The 2023 Celebraciones de la Gente is supported in part by the Arizona Commission on the Arts which receives support from the State of Arizona and the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional Premier Sponsors include Coconino County District 2 Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez and the Coconino County Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) and APS. Celebraciones presented in partnership with the Museum of Northern Arizona.

CLICK HERE to see www.AmigosNAZ.com photos from the 19th annual Celebraciones de la Gente held on Oct. 29, 30, 2022.

FLAGSTAFF — Sugar Skull Workshops online reservations are selling out for the 20th anniversary annual Celebraciones de la Gente — Día de los Muertos / Day of the Dead festival at the Museum of Northern Arizona on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 21 and 22.

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

SOLD OUT — Click here to reserve a sugar skull workshop on Saturday at 10:30.

Click here to reserve a sugar skull workshop on Saturday at 12:00. 

Click here to reserve a sugar skull workshop on Sunday at 10:30. 

Click here to reserve a sugar skull workshop on Sunday at 12:00. 

Celebraciones de la Gente is a partnership between Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces and the Museum of Northern Arizona, with generous funding of Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces’ programming by the Arizona Commission on the Arts, Coconino County District 2 Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez and the Coconino County Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC).

Celebraciones tickets are good for the entire weekend: $20 General Admission, $10 MNA members, $5 youth, kids age 9 and under free.

This year’s event features the return of the ever-popular InTlanextli Tlacopan Aztec Fire Dancers and Ballet Folklorico de Colores — Flagstaff performing on both days of the festival in the Branigar/Chase Discovery Center, along with daily performances in the historic Jaime Golightly Courtyard by El Charro Bohemia.

Celebrate the history and culture of Mexican, Mexican American and Latin@ communities in Northern Arizona at this annual fall event, which will include music, dance, food and heartfelt remembrances.

The museum’s Jaime Golightly Courtyard will be transformed into a beautiful lit setting, with intricately cut papel picado (pierced paper) and lovely arranged ofrendas (altars) to welcome past loved ones to the party.

On Saturday evening, the courtyard will stay open into the night, as the full impact of the candlelit ofrendas can be enjoyed, along with Mexican treats and soulful strolling Mariachis. Don’t miss this fall festival. Invite your friends and family, from this world and the next!

Some of the scheduled events each day include sugar skull-making workshops in the Patio (reservations required), performances by Ballet Folkorico de Colores — Flagstaff, and presentations on the the “History of Mariachi Music.”

Celebraciones de la Gente will be held from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22.

The ever-moving Closing Ceremony (blessing of the altars/ofrendas) to be held at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22 immediately followed by the festival attendees group photo.

The schedule includes: 

Saturday, October 21

10:00 Museum Opens

10:15-11:00 am – Ofrendas 101 presentation by Nuestras Raices

10:30 – Sugar Skull Workshop (Patio) (reservations required here)SORRY, SOLD OUT

11:00-12:00 pm –Musical perform by El Charro Bohemio in the Courtyard

11:30 am – Puppet Show in Discovery Room

11:30 am – Calaveritas Literarias Workshop in Gallery

12:00 – Sugar Skull Workshop (Patio) (reservations required here)

12:00-5:00 pm – Face painting in the Courtyard

1-2 pm – Dance Performance by Ballet Folklorico de Colores de Flagstaff 

1:00 – Sugar Skull Workshop (Patio) (reservations required here)

2:00-3:00 pm – The Musical Evolution of Mexico presentation and performance

3:30-4:30 pm – Aztec Fire Dancers (BCDC)

6:00-7:00pm – Musical performance by El Charro Bohemio in the Courtyard

All day in the Living Room – Silent Auction

Sunday, October 22

10:00 am – Celebraciones opens

10:15-11:00 am – Ofrendas 101 presentation by Nuestras Raices

10:30 am -11:30 am – Sugar Skull decorating (reservations required) 

11:00-1:00 pm – Musical perform by El Charro Bohemio in the Courtyard

11:30 am – Puppet Show in Discovery Room

11:30 am – Calaveritas Literarias Workshop in Gallery

12:00-1:00 pm –Sugar Skull decorating (reservations required) 

12:00-5:00 pm – Face painting in the Courtyard

1:00-2:00 pm – Dance Performance by Ballet Folklorico de Colores

2:00 – Musical Performance by Don Julio in the Courtyard

2:00-3:00 pm – The Musical Evolution of Mexico presentation and performance

3:30-4:30 pm – Aztec Fire Dancers

4:30 pm – Closing Ceremony in the Courtyard

All day in the Living Room – Silent Auction

The event will be held at:

Museum of Northern Arizona

3101 N Fort Valley Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86001