is set to take place this weekend, starting with a Lighting the Candles of Memory ceremony at 5 p.m. on Friday. The festival, which will run for three days, features over 90 altars, live music, food vendors, and various activities for children. Despite severe weather forecasts and a flood watch in effect, organizers confirm the event will go on as planned. Attendees are encouraged to use public transportation options for accessibility during the festivities.
San Antonio — Muertos Fest at Hemisfair will proceed as scheduled this weekend despite predictions of severe thunderstorms and an ongoing flood watch, organizers and officials said. The gathering is set to begin Friday evening and will include concerts, processions, an art market, children’s activities and dozens of community altars.
What is happening and when
Muertos Fest is scheduled for this weekend at Hemisfair in San Antonio. The gathering is set to begin at 5 p.m. on Friday with a Lighting the Candles of Memory ceremony. A tribute to the late conjunto music icon Flaco Jiménez will take place at 8 p.m. on Friday. The festival will operate as a three-day event for the first time and is expected to be the largest yet.
Weather and safety considerations
The festival will occur despite predictions of severe thunderstorms late Friday afternoon through Saturday. Bexar County will be under a flood watch from 7 p.m. Friday until 1 p.m. Saturday. Isolated thunderstorms are expected to bring 1-3 inches of rain to parts of San Antonio, according to the National Weather Service. Organizers have emphasized the event is rain-or-shine and plan to proceed while monitoring conditions.
Transportation and crowd guidance
City officials recommend utilizing VIA’s Park & Ride service for transportation, which offers free rides to and from downtown on Saturday. VIA’s Park & Ride service will operate from Brooks Transit Center, Crossroads Park & Ride, and Frost Bank Center. Standing-only viewing areas will be available along the parade route, and tickets for seated areas range from $23.65 to $35.94.
What to expect onsite
This is the 13th year the festival is being held, and it operates for the first time as a three-day event. This year’s festival is expected to be the largest yet, featuring over 90 ofrendas (altars) from local groups and organizations. Programming includes live music on multiple stages, dance performances, an art market, folk art displays, food vendors, artist demonstrations and a children’s area. A sensory-friendly viewing of the altars is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, prior to the tribute concert.
Parade and procession details
The seventh annual parade will begin floating at 7 p.m. Friday from Lexington Avenue and is scheduled to arrive at the Arneson River Theatre about 45 minutes later. Parade route seating includes both paid seated sections and free standing viewing areas.
Other local DÃa de los Muertos activities
Related DÃa de Los Muertos celebrations will occur at various other locations including Market Square and Pearl, featuring altars, live music, and cultural activities. Visitors are advised to check transportation options and weather updates before traveling.
Key facts (verbatim)
- Muertos Fest is scheduled for this weekend at Hemisfair in San Antonio.
- The festival will occur despite predictions of severe thunderstorms late Friday afternoon through Saturday.
- It is billed as the nation’s largest DÃa de los Muertos festival.
- The gathering is set to begin at 5 p.m. on Friday with a Lighting the Candles of Memory ceremony.
- A tribute to the late conjunto music icon Flaco Jiménez will take place at 8 p.m. on Friday.
- Bexar County will be under a flood watch from 7 p.m. Friday until 1 p.m. Saturday.
- Isolated thunderstorms are expected to bring 1-3 inches of rain to parts of San Antonio, according to the National Weather Service.
- Muertos Fest co-programmer Cristina Martez emphasized that the event is rain-or-shine.
- This is the 13th year the festival is being held, and it operates for the first time as a three-day event.
- This year’s festival is expected to be the largest yet, featuring over 90 ofrendas (altars) from local groups and organizations.
- City officials recommend utilizing VIA’s Park & Ride service for transportation, which offers free rides to and from downtown on Saturday.
- The sensory-friendly viewing of the altars is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, prior to the tribute concert.
Key features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Hemisfair, San Antonio |
| Event dates | This weekend (three-day format, first time) |
| Opening | 5 p.m. Friday — Lighting the Candles of Memory ceremony |
| Tribute | 8 p.m. Friday — Tribute to Flaco Jiménez |
| Parade | 7 p.m. Friday from Lexington Avenue, arrives ~45 minutes later at Arneson River Theatre |
| Altars | Over 90 ofrendas from local groups and organizations |
| Weather advisory | Flood watch 7 p.m. Friday to 1 p.m. Saturday; 1-3 inches of rain possible |
| Transportation | VIA’s Park & Ride free rides to/from downtown on Saturday |
| Seating | Tickets $23.65–$35.94 for seated areas; standing-only areas available |
Timeline
| Date / Time | Event | Status / Source |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, 5:00 p.m. | Lighting the Candles of Memory ceremony | Scheduled |
| Friday, 5:00–7:00 p.m. | Sensory-friendly viewing of the altars | Scheduled |
| Friday, 7:00 p.m. | Seventh annual parade begins floating from Lexington Avenue | Scheduled |
| Friday, ~7:45 p.m. | Parade arrives at the Arneson River Theatre (about 45 minutes later) | Scheduled |
| Friday, 8:00 p.m. | Tribute to Flaco Jiménez | Scheduled |
| Friday, 7:00 p.m. – Saturday, 1:00 p.m. | Bexar County will be under a flood watch from 7 p.m. Friday until 1 p.m. Saturday. | Official flood watch |
| Late Friday–Saturday | Isolated thunderstorms are expected to bring 1-3 inches of rain to parts of San Antonio, according to the National Weather Service. | National Weather Service |
Simple visual statistics
FAQ
Is Muertos Fest still happening this weekend at Hemisfair?
Muertos Fest is scheduled for this weekend at Hemisfair in San Antonio.
Will the festival proceed despite storm predictions?
The festival will occur despite predictions of severe thunderstorms late Friday afternoon through Saturday.
How large is Muertos Fest billed to be?
It is billed as the nation’s largest DÃa de los Muertos festival.
When does the event begin and what opens Friday?
The gathering is set to begin at 5 p.m. on Friday with a Lighting the Candles of Memory ceremony.
Is there a tribute concert on Friday?
A tribute to the late conjunto music icon Flaco Jiménez will take place at 8 p.m. on Friday.
What are the official flood watch times?
Bexar County will be under a flood watch from 7 p.m. Friday until 1 p.m. Saturday.
How much rain is expected?
Isolated thunderstorms are expected to bring 1-3 inches of rain to parts of San Antonio, according to the National Weather Service.
Has an organizer commented on weather plans?
Muertos Fest co-programmer Cristina Martez emphasized that the event is rain-or-shine.
How many years has the festival run and how long will it run this year?
This is the 13th year the festival is being held, and it operates for the first time as a three-day event.
How many altars will be on display?
This year’s festival is expected to be the largest yet, featuring over 90 ofrendas (altars) from local groups and organizations.
Are there transportation recommendations?
City officials recommend utilizing VIA’s Park & Ride service for transportation, which offers free rides to and from downtown on Saturday.
When is the sensory-friendly viewing scheduled?
The sensory-friendly viewing of the altars is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, prior to the tribute concert.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Additional Resources
- KSAT: Know Before You Go Event
- Wikipedia: DÃa de los Muertos
- Express News: Muertos Fest Day of the Dead
- Google Search: San Antonio Muertos Fest
- San Antonio Magazine: DÃa de los Muertos 2025
- Google Scholar: DÃa de los Muertos
- SA Current: Muertos Fest 2025
- Encyclopedia Britannica: DÃa de los Muertos
- News 4 San Antonio: Events This Weekend
- Google News: DÃa de los Muertos
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
