
19th Annual Celebraciones de la Gente
October 29 & 30, 2022
Folklorico dancing, colorful and elaborate ofrendas (altars), insightful heritage programs, and Day of the Dead inspired crafts for the kids.
Celebrate the history and culture of Mexican, Mexican American, and LatinX communities in Northern Arizona at this annual fall event. Also known as the Day of the Dead, this event is a celebration of life, music, dance, food and heartfelt remembrances. Rooted in community, this weekend-long event is presented in partnership with Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces.
Weekend admission: $20 General admission $10 MNA members $5 youth Free for children 9 and under.
Tickets are good for the entire weekend, including the Courtyard After Dark.
Click here to purchase Celebraciones tickets in advance
Festival Day One – October 29, 2022 – 10am to 5pm
Courtyard After Dark – October 29, 2022 – 5pm to 8pm
Festival Day Two – October 30, 2022 – 10am to 4pm
Sugar Skull Decorating – reservations required
Decorating sugar skulls is a favorite activity for kids and families during Celebraciones. Nuestras Raices makes the sugar skulls and provides frosting and decorations. Since this is a very popular event that always sells out, we require pre-registration. That way you know your child’s sugar skull is waiting for them and what time to arrive. You will also need to purchase admission tickets for Celebraciones.
Cost – $5
Celebraciones 2022 Schedule
All weekend – Ofrendas and kids crafts
October 29, 2022
10:00 am – Celebraciones opens
10:00-10:30 am – Video about Day of the Dead traditions
10:30 am -12:00 pm –Sugar Skull decorating (reservations required)
10:30-11:00 am – Ofrendas 101 presentation by Nuestras Raices
11:00-11:30 am – Presentation on worldwide traditions honoring the departed by Nuestras Raices
11:00 am -4:00 pm –Face Painting
11:00 am -4:00 pm – Silent Auction
1:00-2:00pm – Dance Performance by Ballet Folklorico de Colores
2:00-3:00pm – Calaveritas Literarias workshop with Northern Arizona Book Festival
2:15-3:00pm – Puppet Show
3:00-4:00pm – Musical performance by Mariachi Penumbra
5:00 pm to 8:00 pm – Courtyard After Dark
6:00-7:00pm – Musical performance by Mariachi Penumbra
Sunday October 30, 2022
10:00 am – Celebraciones opens
10:30 am -12:00 pm –Sugar Skull decorating (reservations required)
11:00 am -4:00 pm –Face Painting
11:00 am -12:00 pm – Musical performance Don Julio
12:00-12:30 pm – Singer Alena Chavez
12:30-1 pm – Singer Rafael Moran
1:00-2:00pm – Dance Performance by Ballet Folklorico de Colores
2:15-3:00pm – Puppet Show
2:30-3:30 pm – Musical performance by Mariachi Nuevo Azteca
4 pm – 6:30 pm –Edge of Night Gathering in Colton Garden
About Our Yearly Celebration
Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead is an ancient holiday. It may have originated with the Olmecs, the first major Pre-Columbian civilization in the tropical lowlands of south-central Mexico. This celebration was continued by other cultures such as the Toltecs, Mayans, Zapotecs, and Aztecs.
During the celebration, memories of ancestors are celebrated and the souls of the departed return to visit the living. The Museum’s historic courtyard is lined with ofrendas, each one telling the story of a Flagstaff Hispanic pioneer family. Papel picado banners and sacred copal incense herald the celebration. Golden marigold flowers symbolize the brevity of life and lend a scented pathway to returning spirits. Candles are lit for each family member who has passed on. Calaveras (sugar skulls) sweeten the tongue and mock death with their whimsy. And sweet pan de muerto (bread of the dead) honors the dead.
Each year, Nuestras Raices creates a community ofrenda and invites visitors to bring photos and mementos of their loved ones to contribute to this special place of memory and reverence. Nuestras Raices will also give a presentation about Dia de los Muertos traditions and the preparations of ofrendas.