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.

Our 2022 Día de los Muertos Festival altar was created by Artist Luis Estrada.

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

 View the interactive map!

Relaxed Hour at Día de los Muertos

Sun, Oct 20 | 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Located on the Mesa Arts Center Campus

View Map!

What to expect:

The hour offers a more comfortable Día de los Muertos Festival experience with reduced sensory stimuli. Guests are welcome to use their own or Mesa Arts Center-provided fidgets, ear protection and other sensory resources (supply limited).

Relaxed Hour has:

• Meet and greet with festival performers
• Face painting
• Fewer people and crowds
• Self-guided tour of altars
• Reduced lighting and less amplified sound
• Access to vendors with minimal lines*
• A chill-out space to relax in
• Food allergy-friendly snacks
• Art exhibits and immersive experience at Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum
• Hands-on art-making activities led by specialist artists experienced in working with youth and adults with disabilities.

*Please note: some vendors may not be open

Volunteer activities include assisting with set-up and clean-up, artist interactives, greeting and directing the public, line monitoring, providing crowd control and assisting with volunteer hospitality.

Volunteers must be 16 years old or older.

Sign up here!

Please email volunteers@mesaartscenter.com with any questions!

• Remarkable artist demos
• Delicious food
• Fun family activities
• Altar Contest with submissions from the community
• Over a DOZEN cultural performances and live music & entertainment
• Incredible Mercado Market Place with arts & crafts, jewelry, furniture, and MORE+
• Participation in the memories of the deceased with the community altar

Copper Enamel Calaveras workshop - $12

In this hands-on activity, participants will have the chance to decorate their own copper enamel skull with colorful beads that will be melted and affixed to the skull with fire by lead Jewelry Instructor, Jenny Vaughn. Have fun mixing patterns and creating designs on the white skull to resemble a traditional calavera from Día de Los Muertos! After which you can keep the skull as a pendant or ornament.

Register here

Please be advised: the main parking lots at Mesa Arts Center will be closed to accommodate the Mercado vendors and the food court for the festival, and street parking will be busy. Nearby parking options are available throughout downtown Mesa. Please review the parking map to find parking options. The Light Rail also offers nearby park and ride options. We recommend parking at the park & ride near Main Street and Mesa Drive and riding the Light Rail to the Main and Center Street stop. Find more Light Rail information here. Please note that the Light Rail ride does have an associated fee.  

We are no longer taking vendor inquiries.

Mesa Arts Center’s Día de los Muertos Festival concludes in a processional, led by Desert Sounds. We invite the community to join us in the procession through the Mesa Arts Center campus.

Sunday, October 20
Procession Start Location: South Lawn Stage

4:15 PM – Begin to gather and pick up your candles
4:30 PM – Candle lighting and beginning of procession
4:45 PM – Procession concludes at the Community Altar, presentations and remarks from Mayor John Giles, Consul General Jorge Yescas, Vice Mayor Heredia, Councilmembers and Executive Director of Mesa Arts Center, Mandy Tripoli.