Día de Los Muertos Houston - Collage

Last Updated On – 25th October, 2025

Jump to: Parades, Performances, and Ofrendas | Family-Friendly Festivals | Markets & After-Dark Celebrations

Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, is a Mexican tradition that celebrates the lives of those who have passed on. Rooted in ancient Indigenous beliefs and enriched through generations, I think it’s a beautiful and vibrant reminder that love transcends death.

In Houston, this tradition thrives through the city’s deep cultural connections and strong Latino community. Locals and visitors come together to create colorful altars, join parades, enjoy live music, and share in the art, food, and spirit that define the celebration.

If you’re planning to take part this year, check out our list for the best Dia de los Muertos Houston events that bring this cherished tradition to life across the city.


Planning something sooner? See our Houston guide for a curated list of the best local events and activities!

Houston Weekend Banner - October 24-26, 2025


Editor’s Note: We work hard to provide the most up-to-date information. However, all information is subject to change! As always, please verify with the organizer before heading out!

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In case you are wondering about the choice of listings in this article, here is how we make our recommendations.

Also check out our articles on Best Pumpkin Patches in Houston, Halloween Events in Houston, Halloween Events in Galveston, and Kid-Friendly Events in Houston!


Parades, Performances & Ofrendas — Día de Los Muertos Houston

Blanket Bingo + Community Ofrenda Unveiling

Join me and grab your picnic blanket and get ready for nine lively rounds of bingo for just $10, complete with upbeat music, prizes, and plenty of fun under the stars.

This special edition also features the unveiling of the park’s community ofrenda, a beautiful altar where guests can honor loved ones and even departed furry friends. Free photo printing is available on-site.

The ofrenda will remain on display through Monday, November 3.


5th Annual Houston Día de Muertos Parade & Festival

Get ready for one of the most anticipated celebrations of the season, the 5th Annual Dia de los Muertos Houston Parade and Festival at Sam Houston Park! Presented by Reliant, this lively tradition brings the heart of the holiday to life in the center of the city.

Expect a dazzling evening filled with live music, colorful processions, local food vendors, and creative arts and crafts where you can experience the beauty, culture, and joy that define Dia de los Muertos Houston.


Dia de los Muertos at Discovery Green

Día de Los Muertos Houston - Discovery Green

Image credit: Discovery Green

Downtown Houston will come alive with color, music, and memory during Dia de los Muertos Houston at Discovery Green!

What I think is one of the highlights of the evening is the stunning community ofrenda designed by local artist Angel Quesada. Guests are encouraged to bring copies of photos or small mementos to add to the altar, creating a shared space of remembrance and love.

Houston’s own Nick Gaitan and his band will also be taking the stage with their signature Tejas Roots sound, a soulful blend of boleros, Tex-Mex, and Chicano soul that perfectly captures the spirit of the Gulf Coast.

And for the first time, Discovery Green is introducing a Catrina and Catrin Contest, a playful nod to one of Día de los Muertos’ most iconic symbols. So dress in your finest calavera-inspired attire and join in the fun!

Aside from those, you and the family can also join the Sacred Procession led by Danza Azteca and the Catrin y Catrinas and enjoy the Latin Market with curated vendors and mouthwatering food from Houston’s best!


Family-Friendly Festivals & Museum Days

Día de los Muertos in Sugar Land

Dia de los Muertos Houston - Día de los Muertos in Sugar Land

Image credit: Sugar Land Town Square

This free community celebration brings together everything that makes the holiday so special including music, dance, food, and heartfelt tradition.

The afternoon will be alive with performances from mariachis, ballet folklórico troupes, and Aztec dancers. Escalante’s will also be serving up delicious food and drinks, while local vendors offer authentic cuisine, tasty treats, and handmade crafts at the artisan market.

You can also explore the rich history and customs behind Día de los Muertos through interactive exhibits and workshops. 


Magnolia Park dia de Los Muertos

The Magnolia Park Día de los Muertos Parade & Festival will once again fill the historic Hidalgo Park with color, music, and community spirit for its 12th year.

The day kicks off with a lively parade featuring local high school marching bands, folklórico dancers, mariachi music, festive floats, and the unmistakable shine of lowriders cruising through the streets.

Once the parade wraps up, the celebration carries into the park, where live music and performances keep the celebration going. The festival also features touching tributes, including an Altar Honoree recognizing someone who made a difference in the neighborhood, a shared community altar, and even a pet altar for our four-legged companions.

Guests like you and me are encouraged to take part by submitting photos of their own loved ones to be included in this beautiful display of remembrance.


