Día de los Muertos at Pearl

October 14, 2025

Pearl is once again coming alive with color, music, and memory as we honor Día de los Muertos with a community-wide tradition. This year, the beloved tradition grows into a two-day experience filled with opportunities to gather, reflect, and celebrate the lives of those who came before us.

Across the campus, you’ll find vibrant ofrendas, live performances, hands-on workshops, family-friendly activities, and flavors inspired by the season. From art installations to roaming entertainers and the iconic procession, Día at Pearl offers countless ways to connect with culture, creativity, and community.

Mark your calendars for these upcoming Día events that you won’t want to miss.

DÍa de los Muertos at a Glance

Calaverita Run 5K and Family Walk

Saturday, October 25 at 7 PM

Want to celebrate and honor your loved ones in a fun and active way? Join Visit San Antonio for its annual Calaverita Run 5K and Family Walk! Put on your running shoes and enjoy a beautiful route along Museum Reach, passing through the Pearl’s backyard. Plus, the family walk will explore the lovely Pearl area with eight curated ofrendas throughout the route.

Sign up here

Person participating in Pearl's procession at its Dia de los Muertos event.

Día de los Muertos at Pearl

Saturday, November 1 – Sunday, November 2

Free

Expect colorful ofrendas (altars), live music and performances, children’s activities, art installations, and delicious food and drink throughout the campus. From festive workshops to roaming entertainers and our annual procession, there will be something for everyone to experience.

Saturday, November 1

TAPETE DE ASERRÍN DE GUANAJUATO

New this year, Pearl is excited to partner with the state of Guanajuato to bring the Mexican tradition of alfombras or tapetes de aserrín (Sawdust Carpets) to San Antonio. Stop by the shade structure near Casanova Barbecue to see the finished design.

Designed by artisans from the Mexican State of Guanajuato, this carpet style has been exhibited in Europe and throughout Mexico; it lasts up to 2 days and depicts the journey between life and death.

COMMUNITY ALTAR

Bring a cherished photo of a loved one and contribute it to our community ofrenda at Pearl.

Created by the talented Anthony Quintanilla, whose three traditional altars are beautifully crafted from recycled materials.

RIVER PARADE

  • 8:00 PM VisitSA will bring their lit, decorated barges from the parade up to the amphitheater for viewing

Sunday, November 2

PERFORMANCES

Expect live musical performances throughout the night from AM Project, Mariachi Mexica, and a headlining act by Volcan in Pearl Park!

ALTARS & ART

Friday, October 31 – Wednesday, November 5

Experience the beauty of tribute at Pearl, where local artists and institutions come together to create stunning altars honoring loved ones from our community who have passed.

Here’s a snapshot:

Regina Moya – in honor of Otto Koehler, whose vision, entrepreneurialism, and disgrace contributed to Pearl’s storied beginnings.

Manola y Maria – inspired by the traditional tree of life sculptures found in Mexican folk art.

Instituto Cultural de México & Consulado General de México en San Antonio – in honor of Mexican singer and songwriter Juan Gabriel, colloquially known as Juanga or El Divo de Juarez.

Discover more ofrendas on your upcoming visit to Pearl.

CATRIN & CATRINA CONTEST

Think you have the best costume and outfit? If so, consider entering our Catrin and Catrina contest!

The competition will be held after the procession (7:30 PM) at Pearl Park. We are excited to announce that our special guest judge will be Michael Quintanilla!

PROCESSION

Pearl’s celebrated procession starts around 7:00 PM and includes roaming puppets from Las Monas, drummers from Son Olvidados, and dancers from Bomba Bailar.

Founder of the Mexican Society of Grillers (SMP) and award-winning Grill Master, Alejandro Gutiérrez hosting a live-fire cooking demonstration at Sabores de Mexico.

Sabores de México at Pearl: A Día de Muertos Celebration

Sunday, November 2

$85-$195

This special experience blends storytelling, live-fire cooking, traditional gastronomy, and music – all wrapped in a vibrant Día de los Muertos atmosphere that pays tribute to Mexico’s ancestral flavors and cultural heritage.

