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• Remarkable artist demos
• Delicious food from Food City, Arizona Roasted Corn, French Me LLC, Paletas Betty, Taqueria Las Palmas, Mr. Munchies, Sonora Sam Hot Dogs, Don Fito's Taqueria, Classic Crepes, Olanie's Caribbean Food, Fried Joint, Poky's Cocina, Bj’s New Mexican Eats, Zpote food truck, Antojito del Mar and Amigos AZ Aguas Frescas
• 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

Mesa Arts Center invites families, artists and community organizations to submit altar proposals for competition at our annual Día de los Muertos Festival!

¡El Mesa Arts Center invita a las familias, artistas y organizaciones comunitarias a participar en el Concurso Anual de Altares que se lleva a cabo durante el Festival de Día de los Muertos!

You can view all the altars during the festival hours in our Farnsworth Theater.

Our lobby altar will prominently feature 40 Years of relationship and remembrance of members of the City of Guaymas and Mesa Sister Cities.

Skull Enameling Class - $5

 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.

Buy tickets here

Sat, Oct 22

15-minute session from 10:00 AM - 4:15 PM

Sun, Oct 23

15-minute session from 10:00 AM - 4:15 PM

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 be the centerpiece for the festival, where attendees can leave mementos in honor of their loved ones who have passed. Photographs will be collected and added on the altar each year or can be picked up by 5:00 PM on Sunday, Oct 23.

This year's altar is 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

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 accepting vendors. 

Thank you for your interest in being part of the Día de los Muertos festival at Mesa Arts Center! The Mercado vendor application period is now closed. Thank you again for your interest in the event and we hope to see you at the Día de los Muertos Festival! 

Alliance Pavilion Stage

Sat, Oct 22

Ballet Folklorico Amistad

10:00 - 11:45 AM

Ballet Folklorico Quetzalli-AZ

12:00 - 1:45 PM

Desert Sounds

2:00 - 4:45 PM

Alliance Pavilion Stage

Sun, Oct 23

Prima Vera Folklorico

10:00 - 11:45 AM

Mariachi Juvenil De Mi Tierra

12:00 - 1:45 PM

Institute of Folklorico Mexicana

2:00 - 3:45 PM

Ballet Folklorico La Llorona

4:00 - 4:45 PM

South Lawn Stage

Sat, Oct 22

Gustavo Angeles

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Guitarras Latinas

12:15 - 3:00 PM

Carmela Y Mas

3:15 - 5:00 PM

South Lawn Stage

Sun, Oct 23

Gustavo Angeles

10:15 AM - 12:00 PM

Jalapeno Band

12:15 - 2:00 PM

The Cuban Tribe

2:15 - 4:00 PM

Mariachi Pasion

4:15 - 5:00 PM

The Plaza at Mesa City Center

Sat, Oct 22

Mariachi Aguila

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Mariachi Azteca De Oro

2:15 - 5:00 PM

The Plaza at Mesa City Center

Sun, Oct 23

Mariachi Estrella Musicales

10:15 AM - 2:00 PM

Mariachi Pasion

2:15 - 4:00 PM

Mesa Arts Center’s Día de los Muertos Festival concludes in a processional, led by the all-female mariachi group, Mariachi Pasion. We invite the community to join us in the procession through the Mesa Arts Center campus.

Sunday, October 23
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, Councilmember David Luna and Executive Director of Mesa Arts Center and Director of Arts and Culture for the City of Mesa, Cindy Ornstein.

Join the fun, earn a swag bag and give back to the community!

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

Volunteer Sign-Up!

Please email volunteers@mesaartscenter.com with any questions!

Mesa Arts Center: Sensory Friendly Spaces for Families with members (both children and adults) with Sensory Processing Disorders and (SPD) and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).

Multi-Sensory Room at Festivals and Major Events

A sensory room is a multi-sensory space to help individuals feel calm, supported, and focused. These spaces are designed to have a calming effect that reduces anxiety and improves focus. Both calming and stimulating items are provided in sensory rooms to help support an individual’s sensory needs in the moment. The sensory room is also a space for families to connect and find an aligned community.

Mesa Arts Center provides designated sensory spaces at all festivals and major events to create a more welcoming, safe, and comfortable Sensory-Friendly Environment to make attending events less overwhelming and more enjoyable for the entire family.

Our sensory room is located on the 2^nd floor of the Studios South Building, see our festival map to locate or ask our information booth for directions.

Mesa Arts Center Sensory Room accommodations include:

• Reduced volume levels and noise-redacting headphones
• Modifications to lighting
• Weighted blankets
• Comfortable seating (pillows, plush rugs)
• Wholesome Snacks (gluten, dairy, and dye free options)
• Tactile games, fidgets, toys, and squishes
• Coloring and drawing station
• An ancillary "calm room" for any child or adult seeking a break from stimulation to regulate their emotions and relax.

Calm Spaces at Mesa Arts Center

A calm space is a quiet room for any child or adult seeking a break from stimulation to regulate their emotions and relax in a low-sensory environment.

Calm Spaces are always available at Mesa Arts Center upon request. To request access to a calm space:

• Please see the house manager in the theater building.
• Please see the receptionist in Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum.
• Please visit the information booth at community events and festivals.
• Please visit the box office.