Tag Archives: Celebraciones de la Gente

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SAVE THE DATE(S) — Celebraciones de la Gente honors vibrant tradition Oct. 25-26, 2025 at the Museum of Northern Arizona

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Reservations coming soon for — 2025 Sugar Skull Decorating Workshops at the Celebraciones de la Gente Festival 

FLAGSTAFF — Experience the vibrant traditions of Mexican, Mexican American, and LatinX communities at the 22nd Annual Celebraciones de la Gente! at the Museum of Northern Arizona on Oct. 25-26, 2026. Join us for a weekend filled with color, culture, and celebration. Held in partnership with Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces, 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. Savor delicious traditional foods and deepen your understanding of Dia de los Muertos through cultural presentations. Mariachi Agave from Tucson 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.

Click on image above for more information on Mariachi Agave de Tucson.

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 available at the door, good for the entire weekend, and include admission to the Museum.
$20 General Admission, $10 MNA members, $8 youth, kids 9 and under free.

More details to come. Click here for more information.
 

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/

Celebraciones de la Gente, featured, News

Vendor Applications now available for the 2024 Celebraciones de la Gente at the Museum of Northern Arizona, Flagstaff

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The Museum of Northern Arizona (MNA) and Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces invite you to participate in the annual Celebraciones de la Gente, a lively Day of the Dead festival on October 26 & 27, 2024.

Exhibitor booths will be open from 10am to 5pm on Saturday, October 26 and Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024.

Please click here to download and fill out a vendor application.

Celebraciones de la Gente, Events, News

Time to Celebrate the 20th Annual Anniversary of Celebraciones de la Gente on Oct. 21-22, 2023 at the Museum of Northern Arizona

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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:

Museum of Northern Arizona

3101 N Fort Valley Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86001

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19th Annual Celebraciones de la Gente

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Saturday and Sunday, October 29 – October 30

Photo Courtesy Museum of Northern Arizona

In partnership with Flagstaff Nuestras Raices

Museum of Northern Arizona 3101 N. Fort Valley Road, Flagstaff, AZ

The 19th Annual Celebraciones de la Gente Festival is an unparalleled opportunity to experience the history and culture of Mexican, Mexican American, and LatinX communities in Northern Arizona. Also known as the Day of the Dead, this event is a celebration of life, music, dance, food and heartfelt remembrances.

Throughout the weekend visitors can enjoy cultural dances and music, browse the intricately decorated Ofrendas that line the courtyard, and gain insights during presentations by cultural experts.

On Saturday evening the courtyard stays open into the evening so the full impact of the Ofrendas can be enjoyed, along with sweet treats and hot drinks.

Don’t miss this fall festival. Invite your friends and family, from this world and the next!

Celebraciones de la Gente, featured, Uncategorized

Celebraciones de la Gente postponed until 2021

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Celebraciones de la Gente festival goers had a chance to visit the “Courtyard After Dark” event on Oct. 24, 2019. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / ©2019 AmigosNAZ

FLAGSTAFF — The 17th Annual Celebraciones de la Gente at the Museum of Northern Arizona has been postponed until 2021. Originally scheduled for Oct. 24-25, 2020, the Day of the Dead festival was rescheduled for the health and safety of all of our artists, visitors and staff.

Rooted in community, this weekend-long event has been presented at the museum in partnership with Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces. It features fine art and unique crafts, music and dancing, colorful and elaborate ofrendas (altars), insightful heritage programs and Day of the Dead inspired crafts for the kids.

Members of Nuestras Raices are currently working on virtual Celebraciones de la Gente programming for this year. Details to come shortly.

Other museum heritage festivals that will be rescheduled until next year include the annual the Navajo Festival, the Hopi Festival and the Zuni Festival. A Fall Heritage originally scheduled for this year has also been postponed until next year. Click here for the latest information on the museum’s heritage programs.

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One of the nearly two dozen altars/ofrendas that greeted visitors at the 2019 Celebraciones de la Gente festival. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / ©2019 AmigosNAZ

See below for links to photos/stories from previous Celebraciones activities:

Celebraciones, Celebraciones de la Gente, featured

16th Annual Celebraciones de la Gente to be held Oct. 26-27, 2019 at the Museum of Northern Arizona

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FLAGSTAFF — Celebrate cultural traditions at the 16th Annual Celebraciones de la Gente, a lively Day of the Dead festival. Rooted in community, this weekend-long event is presented in partnership with Flagstaff’s Nuestras Raíces. Don’t miss fine art and unique crafts, music and dancing, colorful and elaborate ofrendas (altars), insightful heritage programs and Day of the Dead inspired crafts for the kids.

Admission
Weekend Pass: $18 adult, $12 youth
Daily Admission: $12 adult; $8 youth (11-17), student & American Indian (with ID); children under 10 free.