Día de los Muertos at Pearl takes place at Pearl Park and is an annual and vibrant community celebration that features ofrendas (altars) curated by local artists, a community altar, live performances, Catrin & Catrina contest, local vendors, and a communal procession at 7:15 PM throughout Pearl campus that honors memory and celebrates life in a luminous display of tradition.

VIP Admission Includes:

  • One-hour early access (4 PM – 5 PM)
  • Access to live-fire cooking food stations led by Grill Master and SMP Founder, Alejandro Gutiérrez, and the SMP team (unlimited tacos, sides, and dessert included) 
  • 2 complimentary drink tickets
  • Reserved elevated seating location for Pearl’s Día de los Muertos Procession
  • General admission ticket included to concert inside historic Stable Hall, featuring Josh Baca and Hot Tamales, with exclusive access to upstairs Hay Lofts and lounge seating (8 PM)
  • Día de los Muertos-themed activations
  • A gift from SMP Grill and Pearl
  • Flower crown (1 per guest)

A live fire cooking demonstration by SMP member

General Admission Includes:

  • Access to live-fire cooking food stations led by Grill Master and SMP Founder, Alejandro Gutiérrez, and the SMP team (unlimited tacos, sides, and dessert included) 
  • Beverages available for purchase
  • Reserved elevated seating location for Pearl’s Día de los Muertos Procession
  • General Admission ticket available for purchase to the concert inside Stable Hall featuring Josh Baca and Hot Tamales (8 PM)

Get tickets here

A candle-lit altar featuring colorful skulls, decor, and flowers honoring the Day of the Dead at Hotel Emma at Pearl.

Hotel Emma

Día de los Muertos Dinner

Sunday, November 2

$130

Every year, we honor our dear departed loved ones by taking part in the ancient culinary and cultural traditions of Día de los Muertos. Join us on Sunday, November 2nd for a special holiday celebration in Emma’s grand Elephant Cellar, featuring festive food and drink, colorful ofrendas, and more.

Get tickets here

Hotel Emma’s Ofrenda

Starting Monday, October 27, stop by Hotel Emma to view its magnificent ofrenda. It’ll be on display through Monday, November 3.

An altar to the Hotel Emma namesake during dia de los muertos at pearl
Hotel Emma’s 2024 Día de los Muertos altar.

Stable Hall

Join us on November 2 for our inaugural Día de los Muertos Showcase, a vibrant celebration honoring this rich cultural tradition. Experience an incredible lineup of San Antonio’s musical superstars that you won’t want to miss.

Get tickets here

Pullman Market

Thursday, October 30-Sunday, November 2

Free + Cost of Purchase

Pullman Market is honoring Día de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead) with a four-day celebration at Mezquite! The festivities will feature costume contests, live DJ sets, mariachi performances, and face painting. 

Visit the Ofrenda

Thursday, October 23 – Sunday, November 2

The Pullman Market Día de los Muertos altar honors the farmers and market pioneers of San Antonio who came before us. The table is adorned with fresh produce, house-baked goods, and a Texas beer as an offering of remembrance.

Family hugging in front of the Pullman Market ofrenda for Dia de los Muertos.

Muertos at Mezquite

Saturday, November 1

  • Starts at 11 AM
  • Join us for music, color, and community as we honor tradition with food, fun, and festive beats!
    • Face painting from11 AM to 6 PM
    • Live DJ from 11 AM to 6 PM

Sunday, November 2

  • Starts at 10 am
  • Celebrate the final day of Día de los Muertos at Mezquite!
    • Face painting from 10 AM to 9 PM
    • Live DJ from 2 PM to 6 PM
    • Catrina Costume Contest from 8 PM to 8:30 PM

La Gloria at Pearl

Make your visit to La Gloria and experience it’s larger-than-life ofrenda as well as Chef Johnny Hernandez’s personal art collection of calavera and alebrije statues. Plus, stay ’til after dark to see these pieces take an otherworldly glow.

La Gloria’s ofrenda statue at the entrance of its restaurant at Pearl.

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