The Art of Celebration & Remembrance

This year is the 11th anniversary of Tlaquepaque’s Day of the Dead & The Marigold Mural Project. This year's event will be a lavish display of color, art, craftsmanship, and talent that delight the senses. The festivities begin on October 29th from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm with an extravaganza of live entertainment. This Free five-day celebration runs through November 2nd. It’s an exhilarating event to experience that often becomes a celebratory tradition for those who take part.

Day of the Dead or “Old Souls Day” is perhaps Mexico’s most popular holiday. It’s a joyful time to celebrate and commemorate the dead. In Mexican culture, death is not to be feared — as the afterlife is seen as a natural part of a person’s journey. This tradition goes back thousands of years with its roots in the Aztecs; who dedicated an entire month to the dead. In their ancient monuments, carvings link the return of their ancestors as hummingbirds and butterflies.

Day of the Dead also includes animals who play an important role in Mexican culture. Often depicted in the folk art of Mexico as vibrant, colorful dragons, lizards, and other mythical creatures — animals serve as guides for the spirit of the dead in the afterlife. A new not to be missed installation will be the “Tlaquepaque Alebrijes”.  The Alebrijes features animals of the Southwest. Look for the wings of a bat, horns of bighorn sheep, the tail of a lizard, the body of a rat, and the ears of a jackrabbit.

Animal spirit guides also include our beloved family of pets like dogs and cats. A beautiful pet altar honoring them will be displayed in the window of BowWow in Tlaquepaque North.

The Marigold Mural Project Project is a 26-foot-long community remembrance wall created by the artist Lovejoy. It provides a visual connection for everyone to honor the departed together. Paint a tribute to your loved one with a memory, or share a photo, poem, or word on the mural. The project is in its eleventh year, and the activity is free with paints and brushes provided onsite. Lovejoy paints a huge motive in the middle. She will be there from 11:00 am - 5:00 pm each day through November 2nd.

 

Tlaquepaque’s Day of the Dead decorations includes paper mache skeletons and bright-colored banners that will dance in the wind welcoming the spirits of the deceased. Large-scale installations are always a surprise to discover while meandering throughout the two properties. 

Themed altars will be on display throughout Tlaquepaque and Tlaquepaque North, including an educational altar located across from The Secret Garden, explaining the incredible symbolism of the elements used in creating an altar (incense, salt, water, food, flowers, paper, skulls, fire, etc.), La Sirena in the fountain by Oak Creek Brewery, the mermaid forewarning death, Frida’s Tree Of Life, a themed altar commemorating Grammy award-winning Mariachi singer, Vincent Fernandez, often referred to as “the soundtrack of Mexican culture,” and many others.

Patio Las Campanas and Tlaquepaque North will have public altars. Tlaquepaque encourages visitors to bring “oferendas” or offerings of photos and mementos to commemorate loved ones on these community altars. 

Entertainment Schedule, October 29, 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Calle Independencia — 11:00 am - 5:00 pm

Face painting for young and old by Gabby and Cindi (available for a fee) 

The Chapel

Patrick Ki — 11:30 am - 2:30 pm
This gifted Sedona guitarist creates the mood to envelop you in the festivities of the day with his passionate uplifting Latin, jazz, and flamenco melodies. 

Eric Miller — 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
One of Sedona’s favorite romantic guitarists — Eric’s humble wow factor delights audiences with every tune in his repertoire from flamenco and Latin, Brazilian sambas, and jazz to his original music.

Patio De Los Campanas

Mr. Don Julio & Dos Guitarras 12:00 noon - 3:00 pm
Known for their passionate performances of music from Spain, Mexico, and Latin America — these musicians share the flavors of their cultures setting the tone for the day.

Free Sugar Skull Decorating 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
A wonderful activity for the kids which also serves as an example of how to celebrate, mock and play with death. 

Gaetano Frankel Duo with Flamenco Dancing — 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
These talented musicians have almost become an institution in Tlaquepaque. Playing a fusion of flamenco guitar with spicy Latin rhythms; they will be accompanied by the phenomenal energy of Flamenco Dancers in the colorful costumes of Mexico.

Patio De Las Rosas 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

FoxyKoshka — This Flagstaff-based acoustical duo with beautiful vocal harmonies offers an eclectic repertoire of American, Latin, and World music.

Patio Del Norte from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

The Danza Azteca Callpulli Tonantzin Group
performs authentic Aztec dances, electrifying audiences in dazzling costumes. These Mexican descendants sharing Aztec Chichimeca culture use ceremony in dance to represent the cosmos and energy of every living being. They dance to the beats of the huehueti, or drum in the nahuati dialect of their ancestors.