Dallas-Fort Worth, October 20, 2025
News Summary
The Dallas-Fort Worth area is set for a week-long celebration of Día de los Muertos, featuring various events and cultural programs from late October through early November. With parades, festivals, and free family activities organized by municipalities and cultural institutions, attendees can expect a rich blend of tradition and community spirit. Several events will also offer ticketed experiences, ensuring a vibrant celebration for both locals and visitors that honors the traditions of this cultural observance.
Dallas-Fort Worth — The Dallas-Fort Worth area is preparing for a week of Día de los Muertos events and related cultural programming spanning late October through early November, offering a mix of free community celebrations, performances, family activities, and ticketed experiences.
What happened
Multiple municipalities and cultural institutions across the region are hosting a series of Día de los Muertos celebrations. Key events include parades and festivals in Downtown Dallas and Fort Worth, neighborhood and museum programs, family-friendly activities, a special dining event, and musical performances by the symphony. Several celebrations are free to the public, while some programs require tickets or reservations.
Key details
Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is celebrated on November 1-2 primarily by Latinos in Mexico. Participants create ofrendas (altars) filled with photos, offerings, marigolds, and food to honor their deceased loved ones. A list of nine Día de los Muertos celebrations in Dallas-Fort Worth includes family-friendly and free events.
Selected events and times
- 31 Days of Denton Halloween festival: Integrates Día de los Muertos traditions, Halloween, and harvest celebrations from October 23-25 in Downtown Denton, featuring coffin races and Cirque du Horror performances.
- Mesquite Arts Center: Hosts a free Día de los Muertos celebration on October 25 from 4 to 7 p.m. with cultural workshops, performances, food trucks, and the Haunted Theatre immersive experience.
- Downtown Dallas parade and festival: Scheduled on October 25 from 4 to 11 p.m. with colorful floats, arts and crafts, and authentic attire; the parade begins at 7 p.m.
- Toro Toro in Fort Worth: Offers a special Dia de los Muertos dining experience on October 29, featuring a three-course meal by chef Richard Sandoval for $150 per person.
- Symphony’s annual Día de los Muertos concert: Takes place on October 31 at Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, includes traditional music and mariachis, lasts 46 minutes, with tickets starting at $37.
- Latino Cultural Center: Hosts a free Día de los Muertos celebration on November 1 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with arts, music, community altars, and local vendors.
- Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth: Offers a free cultural event on October 24 from 5 to 7 p.m. featuring calavera face painting and an interactive scavenger hunt.
- Downtown Garland: Celebrates with live music, art, and a showing of the film Coco on November 1 from 2 to 8 p.m.
- Fort Worth Día de los Muertos parade and festival: Parade from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. followed by a festival on November 1 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Supporting details
Community partners and cultural venues are emphasizing accessibility by featuring multiple free events and family-oriented programming, including arts activities, face painting, and community altars. Organizers are also providing ticketed and reservation-based options for ticketed performances and dining experiences to manage capacity and enhance program quality.
One local funeral home is inviting families to contribute pictures of their loved ones for a special altar display, creating an additional community-focused memorial option during the holiday period.
A regional event calendar known as the Go See DFW calendar is being used to highlight cultural events and help residents find local programming. Organizational staffing updates include the appointment of a new Events Producer, Alyson Rodriguez, who joins the calendar team with prior reporting experience.
Background
Día de los Muertos is a multi-day cultural observance rooted in Mexican and Latino traditions. Traditionally observed on November 1 and 2, the holiday centers on remembering and honoring deceased family members through ritual altars called ofrendas, floral arrangements—especially marigolds—and offerings of food and photographs. Contemporary public celebrations blend traditional practices with performances, visual arts, parades, and community festivals.
Practical information
- Event dates run from late October through November 1-2, depending on the venue.
- Several events are free; others require tickets or reservations with prices varying by event.
- Offerings across the region include family programming, performances, cultural workshops, and memorial altars.
How to attend
Attendees are advised to check individual event pages or venue listings for details on ticketing, capacity limits, accessibility services, and any updated health and safety protocols. Advance planning is recommended for ticketed events and dining experiences that have limited seating.
FAQ
When is Día de los Muertos celebrated?
Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is celebrated on November 1-2 primarily by Latinos in Mexico.
What is an ofrenda?
Participants create “ofrendas” (altars) filled with photos, offerings, marigolds, and food to honor their deceased loved ones.
