Celebrating life at Edinburg’s Day of the Dead Festival
Edinburg, TX, Oct. 9, 2023 – The City of Edinburg will host the 9th Annual “Los Muertos Bailan Festival & Block Party,” a pre-celebration of the Day of the Dead on Saturday, October 21, 2023, from 5 – 11 p.m. This year’s celebration will be held on McIntyre St. from 8th St. to the Museum of South Texas History (MOSTH), making it the largest Day of the Dead block party in South Texas.
The event is once again in partnership with the Museum of South Texas History and Area956. The Day of the Dead is not a somber occasion but rather a lively and joyful celebration of life and the connection between the living and the deceased. It is a time for families and friends to come together, remember their loved ones, and celebrate the lives of our loved ones.
Los Muertos Bailan offers various activities to the community, including carnival rides, plenty of vendors, and great festival food. The event is FREE and open to the public. The celebration will showcase the community’s artistic, musical, and performing talents, along with a chalk art competition with great cash prizes and dance performances from Mexican folkloric dancers.
The festival will also showcase some of the more traditional aspects of Dia de los Muertos with MOSTH’s Altar exhibit, community procession, and a community altar. This year, the altar will be dedicated to Edinburg’s beloved Fire Chief Shawn Snider.
Returning this year is the Catrina Contest for ladies and young girls. The community is invited to dress up as Catrinas or just paint their face like a sugar skull to celebrate the evening. To register for any of the contests, visit www.edinburgarts.com/losmuertosbailan.
Featured on the three community stages will be mariachis and traditional dance performances, and in the amphitheater, there will be musical guests, including Elida Reyna y Grupo Avante and Solido.
The Edinburg Arts Foundation will partner with the City of Edinburg to host a Dia de los Muertos Loteria fundraiser at the event. Monies raised will be in support of the Arts in Edinburg. Los Muertos Bailan is the City of Edinburg’s largest cultural festival, with thousands joining in in the festivities. For more information, contact the Dustin M. Sekula Memorial Library at 956-383-6246 or visit the City of Edinburg’s Cultural Arts website at www.edinburgarts.com