Dia de los Muertos Festival to take place at Mesa Arts Center later this month

PHOENIX — The city of Mesa will host a free Día de los Muertos Festival later this month, featuring various activities and a community altar for people to celebrate the memory of those who have passed on.

Taking place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 23 and from noon to 5 p.m. on Oct. 24 at the Mesa Arts Center, the celebration will feature live entertainment, hands-on art activities and face painting, according to a press release.

At the center of the festival will be a community altar designed by artist Monica Gisel Crespo.

Those who attend can leave mementos in honor of loved ones who have died, including photographs that will be collected and replaced on the altar each year, according to the release.

Altars created by local organizations and artists will also be displayed in windows of businesses on Main Street.

The festival in addition will honor the more than 19,000 people who died due to COVID-19 in Arizona with paper marigolds created by the community being installed on the Mesa Arts Center campus.

Other features of the festival include various food options and studio demonstrations, according to the release, along with a Mercado Marketplace where people can find traditional and contemporary merchandise, jewelry and Mexican arts and crafts from local artisans and vendors.

The closing ceremony will include Consul General of Mexico Jorge Mendoza Yesca and Mesa Mayor John Giles and conclude with a performance by Mariachi Pasion and an open procession to the community altar, according to the release.

The opening and closing ceremony of the festival will be live streamed on the Mesa Arts Center website and Facebook page.

Parking for the event is free, according to the release.

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