The Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe is once again transforming the historic Plaza into a sea of marigolds, music, mojigangas, and community remembrance—and we need YOUR help to keep the two-day festival free for everyone.
The heart of the City Different will beat to the rhythm of mariachis and the beauty of marigolds when the FREE Día de Los Muertos Festival returns to the historic Santa Fe Plaza on Friday, October 31, and Saturday, November 1.
FRIDAY, Oct. 31 HIGHLIGHTS
• Zozobra will crash Santa Fe’s Día de los Muertos celebration with the 2025 KIDS ZOZOBRA COSTUME CONTEST (details below)
• Live Music – Friday features Rondalla de Albuquerque, De Anza, Patricia Vonne, and Sol y Soul.
SATURDAY, Nov. 1 SPOTLIGHT
• Cultura & Community – Traditional ofrendas created by local families and organizations, strolling mariachi musicians, on-site free face painting, performances by Ballet Folklorico, Las Catrinas, Thelma Arguello, and Teatro Paraguas
• Saturday Children's Zone – Hands-on art tables,sugar-skull decorating, mask-making, and complimentary trick-or-treat bags for kids while supplies last.
• Digital Community Ofrenda – Honor loved ones by submitting their photos to SFDIA505@gmail.com by 5 pm on Oct. 22
• Traditional Aztec Blessing and Candelight Parade led by the 8-ft. Mojiganga puppets and Las Catrinas
• Sizzling dance party with live music by Nosotros
FOOD VENDORS: Andale 2, Jen’s Diner, Açaí Bowls, Rainbow Snow
2025 KIDS ZOZOBRA COSTUME CONTEST.
•Build, sew, sculpt, summon, or otherwise create your costume masterpiece.
• Haunt the Plaza by 7:00 pm on Oct 31; check-in is beside the bandstand and you must be on-time.
• At 7:30 pm sharp, our panel of ghoulish glitterati and crowd cheers will crown three champions who will bask in eternal—well, at least year-long—glory.
• Costumes must stay safe and PG-13—save the actual flames for Old Man Gloom himself.
• Free to enter, but donations of "gloom-less" cans for local food banks to help your neighbors are wickedly appreciated.