Oct. 26 @ 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Mexic-Arte Museum’s 41st Annual Viva La Vida Festival and Parade is Austin’s largest and longest-running Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) event. Co-presented by the Austin Convention Center and the City of Austin, this year’s festival will take place on Saturday, October 26 at 4th Street and Congress Avenue. The festivities begin with a Grand Procession at noon. Festival activities run until 6 p.m. Participants can enjoy the Education Pavilion with hands-on art activities, traditional foods, local artists and retail booths, a low-rider exhibition, and live performances throughout the day.
Join us in the Special Section of the Procession: Quetzalcoatl
Quetzalcoatl is the feathered serpent god that came into existence around the Olmec period (1400-400 BC) and is believed to be one of the creators of the world. On a lone journey to the underworld he collected the bones of the dead in order to give birth to humanity. Quetzalcoatl represents the connection and cycle of both life and death, endings and renewal.
Viva la Vida is one of the oldest Día de los Muertos parades and festivals in the state and is the largest celebration of its kind in Austin, attended by over 20,000 people. Come celebrate with us by wearing feathers, masks, assemblages, fans, and drums in this year’s Viva la Vida parade! Come together with your friends as a comparsa (masked company of street dancers) or join on your own!
Volunteer
- Parade Volunteers: Help setup & carrying forth the parade (pushing parade props, etc.). Volunteers are ESSENTIAL to the parade’s beauty and success!
- Festival Volunteers: General festival duties including setting up and loading props, hanging up decorations, and any other help needed throughout the day.
Parade
The Parade brings together a vibrant and varied mix of the traditional, contemporary, and Austin “weird”. The Procession – including costumes, props, live music, dancers, and floats – marches down historic 6th Street and culminates at E. 4th Street and Congress Avenue.
Vendors
Viva la Vida features over 20 Día de los Muertos inspired artists, artisans, vendors, and makers! Visit the Muertos Mercado for the perfect addition to your Día de los Muertos altar or the perfect gift for a friend.
Celebrated by Mexicans and Mexican Americans alike, as well as others in Latin America, Día de los Muertos/Day of the Dead is an important religious and cultural event that synthesizes pre-Columbian traditions and Catholic Church practices. Originating in ancient Mexico, the annual celebration is increasingly observed in the United States as part of contemporary Latinx popular culture. Day of the Dead blends indigenous religious and cultural rituals with customs surrounding the Catholic holy days:
- November 1: All Saints’ Day (prayers said to saints and martyrs)
- November 1: Día de los Angelitos (Day of the Little Angels, dedicated to souls of deceased children)
- November 2: All Souls’ Day (prayers and offerings made to deceased relatives and friends, especially for souls in Purgatory)
During this yearly event, cemeteries are cleaned. Home and public altars or ofrendas (offerings) are built to honor the dead, who they attract with food, drink, candles, incense, marigold flowers, and objects once favored in their lives.
A Look into the Past
Photos
Thank you to our sponsors!
Learn more about the Downtown Austin Alliance! Thank you for your support!
Learn more about the Texas Commission on the Arts! Thank you for your support!
Learn more about the Cultural Arts Division! Thank you for your support!
Learn more about Capital Printing! Thank you for your support!
Learn more about Red River Rising! Thank you for your support!
Learn more about Air Garage! Thank you for your support!
Learn more about McDonald’s of South and Central Texas! Thank you for your support!
Learn more about the National Endowment for the Arts! Thank you for your support!
Learn more about Pastrana & Garcia Injury Law! Thank you for your support!
Learn more about Brown Distributing Company! Thank you for your support!