21st Annual Celebraciones de la Gente
Saturday, October 26, 10 a.m.- 8 p.m.
Sunday, October 27, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Experience the vibrant traditions of Mexican, Mexican American, and LatinX communities at the 21st Annual Celebraciones de la Gente at the Museum of Northern Arizona! Join us for a weekend filled with color, culture, and celebration. Presented in partnership with Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces, Celebraciones honors the spirit of Día de los Muertos with heartfelt remembrances and joyful festivities.
Mariachi Rubor Femenil
Enjoy cultural dances and music as you explore the brightly adorned ofrendas in the Jaime Major Golightly Courtyard, each a stunning display of love and memory. Discover unique arts and crafts from local vendors and deepen your understanding through cultural presentations. Mariachi Rubor Femenil, Arizona’s renowned all-female mariachi group, and Ballet Folklorico de Colores of Flagstaff will bring distinctive sounds and movement to the celebration. Children will delight in the creativity of sugar skull decorating and face painting. Tamales USA, Baja Mar Seafood, and Elotero will be on site selling authentic Mexican dishes and street-style treats for attendees to enjoy.
As the sun sets on Saturday, the courtyard transforms into a magical scene for Courtyard After Dark. Witness the glowing ofrendas under the night sky, indulge in traditional Mexican sweets and beverages, and soak in the rich atmosphere.
Celebraciones tickets are good for the entire weekend: $20 general admission, $10 MNA members, $8 youth, kids age 9 and under free. Purchase advance tickets.
Courtyard After Dark
Celebraciones 2024 Schedule
Saturday, October 26, 2024
10 a.m.: Four Directions Opening Ceremony (Jaime Major Golightly Courtyard)
10:15 a.m.: Musical performance by Alena Chavez (Jaime Major Golightly Courtyard)
10:30 a.m.: Sugar Skull Workshop (patio, preregistration required) FULL
11 a.m.-noon: The Mainstream Popularization of the Day of the Dead in the United States, a talk presented by Dr. Jose G. Moreno, NAU Director of Ethnic Studies (Branigar/Chase Discovery Center)
11:30 a.m.: Puppet Show (Discovery Room)
noon: Face Painting opens (Jaime Major Golightly Courtyard)
1 p.m.: Ballet Folklorico de Colores (Branigar/Chase Discovery Center)
2:30 p.m.: Musical performance by Mariachi Rubor Femenil (Jaime Major Golightly Courtyard)
3:30 p.m.: Sugar Skull Workshop (patio, preregistration required)
3:30-4:00 p.m.: Mexican Loteria with prizes (Jaime Major Golightly Courtyard)
4:00 p.m.: Calaveritas Literarias (Branigar/Chase Discovery Center)
5 p.m.-8 p.m.: Courtyard After Dark (Jaime Major Golightly Courtyard)
6 p.m.: Musical performance by Mariachi Rubor Femenil (Jaime Major Golightly Courtyard)
Sunday, October 27, 2024
10 a.m.: Museum and Celebraciones Opens
10-10:30 a.m.: Mexican Loteria (Jaime Major Golightly Courtyard))
10:30 a.m.: Sugar Skull Workshop (patio, preregistration required)
11 a.m.-noon: The Mainstream Popularization of the Day of the Dead in the United States, a talk presented by Dr. Jose G. Moreno, NAU Director of Ethnic Studies (Branigar/Chase Discovery Center)
11:30 a.m.: Puppet Show (Discovery Room)
noon: Sugar Skull Workshop (patio, preregistration required)
noon: Face Painting opens (Jaime Major Golightly Courtyard)
1 p.m.: Ballet Foklorico de Colores (Branigar/Chase Discovery Center)
2:15 p.m.: Musical performance by Banda Latino de Caribeña (Jaime Major Golightly Courtyard)
3 p.m.: Musical performance by Mariachi Rubor Femenil (Jaime Major Golightly Courtyard)
4:30 p.m.: Closing Ceremony (Jaime Major Golightly Courtyard)
2024 Celebraciones Art Vendors
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- Rick Pacheco — Acrylic paintings, prints
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- Gabriella Gonzalez — Face painting, organic henna tattoos, bubble hair accessories
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- Emma Gardner — Fine art, prints, greeting cards
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- Olga Chavarria — Textiles, art, modern jewelry, and handcrafts
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- Alma Angelina Aispuro — Ceramics
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- Vangie Rodriguez – Artworks
Celebraciones is supported by Creative Flagstaff/City of Flagstaff BBB Tax Funds.
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 those who have passed in this life.
Each year, Flagstaff 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.