Dia de los Muertos Day of the Dead in Old Town Albuquerque 2024

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New for 2024!

Name: Dia De Los Muertos In Old Town Albuquerque 2024 | Old Town Albuquerque
Start: 2024-10-25T14:00:00-06:00
End: 2024-11-03T21:00:00-07:00
Location: Old Town Albuquerque

Highlights for 2024!

“Family Day” will be on BOTH Saturdays! Free showings of “Coco” and “The Book of Life” projected within the adobe walls of the church courtyard.
GLOBITOS Candlelight Glow – Model Hot Air Balloon Glow: Watch towering 20ft tall model hot air balloons fill the street and church courtyard. On Sunday Oct 27th and Friday Nov 1st
Catrina Procession [Nov 2nd]: An opportunity to dress in traditional Día de los Muertos Catrina skull attire and parade through the streets of Old Town, showcasing exquisite costumes and designs.
The Dance of the Matachines [Nov 2nd] is back again with a much better location for the dance to be seen from.
A candlelight procession [Nov 2nd] to remember our loved ones will take place 30 minutes after sundown on November 2nd (all are invited).
Paper-mâché sculptures (more to be released soon!)
Plaza de los Recuerdos: For ONE NIGHT ONLY (Nov 2nd), Old Town Plaza will turn into Plaza de los Recuerdos, where the Albuquerque community will brings altars and ofrendas and adorn Old Town Plaza. Sign-up to bring an ofrenda.

The Feel: Imagine strolling through Old Town in the week leading up to Día de los Muertos (October 25th, 2024 – November 4th, 2024). Joyful live music drifts from patios as you pass shops and plazas adorned with orange and yellow marigolds. Nicknamed the “Marigold Mile,” over 30,000 marigolds stretch across Old Town, while hidden patios reveal ofrendas honoring loved ones with calaveras and photos.

As night falls, a candlelight procession from San Felipe de Neri Church bathes the streets in a warm glow while Globitos—model hot air balloons—lend their own light, flickering puffs of vibrant color. Along the way, you’re greeted by a larger than life Catrina sculpture and a glowing Tree of Life, standing side by side as tributes to the connection between the living and the departed.

As you take it all in, the rhythmic dance of the Matachinas echoes through the night, their movements telling a story as old as New Mexico itself. Each step is in harmony with the ancient drumbeat, filling the air with a sense of reverence and celebration. This journey through Old Town offers more than just sights—it’s an immersive experience that brings the rich traditions of Día de los Muertos to life.

Schedule of Events

Daily Features

The following features will be available throughout Old Town during the entire duration of the event.

Marigold Mile! See thousands upon thousands of marigolds line the beams, vigas, lights, adobe, and historic structures throughout Old Town.
Papier Mache Sculptures: Master sculpture artists, JOMO (and if you’d like to see more of their work please visit Old Towns very own Doublecat Oddities in the Poco a Poco patio) have created two towering papier mache sculptures, a Catrina and a Tree of Life. Come see them in person on the Old Town plaza.
Ofrenda Tour: See 38+ ofrendas (altars) scattered throughout all of Old Town with unique themes, decorations, and more. Wander the hidden patios and portals of Old Town and find another ofrenda hidden around the next corner.
Community Ofrenda: A large ornately decorated community ofrenda in the middle of the gazebo in Old Town. This ofrenda is decorated by community members and students of San Felipe de Neri Catholic School and Escuela del Sol Montessori.
Old Town Decorations: Wander the streets of Old Town and see papel picado, marigolds, fall colors, and more adorning the charming adobe buildings in throughout Old Town.