Día de los Muertos Festival

Spirits Connect

Mesa Arts Center is pleased to celebrate Día de los Muertos with an annual event created in collaboration with the community. Día de los Muertos is a celebration of Latin American art and culture related to the Mexican holiday, Day of the Dead. The annual free event offers a variety of features, performances and more in celebration of the memories of the deceased.

Los espíritus se entrelazarán durante la celebración anual del Día de los Muertos en el Mesa Arts Center. Los visitantes se han deleitado cada año con maravillosos espectáculos en vivo por parte de destacados artistas.

Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities!

Curious about Día de los Muertos? Former Mayor John Giles breaks down the meaning and significance of this special holiday in his latest podcast episode of "It's Always Cool in Mesa!" Available to stream on Spotify and Apple!

Community Altar

Call for Proposals: Día de los Muertos Community Altar

Mesa’s award-winning Día de los Muertos Festival brings together neighbors and community members in a celebration of the memories of the deceased. This call for proposals seeks submissions for a temporary Community Altar.

View submission details and apply

Spanish submission guidelines

Day of the Dead altars, also known as ofrendas (offerings), are constructed and adorned to remember, honor and please the dead, are a central symbol of Día de los Muertos.

In the spirit of traditional Día de los Muertos festivities, a community altar will serve as the festival's centerpiece, inviting attendees to leave mementos in honor of their loved ones who have passed. You’re welcome to contribute by bringing photographs, notes, non-perishable items, flowers, and other traditional Día de los Muertos decorations. Items can be left for future use or collected at 5:00 PM on Sunday after the procession if you wish to keep them.

Elements of the altar and their significance

Arches: Passageways between life and death

Candles: Light, Faith and Hope

Flowers: Remind us that life does not endure

Traditionally: Cempasuchil - Marigolds - Mano de Leon - Cockscomb - Lions Paw

Incense: Cleans the space of negativity

Traditionally: Copal

Ofrendas: General items for the offerings put on the altar

Water: Life and purity, satisfies the thirst of the spirit

Vendor Opportunities

Mercado Vendor Application 2025 - English

Mercado Vendor Application 2025 - Spanish

Artist Opportunities

Request for Qualifications (RFQ): Art/Design Services

Mesa Arts Center seeks a talented artist or graphic designer with a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We invite qualified artists and graphic designers to submit qualifications for work related to our cherished Día de los Muertos Festival happening on October 25-26, 2025.

Submission Deadline - Thursday, April 30, 2025 at 5:00 PM.

View Application Requirements