Día de los Muertos in Old Town Albuquerque

Old Town comes alive for 10 days leading up to Día de los Muertos. Walk the Marigold Mile, discover hidden ofrendas, and join the candlelight procession to Plaza de los Recuerdos. Music, dance, decoration, art, and cultura create an unforgettable experience in the corazón de Albuquerque.

Imagine strolling through Old Town in the week leading up to Día de los Muertos (October 30th to November 8th, 2026). Music drifts from patios while shops and plazas glow with orange and yellow marigolds, thousands strung together as the Marigold Mile. Hidden patios and courtyards open to reveal ofrendas alive with color, calaveras, photos, and offerings that celebrate memories of loved ones.

From within San Felipe de Neri, the first drumbeats of the Matachines echo outward. Their dance bursts into the plaza, carrying with it centuries of New Mexican tradition and culture. As night falls, a candlelight procession winds through Old Town, filling the streets with hundreds of flickering flames. Globitos, small hot air balloons lit from within, rise and shimmer, adding their own bursts of light and color to the night. At Plaza de los Recuerdos, families gather among more than 50 community-built ofrendas as a curandero offers a blessing, weaving together prayer, memory, and celebration.

Everywhere you turn, you are greeted by symbols of life and remembrance: a towering Catrina sculpture and a glowing Tree of Life, standing proudly as tributes to connection across generations. This journey through Old Town offers more than just sights, it is an immersive experience that brings the rich traditions of Día de los Muertos to life.