Día de los Muertos in Fort Worth 2026: The Parade, the Garden, and What’s Free
Día de los Muertos is a time to remember the people we love — and Fort Worth celebrates it in a big, public way. This year there are several gatherings worth planning around: the big parade and festival in the Northside on Saturday, October 31, and a full day of celebrations across the city on Sunday, November 1. Both welcome everybody, and both are kind to a tight budget.
The parade and festival — Saturday, October 31 (free)
The 23rd annual Día de los Muertos en Fort Worth, presented by Artes de la Rosa with the City of Fort Worth and the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, starts with a parade at 10 a.m. The parade begins on North Main Street at Central Avenue and heads north toward the Stockyards.
After the parade, the festival runs 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Marine Park, 303 NW 20th Street in the Historic Northside. Admission is free. Expect food, local artists, face painting, mariachi, opera, and ballet folklórico. The Kimbell Art Museum’s Teen Council hands out art kits at the parade, so bring the kids early.
Questions: Artes de la Rosa, 1440 N. Main Street, (817) 624-8333.
The Botanic Garden — Sunday, November 1 (half price)
The Fort Worth Botanic Garden holds its Día de los Muertos celebration on Sunday, November 1, and admission is half price all day. Activities run 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., with a procession and a priest’s blessing at 3:30 p.m.
There is a main altar by the Celebramos Committee, altar displays from community groups, two giant Catrinas visiting from Toluca, vendors, face painting, and performances all afternoon — ballet folklórico at noon, mariachi at 4 p.m. The Garden is at 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd.; public hours that day are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with last entry at 4 p.m. Phone: (817) 463-4160.
La Gran Plaza — Sunday, November 1 (free)
La Gran Plaza de Fort Worth hosts its Día de los Muertos celebration on Sunday, November 1, from 1:00 to 6:30 p.m. Admission is free, with music and cultural entertainment honoring loved ones.
Artisan Circle at La Cabrona — Sunday, November 1 (free festival)
The Third Annual Día de los Muertos Celebration fills Artisan Circle at La Cabrona Cocina Mexicana, 2933 Crockett St, on Sunday, November 1, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The street festival is free to attend, open to all ages, with free parking — Cultura Markets vendors, live mariachi, and a roaming Catrina. One honest note: the all-you-can-eat buffet inside the restaurant is $35 per person. The festival itself costs nothing.
Making an ofrenda on a budget
You do not need to spend much to honor someone at home. A photo, a candle, their favorite food, and marigolds from any grocery store make a real ofrenda. Many families add pan dulce and a glass of water. What matters is the name and the memory, not the price tag. The holiday itself runs November 1–2: November 1 honors children who have passed (Día de los Angelitos), and November 2 honors adults (Día de los Difuntos).
Year-round help, in English and Spanish
Celebrations are one weekend. Rent, groceries, and doctor bills are every week. If your family could use help with any of them, take two minutes with our free checker — it matches you with Fort Worth programs you may qualify for, in English or Spanish: See what you qualify for. Or browse all 156 local programs.
