HOTA News:

ALBUQUERQUE — The Historic Old Town Association will host its third annual Día de los Muertos in Old Town Albuquerque from Saturday, Oct. 25 through Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025. The week-long series of events includes ofrendas, community art installations, performances, and public gatherings that recognize the tradition of honoring loved ones who have passed.

Weeklong events:

• The Marigold Mile: See thousands upon thousands of marigolds line the beams, vigas, lights, adobe, and historic structures throughout Old Town.
• Old Town Ofrenda: San Felipe de Neri Catholic School & Escuela del Sol Montessori students create and decorate the Old Town Community Ofrenda in the historic Old Town Gazebo. 
• Día de Los Muertos sculptures: Commissioned by the Historic Old Town Association the sculptures of La Catrina, the Tree of Life, and this year’s addition, a Xolo Dog, will be on display in the Old Town Plaza. The sculptures are made by JOMO, and if you’d like to see more of their work please visit Old Town’s very own Doublecat Oddities in the Poco a Poco patio.
• Vendor Ofrendas: Vendors create their own special ofrendas to celebrate Día de Los Muertos. Visit each ofrenda and remember loved ones who have gone before us. Wander the hidden patios and portals of Old Town and find another ofrenda hidden around the next corner. Map of all ofrenda locations to be released soon!
• Plaza de Recuerdos: The community is invited to create and share their own ofrendas in Old Town Plaza. Spaces are available and can be reserved at: https://recuerdos.albuquerqueoldtown.com/.  The public is invited to Old Town Plaza as it transforms to the Plaza de los Recuerdos Nov. 1–2.  
• DDLM Old Town Photo Installation with Marigold Garland: The gazebo on San Felipe is decorated with live marigold garland and offered to visitors as a perfect photo opportunity.  Visitors are encouraged to tag @historicoldtownabq and #ddlm in their social media posts. 
• Ballet Folklorico: Many ballet folklorico troupes will be visiting Old Town Albuquerque during the Día de Los Muertos celebration. Visit albuquequerqueoldtown.com/ddlm for the schedule. 
• Collectible pins: Vendors creating and sharing ofrendas will have commemorative pins available for sale at $10 per pin. This year’s pins depict the Historic Old Town Catrina sculpture and the Monarch Butterfly from the Tree of Life sculpture. 

Family Day, Saturday, October 25

• Family movie. The community is invited to the San Felipe Church courtyard to share a beloved movie celebrating the spirit of Día de Los Muertos. 
• Globitos. Miniature hot air balloons will illuminate North Plaza Road. 

Saturday, November 1 

• Aztec Dancers: Traditional Aztec dancers share their traditions. 
• Traditional Matachines dance: Immediately following mass the matachines dancers perform a traditional dance which embodies the human struggle of good versus evil.
• Catrina Procession: In the San Felipe church parking lot, the procession follows a lowrider and Old Town visitors in traditional garb and facepaint process around the plaza in a magical and festive celebration as visitors watch from balconies and sidewalks. 
• Santissima DDLM event: Immediately following the Catrina Procession, enjoy the annual event hosted by Old Town Santissima store owner Johnny Salas, this event features mariachis, ballet folklorico and a DDLM costume contest. 

Sunday, November 2

• Curandero Blessing of Ofrendas: Following afternoon mariachi performances, Dr. Mario Del Ángel Guevara (UNM Traditional Medicine Program) will lead a traditional blessing shortly before sunset. 
• Candlelight Procession: Volunteers will hand out candles, where participants are encouraged to write the names of loved ones who have passed away, and then process around the Plaza de los Recuerdos. 
• Ballet Folklorico Flash Mob: Rumor has it there may be a spontaneous performance of “La Bruja”, bringing together many of the ballet folklorico performers from across the city.

This year the Historic Old Town Association features a Catrina performer, who is building a special dress celebrating Old Town Albuquerque and Día de Los Muertos. She will appear in multiple locations on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1.  

The evolving daily schedule, including merchant-sponsored activities and cultural highlights, will be posted online: www.albuquerqueoldtown.com/dia-de-los-muertos-in-old-town-albuquerque

Thanks to our sponsors: Bernalillo County, French Funerals & Cremations, Visit Albuquerque, Hotel Albuquerque, and Daniels Family 

About the Historic Old Town Association

The Historic Old Town Association (HOTA) is an association made up of businesses, property owners, and residents working to support cultural programming, beautification, historic preservation, and community engagement in Albuquerque’s Old Town district. HOTA exists to support, unify, preserve, and enhance the Old Town area for the benefit of the residents, merchants & service providers, property owners, and those who visit Old Town.