Courtyard After Dark Saturday, October 26, 5-8 pm
Enjoy an evening viewing of the community ofrendas (altars) against a backdrop of candlelight and strolling mariachi music. Mexican hot chocolate and pan dulce (sweet bread) available for purchase. Dress warm!
Courtyard After Dark Admission: Included with festival admission or $6 per person. Children under 10 free.

Schedule of Events

Saturday

10:00 am- 10:30 Decorating Sugar Skulls on the Patio

10:45-11:15 am Ballet Folklorico performance on the Mainstage

11:30-12:00 pm Mariachi Sol Azteca performance on the Mainstage

12:10-12:30 pm Comparza Texalpan

1:15-1:45 pm Ballet Folklorico performance on the Mainstage

2:00-2:30 pm Ofrenda tour in the Courtyard with Nuestras Raices

2:45-3:15 pm Dance performance

3:30-4:00 pm Mariachi Sol Azteca performance on the Mainstage

4:00-4:20 pm Comparza Texalpan

4:30-5:00 pm Ofrendas 101

5:00-8:00 pm Courtyard After Dark

Sunday

10:00 am- 10:30 Decorating Sugar Skulls on the Patio

10:45-11:15 am Ballet Folklorico performance on the Mainstage

11:00-11:30 am Mariachi Marisol performance in the Courtyard

11:45-12:15 pm Mariachi Sol Azteca performance on the Mainstage

12:30-1:00 pm Lecture with Amanda Blanco

1:00-2:00 pm Cumeres Performance in the Courtyard

1:15-1:45 pm Ballet Folklorico performance on the Mainstage

2:00-2:30 History of Families with Nuestras Raices

2:45-3:15 Dance Performance

3:30-4:00 pm Puebloan Day of the Dead with Ed Kabote

4:15-4:45 pm Mariachi Sol Azteca performance on the Mainstage

4:45-5:00 pm Closing Processional

Heritage Insights presentations

Ofrendas 101 with Delia Ceballos Muñoz

A centuries-old tradition,  ofrendas are an integral aspect of Day of the Dead. In this interactive discussion, Muñoz will discuss the origins of these ritual alters, the symbolism behind them, and demonstrate the process of building a refuge for the tired souls of lost loved ones.

 

Puebloan Day of the Dead with Ed Kabotie

Artist-in-resident Ed Kabotie will explore the cultural commonalities between the Puebloan and Latin@ celebration of Day of the Dead. In this ‘edutainment’ style presentation, a fusion of music and the spoken word of his own design, Kabotie will foster understanding for the shared traditions of southwestern Pueblo Tribes and Latin@ peoples.

 

History of Families with Nuestras Raices

Nuestras Raíces, Flagstaff’s organization dedicated to promoting Hispanic culture and history, will present the history of families and the significance of family structure.

 

Participating Artists & Organizations

alphabetical by last name

Lucia Cartes, Jewelry / Fashion (GG)

Melany Colamarino, Sculpture (BG)

Irene Dominguez, Pottery (BG)

Denise Pacheco, Fine Art / Pottery (GG)

Rick Pacheco, Fine Art / Pottery (GG)

Jess Rick Rodriguez, Fine Art (GG)

Location key:

GG= Geology Gallery

JMG=Jamie Major Golightly Courtyard

BG= Babbitt Gallery

Visit http://musnaz.org/heritage/celebraciones/ for more information

Celebraciones, Celebraciones de la Gente, Events

Region welcomes 11th annual Celebraciones de la Gente at the Museum of Northern Arizona

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Celebraciones10

Click on image above to see a slideshow

It was a weekend filled with music, entertainment, and, most importantly, reverence for those who have gone before us as Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces and the Museum of Northern Arizona partnered for the 11th annual Celebraciones de la Gente at the museum held from Oct. 24 through 26, 2014 The event included the return of the In Tlanextli Tlacopan Aztec Fire Dancers, Mariachi Sol Azteca de Tucson, Ballet Folklórico de Colores de Flagstaff, an artists mercado, lectures, food and activities for young people.

Photos by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2014

Celebraciones, Celebraciones de la Gente, News

Tickets available for annual Celebraciones de la Gente raffle

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Nuestra Raices to hold Raffle on Oct. 24

Tickets ($10 each) are now available for the annual Celebraciones de la Gente raffle presented by Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces.

The raffle will be held on Sunday, Oct. 26 during the 11th annual Celebraciones de la Gente / Día de los Muertos festival at the Museum of Northern Arizona.

You do not need to be present to win.

Proceeds benefit annual cultural programs presented by Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces.

Send an email to contact@flagstaffnuestrasraices.org to purchase your raffle ticket.