San Antonio, October 19, 2025
News Summary
San Antonio is set to kick off its largest Día de los Muertos celebration with Spirit Season festivities running from early October to mid-November. The month-long celebration will feature over 24 events designed to honor heritage, art, and community. Highlights include the Muertos Fest at Hemisfair, the Day of the Dead River Parade, and various neighborhood exhibits showcasing local traditions. Visitors can explore numerous altars, partake in workshops, and enjoy live music, emphasizing the city’s rich cultural heritage.
San Antonio
San Antonio is preparing to host the largest Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration in the U.S. with Spirit Season festivities running from October 3 to November 14, 2025. The month-long program includes more than 24 signature events that highlight heritage, art, community, and memory, anchored by large public gatherings and neighborhood exhibits.
Key events and attendance
One of the main events, Muertos Fest at Hemisfair takes place from October 24 to 26, 2025, and expects over 100,000 visitors. Muertos Fest features five stages for live music, dance, poetry, workshops, two processions, altar displays, and an artisan market called Muertos Mercado.
The Day of the Dead River Parade, starting at 7 p.m. on October 24, will run along the San Antonio River and feature decorated barges with altars, performers, and costumed participants. The Day of the Dead San Antonio event at La Villita will take place from October 24-26, showcasing a Calavera Collection of 25 painted skulls and the largest “La Catrina” statue in the country at 38.5 feet tall.
Exhibits, neighborhood offerings and cemetery activities
Centro Cultural Aztlán will host an annual altar exhibit in Galeria Expresión I from November 2 to 13, featuring altars created by local artists and offerings for deceased loved ones. Visitors are also invited to explore ofrendas at the Missions from October 3 to November 14, representing different Mission Church parish communities.
The city’s Office of Historic Preservation is hosting a free screening of the animated film “Coco” at City Cemetery No. 1 on the East Side as part of the celebrations. The event at City Cemetery No. 1 will include a Día de los Muertos scavenger hunt and an ofrenda for visitors to leave notes, photos, or small mementos for loved ones. In connection with cemetery activities, San Antonio is promoting the ‘Día de los Muertos cemetery stewardship program’ to encourage cleaning and documenting historical headstones.
Local traditions, family participation and accommodations
Family and community traditions are visible throughout the city. The Gardea family in San Antonio creates a 10-foot-tall papier-mâché Catrina each year, reflecting the tradition and personal significance of honoring their ancestors through art. For visitors, Hotel Emma and Thompson San Antonio – River Walk are notable accommodations for visitors during the events, with Hotel Emma offering luxury in the Pearl historic district.
Other events in Texas and cultural context
Other celebrations across Texas include the Day of the Dead Festival in Denton (October 24-26), Viva La Vida Festival in Austin (October 25), and Día de los Muertos events in Corpus Christi and Houston (November 1-2). The culture and history of Día de los Muertos are deeply rooted in Indigenous beliefs and rituals and have evolved over time. The celebration encompasses elements such as ofrendas, cempasúchil flowers, candles, photographs, papel picado, pan de muerto, and calaveras (skulls), which represent remembrance and joy in honoring the deceased.
Scope and planning
The combined program of public festivals, museum and gallery shows, river and cemetery events, and mission ofrendas is designed to offer multiple entry points for residents and visitors to engage with the holiday across neighborhoods and cultural institutions. Spirit Season’s calendar and signature events emphasize both large-scale public gatherings and smaller community-based offerings.
