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Tucson Día de los Muertos and All Souls Events 2020

By East Tucson Macaroni Kid October 16, 2020

During the season of Dia de los Muertos and All Souls'/All Saints Day, Tucson usually has numerous activities that honor the dearly departed and celebrate the culture. These meaningful, unique, often powerful events offer an authentic and memorable glimpse into Tucson's colorful culture. This year, Tucson's signature All Souls Procession has been canceled, but there are still some virtual and in-person events available for families to explore and celebrate these traditions.


All Souls Mausoleum at MSA Annex - Nightly from 6:00 PM-10:00 PM through November 6. This area has been created for small vigils and as a drop-off point for messages or other burnable items for the URN ceremony on November 7. 

La Calavera Catrina-Tucson Botanical Gardens - daily through November 29. 8:30 AM-4:30 PM. Evening hours available Thursday-Sunday. This outdoor display is "A parade of rich history and iconography through colorful and joyful large-scale skeleton sculptures."

Dia de Los Muertos Alter Display at Presidio Museum - Thursday-Sunday, October 29-November 8.10:00 AM-4:00 PM. The museum will host several altars, including those remembering COVID-19 sufferers, pet, veterans, and Supervisor Richard Elias. 

Make an Ofrenda-in-a-box - This is a project from Pima County public library that you can do any time. Follow the step-by-step instructions to make a miniature ofrenda (traditional Day of the Dead Altar) to honor Dia de los Muertos and celebrate the life of someone who has passed. Then explore some of the books about Dia de los Muertos compiled by the Pima County Public Library. 

Dia de Los Muertos Themed Family Adventure 4th Saturday at Presidio Museum - Saturday, October 24. 10:00 AM-1:00 PM. Attendees will have the opportunity to paint paper Calavera masks, receive a goodie bag and are encouraged to attend in their costumes and/or facepaint.

Procession of Little Angels - Saturday, November 7. 6:00 PM-8:00 PM. Stories That Soar! will present a series of prerecorded stories from children all over Tucson. to honor the youth who have left us so soon.

Dia de Los Muertos Event at Presidio Museum - Sunday, November 810:00 AM-4:00 PM. Attendees will have the opportunity to paint paper Calavera masks and do tinsmithing of ornaments with Dia de los Muertos patterns. Guests will receive a treat bag of individually-wrapped, store-bought candy and are encouraged to attend in costumes and/or facepaint.

Virtual All Souls Procession Livestream - Saturday, November 8. 6:00 PM. Officiated by our Community Attendants led by To Ree Nee Wolf. There will be performances by electronic music pioneer Steve Roach, Odaiko Sonora, and a sceneographic video by Basic Biology and Flam Chen. “Restoration of Care” ceremony with the Burning of the Urn and the Name Scrolls Project: 200-foot scrolls of names submitted by local organizations to be placed and burned in the Urn.


Find more local family events each week! Sign up for a FREE event calendar HERE.


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