Get ready for the 13th installment of the ever popular and spirited festival of remembrance and revelry, Saturday, November 5th, 2022 / 4 – 11 PM! In early November, it is believed that the gateway between Mictlan, the ancient Aztec Land of the Dead, and our own opens up so we can dance and sing with our lost loved ones at this special time of year. Starting with a glorious processional from Huizenga Plaza to a colorful street festival outside Revolution Live and Backyard FTL, a splendid time is guaranteed for all!

This FREE Signature South Florida Event is a creative spectacle honoring Mexican and Latin American traditions while generating modern interpretations that connect a broad spectrum of people. Rooted in community, this event embraces a universe of ideas from legions of talented skull inspired artists, mariachi musicians, painted performers and enthusiastic skeleton clad revelers.

Event Founder and Master Puppeteer, Jim Hammond said, “Our mission is to produce a signature event for all ages that maintains and respects the cultural integrity of international Dia de los Muertos traditions.”

At Huizenga Plaza starting at 4pm, the “Mexhika Stage” will have indigenous dance and music by the danza groups Tloke Nuake and Mesoamerican Danza. You will also have the chance for sugar skull face painting, and mask and puppet making as folks gather for the annual processional. The park will open early for participants to have their faces painted and to take photos with Puppet Network’s giant skeleton puppets.

At 5:30pm sharp, the Skeleton Processional, featuring 25 giant puppets up to 18’ tall and a community of skeletons, will follow the Mexican American Council’s Mariachi musicians along Fort Lauderdale’s beautiful Riverwalk, culminating at Revolution Live. New Orleans styled brass bands will follow the end of the Processional. We are thrilled to have, for our 10th year, Damn Good Hospitality and Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale as the host and partner of the Skeleton Processional starting at Huizenga Plaza through the city! ALL are invited to join!

The party at Revolution Live and Backyard FTL is the epicenter of the event and features 2 stages including: “Folklorico Stage”(5-11pm/ traditional Mexican and Latin-American dance & music) and the “Boneyard Bandstand” (6pm-2am/New Orleans inspired brass bands).  Over 100 of the best regional artisans will be showcased at “Craft Crypt” north of Revolution Live off SW 3rd Avenue. At the “Muertos Street Festival”, food trucks, traditional dance, and street performers, will fill you with food and fun. The street festival will be open from 5-11pm.

Additionally on Wednesday, November 2^nd, a new traditional Dia de los Muertos Candlelight Vigil will be celebrated from 7-9pm at Stache, 109 SW 2^nd Avenue, Fort Lauderdale.  Imagine the image of being graveside in Oaxaca Mexico celebrating your loved ones enjoying candles, music and a cerveza – this ancient experience will be recreated on this sacred day in downtown Fort Lauderdale.

The Florida Day of the Dead Celebration is proudly supported by our event partners including: Puppet Network, Mexican American Council, Damn Good Hospitality (Revolution Live, Backyard FTL, Stache), Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale, City of Fort Lauderdale, General Consulate of Mexico in Miami, Puppet Guild of South Florida and Broward County Cultural Division among many others. To get our details on ALL of our events and to stay current on our updates, visit our website: www.dayofthedeadflorida.com and check out the full list of events on our Facebook pages.

Memory for the Dead, Party for the Living!