What does the 31 Days of Denton Halloween festival include?
The 31 Days of Denton Halloween festival integrates Día de los Muertos traditions, Halloween, and harvest celebrations from October 23-25 in Downtown Denton, featuring coffin races and Cirque du Horror performances.
When is the Mesquite Arts Center celebration?
The Mesquite Arts Center hosts a free Día de los Muertos celebration on October 25 from 4 to 7 p.m. with cultural workshops, performances, food trucks, and the Haunted Theatre immersive experience.
When is the Downtown Dallas parade and festival?
Downtown Dallas will have a Día de los Muertos parade and festival on October 25 from 4 to 11 p.m. featuring colorful floats, arts and crafts, and authentic attire; the parade begins at 7 p.m.
What is the Toro Toro dining event?
Toro Toro in Fort Worth will offer a special Dia de los Muertos dining experience on October 29, featuring a three-course meal by chef Richard Sandoval for $150 per person.
When is the symphony’s annual Día de los Muertos concert?
The symphony’s annual Día de los Muertos concert on October 31 at Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center will include traditional music and mariachis, lasting 46 minutes, with tickets starting at $37.
When is the Latino Cultural Center event?
The Latino Cultural Center will host a free Día de los Muertos celebration on November 1 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with arts, music, community altars, and local vendors.
When is the Kimbell Art Museum event?
The Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth will offer a free cultural event on October 24 from 5 to 7 p.m. featuring calavera face painting and an interactive scavenger hunt.
What is happening in Downtown Garland?
Downtown Garland will celebrate with live music, art, and a showing of the film “Coco” on November 1 from 2 to 8 p.m.
What are the Fort Worth parade and festival times?
Fort Worth will have a Día de los Muertos parade from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. followed by a festival on November 1 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Is there an altar display opportunity with a funeral home?
Restland Funeral Home is inviting families to contribute pictures of their loved ones for a special altar display.
What is the Go See DFW calendar?
The Go See DFW calendar is a partnership that aims to highlight cultural events.
Who was recently appointed to the calendar team?
Alyson Rodriguez has been appointed as the new Events Producer, with previous reporting experience from various media outlets.
| Event | Date(s) | Location | Cost / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 Days of Denton Halloween festival | October 23-25 | Downtown Denton | Family activities; coffin races; Cirque du Horror |
| Mesquite Arts Center celebration | October 25 from 4 to 7 p.m. | Mesquite Arts Center | Free; workshops, performances, food trucks, Haunted Theatre |
| Downtown Dallas parade and festival | October 25 from 4 to 11 p.m. (Parade 7 p.m.) | Downtown Dallas | Festival with floats, arts and crafts |
| Toro Toro Dia de los Muertos dining | October 29 | Fort Worth | $150 per person; three-course meal by Richard Sandoval |
| Symphony Día de los Muertos concert | October 31 | Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center | 46 minutes; tickets from $37 |
| Latino Cultural Center celebration | November 1 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Latino Cultural Center | Free; community altars and vendors |
| Kimbell Art Museum event | October 24 from 5 to 7 p.m. | Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth | Free; calavera face painting, scavenger hunt |
| Downtown Garland celebration | November 1 from 2 to 8 p.m. | Downtown Garland | Live music, art, film “Coco” |
| Fort Worth parade and festival | November 1 (Parade 10-11 a.m.; Festival 10 a.m.-5 p.m.) | Fort Worth | Parade followed by community festival |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Dallas Día de los Muertos Parade and Festival Announced
Fall Festivals Return to North Texas
Dallas Prepares for a Thrilling Halloween Season
State Fair of Texas Returns to Dallas with New Attractions
Victoria Gonzales to Present ‘Altars’ Solo Exhibition
Ofrendas & Otoño Festival Celebrates Hispanic Heritage
Fiestas Patrias International Parade Set to Return
Allen Contemporary Theatre to Present Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors
Additional Resources
- NBC DFW: Dallas Día de los Muertos Parade & Festival 2025
- Wikipedia: Día de los Muertos
- Dallas News: Día de los Muertos Events
- Google Search: Día de los Muertos events Dallas Fort Worth
- Restland Funeral Home: Día de los Muertos Altar
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Day of the Dead
- Dallas Observer: Halloween and Día de los Muertos Celebrations
- Google Search: Halloween Día de los Muertos North Texas
- Community Impact: Día de los Muertos Events
- Google News: Día de los Muertos
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