Dia de Los Muertos

Dia de Los Muertos is a really cool interpretation of Mexico’s holiday held in the first few days of November.
They allow all these artists to come and erect shrines to those who died over the past year. The artists get creative with their view of how the dead should be honored, but they’re all a take on the celebration that culminates right after Halloween. It’s a fun festival that is introspective as it has you think about those you lost over the previous year.
La Villita is a great venue to have the festival in. They decorate the fountain in the center of Maverick Plaza. There’s live music at the Arneson stage by the river.
Best part? It’s all free! No admission charge. It’s great for families. Be sure to come by when they’re having the parade. It’s a really cool way to see everyone in their costumes.
Be sure to show up dressed in full costume. It’s not absolutely required, but certainly recommended! Dress like a skeleton. Please!

Small, little festival at La Villita.
They had various acts which had their faces painted in the traditional Dia de los Muertos skulls. There was a procession of the «dead,» which danced to some beats provided by a drumline of «dead drummers» — think conga line. They played at different times and around the area which was pretty cool.
The main focus though, were the ofrendas-​altars-​honi ring the deceased. Some quite elaborate, some quite simple, yet effective.
They also had food and other vendors peddling their creations/​art.
The best part though, was the interactive area by the Southwest School of Art. They had kids work on their own traditional skulls. They would decorate this copper skull by hammering stencils on to them. My son and I got to work together on this and it was a really cool experience for both.
It wasn’t crowded and the weather was great. Had some good eats. Good times!