Editor’s note: Click on links to see video clips from the event.
FLAGSTAFF — With the crowd dancing to the music of DJ Eddie Trillo and folks dining on an assortment of tacos and enchiladas, the American Legion Auxiliary and Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces celebrated their annual Cinco de Mayo Dance on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at the American Legion Mark A. Moore Post 3, 204 W. Birch Ave., Flagstaff.
Photos by Frank X. Moraga / http://www.AmigosNAZ.com ©2025
***
Now taking reservations for — Sugar Skull Decorating Workshop at the Celebraciones de la Gente Festival
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — The 21st Annual Celebraciones de la Gente (Celebrations of the People) takes place Oct. 26 and 27 at the Museum of Northern Arizona. Held in partnership with Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces, the community event honors a vibrant tradition with a weekend of remembrances, joy and cultural immersion.
In the spirit of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), Celebraciones invites people to experience the magic of colorful ofrendas (altars), unique tributes to loved ones passed, in the museum’s Jaime Major Golightly Courtyard. As the sun sets on Saturday, the courtyard transforms into a candlelit scene for Courtyard After Dark. Visitors can take in glowing ofrendas under the night sky while enjoying Mexican sweets and hot chocolate.
Celebraciones cultural performances include the powerful sounds of Mariachi Rubor, a celebrated all-female ensemble, and the festive movements of Ballet Folklorico de Colores of Flagstaff. Children and families can participate in hands-on activities such as decorating sugar skulls and face painting. Arts and crafts vendors will feature art, handmade goods and cultural treasures.
Explore the popularization of the Day of the Dead with Jose G. Moreno, Ph.D., director of ethnic studies at Northern Arizona University. He will speak both days at 11 a.m. in the museum’s Branigar/Chase Discovery Center. The festival also welcomes Tamales USA, Baja Mar Seafood, and Elotero, each serving up traditional Mexican dishes for an authentic culinary experience.
Margurita Cruz will lead calavera literaria (literary skull) writing workshops. These satirical verses composed for the Day of the Dead poke lighthearted fun at friends, colleagues, relatives, and celebrities. The calavera literaria activity is held in collaboration with the Northern Arizona Book Festival.
Celebraciones de la Gente ticket prices range from $5 to $20. A ticket includes entrance to the museum, is valid for the entire weekend, and can be purchased in advance or at the door. Children ages 9 and under are free. Preregistration and a small fee are required for the sugar skull making workshops.
Find ticket, workshop registration and other event details at https://musnaz.org/all-upcoming- events/celebraciones/
About the Museum of Northern Arizona
Nestled in a forested landscape, the Museum of Northern Arizona sits at the base of the San Francisco Peaks on the road to the Grand Canyon. For nearly 100 years, the museum has been a gateway to understanding the Colorado Plateau by engaging visitors with life-enriching knowledge and experiences centered on culture, art, and science. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Learn more at https://musnaz.org/
Now taking reservations for — Sugar Skull Decorating Workshop at the Celebraciones de la Gente Festival
Experience the vibrant traditions of Mexican, Mexican American, and Latin X 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. Held in partnership with Flagstaff Nuestras Raices, Celebraciones honors the spirit of Día de los Muertos with heartfelt remembrances and joyful festivities.
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, savor delicious traditional foods, 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 inthe creativity of sugar skull decorating and face painting.
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 sweet treats and beverages, and soak in the rich atmosphere.
Don’t miss this premier fall festival. Invite your friends and family, from this world and the next!
Celebraciones tickets are good for the entire weekend: $20 General Admission, $10 MNA members, $5 youth, kids age 9 and under free.
Purchase advance tickets for Saturday here and Sunday here!
LatinX Artists, Creators, Vendors! Interested in selling your work and creations at this vibrant fall festival? Send a message of interest to ctaillac@musnaz.org or call (928) 440-6480. Gracias por tu interés.
Mariachi Rubor Femenil, Soul Persuasion and Ballet Folklorico de Colores — Flagstaff to headline FREE event. Veterans are encouraged to attend so they can participate in the traditional group photo. Sponsorships are still available and most appreciated.
FLAGSTAFF — To celebrate and recognize Flagstaff’s Hispanic roots, Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces invites the public to attend its 9th annual “Flagstaff Summertime Tardeada — Mariachi and Folklórico Festival” from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 224 S. Kendrick St., Flagstaff.
The event is FREE, open to the public and has drawn upwards of 400 visitors in past years.
What is a Tardeada? It’s a vibrant afternoon festival and social dance celebrating Flagstaff’s Hispanic culture and community history.
The festival’s goal is to celebrate the legacy of Flagstaff’s Hispanic culture through entertainment, music, dance, art, food and exhibits. All veterans are encouraged to to attend so they can participate in the traditional group photo.
The entertainment stage will feature Mariachi Rubor Femenil from Phoenix, Ballet Folklorico de Colores – Flagstaffand dance music by Soul Persuasion to conclude the celebration from Soul Persuasion from Phoenix.
A raffle. Mexican and regular barbeque food will be sold as a fundraiser for the Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces’ Cultural Heritage Fund.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church is a significant historic site because it was the pride and centerpiece of the Hispanic community when it was built in the late 1920s by Flagstaff Hispanic pioneer families, who had strong bonds to the church.
