Celebrate Dia de los Muertos at Mission Marquee Plaza

Published on October 28, 2025

Live performances, a remembrance slideshow, a movie screening, and activities for all ages.

SAN ANTONIO (October 28, 2025) — The City of San Antonio World Heritage Office will celebrate the Day of the Dead with its eighth annual “Día de los Muertos: Celebrando las Misiones”, taking place from 3 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, November 1, at Mission Marquee Plaza, 3100 Roosevelt Avenue. This cultural community event is free and open to the public.

The celebration begins by welcoming a drum and dance procession to the Mission Marquee Plaza to honor the legacy of the descendants of San Antonio’s historic Missions and the nearby community.

“Dia de los Muertos: Celebrando las Misiones is more than a celebration,” said District 3 Councilmember Phyllis Viagran. “It is an opportunity for our communities to come together to honor and remember our loved ones who have passed while also sharing the traditions and significance of the holiday for future generations.”

Following the procession, the celebration continues at Mission Marquee Plaza with live music, food, dance performances, workshops, spontaneous tribute poems, free face painting, and a catrina y catrin contest, emceed by Anthony “The Poet” Flores. It concludes with a film screening of "Frankenweenie."

The event also features a remembrance slideshow that offers a truly unique experience for the San Antonio community and is a tradition exclusive to this event. The community was invited to submit photos of loved ones who have passed to be displayed on the original 1948 movie screen during the event.

“The World Heritage Office is proud to host the Día de los Muertos event at Mission Marquee Plaza each year,” said Colleen Swain, Director of the City’s World Heritage Office. “We are grateful for our partnership with the Department of Arts and Culture, and the Mission descendant families who play a pivotal role in its success.”

Swain added that the event is an opportunity to celebrate our local families and neighborhoods, while sharing the rich cultural heritage of the area with attendees. Visitors are encouraged to view altars created by Mission descendant families on display at the World Heritage Center.

November 1 Schedule of Events

Mission Marquee Plaza, 3100 Roosevelt Avenue:

• 3 p.m. – The community is invited to contribute offerings to the Altars
• 3 - 7:30 p.m. – Workshops and free Sugar Skull Face Painting
• 3 - 4 p.m. – Catrin and Catrina Contest Registration
• 3:12 p.m. – Welcome remarks
• 3:15 - 3:25 p.m. – Calaveras performed by Gilbert Elementary School Students
• 3:30 p.m. – Procession arrives at Mission Marquee Plaza from Mission San José 
• 3:50 - 4:05 p.m. – Gloria Anzaldua’s “Path to Conocimiento” Poems by Say Sí Students
• 4:05 p.m. – Special Remarks
• 4:15 - 4:45 p.m. – Catrin and Catrina Contest
• 4:45 p.m. – Music by DJ Despeinada
• 5 - 6 p.m. – Max Baca y Los Texmaniacs  
• 6 - 6:05 p.m. – Calavera by San Antonio Poet Laureate, Eddie Vega 
• 6 - 6:30 p.m. – La Carpa Ortiz
• 6:05 - 6:20 p.m. – Spontaneous Remembrance Poems
• 6:20 - 7:05 p.m. – Ballet Folklorico Sol de San Antonio
• 7:05 - 7:10 p.m. – Calavera San Antonio Poet Laureate, Eddie Vega
• 7:10 - 7:30 p.m. – Music by DJ Despeinada 
• 7:15 p.m. – Remembrance Photo Tribute
• 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. – Mariachi Festival de Oscar Garza
• 8:00 - 8:30 p.m. – La Carpa Ortiz
• 8:30 - 8:45 p.m. – DJ Despeinada
• 8:45 - 10:15 p.m. – “Frankenweenie” movie screening

More information on the 2025 Día de los Muertos: Celebrando las Misiones event is available at MissionMarquee.com.