Family Movie Night: Coco

Bring the whole family for a movie night under the stars featuring Disney Pixar’s Coco, a heartfelt film that beautifully captures the spirit of the holiday. Before the screening begins at 7 PM, enjoy plenty of pre-movie fun, including character meet-and-greets, free face painting, popcorn, and candy for everyone.


Dia de los Muertos at Houston Zoo

Experience what I think is one of the most heartwarming Dia de los Muertos Houston celebrations at the Houston Zoo! For this special weekend, the Zoo will extend its hours from 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. (last entry at 8:00 p.m.) and transform into a glowing tribute to life, memory, and connection.

Wander through vibrant decorations and festive photo spots that light up the night, and don’t miss the chance to meet La Catrina, the elegant skeletal figure that has become an iconic symbol of Día de los Muertos.

At the center of the event, a beautifully crafted ofrenda (altar) will honor animals that have passed on. Families are also encouraged to bring a photo of a beloved pet to add to the altar.

You and the kids can also stop by the craft station to draw or design artwork of your favorite animals. 


Dia de los Muertos Houston - Children's Museum Houston

Image credit: Children’s Museum Houston

Get ready for a magical celebration as the Children’s Museum of Houston transforms into a colorful “Land of the Dead” for its annual Dia de los Muertos Houston festivities!

Throughout the day, you and the kids can take part in hands-on activities that make the celebration both fun and meaningful.

Kids can learn the art of Calavera face painting and create their own mini ofrenda in the Maker Lab. They can also join storytime and craft sessions to hear tales of whimsical calaveras and their place in Mexican tradition. Afterward, the Intempo Dance troupe will be taking the stage for a special performance brimming with rhythm, storytelling, and cultural pride.

The celebration continues with all-day creative workshops scattered throughout the museum. You can design colorful papel picado banners, craft alebrijes-inspired stuffed creatures, mold festive skulls with thermoplastic beads, decorate nicho shadow boxes, and create dazzling sugar skull masks.


Dia de los Muertos at Kemah Boardwalk

Head to Kemah Boardwalk for one of the most exciting Dia de los Muertos Houston celebrations of the season! 

Groove to DJ Eric’s beats throughout the afternoon, enjoy Folklorico dance performances at 3 PM and 5 PM, and let the kids get creative with Day of the Dead crafts and airbrush art. A Mariachi band will also fill the air with classic tunes, while sugar skull stilt walkers roam the crowd.

You can also join the costume contest at 6:15 PM, then dance along to a Selena tribute concert and meet the performers in person. Stick around for the mesmerizing fire spinner shows and a high-energy performance from the CTS Band to close out the night.


Dia de los Muertos at CityPlace

Dia de los Muertos Houston - City Place

Image credit: City Place

Get ready to celebrate Dia de los Muertos Houston style at CityPlace! 

The evening will come alive with live music, Azteca indigenous dance performances, and interactive craft pop-ups perfect for families and friends. Don’t forget to stop by the curated Día de los Muertos mercado, where you can browse handmade treasures and vibrant art pieces that capture the spirit of the season.

Visitors like you and me are also invited to take part in the 360 community altar, a moving tribute that honors loved ones through color, creativity, and remembrance. 


Markets, Parties & After-Dark Celebrations

Una Noche en Market Square Park

Dia de los Muertos Houston - Una Noche en Market Square Park

Image credit: Downtown Houston

Una Noche en Market Square Park brings the tradition to life with mariachi music, ballet folklórico performances, and an atmosphere bursting with color and culture. You and your family and friends can enjoy free face painting, hands-on arts and cultural workshops, and even snap a keepsake with free photo printing for the ofrenda.


Dia de los Muertos Family Day and Artisan Market

Celebrate the spirit of Dia de los Muertos Houston at the Pearl’s lively Family Day and Artisan Market! Browse unique handmade goods from local artisans, join in fun art activities, and let the kids enjoy vibrant face painting that captures the essence of the season.

A beautiful community ofrenda will also be on display for visitors to honor loved ones, while live performances from Itzcoatl Tezkatlipoka, David Austin, and Ballet Folklorico will fill the day with music and dance. 


Dia de los Muertos: Day of the Dead Market at The National Museum of Funeral History

The National Museum of Funeral History will be transforming for one unforgettable evening into a bustling Dia de los Muertos Houston market, filled with vibrant energy, creative vendors, and a touch of the unexpected.

More than 40 small businesses will be setting up shop, offering everything from handmade art and cultural crafts to quirky curiosities that perfectly match the museum’s one-of-a-kind vibe. Guests can enjoy drinks as they explore the aisles, meet local artisans, and admire the colorful costumes and makeup that bring the Day of the Dead to life.


Planning something sooner? See our Houston guide for a curated list of the best local events and activities!

Natalie Dulaney