FLAGSTAFF — Mariachi music, folklorico dances and a central courtyard illuminated by hundreds of candles placed on nearly two dozen ofrendas/altars — visitors to the Museum of Northern Arizona will once again experience it all when Celebraciones de la Gente returns on Oct. 24-25, 2026 courtesy of Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces and its partnership with the Museum.

The 23rd annual Celebraciones de la Gente will feature headline performances by Mariachi Agave from Tucson and Flagstaff’s own Ballet Folklorico de Colores, which has performed at the annual event since Celebraciones was founded in 2003. It was at that time that Nuestras member and longtime historian Delia Munoz came up with the name which means Celebration of the People.

One of the earliest Day of the Dead celebrations in Arizona, the event has grown to attract visitors from throughout Arizona, the United States and worldwide.

(Learn more about the history of Celebraciones de la Gente, see past photos and media coverage here)

The annual Día de los Muertos celebration also features cultural lectures on the art of creating the highly personal and moving ofrendas that honor dearly departed friends and loved ones, a traditional Mexican loteria (lottery) and other games, music in the courtyard, Día de los Muertos arts and crafts, a variety of local food vendors and the traditional silent auction.

One of the most popular activities for young people is the daily sugar skull decorating workshops for students, with a link to reservations coming soon. The workshops sell out fast!!!

Other children activities include face painting and a calaveritas (short poetry) program.

A special annual treat is the Courtyard After Dark celebration, where the courtyard’s lights are dimmed with the candlelight ofrendas offering a moving display in the museum’s historic Jaime Major Golightly Courtyard.

The evening event included a performance by Mariachi Agave, which also provides daily performances in the museum’s Branigar/Chase Discovery Center, with Ballet Folklorico performing on the museum’s spacious outdoor performance stage.

The Museum will be open for the event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 24, 25, 2026 at 3101 N. Fort Valley Road, Flagstaff.

Visit the Museum’s event’s section for the latest information.