San Antonio’s biggest Día de los Muertos celebration is back — and it’s completely free. Muertos Fest returns to Hemisfair October 23–25, 2026, with three days of altars, live music, poetry, candlelit processions, and one of the city’s best mercados.
This is the largest free Día de los Muertos celebration in the entire United States, drawing around 100,000 people each year. Here’s your free guide to making the most of it.
When and where
- Dates: Friday, October 23 – Sunday, October 25, 2026
- Location: Hemisfair, 620 Hemisfair Plaza Way, downtown San Antonio
- Admission: FREE, rain or shine, all ages welcome
Hours:
- Friday, Oct 23: 5pm – 11pm (¡Presente! opening night; sensory-friendly altar viewing 5–7pm)
- Saturday, Oct 24: 10am – 11pm (candlelit procession at 7pm)
- Sunday, Oct 25: noon – 9pm (candlelit procession at 3pm)
What’s free to enjoy
- 80+ community-built altars (ofrendas) — the heart of the festival, honoring loved ones who’ve passed
- 5 stages of live music, poetry, and workshops
- 2 candlelit processions through Hemisfair — Saturday at 7pm and Sunday at 3pm
- Muertos Mercado — 75+ art and food vendors to browse (food is for purchase)
- Día de los Muertos fashion show Friday night
- Sensory-friendly altar viewing Friday 5–7pm — a calmer way to experience the altars
What to bring (and what to leave home)
- ✅ Blankets for sitting on the lawn
- ❌ Chairs and coolers are NOT allowed
- Bring cash or a card for food and drinks — the festival itself is free, but food vendors sell meals and snacks
- Dogs are welcome
Getting there
Parking downtown is limited, so plan ahead:
- VIA buses run to Hemisfair — check the route before you go
- Ride-share, biking, or walking are the easiest options
- Arrive early for the Saturday and Sunday processions — crowds gather well before the start
Family tips
- The Friday sensory-friendly hours (5–7pm) are the calmest time to visit with small children or anyone sensitive to crowds and noise
- Restrooms, food, and water are all on site
- Maps are available at the festival — grab one so you don’t miss the altars spread across the park
The bottom line
Muertos Fest is one of those rare events that is completely free, deeply rooted in San Antonio’s culture, and genuinely unforgettable. Whether you come for the altars, the music, the processions, or just the people-watching, it costs nothing to be there.
Need help with everyday costs?
If money is tight this fall, you may qualify for programs that help with food, rent, utilities, medical bills, and more. Our free Apply-for-Me program checks your situation against verified local programs and tells you which ones you’re most likely to qualify for.
Need more than festival fun? Our free Apply for Me program finds the San Antonio programs you may qualify for — free health care, food, housing, utilities, and more.
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