Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos, is a holiday focused on gathering friends and family members to remember loved ones who have died. In Austin, this has grown into a city-wide, party, procession and vigil, celebrating the city’s mutli-ethnic heritage. There are several Dia de los Muertos events happening in the Austin area over the next two weeks. Here’s a schedule of family-friendly events to check out.

Dia de los Muertos Events in Austin:

— Austin Public Library Day of the Dead Storytime
Día de los Muertos Storytime is a time for fun, with laughing skulls, lively music, and mask making ‘midst fluttering butterflies. Sponsored by the Youth Programming Services, this is a family literacy-based art program for all ages. Free at the following locations:

• Wednesday, Oct. 29, 5:30 – 7:15 p.m.
  Cepeda Branch, 651 N. Pleasant Valley Rd., 512-974-7372
• Thursday, Oct. 30, 3:30 – 5 p.m.
  Little Walnut Creek Branch, 835 W. Rundberg Ln., 512-974-9860
• Saturday, Nov. 1, 2-4 p.m.
  Ruiz Branch, 1600 Grove Blvd., 512-974-7500

— Planet K Dia de los Muertos Fireworks Display
Friday, Oct. 31, 9:30 p.m.
Planet’s K’s annual 20-minute epic display of fireworks will take place around 10 p.m. on Halloween night behind Krieg Field east of Pleasant Valley Road. The event is free and open to the public.

— Día de los Muertos 2014
Saturday, November 1st, 4 – 10 p.m.
Mercado festival begins at 2 p.m.
The annual Day of the Dead celebration is the biggest annual event at the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center. ESB-MACC encourages the public to display pride with your vehicle or bike for a chance to win a special prize. Altars are also suggested and may be placed inside or outside a vehicle. The FREE event will also include:

• Ofrendas (Altars) Exhibit
• The Mercado Festival will begin at 2 p.m. featuring handmade crafts by Latino artisans.
• There will also be a Paseo de Artes with information from local art organizations, including select performances from 2:30-4 p.m., in addition to DJ music.
• Live music and entertainment from 5-10 p.m. featuring El Tule, Trampia, La Rondalla de Austin, Brass Band with Felipe Borrero, and Danza Azteca Chichimeca.
• Costume Contest
• Family Activities
• Sugar Skull Making
• Classic Car and bike show

— 7th Annual Día de los Muertos
Saturday, Nov. 1,  6-9 p.m.
Central Market North Lamar partners with Acadêmicos da Ópera (Austin Samba School) and Las Monas de San Antonio for a family-friendly parade and dance celebration. Free!

 

— Round Rock Día de los Muertos Festivities
Saturday, Nov. 8, 6-10 p.m.
Williamson County Hispanic Heritage Committee, Round Rock Ballet Folklorico, City of Round Rock, Round Rock Arts and Univision will be sponsoring a Día de los Muertos procession and festival in downtown Round Rock. Free! Check out the full schedule of events.

For more Dia de los Muertos event info, check out the website Austin Days of the Dead.

Have fun!