So for locals and visitors, escape triple-digit temperatures in the rest of the state, bring your lawn chairs and canopies and enjoy the cooler mountain breezes of Northern Arizona.
A Mariachi Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church.
The public is invited to both events. Visit www.flagstaffnuestrasraices.org or send an email to president@flagstaffnuestrasraices.org or info@flagstaffnuestrasraices.org for more information.
See photos from previous Tardeadas and Mariachi Masses:
FLAGSTAFF — The American Legion Auxiliary and Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces will present their annual Cinco de Mayo Dance, featuring Los Alambrados, from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, May 4 at the American Legion Mark A. Moore Post 3, 204 W. Birch Ave., Flagstaff.
Tickets are $20 per person / $35 per couple.
Contact American Legion Post 3 at FlagstaffAL3@Gmail.com or call 928-774-7682 for tickets, more information
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). 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 — Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces will celebrate the 20th anniversary of its Día de los Muertos / Day of the Dead festival when the annual Celebraciones de la Gente returns to the Museum of Northern Arizona on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 21 and 22.
The event 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).
This year’s event features the return of the ever-popular In Tlanextli Tlacopan Aztec Fire Dancers 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 tentative schedule includes:
Saturday, October 21
10:00 Museum Opens
10:30 Sugar Skull Workshop (Patio)
11:00 – 12:00 Mariachi performance (Courtyard)
12:00 Sugar Skull Workshop (Patio)
1:00 Ballet Foklorico (BCDC)
1:00 Sugar Skull Workshop (Patio)
2:00 History of Mariachi Music (BCDC)
3:30 Aztec Fire Dancers (BCDC)
6:00 Mariachi performance (Courtyard)
Sunday, October 22
10:00 Museum Opens
10:30 Sugar Skull Workshop (Patio)
11:00 – 1:00 Mariachi performance (Courtyard)
12:00 Sugar Skull Workshop (Patio)
1:00 Ballet Foklorico (BCDC)
2:00 History of Mariachi Music (BCDC)
3:30 Aztec Fire Dancers (BCDC)
4:30 Closing Ceremony
TICKET PRICES AND MORE FESTIVAL INFORMATION TO BE ANNOUNCED
The event will be held at:
3101 N Fort Valley Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
The Flagstaff annual Cinco de Mayo celebration will be held from 5:30 to 11 p.m. Friday, May 5 at the American Legion — Mark A Moore Post 3, 204 W. Birch Ave., Flagstaff.
Hosted by the Auxiliary and Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces, the event includes a dinner ($12) from 5 to 6:30 p.m., and the dance from 7 to 11 p.m.
FLAGSTAFF — The Cinco de Mayo Celebration, dinner/dance will return at 5 p.m. Saturday, May 7 at The American Legion, 204 W. Birch Ave., Flagstaff.
Sponsored by The American Legion Auxiliary and Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces.
Dinner from 5 to 6:30 p.m., with the dance from 7 to 11 p.m. with live music by Cymbre.
Tickets: $20 single / $30 couple. Dinner: $12 combo plate.
Tickets available at The American Legion.
FLAGSTAFF — Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces celebrates the in-person return of Día de los Muertos / Day of the Dead when the 18th Annual Celebraciones de la Gente is presented at the Museum of Northern Arizona on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 23 and 24.
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.
In partnership with Flagstaff’s Nuestras Raíces, the museum’s Jaime Golightly Courtyard will be transformed into a beautiful lit setting, with intricately cut papel picado (pierced paper) and lovely arrange 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, “Ofrenda 101” creating an altar workshops, performances by Ballet Folkorico de Colores — Flagstaff and Mariachi performers from Tucson.
The Courtyard After Dark event on Oct. 23 will include a candlelit ceremony honoring the memory of those who have lost their lives during the pandemic presented by members of Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces, with opening remarks by Museum of Northern Arizona Executive Director Mary Kershaw.
Celebraciones will be held from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24, concluding with the traditional blessing of the altars/offrendas closing ceremony.
The event will be held at:
3101 N Fort Valley Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
General Admission: $20
Native American: $10
Child under 9: Free
FLAGSTAFF — To celebrate and recognize Flagstaff’s Hispanic roots, Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces invites the public to attend to the return of the “Flagstaff Summertime Tardeada — Mariachi and Folklorico Festival” from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 29, 2019 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 224 S. Kendrick St., Flagstaff.
The event is free and has drawn upwards of 400 visitors in past years.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church is a significant historic site because it was the pride and centerpiece of the Hispanic community when it was built in the late 1920s by Flagstaff Hispanic pioneer families, who had strong bonds to the church.
What is a Tardeada? It’s a vibrant afternoon festival and social dance celebrating Flagstaff’s Hispanic culture and community history.
The festival’s goal is to celebrate the legacy of Flagstaff’s Hispanic culture through entertainment, music, dance, art, food and exhibits.
The Tardeada will feature mariachi and folklorico performances, a tribute to Hispanic veterans in the region, a raffle and Mexican and regular barbecue food sold as a fundraiser.
So escape the triple-digit temperature in most of Arizona, bring your chairs and canopies and enjoy the cooler mountain breezes of Northern Arizona.
More details to come…
To participate as a vendor or sponsor, please send an email to Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces President Delia Munoz at president@flagstaffnuestrasraices.org
Click on photo below to view photos of 2017 Tardeada celebration
Remembering Our Culture & History 