Summary of prominent event features
| Event | Date(s) | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Spirit Season | October 3 – November 14, 2025 | Over 24 signature events across San Antonio |
| Muertos Fest at Hemisfair | October 24 – 26, 2025 | Five stages, two processions, Muertos Mercado; expects over 100,000 visitors |
| Day of the Dead River Parade | October 24, 7 p.m. | Decorated barges with altars, performers, costumed participants |
| Day of the Dead San Antonio at La Villita | October 24 – 26, 2025 | Calavera Collection of 25 painted skulls; largest “La Catrina” at 38.5 feet tall |
| Centro Cultural Aztlán altar exhibit | November 2 – 13, 2025 | Galeria Expresión I; altars by local artists and offerings |
| Missions ofrendas | October 3 – November 14, 2025 | Ofrendas representing different Mission Church parish communities |
| City Cemetery No. 1 event | Part of Spirit Season (dates vary) | Free screening of “Coco”, scavenger hunt, visitor ofrenda |
Timeline of major scheduled events
| Date/Time | Event | Status |
|---|---|---|
| October 3 – November 14, 2025 | Spirit Season festivities running from October 3 to November 14, 2025. | Scheduled |
| October 24, 2025 – 7 p.m. | The Day of the Dead River Parade, starting at 7 p.m. on October 24, featuring decorated barges with altars, performers, and costumed participants on the San Antonio River. | Scheduled |
| October 24 – 26, 2025 | Muertos Fest at Hemisfair takes place from October 24 to 26, 2025, and expects over 100,000 visitors. | Scheduled |
| October 24 – 26, 2025 | The Day of the Dead San Antonio event at La Villita will take place from October 24-26, showcasing a Calavera Collection of 25 painted skulls and the largest “La Catrina” statue in the country at 38.5 feet tall. | Scheduled |
| November 2 – 13, 2025 | Centro Cultural Aztlán will host an annual altar exhibit in Galeria Expresión I from November 2 to 13, featuring altars created by local artists and offerings for deceased loved ones. | Scheduled |
Simple visual statistics
FAQ
What are the Spirit Season dates?
Spirit Season festivities running from October 3 to November 14, 2025.
When is Muertos Fest and how many visitors does it expect?
Muertos Fest at Hemisfair takes place from October 24 to 26, 2025, and expects over 100,000 visitors.
What features does Muertos Fest include?
Muertos Fest features five stages for live music, dance, poetry, workshops, two processions, altar displays, and an artisan market called Muertos Mercado.
When is the Day of the Dead River Parade?
The Day of the Dead River Parade, starting at 7 p.m. on October 24, featuring decorated barges with altars, performers, and costumed participants on the San Antonio River.
What is at La Villita?
The Day of the Dead San Antonio event at La Villita will take place from October 24-26, showcasing a Calavera Collection of 25 painted skulls and the largest “La Catrina” statue in the country at 38.5 feet tall.
When is the Centro Cultural Aztlán altar exhibit?
Centro Cultural Aztlán will host an annual altar exhibit in Galeria Expresión I from November 2 to 13, featuring altars created by local artists and offerings for deceased loved ones.
Where can visitors find ofrendas at the Missions?
Visitors are invited to explore ofrendas at the Missions from October 3 to November 14, representing different Mission Church parish communities.
Which hotels are notable for visitors?
Hotel Emma and Thompson San Antonio – River Walk are notable accommodations for visitors during the events, with Hotel Emma offering luxury in the Pearl historic district.
What happens at City Cemetery No. 1?
The city’s Office of Historic Preservation is hosting a free screening of the animated film “Coco” at City Cemetery No. 1 on the East Side as part of the celebrations. The event at City Cemetery No. 1 will include a Día de los Muertos scavenger hunt and an ofrenda for visitors to leave notes, photos, or small mementos for loved ones.
What is the cemetery stewardship program?
San Antonio is promoting the ‘Día de los Muertos cemetery stewardship program’ to encourage cleaning and documenting historical headstones.
What does the Gardea family create?
The Gardea family in San Antonio creates a 10-foot-tall papier-mâché Catrina each year, reflecting the tradition and personal significance of honoring their ancestors through art.
What other celebrations across Texas should people know about?
Other celebrations across Texas include the Day of the Dead Festival in Denton (October 24-26), Viva La Vida Festival in Austin (October 25), and Día de los Muertos events in Corpus Christi and Houston (November 1-2).
What elements does the celebration encompass?
The celebration encompasses elements such as ofrendas, cempasúchil flowers, candles, photographs, papel picado, pan de muerto, and calaveras (skulls), which represent remembrance and joy in honoring the deceased.
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Additional Resources
- Southern Living: San Antonio Day of the Dead
- Wikipedia: Día de los Muertos
- News4SA: San Antonio Día de los Muertos
- Google Search: San Antonio Día de los Muertos
- Express News: San Antonio Coco Cemetery Screening
- Google Scholar: Día de los Muertos
- CultureMap San Antonio: Day of the Dead Parade
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Día de los Muertos
- Recommend: Día de los Muertos Cultural Insight
- Google News: Día de los Muertos San Antonio
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.
