A Community Celebration, Built Together
Día de los Muertos Waco thrives thanks to the generous support of our local sponsors and partners who believe in honoring culture, creativity, and community. Their contributions help bring the parade, festival, and art installations to life—creating a celebration that welcomes everyone to remember, connect, and celebrate together.
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Come Be Part of Día de los Muertos
Día de los Muertos is a time for everyone to gather; families, friends, and neighbors. Come and immerse yourself in this celebration of life with traditional food, lively music, and colorful art as we remember loved ones and celebrate the beauty of community.
Bring an Ofrenda
Share your loved one’s story by adding photos, flowers, and keepsakes to our community ofrenda. Every memory adds meaning to the celebration.
Walk, Dance, and Celebrate
Join the parade in colorful attire or with calavera face paint. Feel the rhythm of the music and be part of the joy that brings our community together.
Support Local Artists
Enjoy live performances, shop handmade goods, and show your support. Every purchase and donation helps keep traditions alive.
Festival Activities
From live music and dance to cultural workshops and family-friendly fun, the Día de los Muertos Parade & Festival offers something for everyone.
Parade
Join the largest Día de los Muertos parade in Central Texas! March through Downtown Waco with colorful costumes, lively performances, and community pride. Cash prizes are awarded for the most creative entries.
Vendor Market
Discover unique art, handmade goods, and delicious food from local creators. The Vendor Market brings together the best of Waco’s makers and businesses in a festive atmosphere.
Live Concert
Dance the night away with live performances that celebrate tradition and culture. From mariachi to modern sounds, music fills the park and keeps the celebration alive.
Face Painting
Get into the spirit of the festival with traditional calavera face painting. Fun for all ages, this activity transforms every face into part of the celebration.
Ofrendas
Experience the heart of Día de los Muertos with community altars honoring loved ones. Each altar is a work of art, filled with photos, flowers, and offerings that keep memories alive.
Honoring Culture Through Food
Food brings people together. For Día de los Muertos, it carries even deeper meaning — a symbol of love, memory, and celebration. This year, we’ve partnered with Waco Restaurant Week to share that spirit through the Taco Passport, featuring local restaurants that honor culture through flavor.
Each taco tells a story of family recipes, hard work, and joy. With the Taco Passport, you can explore Waco’s vibrant food scene, discover new favorites, and enjoy exclusive specials from participating restaurants during Waco Restaurant Week.
The pass is free, delivered straight to your phone, and ready to redeem for sweet and savory deals all week long.
Parade + Festival Maps
Use these maps to move between the parade route and the festival area. The parade route begins along the river, loops at the bottom of the route, then continues up past key streets before reaching the finish near Kendrick Elementary. The festival takes place at Indian Spring Park, where you can find the Muertos Stage, food trucks, vendor market, kids activity area, Alebrije Garden, and restrooms. Check the labels on the map to see the exact locations.
Join the Parade
Be part of one of the biggest Día de los Muertos celebrations in Central Texas. On Saturday, November 1st, 2025, Downtown Waco will come alive as we honor loved ones and celebrate life with music, dance, and community spirit. The parade begins at 4 p.m. and features colorful floats, costumes, and performances that bring our city together in this unforgettable celebration.
Parade registration for floats, vehicles, and performances is now closed. However, we’re still welcoming participants for the Novios walking section — a special part of the parade where couples, families, and friends can walk together to celebrate love, memory, and unity.
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Become a Sponsor
Support one of Waco’s most beloved cultural traditions by sponsoring the fifth annual Día de los Muertos Parade & Festival. Last year, our reach extended to over 133,000 people and brought 7,000 attendees together in the heart of our city. This year, we anticipate more than 10,000 festival goers, making it our largest celebration yet. Your sponsorship not only helps us bring this vibrant event to life but also highlights your organization’s commitment to community, culture, and connection.
To be included in marketing materials, sponsorships must be confirmed by October 15th, 2025.
Vendor Market at Día de los Muertos Waco
Bring your creativity to life at the fifth annual Waco Día de los Muertos Parade & Festival! The Vendor Market is the heart of community connection, where local makers, artisans, and entrepreneurs share their craft with thousands of festivalgoers. Join us on Saturday, November 1st, from 5pm to 10pm, to showcase your products and be part of a vibrant evening filled with tradition, art, and celebration. Vendor spaces are limited, and applications close October 5th, 2025—secure your spot today.
Volunteer with Us
Día de los Muertos Waco depends on dedicated volunteers to keep things running smoothly. You might help with setup, guide parade participants, or share information with guests. Whatever your role, you’ll be part of something meaningful that celebrates Waco’s culture and creativity.
FAQs
Your Festival Questions, Answered
There is no cost to attend this festive celebration. This is a FREE and family-friendly community event.
Yes, we will have a Lost and Found located in our centrally located event info tent.
The goal and purpose of the Dia de los Muertos Parade is to celebrate & educate our community of the multicultural traditions of the Dia de los Muertos holiday. The Hispanic community is inviting all to participate in the festival and encourages dressing in Día de los Muertos attire such as Sugar Skull face painting, skull mask, alebrije, or monarch butterflies. Dia de los Muertos is not Halloween! No Halloween costumes, devil or scary costumes are permitted.
No, coolers and alcohol are not permitted at this event. The festival will be full of vendors with a variety of food, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages. Please do not jeopardize this community event by violating this rule.