The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center presents our 15th annual celebration of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). This beloved tradition brings family and community together to celebrate the lives of our ancestors, family and friends, veterans, and public figures. There will be a multi-day celebration that culminates in a gran fiesta on Saturday, November 5th.

with BIG MEDIUM
Tuesday, Nov 1st

On Tuesday November 1st, Member Preview 6-7pm & General Admission 7-10pm, the MACC will have its opening reception for the Austin Studio Tours group exhibition, which takes place primarily in the Sam Coronado Gallery (upstairs) and is organized by Big Medium. The event is ticketed and can be found on Eventbrite.

COMMUNITY MEMBERS & AVA FEST
Wednesday, Nov. 2nd

On Wednesday November 2nd from 6:30-8:30pm, the MACC will have a Presentation of the Ofrendas. The community members who have created the altars this year will be on site to present their altars to the public. Attendees will be able to enjoy a brief presentation about building an altar, art kits, and refreshments. The public is invited to contribute to a collective altar on that day, and the MACC will provide hot chocolate and pan de muerto to attendees. Event takes place in the under the stairs area outside of the community gallery.


  • Altar presentation by Mariana Nuño Ruiz McEnroe

  • Hot chocolate, pan de muerto, tamales

  • Collective altar- may bring notes, flowers, photocopies of photographs

  • Limpias by Marika Alvarado, a Lipan Apache healer

  • Performance by Austin Samba

  • Free art kits by Austin Veterans Arts Fest

  • Portrait photography by Roj Rodriguez

  • Calavera makeup by Bianca Olivares Reyes

FESTIVAL ON THE ZOCALO
Saturday, Nov. 5th

On Saturday November 5th from 4-10pm, the MACC will present our 15th annual festival on the Zocalo plaza. Doors will open to the public at 4:00pm. There will be free shuttle bus service from 4:30pm-10:30pm at Sanchez Elementary.

Featuring, for the first time, MexAmeriCon, Austin’s first Latinx Comic Book Convention (Comic Con), local Womxn of Color-centered marketplace Frida Friday ATX, an Interactive Shadow Puppet Show by the Austin Public Library, AND SO MUCH MORE! Hosted by Lorena Placenia of Telemundo Austin!

  • MexAmeriCon Comic Convention (4-5pm on outdoor stage, then 5-10pm in Black Box)

  • Artisan mercado by Frida Friday ATX

  • Sugar skull decorating & face painting by MACC Education

  • Sculpture Installations by Las Piñatas ATX

  • Screen printing, photobooths, children’s activities

  • Interactive puppet show (Auditorium)

  • Art kits by Austin Veterans Art Festival

  • Loteria game by MexAmeriCon

  • Food trucks on site

  • Two Art exhibits: Austin Studio Tours (upstairs gallery) and Community Altars (downstairs gallery)

For any questions about our Day of the Dead celebrations, please email MACCEVENTS@austintexas.gov!